The Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in North East England 2024

This post shares the various options for ice skating across the North East this winter. Please always contact venues direct for up-to-date information before making plans and heading out as the info in this post may have changed.

Prices are based on a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) booking a standard session including skate hire and exclude any one-off/temporary discounts.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to discover the cheapest (and most expensive) options for ice skating this year plus venues which do not require pre-booking too.

Ice Skating Essentials

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Stock up on Thermal Socks here
Buy kids Thermal Underwear from £9.99 here
If your little one is missing out because of their age, how about this Ice Skating Sticker Book for them to enjoy at home instead?
This family sized flask is ideal for filling with hot chocolate and keeping in the car for afterwards

Some ice rinks are only open for a limited period and sometimes they have to close in bad weather. Please do make sure you double check opening hours.

Please contact the venues direct with any questions, I only have information which is publicly available. I have linked to all of the venues websites which will have their contact details and social media handles.

If you need a map or to know exactly where a venue is, type the postcode into Google Maps. If you need to use public transport, traveline can help with route planning.

Ice Rinks - Awaiting Info

I have not been able to find any information about these ice rinks for 2024 (which I assume means they are not going ahead but I will keep checking for updates)

Middlesbrough on Ice
Matfen Hall Ice Rink
Barking Dog Winter Wonderland Ice Rink
Sunderland Keel Square

Whitley Bay Ice Rink 2024

The Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in North East England - Whitley Bay Ice Rink

What they say: Fun and friendly fitness, whether you're an experienced skater, hockey player or first time novice, the ice rink is open to anyone all year round

Cost (family if 4): £44 including skate hire (an increase of £4 on last year's prices)
Session length: 2 hours
Parking: Free car park on site
Public Transport: Buses stop close by and Whitley Bay Metro Station is less than a 20 minute walk away.
What to do nearby: Lots to see and do nearby in Whitley Bay including the beach, festive afternoon tea at Spanish City, fish and chips, amusement arcades, Jam Jar Cinema, swimming/soft play at Waves and lots of bears / coffee shops / restaurants
Our verdict: No pre-booking is required. This option is indoors and you get two hours which is the double the time of most and the ice rink is a lot bigger than most too. You do need to pay to spectate though which isn't the case with most places on this list.
Website / Book: https://whitleybayicerink.co.uk/ (no booking - check sessions online and just turn up)

Ocean Beach Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, South Shields 2024

The Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in North East England - Ocean Beach Ice Rink

What they say:

Our fantastic ice skating rink with real ice returns to Ocean Beach from 6 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 providing visitors with an authentic and unforgettable skating experience!

Skaters will be able to take to the ice undercover in a decorated marquee with music and lights; designed to create that magical winter wonderland experience, day and night, whilst also protecting you from the elements.

Cost (family of 4): £48 (this is an increase of £18 from last year's prices)
Session length: 1 hour
A quiet hour is available on Sundays 11am-12noon (no music or flashing lights)
Parking: There is ample paid parking along the seafront. Free parking is available a little further away
Public Transport: South Shields is easy to get to via bus, Metro or ferry.
What to do nearby: Lots to enjoy nearby including festive food stalls, quaser laser, the beach, arcades and Dunes Soft Play / Bowling.
Our verdict: This seems like a nice option for a festive day out in South Tyneside and there is loads to do nearby.
Website/Book: https://www.oceanbeach.co.uk/ice-skating/

Centre for Life Ice Rink, Newcastle 2024

The Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in North East England - Centre for Lif

What they say:

Life’s outdoor ice rink is an established part of the festive calendar in the city.

Situated in Times Square, just outside Life Science Centre, the rink, made of real ice, runs throughout the Christmas season, providing skaters of all ages and abilities with the ultimate festive experience.

Open 9 Nov - 5 Jan

Cost (family of 4): £46 (prices have stayed the same as last year)
An early bird discount of 20% is available for 9-15 Nov (EARLYBIRD) which takes the price down to £36.80. Centre members also receive a £6 discount on family tickets
Session length: 1 hour
There are special sessions this year including karaoke on ice, silent disco on ice, Skate it Off and SEND sessions.
Parking: At nearby Times Square Car Park
Public Transport: Central Station (served by buses, trains and Metro) is next door.
What to do nearby: Visit Life Science Centre or pop across to the Discovery Museum which is free.
Our verdict: This ice rink is perfect if you are spending a festive day in Newcastle, seeing Fenwick's window or planning a spot of Christmas shopping. It's easy to get to by train or metro too and I like that they are offering something different with silent discos / karaoke etc.....
Website / Book: https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/event/ice-skating/

