Public skating sessions in Romford

A public skating session is the easiest way onto the ice: you book a time slot, collect hire skates, and skate round with everyone else. Here is how sessions work at Romford's rink, Sapphire Ice & Leisure, and how to make the most of yours.

Times and prices change by term and season, so we do not list them. Check the current timetable and book on the official Sapphire Ice & Leisure skating page.

Types of session

Most UK rinks, Romford included, run a similar mix through the week:

General public sessions: open to all ages and abilities, the bread and butter of the timetable.
Family or parent-and-toddler sessions: quieter, slower times aimed at young children and their adults, often on weekday mornings. Little ones can usually use skating aids.
Evening and disco sessions: music, lights and a livelier crowd, usually with a minimum age or an adult-supervision rule for younger teenagers.
Patch or freestyle ice: reserved for skaters practising jumps and spins or having private lessons. Not for beginners.

Booking

Book online in advance. Sessions are capped for safety and popular slots sell out, especially at weekends, in school holidays and around Christmas. Arrive 20–30 minutes early to collect skates, store bags and lace up properly: the session starts on the clock, not when you are ready.

Skate hire

Hire skates are handed out by shoe size at the counter. Ask for your normal shoe size first and try them on before you leave the desk; if your heel lifts or your toes are crushed, change them. Lace them firmly over the instep and round the ankle. Our beginner's guide explains how.

Many rinks offer skating aids (plastic frames to push along) for young children for a small extra charge, and these can help nervous adults too.

Rules you will meet

Skate in the same direction as everyone else, usually anticlockwise.
Gloves are often compulsory. Bring a thin pair.
No food, drink or phones in hand on the ice; no carrying children.
Get off the ice promptly when the resurfacer comes out at the end of the session.
Under-age skaters may need an adult on the ice with them. Check the rule for the session you book.

Getting the most out of an hour

Spend the first ten minutes near the barrier getting used to the blades, then move away from it: you learn faster in open ice than clinging to the side. Bend your knees more than feels natural, keep your weight over the balls of your feet and look ahead, not down. If you are enjoying it, a block of lessons will move you on faster than months of public sessions.

What to bring

Layers, gloves, one pair of ordinary socks and a bottle of water for afterwards. There is more in what to wear ice skating.