Bradford Ice Arena

Bradford · Public skating times & prices

A rink on the hill beside the National Media Museum, opened in 1966 and kept open by a 1991 campaign.

Public skating at Bradford Ice Arena: the next 7 days

Monday 12 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Tuesday 13 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Wednesday 14 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Thursday 15 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate
  • · Family Skate

Friday 16 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate
  • · Disco Skate

Saturday 17 October

  • · Family Skate
  • · Disco Skate
  • · Disco Skate

Sunday 18 October

  • · Family Skate
  • · Disco Skate
Address
19 Little Horton Lane, Bradford, BD5 0AD
Phone
01274 733535
Website
bradfordicearena.co.uk
The street frontage of Bradford Ice Arena on Little Horton Lane: a blue 'Bradford Ice Arena' sign over a pillared entrance, with a grocer's shop beside it and a soft-play banner on the upper wall. — Bradford Ice Arena
The street frontage of Bradford Ice Arena on Little Horton Lane: a blue 'Bradford Ice Arena' sign over a pillared entrance, with a grocer's shop beside it and a soft-play banner on the upper wall. Photo: Google Maps listing · Source
Ice hockey players on the ice sheet at Bradford Ice Arena, with the boards, ceiling and floodlights of the hall behind them. — Bradford Ice Arena
Ice hockey players on the ice sheet at Bradford Ice Arena, with the boards, ceiling and floodlights of the hall behind them. Photo: Google Maps listing · Source

Silver Blades, 1966, and the rink that was saved

Mecca Leisure opened the rink in January 1966 as the Silver Blades Ice Rink, reputed to be the finest rink in the world, with coloured lighting in the barriers and chandeliers over the ice. The opening gala featured British skaters just back from the World Championships, among them John Curry and the ice dancers Bernard Ford and Diane Towler.

The rink's operators announced it would close in the spring of 1991, and in April it did. Supporters took to Bradford's streets, arguing it was the only ice skating facility in West Yorkshire, and a petition of more than 4,000 signatures went to the City Council. Six weeks later the rink re-opened, and a skating gala with Bradford and British champions marked its official reopening that September.

A new trading company, Ice Time Limited, was formed in 1996, owned by the charitable company Nice Time, and a new freezing plant followed in 2011 to secure the rink's future. The Figure Skating Club has almost 100 members and the Ice Hockey Club has several teams in training. The arena stands next to the National Media Museum and marked its 60th anniversary with a gala.

Before you head out.

Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.

Admission

Peak admission (evenings, weekends, school holidays and bank holidays) is £8.30, or £7.00 on a family admission; off-peak is £6.80, or £5.50 for family. Students with a valid NUS or college card pay £10.00 at peak and £8.50 off-peak, and children under 5 skate free.

Source checked · · Official source

Skates & rentals

Skate hire is £2.90 and a locker is 50p. Penguin and snowman skating aids are £4.00 an hour.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

No booking is needed for public sessions: pay at the box office on arrival.

Source checked · · Official source

Skating with children

Family sessions are reserved for beginner skaters and families, so only supervised youngsters are on the ice. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult who will supervise them.

Source checked · · Official source

Accessibility

The arena lists disabled access and a cafe.

Source checked · · Official source

A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.