Sunderland Live (Rainton Arena) Ice Rink 2024

The Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in North East England - Rainton Arena Ice Rink

Cost (family of 4): £8 midweek or £24 weekends (prices have stayed the same from last year)
Session length: 1 hour
Parking: Free parking nearby
Public Transport: Sunderland Live is accessible by bus
What to do nearby: Ice skating is part of a wider winter wonderland at Rainton Arena which includes a grotto, fairground rides, food stalls etc.....
Our verdict: This is seems like a good value option with lots to do in the vicinity.
Website/Book: https://sunderland-live.com/events/ice-skating-2024/

Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town 2024 (synthetic)

The Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in North East England - Bishop Auckland ICe Rink

What they say: This event takes place on 29 Nov - 8 Dec

Prices / booking info is being released on Friday. I will update this post with info next week.

Website / Book: https://bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk/

Billingham Forum Ice Rink 2024

The Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in North East England - Billingham Forum Ice Rink

What they say:

Cost (family of 4): £38.45
Session length: Various lengths, weekend daytime sessions tend to be 90 minutes long
Parking: Free onsite parking including disabled parking and electric car charging points.
Public Transport: Buses stop outside and Billingham Train Station is within walking distance.
What to do nearby: RSPB Saltholme, Preston Park, Jump 360, Teesaurus Park, Teesside Park (love the cinema there) and Fun Shack are all a short drive away.
Our verdict: No pre-booking is needed for this one so great for skating on a whim. This is an indoor permanent ice rink which is larger than the pop-ups available
Website/Book: https://www.forumicearena.co.uk/

Metrocentre 2024

Metrocentre has upgraded their ice rink for 2024 to a real ice rink located outdoors (but under cover).

Here's what they have to say:

Get ready to glide into an exciting new experience outside Yellow Mall! You can skate on real ice at our fantastic giant rink, complete with a covered roof to keep the fun going, come rain or shine. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, it’s the perfect place for all ages to enjoy a fun-filled day with friends and family. Join us this festive season for an unforgettable skating adventure!

Dates: 15th November 2024 - 5th January 2025

Location: Yellow Mall Car Park, near Krispy Kreme

Cost (family of 4): £40.15 - £49.22
Session length: 45 minutes
SEND sessions are available
Parking: Free on site parking
Public Transport: Metrocentre is easy to get to by bus or train
What to do nearby: Metrocentre is home to lots of indoor fun including Namco Funscape, Clip n Climb, Treetop Adventure Golf, an Escape Room & Restaurants. There's also Santa's Elf Academy and there are usually free children's activities at IKEA
Our verdict: A covered option on real ice with lots to do.
Book: https://themetrocentre.co.uk/whats-on/events/skate-at-metrocentre

New for 2024.........

Frost Fest at Percy Park

There is a chance to ice skate with Elsa and Anna at Frost Fest. Prices have not year been released.

The Cheapest Place To Go Ice Skating Is.........

Prices are based on a family of 4 including skate hire for one session and does not include early bird / one off discounts.

Where are the Cheapest Places to Skate (per session)?

Sunderland Live - £8 (off peak)
Sunderland Live - £24 (peak)
Billingham Forum - £38.45
Centre for Life (members) - £40
Metrocentre - £40.15 (off peak)
Whitley Bay Ice Rink - £44
Centre for Life - £46
Ocean Beach Ice Rink - £48
Metrocentre - £49.22 (peak)

Frost Fest at Percy Park - prices TBC
Bishop Auckland Christmas Town - prices TBC

Best Value Ice Rink

As session lengths vary, let's look at cost per minute......

Sunderland Live = 13p per minute (off peak)
Whitley Bay Ice Rink = 36p per minute
Sunderland Live = 40p per minute (peak)
Billingham Forum = 43p per minute
Centre for Life (member) = 67p per minute
Centre for Life = 77p per minute
Ocean Beach Ice Rink = 80p per minute
Metrocentre (off peak) = 89p per minute
Metrocentre (peak) = £1.09 per minute

Please note, Metrocentre advertise their sessions as 45 minutes in length on their website however they have been in touch to say that you do get up to 30 minutes either side of this to change your skates (although this is not stated on their website).

I would like to reiterate that the above costs are PER SESSION as advertised by the venues on their own websites rather than TIME ON ICE and should be used as a guide only. Time on ice may vary.
Frost Fest at Percy Park - prices TBC
Bishop Auckland Christmas Town - prices TBC