Features / Cribbs Causeway
Winter Wonderland for all ages
Robin Cousins must be crying in his skates because, since the ice ring closed, a whole generation of Bristolians are growing up with a once-a-year Christmas skating trip to the temporary ice rinks popping up across the city.
However, the huge skating rink at Cribbs Causeway is not only a nod to the festive season, but it is big enough to bring back some some proper skating to the city. Not only that, but the lovely ice stewards made a real effort to give my children some hints and tips for staying upright and were over in a flash to deal with any collisions.
What is really nice about the Cribbs Causeway is the separate ice rink for those of us who don’t feel totally confident with the over-confident teenagers and middle-aged dads zooming past in the big ring.
is needed now More than ever
In fact, skating at twilight with the ice castle glowing and fairy lights twinkling, melted even my cynical heart. I may even have partaken in some festive cheer if it wasn’t for the price of the small number of stalls selling over priced sweets and treats. £3.50 for some chocolate dipped marshmallows, £2 for 7 roast chestnuts – come with deep pockets.
We started the evening with a visit to Santa in his ice palace which my 13-year-old son baulked at and loitered around the exit waiting for us to emerge.
However, the rest of us had a blast. With a nod to the Frozen mania sweeping pre-school girls everywhere, an Elsa look-alike did the meeting and greeting and led us past the animatronic elves into Santa’s grotto.
Santa didn’t even bat an eyelid where my daughter announced she wanted two new brothers for Christmas – he dutifully pulled out some pretty good quality reindeer soft toys and they made the 9 and 11-year-olds happy for the rest of the evening.
My son is already planning a return trip with his friends to the ice skating – it’s obviously the cool place for teenagers to go to and make the most of the skating before it’s packed away until next year.
Winter Wonderland at Cribbs Causeway is open every day from 13th Nov until 11th Jan except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
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