Guildford Ice Rink can be found in the Spectrum Leisure Complex on the northern outskirts of Guildford. It is just a few minute’s drive from the closest A3 junction, so relatively easy for most visitors to get to.
The arena is home to several ice hockey teams, including the Guildford Flames of the Elite Ice Hockey League. It is just one of 41 ice rinks in the UK that are home to competitive ice hockey teams.
Information For Guildford Ice Rink
Transportation To Guildford Ice Rink
- Road – If you travel to Guildford by car, you will probably approach the Spectrum from the A3 to the north of the town. Travelling from the east, you will leave the A3 at the junction with the A320; coming from the west, you will need to leave the A3 at the junction with the A25. In either case, driving to the rink shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.
- Rail – The closest railway station to Guildford Ice Rink is London Road Station which is a 10-minute walk from the rink; if you are travelling from London, this is likely to be the most convenient station. The main Guildford Station is a 25-minute walk from the rink.
Guildford Ice Rink Parking
The Spectrum Complex has a large car park which is free of charge. However, it can get busy, so allow plenty of time to park before the game.
If you prefer to avoid the congestion of the arena car park, a park-and-ride service is offered from the Friary bus station to the Spectrum and back. The bus transfer point is a 5-minute walk from the Guildford mainline train station.
Ice Hockey Team Guildford Flames
Guildford Flames is an ice hockey team playing in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).
The EIHL is the highest-level professional league in the UK, with 10 teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) Teams
| Belfast Giants | Glasgow Clan |
| Cardiff Devils | Guildford Flames |
| Coventry Blaze | Manchester Storm |
| Dundee Stars | Nottingham Panthers |
| Fife Flyers | Sheffield Steelers |
The season runs from September to March/April, and the teams will play two (sometimes three) games a week, one home and one away. The most common days for games are Saturday and Sunday, but the team will play some on Fridays or mid-week.
These games include those played in the league and for the Challenge Cup. Most of the cup games are played early in the season.
Guildford Flames Ice Hockey Team Contacts
| Guildford Flames | Contacts & Social Media |
|---|---|
| Website | http://www.guildfordflames.co.uk |
| — | |
| Phone | 01483-443322 |
| The Guildford Flames Ice Hockey Club | |
| @flamesicehockey | |
| @flamesicehockey | |
| You Tube | FlamesIceHockey |
| HOME GAME TICKETS | Buy Tickets |
Ice Hockey Team Guildford Phoenix
Guildford Phoenix is an ice hockey team playing in the UK’s NIHL 2 South (Wilkinson) division. The team is based at Guildford Spectrum 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.
An interesting fact is that the Guildford Phoenix goalie is non-other than Petr Cech, ex-goalie of Premier Football’s Arsenal.
Seating & Away Fan Blocks At Guildford Ice Rink
Guildford Flames tickets give you assigned seating unless you are in one of the standing sections on the lower level. Away fans normally occupy one of the standing sections.
If you are not joining the away fans in the standing area, we recommend sitting in the upper section. You should sit as close to centre rink as possible (the views at the far ends of the stand are not so good); also, try to avoid sitting in the front two rows of this section, as the glass barrier can distort/obstruct your view.
Temperature Guildford 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.
Guildford ice rink is colder than average for a UK rink, and just how cold depends on where you are watching from. The seats in the upper section are cold, but if you are in the lower section, this area is extremely cold (wrap up warm!)
Food And Drink At Guildford Ice Rink
Guildford’s food options are better than most UK rinks due to its location in the Spectrum Leisure Centre. The following are available:
- Freedom Cafe – at the heart of the main level overlooking the pool
- Strikes Diner – in the Spectrum Bowl on Level 1 – serves pizza, chips and drinks (including beer)
- Burrito Loco – on Level 2 – serves Mexican fast food
- The View Bar – on the main level – serves alcoholic drinks
Note that you cannot take alcoholic drinks into the ice rink.
Skate Shop At Guildford Ice Rink
Ice Locker has a good range of ice skating equipment for ice hockey and figure skating. In addition, they sharpen skates and offer repair services. You can also shop online at icelocker.co.uk.
If you are interested in Bristol Pitbulls merchandise, their stand can be found in the centre of the main level on game night.
8 Best Ice Rink Activities To Do At Guildford Ice Rink
Watching an ice hockey game is just one of many things to do at Guildford Ice Rink. There is a wide range of ice rink activities on offer, including:
- Public ice skating sessions
- Ice skating lessons
- Ice hockey lessons
- Join a recreational ice hockey team.
- Join a women’s ice hockey team.
- Ice dancing or figure skating
- Ice skating birthday parties
- Try an ice disco with music, a DJ and disco lights.
Hotels Near Guildford Ice Rink
The most convenient hotel for the Spectrum Leisure Centre is the Premier Inn Guildford North. This hotel is reasonably priced and just a 5-minute walk from the ice rink.
An alternative is the Travelodge Guildford which is also reasonably priced but a little further away; if you want to walk to the rink, it will take 20-25 minutes.
There are also a few hotels in the town centre, but these are generally slightly more expensive than the above options.
Eating Out Near Guildford Ice Rink
Guildford Ice Rink is around 1.5 miles northeast of the town centre, so there aren’t too many options close to the rink for eating out.
However, a Beefeater pub and restaurant is just a few minutes walk from the rink, next to the Premier Inn Guildford North. It closes at 11 pm most nights and 10:30 pm on Sundays, so this can be a good option if you are looking for somewhere to eat after a game.
FAQ Guildford Ice Rink
How Long Does an Ice Hockey Game Last?
Ice hockey games have three 20-minute periods of playing time, generally with breaks of 15 minutes between periods. The clock is stopped at regular intervals during the game, so each period lasts around 30 minutes. The total time for a match is approximately 2.5 hours.
How Long Are Skating Sessions at Guildford Ice Rink?
Public ice skating sessions at the Guildford Spectrum last for 90 minutes. They are open to anyone aged 3 onwards. Skates are available for hire, and skating aids can be rented for younger skaters. Online booking in advance is recommended for all sessions.
Can I Learn to Ice Skate at Guildford Ice Rink?
The Spectrum Ice School at Guildford Ice Rink runs ice skating lessons throughout most of the year. The school has programs for children and adults, and it caters for beginners as well as those looking to improve their skills. Daytime and evening sessions are available.
