40,000 expected at new Cotswolds Christmas market with ice rink

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 16:31 · Archive

A seasonal ice rink near Cirencester is expanding with a new Christmas market for its fifth year of operation.

Cotswold Ice Rink will reopen at The Gateway Centre at Cotswold Lakes near Cirencester for its fifth year, with a new pop-up Christmas market and expanded food and drink offerings. Organisers expect around 40,000 visitors across the season, which runs from 19 November to 17 January 2027.

Standard 45-minute skating sessions start at £5.94, with the lowest prices on selected November and January dates. Sessions rise to £8.94 in early December and £10.94 during the peak Christmas and New Year period. The rink also offers special sessions featuring Disney princess characters for younger visitors, late skating with live DJ sets, adult-only sessions and sensory sessions with reduced capacity, quieter music and softer lighting for people with sensory sensitivities.

The rink, formerly known as The Gateway Ice Rink, is fully covered and enclosed, allowing indoor skating. Organisers say it is the only seasonal rink in the Cotswolds to use real ice. Preparing the ice takes more than a week as it is gradually built up and frozen ahead of opening, with another week needed for it to thaw after the final session.

40,000 expected at new Cotswolds Christmas market with ice rink — Image: Oxford Mail

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How it is being reported

40,000 set to visit new Christmas market in Cotswolds with £6 ice rinkAround 40,000 people are set to visit a new Cotswolds Christmas market this year with a £6 ice rink.Oxford Mail · 18 Oct, 16:00
40,000 set to visit new Christmas market in Cotswolds with £6 ice rinkAround 40,000 people are set to visit a new Cotswolds Christmas market this year with a £6 ice rink.Oxfordshire Guardian · 18 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Cotswold Ice Rink · The Gateway Centre · Cotswold Lakes · Cirencester · South Cerney · Cotswolds

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