No matter how bad we are at it, there's something about the festive season that makes us want to lace up a pair of skates and head out onto the ice.
Of course, a big part of the appeal of skating at Christmas is the chance to do it al fresco, so to speak, as opposed to inside a noisy leisure centre.
In Truro, for instance, its temporary ice rink is erected beneath the stunning backdrop of the city's Cathedral - creating an incredibly atmospheric experience for those who take to the ice.
The Cathedral Green rink is open to anyone aged four and above, including those in wheelchairs, from 10am each day, with the last session beginning at 7.30pm on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 8.30pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Younger children can enjoy a 'Toddler Woddler' session on either Tuesday or Thursday at 9am between November 26th and December 19th. Regular sessions will run until January 5th. Tickets for one hour cost £7 for adults and £5 for children.
Those who really don't fancy a skate, can revel in the mishaps of others from the comfort of the rink-side viewing area and enjoy drinks and snacks while they watch.
Another spectacular location for a skate is the world-famous Eden Project (pictured above). Its mammoth winter skating season began in October and runs right through until March 2nd. This year, it is offering new sessions for beginners, ice discos on some Friday evenings and rink-side food. Kids struggling with their balance can even hire penguin skating aids, which are pushed along using handlebars.
Tickets for each 40-minute session cost £6 per person and do not include admission to the Eden Project itself. However, on selected days you can enjoy a skate with a friend for half the price, and on Wednesdays during term time between 3pm and 4.30pm you get an extra 50-minutes to skate for the cost of a normal ticket.
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