Link Centre

Swindon · Public skating times & prices

Opened in April 1985 with an international-size 56m by 26m rink; home of the Swindon Wildcats

Public skating at Link Centre: the next 7 days

Monday 12 October

  • · Public Skate

Tuesday 13 October

  • · SEND Ice Skating
  • · Public Skate
  • · Disco Ice

Wednesday 14 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Thursday 15 October

  • · Public Skate

Friday 16 October

  • · Public Skate
  • · Public Skate

Saturday 17 October

  • · Public Skate (1-hour tickets)
  • · Public Skate (1-hour tickets)

Sunday 18 October

  • · Public Skate (1-hour tickets)
  • · Public Skate (1-hour tickets)
Address
Whitehill Way, Swindon, SN5 7DL
Website
better.org.uk
The Link Centre's main entrance under its deep overhanging roof, with the round library wing in front and the Better signs beside the doors. — Link Centre
The Link Centre's main entrance under its deep overhanging roof, with the round library wing in front and the Better signs beside the doors. Photo: Lewis Clarke, via Wikimedia Commons (geograph.org.uk) · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0
The empty rink seen from the red spectator seats, with the Wildcats logo at centre ice, the scoreboard and banners along the far wall. — Link Centre
The empty rink seen from the red spectator seats, with the Wildcats logo at centre ice, the scoreboard and banners along the far wall. Photo: Better (GLL), Link Centre ice skating page · Source

West Swindon's leisure centre and ice rink, opened in 1985

The Link Centre opened in April 1985 in Westlea, about two miles west of Swindon town centre. Thamesdown Borough Council, now Swindon Borough Council, had commissioned it in 1970 to serve an expected West Swindon population of 50,000; the council's own architects designed it under K P Sherry, and work started on site in 1983. Around a million people visited in its first year, and architectural and sports journals called it the most comprehensive development of its kind in Britain.

The rink cost £2 million and was praised when it was completed. Its ice pad is international size, 26 metres by 56, with seating for more than 1,000 spectators, and it is an approved national centre for squad training for British Ice Skating and Ice Hockey UK. The council still owns the building, and Greenwich Leisure runs it under the Better brand.

The Swindon Wildcats were founded in 1986, a year after the centre opened, and have played their home games here ever since; they now compete in the National Ice Hockey League. Wildcats 2, the Top Cats and the Steelhawks share the ice, alongside figure skating, ice dance and pairs skating.

Before you head out.

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

Admission

Public skating costs £15.50 for adults (16+) and £12.90 for under-16s, with skate hire included; Swindon Resident Card holders pay £12.20 and £9.70.

Source checked · · Official source

Skates & rentals

Skate hire runs from child size 5 to adult size 15. Skating aids cost £4.00 for 30 minutes; hire them at the centre on arrival, as they can't be reserved.

Source checked · · Official source

Booking & check-in

Pre-book online or in the Better UK app to avoid the queue at reception. You can also book on arrival, but the centre is cashless and takes card payments only.

Source checked · · Official source

Skating with children

Children under 8 must be accompanied by a skating adult.

Source checked · · Official source

Parking & arrival

Parking is free, with 800 spaces including 20 for disabled drivers.

Source checked · · Official source

Accessibility

Wheelchairs are welcome on the ice at public skating and Inclusive Skate sessions, and carers for registered disabled users skate free with proof.

Source checked · · Official source

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