We love visiting Williams Den, near North Cave in East Yorkshire in the summer but this is the first time we have been at Christmas. I was really impressed by the Christmas decorations from the start, both inside and outside looked beautifully festive. Here is a video of our day.
We arrived quite late and everyone was hungry so after a quick play in the indoor area, we headed to the cafe. It was lovely with a huge Christmas tree and festive candles on each table.
William’s Den at Christmas
As always the food at Williams Den is very good and we all enjoyed pizza for lunch.
Next, we headed outside to play on the outdoor equipment. The two favourites here are the zip line and the rock stack (for jumping off!). After a good hour of running around the kids asked if they could ice skate. It was so pretty with Christmas trees at every corner lit up with lots of twinkling lights. The rink itself isn’t huge so is absolutely perfect especially for younger ones that you need to keep a closer eye on. There were lots of skating aids to keep them upright in the form of floating whales that they could push or sit on. I would say that my kids at nine and eleven were at about the upper age for it. Ideal for littler ones though.
After our skate we headed back to the cafe for a warm up with hot chocolate and cake! Well the adults went for cake, the foolish children went for ice cream!
Make sure you visit the festive photo booth while you are there. Lots of great photo opportunities that would be perfect for adding to your Christmas cards or Facebook profiles!
I would have had far more pictures of the kids but they didn’t want to sit still. They wanted to be back in the indoor play section which is where we finished our day, tired and happy!
The Official Press Release
We visited William’s Den over the summer and we were really impressed. Have a look at my review and video here. Read on for more details of their Christmas offering – an ice skating rink!
An eco-friendly Christmas skating rink is open to the public at William’s Den near South Cave this festive season. The rink, which is synthetic and kinder to the environment than ice and Christmas tree spectacular, will be open during William’s Den opening hours until Saturday 24th December and prices start from £4 per person.
William’s Den Christmas
The rink will be surrounded by dozens of Christmas trees festooned with dancing lights, creating a festive family attraction to enjoy during the day or after school time. William’s Den co-founder Tor Carver says: “Skating is a brilliant way to get active and have fun outside in the winter months. There’ll be music to sing along to, mulled wine, hot chocolate, warm Belgian waffles and other festive treats. We’ve even got push along penguin skating aids to help the younger children join in.”
Ice Skating Rink at William’s Den
Tor’s husband and co-founder Christian Carver adds: “This rink is synthetic, so it has a much lower carbon footprint than real ice. We went for the environmentally-friendly option because it fits in with the William’s Den ethos. There’s nothing like the nostalgic thrill and fun of whizzing around a skating rink with your family and friends. The festive season is the perfect time to have a go!
In keeping with William’s Den’s emphasis on sustainability, our Christmas lights will partly be powered by electricity generated by solar panels.”
Prices start at £4 and tickets are available from Tuesday 21st November at www.williamsden.co.uk
Sessions last for 30 minutes, skates are provided and visitors should arrive 15 minutes before their slot to give time to change.
The rink is open every day from Saturday 25th November until Sunday 24th December, during William’s Den opening hours.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there any age limits?
The minimum age for children is 3 years old. We have penguin skating aids available on a first come, first served basis. Under 8s must be accompanied by one adult skater each on the rink at all times.
Can my children skate without me?
Under 8s must be accompanied by one adult skater per child on the rink at all times. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied at William’s Den by an adult, but the adult need not be skating.
Do I need my own skates?
No, we provide skates in a range of sizes, included in the ticket price. Users are not permitted to bring their own skates.
What’s the rink made of?
The rink is synthetic but it looks like ice and is sprayed frequently to ensure it remains smooth.
What should I wear?
It’s an outdoor rink so we recommend you wrap up warm in comfortable clothing – ideally in layers so you can remove them if necessary.
Do I need gloves?
Yes, skaters are advised to wear gloves while on the rink, to protect your skin if you fall.
Should I book in advance?
We have a capacity of 25 skaters per 30-minute session, so you should book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are on sale at www.williamsden.co.uk.