Review: Santa in the Sky, Ice Skating & Festive Afternoon Tea

i360 Santa in the Sky

Ice Skating at Royal Pavilion

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Hilton

The festive season started with a bang as we took a Christmas Santa in the Sky journey at the i360, meeting the big man himself high above Brighton. From the moment we arrived, the team made us feel right at home before we boarded the pod where Santa and his merry crew of elves were ready to greet us.

The pod soared 450ft into the air, offering incredible views of Brighton, the coastline and the Sussex countryside. Santa’s presence captivated the little ones who were delighted to receive a gift from him It was the kind of experience that leaves everyone smiling and the whole family had a blast.

Adding to the festive fun, Brighton i360 teamed up with Little Moons to create a limited-edition collection of wintery drinks, just for the season. We tried the Golden Apple Sparkler, a mocktail mix of apple juice, cinnamon syrup and ginger beer, complete with a touch of gold glitter. The drink came with a cinnamon bun mochi that was simply delicious.

Afterwards, we headed to the Royal Pavilion’s ice rink for a 45-minute skating session. Ice skates were provided. The Pavilion made the perfect backdrop with its twinkling lights, adding to the magical atmosphere.

The Royal Pavilion is a stunning place for ice skating and their ice rink is suitable for all the family. Penguins were available for smaller kids to help them glide and friendly staff were always around to lend a hand to anyone in need.

Our festive day wrapped up at The Metropole Restaurant in The Hilton where we indulged in a delicious afternoon tea. The selection was impressive, from savoury bites like sandwiches with truffle egg mayonnaise or smoked salmon rosi cup with dill cream cheese to sweet treats like Christmas pudding cheesecake, black forest treats and coconut snowballs.

The children were excited by their own themed afternoon tea, featuring star-shaped sandwiches, cake lollipops and festive cupcakes.

With a wide variety of teas to choose from, the afternoon was elegant and relaxing, making it the perfect way to end a festive day out. 

All in all, it was a fantastic day for families looking to get into the Christmas spirit, with loads of fun, tasty treats and memorable moments for everyone.

Brighton i360 Santa in the Sky review – 5 stars