Letchworth Lido's covered ice rink runs from 28 November to 3 January, with public skating from £12. New this year are mulled wine and a bigger viewing area.
Letchworth Lido’s ice rink opens on Saturday 28 November 2026 and runs to Sunday 3 January 2027, its seventh winter in a row on the Lido terrace. For the first time skaters can buy a mulled wine afterwards, and the viewing area has been made bigger. Public skating costs £16 for adults and £12 for under 16s and over 66s.
Overview
- When: Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
- Where: Letchworth Lido, Norton Common, Icknield Way, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4UF, about 15 miles from Bedford.
- Public skating: adults (16+) £16; under 16s £12; over 66s £12; carers free with proof of eligibility.
- Sessions: public skating, ice discos with a DJ, Skate with Santa, under-5s with an adult, quiet and inclusive sessions for people with special educational needs and disabilities, and home education sessions.
- New this year: an alcohol licence, so mulled wine and a festive food and drink menu, and a larger viewing area.
- Book: online, or call Letchworth Lido on 01462 684673 or North Herts Leisure Centre on 01462 679311.
A covered rink for up to 100 skaters
The lido terrace is turned into a real ice rink each winter, under a covered marquee so sessions go ahead whatever the weather. Everyone Active runs it on behalf of North Herts Council, and it takes up to 100 skaters at a time. While the rink is up, the lido itself is closed to the public.
Sarah Wright, general manager at Letchworth Lido, said: “The ice rink has become a real highlight of the festive season in Letchworth, and we’re delighted to be bringing it back for a seventh year. Our team is looking forward to welcoming skaters of all ages and abilities, whether it’s your first time on the ice, a family outing or a night out with friends.”
Sessions for every age
All the sessions that have proved popular in earlier years are back, Everyone Active says. The booking portal lists:
- Public skating, for all ages and abilities, with skate hire available.
- Ice discos, with a live DJ and disco lights.
- Skate with Santa, public skating with Father Christmas on the ice.
- Adult and child skating, a gentle introduction for under-5s and their adult.
- Inclusive ice skating, quiet sessions for people with disabilities, special educational needs or long-term health conditions.
- Home education skating, relaxed sessions for home-educated children and their families.
- Ice skating parties, 45 minutes on the ice and then an hour in a reserved area for food, and exclusive hire of the whole rink.
Sarah Wright advised booking ahead: “With sessions for everyone, there’s something to enjoy throughout the festive period. We’d recommend booking early to get the sessions you want, particularly at weekends and in the run-up to Christmas.”
The portal says spaces are limited and sessions often fill up. Bookings cannot be refunded, though the rink will try to move you to another session if you cannot make yours.
Prices and what to know before you go
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | £16 |
| Junior (under 16) | £12 |
| Senior (66+) | £12 |
| Carer | Free, with proof such as a PIP letter, Blue Badge or DWP award letter |
Prices are the public skating rates on the booking portal on 13 November 2026.
- Children under 8 must be on the ice with a paying adult aged 18 or over.
- There is no minimum age, but skaters must be able to walk unaided. Skates run from toddler size 7 (EU 24) to adult size 14 (EU 46), and skating aids are available for children.
- The rink is under cover, but the rink still advises wrapping up warm with hats and gloves. The viewing area is heated.
- Photography and filming are not allowed while you are skating.
- Bags and coats can be left in the boot room, at your own risk.
Mulled wine and a bigger viewing area
The site now holds an alcohol licence, so adults can have a mulled wine after their session, alongside a menu of festive food and drink. The viewing area has also been extended to give friends and family more room to watch.
Sarah Kingsley, director for environment at North Herts Council, said: “The return of the ice rink is a fantastic opportunity for residents to get back on the ice and enjoy some festive fun with family and friends. With sessions for different ages and needs, it offers an inclusive way for our community to come together and get active during the winter months.
“The extended viewing area and new refreshments will make the experience even more welcoming for skaters and spectators.”
The rink follows a busy summer at the lido, which Everyone Active says welcomed more than 63,000 visitors in 2026, almost 20,000 more than the year before.
How to book
Tickets are on the rink’s booking portal, and there is more on the Everyone Active Letchworth Lido page. Bookings can also be made by phone on 01462 684673 (Letchworth Lido) or 01462 679311 (North Herts Leisure Centre).
Bedford has no ice rink of its own this winter. Our guide to ice skating near Bedford compares Letchworth with the rinks in Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Silverstone and Peterborough.
Thanks to Everyone Active for the details and photographs.
Have your say