'Enchanting’ Christmas ice rink opens just an hour's drive from Bristol

A festive ice rink has opened at Clarks Village in Street to start off the Christmas season. 

An hour’s drive from Bristol, the ‘enchanting and popular’ 550 square metre undercover ice rink features real ice.

It was launched with an inclusive skating session ahead of opening to the public, where more than 80 guests from disability groups across the South West were invited for the season's very first skating session.  

To mark the launch, Clarks Village also switched on its ‘stunning’ Christmas lights to create a sparkling atmosphere across the outlet. 

And it hosted a festive market of independent stalls, which will return on November 24 until Christmas.

Chris Davis, Clarks Village centre director, said: “We're incredibly excited to launch our enchanting and popular ice rink for the Christmas season here at Clarks Village.

“The ice rink brings a completely new element to the outlet – a festive and fun activity for family and friends to enjoy together whether they're coming just to skate or as part of a Christmas shopping day out. 

“The launch session was a fantastic experience to begin our celebrations this year, welcoming disability groups onto the ice. 

“The ice rink is an inclusive place to visit and enjoy, and we're proud that every skating session is wheelchair friendly and we also hold regular quiet sessions.

“It's wonderful to see so many guests enjoying the ice and hopefully creating some very magical memories to start off the Christmas season. 

“We can't wait to welcome more guests each day now over the next eight weeks.”

The Clarks Village ice rink is open daily, excluding Christmas Day, from now until January 7.  

Ice-skating sessions will be 45-minutes long and are pre-bookable with skate hire included.

Penguin and seal skating aids are available for hire as well as bob skates to help guests stay steady. 

For those looking for larger private parties, the ice rink is also available for exclusive hire.

For more details or to book a session, visit: www.clarksvillage.co.uk/ice-rink-2023