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Ice Skating in Northamptonshire

Fancy Ice Skating this Christmas? Following on for John Lewis Excitable Edgar, it seems everyone wants to go Ice Skating this year.

We've checked out the best venues in the area, price compared the fees and digged down into actual customer reviews.

Looks like there’s a clear winner - and possibly one to avoid! Feel free to share this review.

First Up:
WinterlandMK
Despite being in Towcester, Winter Wonderland MK is at Towcester Racecourse - it’s new for 2019 and the site was opened by band East17 (although without Tony Mortimer and Brian Harvey. Terry Caldwell being the only original member present).

Winter Wonderland MK
Adult (13 and above) £13.50
Child (12 and Under) £9.50
Skate Aid: £5.00
Booking Fee: Trybooking fee: £1.46 (based on x1 adult x 1 child)
Car Parking £5
Undercover? NO
Time skating: 45 mins
No Discounts at other times

Promotion Imagery.. Stock Photos of legs and skates. Laced skates shown are different to what you would get.

Reviews, er mixed. er.. very poor:

Been driving by this for a couple of weeks to / from work and the other half wanted to visit so we finally did today. We paid £5 to park in cash, we were there early so parked on tarmac and walked through the muddy bit to get to the entrance tent. Saw some rides, places to get food (typical fairground offerings) and a place to get beer or a drink. Didn’t venture into Mermaid Cove nor to visit the big man himself though so can’t comment. Looking for the Bavarian Market, thought it might be inside, but no. It’s a set of sheds, cold looking vendors crowded round having a smoke. The website says “If you’re looking for gifts our Bavarian Market is the place to go”. Erm... no. Go to the Keynes.

I have to say I agree with the other review that said this was so bad it’s almost funny... It is nothing like the website. I drove here to visit, if I’d done the shuttle bus from MK, got off, watched the bus go and have an hour to kill before it returned I’d be mighty annoyed and bored. Nowhere really to sit down either or keep warm.
It’s early days, it may get better but it didn’t give the impressions it would. Yes, I went at a quiet time, we spent 12 minutes there and spent six ensuring we hadn’t missed anything but it really feels like one of those places that will appear on the news or a rip-off show.”
Red Leicester, Google

It was amazingly bad, luckily it was that bad it was actually funny. We stayed for about 5 mins, walked past the maybe 10 sheds that are trying to be a Christmas market and round the food stalls which, if you believe the website are 'artisans in their own right'....I'm not sure I've ever heard a chippy van and a hot roast trailer described as artisans before but sure, why not. If you like a pretty small fair ground and a packet of chips get down there, otherwise go to an actual Christmas market where it's not rubbish.
Mike Newham, Google

Not what was advertised, all that was there was a few fair rides and few food and market stalls, not very Christmassy or wintery. All the other activities were extra price. No kids soft play, No entertainment throughout the day, 3 market stalls, and few food vans. Santa’s grotto was terrible. Really wouldn’t recommend. Unless you like the fair. Very disappointed.
Victoria Woodley, Facebook

What a money racket! We took our toddlers today. Nothing to do just a funfair. The staff all looked misrable,however the security on entrance were welcoming.The turkey rolls smelled very bad but the german sausages tasted ok. There was no where for us to eat our food except the bar which was soaking wet.Very expensive food for poor quality i think. Everything is money money money. The children were very bored and my daughter asked to leave after 5 minutes of being there🤷‍♀️ £5 to park too what a rip off. When we spoke to staff every single person blamed the organisers.
we were the only people there . There were about 5 stalls...
would not reccomend for families with younger children.
Christine Provan, Facebook

I was very disappointed. It hasnt lived up to all the hype about it being a Winter Wonderland, its a small funfair with about 5 stalls definitely not a Bavarian market. There are a few stalls for food and drink, unfortunately only one has a cover and its not that large so when it rains there is nowhere else to eat and drink in the dry. The sound from the funfair drowns out the acts on the stage. The ice rink was melting and too much surface water which makes it unsuitable to skate safely.
Sandra Moorcroft, Facebook

Absolutely awful experience from start to finish!
Ridiculously overpriced rubbish, we went from one awful food experience to another, the rides were limited, dated, tacky and stupidly expensive compared to any other travelling fares in the area!
Don’t even get me started on the events it reminded me of the fun day from Pheonix nights it was that bad!
Not surprising one of the 6 tiny Xmas stall holders had put up a “last day today” sign, clearly they’ve had enough already!
If he was alive I’d have expected Jeremy Beadle to have jumped out on us at some point and tell us it was some sort of wind up!
Parking in the mud, 2 dodgems, 3 of us on the waltzers after waiting 20 minutes after being strapped in, 2 bratwursts, some awful mac n cheese, chips that had been recooked since last Xmas I think, 1 Nutella pancake and 4 VIP beanbags at the mermaid show later we’d had the most painful hour and a half I can remember and spent over £120!!!
Matt Buckle, Facebook

It was terrible, security was nice but didn’t account for the experience, there wasn’t really a lot there for families which was very disappointing, and it was mentioned as free didn’t say you had to pay for parking. Not impressed will not be going again
Jay Hartley, Facebook

There are lots more reviews in a similar vein.

