Ice skating
Get flexible, get fit, all while having fun at Riverside's ice rink.
The ice rink at Riverside Leisure Centre offers a variety of ice skating sessions suitable for everyone. You can enjoy public skate sessions, club nights and family sessions.
We have a host of activities for kids, including christmas ice skating, ice skating parties, beginners ice skating holiday courses, family holiday skate, ice skating clubs and our Skate School.
We also offer patch time for those who are BIS grade 8 or above, or are having private skating lessons.
Whether you attempt your first skate, or you’re on route to the next series of Dancing on Ice, our fantastic rink facilities will have something for everyone.
If you want to view our timetable more than seven days in advance, you can download the Chelmsford City Sports app.
Monday to Fridays, morning and afternoon (term time) and Monday and Wednesday evenings
- Standard: £7.90
- Discounted: £7.10
Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon
- Standard: £9.80
Spectator
- Public sessions: £3.40
- Club nights: Full entry price
Save money by upgrading to an ourChelmsford Plus or monthly Premium membership.
All prices include skate hire.
Monday to Fridays, morning and afternoon and Monday and Wednesday evening
- Standard: £6.60
- Discounted: £5.80
Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon
- Standard: £8.50
Spectator
- Public sessions: £3.40
- Club nights: Full entry price
Save money by upgrading to a monthly Premium membership.
All prices include skate hire.
Holiday Skate runs everyday throughout the school holidays, where you can enjoy fun ice skating sessions with your kids.
- ourChelmsford Lite: £9.80
- ourChelmsford Plus: £8.50
Prices include skate hire.
We also run Holiday Swim sessions.
For skaters who are Skate Grade 8 or above or above, we offer closed patch sessions where you can develop your skills for tests and competitions. These sessions are not open to the public.
Sessions run during both term time and school holidays but may differ during the holidays.
Prices
- ourChelmsford Lite card: £7.50
- ourChelmsford Plus card: £6.20
You can save money by upgrading to a Patch monthly membership.
Booking
- You will not need to book a patch session in advance. Just get your ticket when you arrive at the centre.
- You will not be able to pay by cash in the centre for your patch ticket.
Every weekend, Riverside ice rink turns into Chelmsford's premier club. Our Ice Disco club nights run on Fridays from 7.30pm to 9pm, offering great live music from our resident DJ Edd Nicks.
Friday Ice Disco includes club classics, chart hits, food and drink at the bar, and chill out areas.
These sessions are not suitable for young families. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For family sessions, try our weekend public ice skating sessions.
Only skaters and designated parents and guardians will be permitted in the ice rink area during these sessions.
Booking
You need to book in advance for these sessions, using your OurChelmsford account.
Tickets will not be available on the door.
Prices
- ourChelmsford Lite card: £9.80
- ourChelmsford Plus card: £8.50
Prices include skate hire.
All spectators need to pay the full entry price.
The quickest and easiest way to book is using our free Chelmsford City Sports app, available to download from Google Play or the App store.
We are a cashless centre.
How to book
As we are currently experiencing busy ice sessions, we recommend advance booking. You can get a ticket on the door for some sessions, however we cannot guarantee availability.
You can book all ice skating sessions ten days in advance using an ourChelmsford card.
Ways to book:
- online
- via the app
- by calling 01245 615050
Group bookings
At least one member of your party must have an ourChelmsford account before being able to make bookings online.
You can find more information about group bookings.
The exception to this is Friday night ice disco sessions, where everyone attending must have an ourChelmsford account.
Monthly members
- You will need to book a session in advance.
- You will need to check in for your session at the barriers at the bottom of the stairs.
- If you do not check-in, we will charge you the full amount for the session.
- Please make sure that you have registered your email address with us in order to book online.
Cancellation
- If you can't attend a session that you have booked onto, you must cancel at least two hours before it starts.
- You can cancel online or via the app
- We will charge you the full amount for the session if you do not cancel in time, or if you do not attend. This includes monthly members.
- no food or drink on the ice
- no headphones or air pods
- no carrying children
- no chains of skaters
- no roller skates around the ice rink area
- no baseball caps
- no phones on the ice pad
- no smoking or vaping on the premises
In addition:
- scarves or other loose clothing must be tucked in
- ensure skates are securely tightened
- follow the flow of skating (anti-clockwise)
- put bags or personal belongings in lockers provided
- If you have booked in advance, or are a monthly member you can tap your ourChelmsford card or wristband on the barrier to go up the stairs to the rink.
- If you need to pay for skating you will need to go to reception. This will activate your ourChelmsford card and allow you through the barriers.
- If you have forgotten your card you will need to collect a barcode from reception or a kiosk to get through the barriers.
- If you require use of the lift to access the first floor, you will need to go to reception to activate your ourChelmsford card.
- If you need to collect your card or wristband from us before the session, please arrive at least 15 minutes before the session start.
- Please make sure you read the rule board before going on the ice pad.
Skate hire
- All prices include skate hire.
- You can get skates at skate hire. You will need to give your shoes in.
- You can hire skates from childs size 7 to adults size 14.
Skate grind
- Call the centre on 01245 615086 or ask at skate hire.
- £10.00 standard 48 hour services.
- £12.30 same day service.
Private lessons
If you would like to enquire about private lessons with an ice professional email Riversidelessonenquiries@gmail.com
Lockers and changing rooms
- If you want to use a locker, you will need a 50p coin to release the key. The 50p is non refundable.
- Changing rooms are available.
- A Changing Places facility is available on poolside or by studio 1.
Clothing
- You should wear clothing that is easy to move in but not too loose.
- No scarves or hats are allowed on the ice pad.
- We recommend that you wear long socks for comfort.
- We recommend that you wear gloves when skating.
Friday club nights, and Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions may include loud music, strobe, flashing and/or flickering lights.
- You can hire a penguin or snowman skating aid from skate hire for 30 minutes at a cost of £3.80.
- To use a penguin, to your chin you must be between 0.8m and 1.2m tall.
- To use a snowman, you must be over 1.2 metres tall and up to 14 years old.
- Skating aids are subject to availability and distributed on a first come first serve basis. During busy sessions there may be a wait until a skating aid becomes available.
You can find out more about ice skating clubs that meet at Riverside.
Other skating activities
Christmas fun for everyone!
Great value holiday camps and courses for kids this Christmas. Plus, early bird and sibling discounts.
Festive fun on ice!
Ready for some holiday magic? Come skate with us and enjoy falling snow, Christmas tunes, festive treats, and meet Pops the Penguin! Then warm up with festive goodies in our café.
Get active around Chelmsford
From Heart and Sole walks to Forever Fit and Play in the Park, discover sport and activity all over Chelmsford.
Join OurTeam
Interested in a career in leisure? Apply for one of our diverse opportunities across all four centres.
Upgrade and save
Get a Plus account and save on a range of activities for just £16 per year.