Ice at the Palace, Hampton Court Ice Rink

I must say I wasn’t impressed in the slightest.

Ice rink was too overcrowded, bordering on unsafe. The ice was bumpy and waterlogged in places.

We had paid a £20 deposit on a table which we could then redeem against food to find that there was little food left to choose from. Kids would not touch the Brie or prawn sandwiches that were left. They didn’t even have hot chocolate or any mezza sharing boards. useless.

Manager couldn’t refund this £20 and advised me to speak to the head office. Head office were unhelpful also. Basically told me that someone else could have had my table and they would have lost revenue by refunding me as someone else may have spent on the Brie sandwiches.

I honestly would not recomend. Better off going to a real ice rink and much cheaper. There was nothing special about it or this experience!

This was the second time I tried to book a slot for me and someone to go ice skating in the last two years and both times they cancelled on us, on the day of the skating.

Not only that but both times when trying to get a refund it was difficult and very long to refund or to get anyone to talk to me it was all computer generated which is so unfriendly.

I have heard bad stuff about the rink itself too from others who have been. Un even a floor - someone broke their wrist due to a bump in the ice. The people are rude and moody; honestly, I wouldn't go if I were you.

I went to Hampton Court Ice Rink with the family last year and said I wouldn't do it again. Foolishly I was persuaded to go again this year and it was worse!. The ice rink was several inches deep in water. Nobody warned us. As soon as my son got on the ice he fell over due to the poor quality of the ice (and he is a reasonable skater) and was then covered in water. He had to stop skating immediately. The whole family immediately decided to do the same and I went for a refund. None was offered. I was told the ice was 'safe' and the terms and conditions stipulate no refunds.

Frankly this is a bunch of crooks that year on year Hampton Court allows to take over a space in their grounds just to make money. The skates are unuseable - even the man serving admitted most of them were awful. It is hugely overpriced. It is poorly run and they allow to many people on the ice. Go to Guildford leisure centre or another established skating location. Whilst the ambience at Hampton is nice the actual experience is extremely disappointing. Avoid.