Braintree Ice Skating
This year (2023) is the first year that Braintree Village has opened a temporary ice rink this Christmas period in their North Car Park. From the 9th of November to the 7th of January, you can book a 45-minute session. Skate aids are available at an additional cost. All sessions include skate hire however you can bring your own skates.
How to get to the Braintree Ice Skating Rink
By Car:
The easiest way to get to the Braintree Ice Skating Rink is by car. There are 2 car parks available with 1600 spaces. It is completely FREE to park for up to 6 hours in both car parks.
(if you do intend to stay for longer you can speak to the customer service team in their shop in the centre and they will extend it for you. They limit the time as there is a train station at Braintree Village and they stop people trying to commute).
The best car park for the Braintree Ice Rink is the North Car Park. You can park at the South car park and walk through the shops however it is best to park at the North car park as it is a short walk to the ice rink.
Be aware that there is a third car park that is home to the retail park right beside Braintree Village. There is up to 5 hours of free parking here. The shops in this car park are Carpet Right, M & S Food and Pets at Home. Many people do park in this car park but it is not “technically” associated with Braintree Village.
Postcode: CM77 8YH
By Train:
Braintree Village used to be called Freeport Braintree. Most locals will still call it this and that is why its dedicated train station is called Freeport Braintree.
You can get a direct train to and from London however they aren’t very frequent. You can however get a direct train to Witham and then change to the Braintree line. The train will take you directly to the shops.
By Bus:
Catch the 38/38A bus – you may need to change buses in Braintree town centre. This bus will drop you at Braintree Village.
Braintree Ice Skating Tickets
You can purchase your Ice Skating tickets here.
There are different sessions available including Parent & Toddler, Off-Peak, Peak, Disco Night, Quiet Session, 2-4-1 and Date Night.
Braintree Ice Skating Prices
Parent & Toddler:
Adult: £15.50, Toddler (under 5 years old): Free (1 max per adult) additional toddler: £5
Off Peak:
Adult (13 and over): £13.50. Child: £11.50 (12 and over) Family of 4 £42 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) 10% discount if there are 10 or more.
Peak:
Adult: £15.50, Child: £13.50, Family of 4: £50 10% discount if there are 10 or more.
Disco Night
Adults only however this is anyone 13 years and older
Adult: £15.50
Double disco night 2 x 45 minutes. Adult: £22
10% discount if there are 10 or more people.
Quiet Session:
Adult: £15.50,
Child: £13.50,
Family of 4: £50 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
10% discount if there are 10 or more. (quiet session is always in peak times)
2-4-1:
Off-peak skating offers 2 tickets for the price of 1. This is every Tuesday.
Adult (13 and over): 2 adults: £13.50
2 children £11.50.
Date night:
Every Thursday either the 7 pm or 8 pm session.
Adult (13 and over): £15.50
Braintree Ice Skating Schedule
What’s the Braintree Ice Skating rink like?
It is fairly large at 50 metres by 30 metres in size. Although the ice resurfacer (called a Zamboni) goes around after each session, the time that I went it missed the middle part of the ice rink. The smoothness of the ice doesn’t last long I would say around 10 minutes and it was already bumpy and the edges of the rink had built up.
All hired skates are like hockey skates and not figure skates. I find this a lot harder as you have no toe pick. I have never seen so many people fall over in one session, it happened a lot. The staff on the ice were all in hired skates and weren’t particularly good. I don’t think any of them are skaters.
Braintree Village
Why not make a day of it? Braintree Village has a variety of outlet shops including restaurants. If you park in the Braintree Village North Car Park you will get 6 hours of free parking.
