Gillingham Ice Rink (also known as Planet Ice Gillingham) is on the southeastern side of Gillingham, around a 5-minute drive north from the M2. It is an older rink in need of some care, but still a great place to watch an ice hockey game.
Gillingham Ice Rink is home to a number of ice hockey teams, including the Invicta Dynamos and the Invicta Mustangs. It is just one of 41 ice rinks in the UK that are home to competitive ice hockey teams.
Information For Planet Ice Gillingham
Gillingham Ice Rink Parking
Gillingham Ice Rink has a paid car park. However, Planet Ice Gillingham doesn’t operate it, and the parking company has a reputation for handing out fines. So, make sure you pay for sufficient time (you will need cash unless things have changed recently).
Alternatively, there are some options for free on-road parking in the area, especially if you don’t mind a short walk.
Invicta Dynamos Ice Hockey Team
Invicta Dynamos is an ice hockey team playing in the UK’s NIHL 1 South (Britton) division. The team is based at Gillingham Ice Rink.
The amateur NIHL 1 league is the third-highest in the UK, behind the EIHL and NIHL National leagues. Eight teams compete in the southern division (see below), and nine teams in the northern division.
NIHL 1 South (Britton) Teams
| Chelmsford Chieftains | Romford Buccaneers |
| Invicta Dynamos | Slough Jets |
| Milton Keynes Thunder | Solent Devils |
| Oxford City Stars | Streatham IHC |
The teams charge for entry to games, generally £5-£10 for a non-concessionary adult and reduced rates for children and OAPs.
NIHL 1 South teams compete for the regular season, playoff and national titles, as well as the Britton Cup. The regular season runs from September to late March, and the season concludes in mid-April with a final between the northern and southern playoff champions.
Invicta Mustangs Ice Hockey Team
Invicta Mustangs is an ice hockey team playing in the UK’s NIHL 2 South (Wilkinson) division. The team is based at Gillingham Ice Rink.
The amateur NIHL 2 league is the fourth-highest in the UK, behind the EIHL, NIHL National and NIHL 1 leagues. Thirteen teams compete in the southern division (see below), and nine teams compete in the northern division.
NIHL 2 South (Wilkinson) Teams
The teams charge for entry to games, generally £5-£10 for a non-concessionary adult and reduced rates for children and OAPs.
NIHL 2 South teams compete for the regular season title, the playoff title, and the Wilkinson Cup. The regular season runs from September to late March, and the season concludes in early April with a playoff weekend for the semi-final and final games.
How Cold Is Gillingham Ice Rink?
If you haven’t been to a hockey game before, you need to know that ice rinks are cold places (not a surprise!). And the closer you are to the ice, the colder you will be.
Also, hockey rinks in the UK aren’t heated, so temperatures in the arena drop in line with outside temperatures. Compared to other UK rinks, we would rank Gillingham ice rink as colder than average.
Gillingham Ice Rink Seating
Planet Ice Gillingham has seating for approximately 1,000 spectators. If you are watching a game, we advise sitting as high up as possible, as condensation sometimes builds up on the Plexiglass.
10 Best Ice Rink Activities To Do At Gillingham Ice Rink
Watching an ice hockey game is just one of many things to do at Gillingham Ice Rink. There is a wide range of ice rink activities on offer, including:
- Public ice skating sessions
- Ice skating lessons
- Show and skate lessons
- Ice hockey lessons
- Join a Para ice hockey team.
- Ice dancing or figure skating
- Speed skating
- Ice skating birthday parties
- Try an ice disco with music, a DJ and disco lights.
- Watch an ice show.
