Skating whilst at uni

[Hannah.lou]

Hi everyone

I’m headed off to university in the autumn and as a mutate student I intent to move to the area full time for the next four years at least! I started skating about a year ago so I’m not completely clued up on much, but know that I thoroughly enjoy it and don’t want to stop!

So my current options are:
Swansea
Plymouth
Maidstone/kent
Surrey
Near Bethnal Green

Obviously I won’t be picking where I go just based on this but it’s something I’d like to consider so if you’re in/near any of these areas please let me know how close your local rink is!

Thanks
Hannah 

[WednesdayMarch]

I'm sorry to say that you can discount Plymouth. Our rink closed at the end of 2022 and the promised new one hasn't been built. The nearest ice now is the seasonal rink at the Eden Project in Cornwall (October half term to February half term only) or Bristol, which is a long way.

[transmissionoftheflame]

[size=0px]Swansea - nearest risk would be Cardiff I guess which I know nothing about other than it's quite new[/size]
[size=0px]Plymouth - as per WM post above[/size]
[size=0px]Maidstone/kent - nearest rink is Gillingham which isn't far, don't know anything about it[/size]
[size=0px]Surrey - Guildford - seemed OK when I went, there's a nice swimming pool in the same complex.  Also Basingstoke depending on where you are, or Streatham which is more London but Surrey borders[/size]
[size=0px]Near Bethnal Green - nearest would be Lee Valley which is twin-pad, opening soon.[/size]

[WednesdayMarch]

Cardiff was a twin pad facility until the Covid lockdown, and only the big pad reopened. There is currently a petition started to reinstate the practice pad, or at the very least prevent the permanent installation of a climbing wall and soft play area. The big pad is a proper arena and, I think, Olympic size.

Guildford is a very good rink.

Basingstoke has long been under threat of closure. There's permafrost under the pad and be at least one of the stands was condemned. Always a tussle as to who should rebuild it.

[transmissionoftheflame]

Yes I think Cardiff is 60x30, Guildford definitely is, also Lee Valley.  LV only offering one hour sessions still though as they are run by "Better" - madness!


I didn't realise the smaller pad at Cardiff had not reopened - that's a shame.



There's a small rink at Bracknell and a bigger one at Slough - driveable from west Surrey.