Real ice rink is coming to North Devon this Christmas

St John’s Garden Centre at Ashford is offering the experience of ice skating this Christmas – with a real ice rink. | Submitted

placeholder image — St John’s Garden Centre at Ashford is offering the experience of ice skating this Christmas – with a real ice rink. | Submitted

St John’s Garden Centre has unveiled a packed Christmas programme that includes a genuine ice rink

Skaters will be able to strut their stuff with a real ice rink at St John’s Garden Centre in Ashford this Christmas.

As part of the festive programme at St John’s, the Ashford ice rink will open on November 20 and be available until December 31.

The centre is also unveiling a new tube slide stretching 130 feet together with a festive lights trail winding through the gardens.

It will run alongside the traditional St John’s festive programme and over in at St John's Barnstaple, families will once again gather for the much-anticipated Santa's arrival event on Friday, November 27, marking the official start of Christmas at the centre.

The Ashford rink will give families, friends and first-time skaters across North Devon the chance to lace up and glide –the rink will also run themed sessions to suit every age and ability, including a Santa’s Grotto Skate, Disco Skate on Friday nights, Toddler Takeovers on Tuesday mornings, Sunday Family Fun and SEN sessions.

The rink will offer various themed sessions for different groups and ages as well as general skating. | submitted

Mark Toon, co-owner of St John's Garden Centres, said: “Christmas at St. John's has always been magic for local families, and we're so excited to be adding something genuinely new to that tradition this year.”

Fellow co-owner Jason Mellett added: “Real ice, a brand new tube slide, fairy lights overhead and a lights trail through the gardens - it's a unique festive experience here in North Devon and we can't wait to welcome people in and see the joy on the faces of children and grown-ups alike.”

Ice skating tickets start at £14.50 for adults (ages 16-plus) and £10 for children (ages four to 15), with a family ticket for two adults and two children priced at £42. Under fours skate free (one free place per adult ticket) and discounted group rates of £11 per person are available for parties of 10 or more.

Tube slide tickets are £10 per adult/child (£8 when booked with ice skating) or £30 for a family (£24 when booked with ice skating).

Tickets can be booked now at https://iceskatedevon.co.uk