Whether you’re Olympic standard or more baby-giraffe-on-rollerskates, a trip to an ice rink is always a winner. And Nottingham’s National Ice Centre, close to the historic Lace Market, is one of the country’s finest. A whopping Olympic-sized rink, it hosts fun public skate sessions, toddler sessions, birthday parties and lessons for every ability – from ‘cling-ons’ to those perfecting their triple axel.

Things step up a level here in the run up to Christmas, when you can book skating sessions with festive characters (glide with the gingerbread man and race the elves) and even meet the Big Man himself in his icy grotto.

The NIC incorporates neighbouring Motorpoint Arena too so if you fancy getting tips from the ice hockey experts, you can pop next door to watch an exciting Nottingham Panthers match too. Claw-biting stuff.

Pass me a furry muff, I’m getting my skates on…