Hopefully things can get better, let's look at the next venue:

Warwick Castle
The fantastic backdrop of the Castle sees an ice rink new for 2019.

Skate Only £13
Price online: £25 pp
Price on the day: £28 pp
Price is for aged 3+
Price includes Castle entry
Skate Aid: None Available
Car Parking £? Local Pay and Display fees.
WC website states: Please note, parking charges vary from £6 - £10
Booking Fee: No
Undercover? NO
Time skating: 45 mins
No Discounts at other times

Promotion Imagery. Heavily photoshopped images of models on rink, super-imposed in front of the Castle. Christmas Tree clearly seen in centre of the rink in image. No tree on real rink.

No specific Ice Rink reviews, to date.

***

Whilton Locks Garden Village
Ice Rink, Santa’s Grotto, Super Displays and so much more. This year see’s Tea wit Santa and exclusive events for SEN.
Independently owned Garden Centre with reviews consistently speaking of the big level of service, friendliness and willing to go the extra mile.

Adult: £12
Child (14 and under) £10
Push-a-long: £4
Car Parking FREE.
Booking Fee: FREE
Undercover? Yes
Time skating: 45 mins
* Discounted skates available at other times

Promotion Imagery. Actual photo of the Ice rink and photos of customers on the actual Ice rink

Can I say a big thank you to all the staff today. Especially those at the skating. We went along this morning with our 6 & 2 year old and every person we came into contact with was approachable, friendly and so helpful and polite- it’s sad that this isn’t always the case everywhere anymore but it just made our day that little bit more special. The range of skates and aids made it accessible for the whole family and a great magical start to the Christmas build up! Great job guys- will be back x
Mandy Forrer, Facebook

“Lovely day at whilton locks we went for family fun weekend and to ice skate. Thoroughly enjoyed and lots for the children to do and see.”
Hollie Carter, Facebook

“amazing fun for all the family
excellent breakfast. great fun on the newly improved bigger ice rink. ice skating for all ages, toddlers included.”
Lauren West, Facebook

***

Beckworth Emporium
High quality, high end Garden Centre with a very popular (often very long queues) restaurant.
Described by Rob Walkham on a Google review as “Over 50's Daily Mail readers and Ladies Who Lunch.... if thats you, you'll fit in with this crowd. Overpriced "artisan" food hall and a cafe.”
A bit harsh perhaps, as we love this venue however, each time we visit we always think Rob’s comment is kinda spot on!

Adult: £16
Child (15 and under) £12
Push-a-long: £5
Booking Fee: £1
Car Parking FREE.
Booking Fee: £1
Undercover? Yes
Time skating: 45 mins
* Discounted skates available at other times

Promotion Imagery. Actual photo of the Ice rink and photos of customers on the actual Ice rink
No specific Ice Rink reviews, to date.

***
Test time booking required: Saturday 30th November 3pm
Prices quoted based on x1 Adult and x1 Child
All figure and details correct as 27th November, 2019

The clear winner is Whilton Locks Garden Village based on EVERY Criteria - essentially price and experience based on this years reviews so far - with Beckworth Emporium second, third is Warwick Castle. Warwick Castle may have been joint second if it was undercover - there”s nothing worse than skating in the rain, and if the complete cost, including parking was lower. WinterlandMK is a kick in the teeth to the town of Towcester and the reviews seem to suggest it’s one to miss.

#iceskating #excitabledgar #whiltonlockgardencentre


 



Ice Skating at Warwick Castle, Photoshopped image.

WinterlandMKWinterlandMK Stock Library Photo



We recommend Real Ice - Ice Skating
Available at Whilton Locks Garden Village

Closed Christmas and Boxing Day
OPEN NEW YEARS DAY



 
ice skating in Northamptonshire
ice skating in Northamptonshire
Ice Skating in Northamptonshire at Whilton Locks Garden Village
WLGV - Whilton Locks, Northamptonshire. NN11 2NH
Tel: 01327 843 100

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