Kent


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/ice-rink-ruxley-manor-kent.jpg" alt="Ruxley Manor ice rink" class="wp-image-119007" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/ice-rink-ruxley-manor-kent.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/ice-rink-ruxley-manor-kent-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/ice-rink-ruxley-manor-kent-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/ice-rink-ruxley-manor-kent-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/ice-rink-ruxley-manor-kent-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Situated just off the A20 in Sidcup, the award-winning <a href="https://www.ruxley-manor.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ruxley Manor</a> is a destination in its own right but at Christmas, it turns into a winter wonderland, where tickets for the Santa’s Grotto, are almost as hard as Glastonbury to come by.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-scaled.jpg" alt="Child standing in front of a Christmas tree" class="wp-image-119930" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-5-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>Everyone loves ice skating at Christmas, and the real ice rink at Ruxley Manor is the perfect place for families to get into the festive spirit. With cheerful Christmas tunes pumping, colour-changing twinkly lights overhead, and a sparkling Christmas tree standing proudly at the centre of the rink, this is a truly wonderful seasonal treat for all ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-experience">THE EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Kids waiting to get their ice skates" class="wp-image-119927" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-2-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>Unlike many other pop-up rinks, Ruxley Manor’s rink is fully under cover, making it an ideal activity whatever the weather. When we visited, to quote a popular song, &#8216;the weather outside was frightful&#8217;, but inside it was pure festive magic.</p>



<p>Queuing for skates can be a little hectic, so our advice would be to get there in plenty of time for your session. And possibly even bring a spare pair of shoes as the floor can get wet underneath when you are just in your socks waiting to hand your skates back&#8230; Little feet and wet socks is not a good combination!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-scaled.jpg" alt="Two kids skating around on an ice rink" class="wp-image-119929" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-4-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>As this is an all-welcoming activity, you’ll find a huge range of skating abilities on the ice — so there’s absolutely no need to feel embarrassed, whether you’re a complete Bambi-on-ice beginner or, like my children, weekly roller-disco fanatics. </p>



<p>Ruxley Manor, do however run Little Penguin sessions (for 3+ young beginners with free adult and skate aid) and SEN sessions, with reduced capacity and lower levels of music and flashing lights. So they really do cater for everyone.</p>



<p>Also worth noting &#8211; children aged 8 or under must be accompanied and supervised on the ice by a paying adult. Children aged 9 to 12 must have a responsible adult supervising from the viewing area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winter-food-market-amp-live-music">WINTER FOOD MARKET &amp; LIVE MUSIC</h2>



<p>For recharging those batteries after the exertion of skating, head to the <a href="https://www.ruxley-manor.co.uk/winter-food-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Food Market</a> &#8211; a cosy Christmas-market haven open every day from <strong>now until Weds 24 Dec</strong>. It&#8217;s bursting with the flavours of the season &#8211; think festive food huts selling bratwurst, pizza, loaded fries, hot chocolate and sweet treats (including strawberries dipped and topped every which way). &nbsp;</p>



<p>On weekends, a variety of live music acts take to the stage to entertain the visitors including an Abba Tribute band, Soul &amp; Motown, Swing and of course a Christmas brass band — we were treated to the absolutely fabulous Rock Choir on our visit, filling the market with their energy and joyfulness. Performances take place Fridays &amp; Saturdays (5- 7pm) and Sundays (1 – 3pm).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anything-else">ANYTHING ELSE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-scaled.jpg" alt="Father Christmas decorations" class="wp-image-119931" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/ruxley-manor-rink-6-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>A little tip: even though it’s real ice, it gets surprisingly warm — so you can probably leave the thermals at home. Most children were zooming round in t-shirts by the end!</p>



<p>Ruxley Manor’s ice rink offers everything you could want from a festive family outing for all ages — real ice, magical surroundings, and thoughtful touches that cater for all ages and abilities. </p>



<p>Whether you’re gliding confidently, shuffling cautiously, or simply soaking up the atmosphere from the sidelines, it’s a brilliant way to embrace the Christmas spirit and make seasonal memories together.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-t-he-damage"><strong>T</strong>HE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>Prices from £25 per person for a 45 minute session including skates and a further £5 for skate aid hire. <a href="https://www.ruxley-manor.co.uk/whats-on/ice-rink" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a>&nbsp;for booking and more information.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: All skating levels are catered for, but also great for non-skaters. There’s plenty of seating along one side, so anyone can sit back, spectate, and still enjoy all the fun. There is a little café onsite for drinks, so for the grandparents that joined us to watch, a couple of mulled wines were a very welcome accompaniment.</p>



<p>And for younger skaters, there are two brilliant skate-aid options: a two-seater sit-on banana to ride like royalty, or a trusty push-along penguin to help steady wobbly legs. Naturally, we had to try both.</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: Those with mobility issues – the skating itself could be a problem but also the queuing on wet and sometimes slippy flooring might make it tricky to stay upright.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.ruxley-manor.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ruxley-manor.co.uk</a></em></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more">WANT MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/kent-festive-activities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festive fun! 50 family activities to do in Kent</a></li>



<li><a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/this-month/whats-on-things-to-do-december-kent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yes to Dec! What’s on in Kent this month</a></li>



<li><a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/where-to-meet-father-christmas-in-kent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Where to meet Father Christmas in Kent this Christmas</a></li>
</ul>


Review: Ice Rink and Christmas experience at Ruxley Manor

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