London is a skateboarder’s paradise, with countless parks and spots available for you to shred. As we’re all about showing people the best side of our capital. we’ve decided to compile a list of the most popular and well-loved London skateparks. From the towering heights of Alexandra Palace to the hidden gems like Victoria Park Skatepark, as well as concrete bowls and street courses, we’ve got you covered. So get your board, get your helmet ready and put on your pads – it’s time to hit the streets.
1. Southbank Skate Space
The Southbank Centre is home to some of the UK’s most important skateboarding history. It’s been a popular spot for decades; many people know that in this place is where you can find a little bit more history than just buildings and cars. The Southbank Centre’s undercroft has been home to boarders, riders, and graffiti artists for more than 40 years.
Seven steps are among the many different blocks that are present in the skateable plaza area, which is made out of concrete and which was made bigger just a few years ago. There are two blocks in front of these sets that can be ascended or descended depending on how daring you feel like being when it comes to this particular spot. Next, there’s another famous gap made out by one shorter but steeply slanted block while leading into an even taller drop-off at the left.
Post-skate, there are plenty of cafés, street-food stalls and restaurants for you to grab some grub and recharge.
📍 You’ll find Southbank Skate Space at Southbank Undercroft, Festival Pier, Lambeth, SE1 8XZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
2. Kimber Skatepark
Kimber Skatepark is a fabulous addition to the King George’s Park area of Wandsworth, South London. It features an enclosed concrete plaza-style loop, additional metal-frame ramps, and a BMX track – basically everything you need to be included in the best skateparks in London. The layout has been well designed to make an easy loop, perfect for beginners and experienced skaters alike.
There are two runs available at this park, and one is more technical than the other. The first half of it has an earthquake gap leading up to a quarter pipe and then continues towards another section where there is also some banking. The gap to the left is a series of ledges that lead up into an open area with multiple flat banks on either side. The one across from it has many obstacle courses throughout its length, which makes for great skating.
📍 You’ll find Kimber Skatepark at Kimber Road, Wandsworth, SW18 4NY.
🚇 Nearest station is Earlsfield.
3. Crystal Palace Skatepark
Image: @friendscrystalpalaceskatepark, via Instagram
The Crystal Palace Park Skatepark is a great place to spend an afternoon. The skatepark at Crystal Palace Park is a long, curving concrete band that is 100 metres long and 11 metres wide. It is loaded with a variety of rideable terrains that you can enjoy for free during daylight hours.
The London Skatepark features three separate areas. One end of the park has a cloverleaf pool with advanced coping stones and tiles, which can also be used for skating. It’s eight-and-a-half feet at its deepest point (large round section), but there are also shallower sections measuring about six feet for every level of expertise.
The variety of features at this skatepark is genuinely something special. A steel-coping bowl with an L form sits in the centre and has several curves and hips, ranging from five feet deep in some sections to seven feet deep near the deepest point on site. There’s also an inviting mellow section that varies between two and three feet high with flat transitions as well as angled hip banks and ledges, along with pump bumps and tacos sitting around five feet high.
📍 You’ll find Crystal Palace Skatepark at Crystal Palace Park, Off Ledrington Road, SE19 2BB.
🚇 Nearest station is Crystal Palace.
4. Victoria Park Skatepark
IMAGE: @never2old2skateboard, via Instagram
Boasting a gigantic bowl that’s jam-packed with so many ways to practice your skills, Victoria Park is home to an absolute favourite among skaters in the capital. Featuring sections to flex your street-cred, including steps, hips, banks, and ledges, its fun layout always makes it bustling with people on all sorts of wheels, from bikes and skates to skateboards and beyond.
This fantastic, outdoor skatepark is located in the heart of Victoria Park, right next to the café and play area. It does get busy on the weekends so if you’re a newbie or don’t like crowds, head early or on weekdays.
📍 You’ll find Victoria Park Skatepark at Victoria Park, Grove Road, London, E3 5TN.
🚇 Nearest station is Mile End.
5. Better Extreme Skate N Climb
IMAGE: @betterskatenclimbbarking, via Instagram
This one has a great location with plenty of space to play. In fact, it’s billed as ‘London’s largest skatepark’, so it certainly deserves its place in this roundup of the best London skateparks.
The skatepark is the perfect place for all levels of skaters, providing more than 900 square metres to explore, and it has a splendid range of terrains for skaters of various different skill levels. There’s also a beginner area, a street zone with ledges and gaps like ‘Euro-gaps’ or keyhole birchwood bowl that is unique to London.
With three different bowls and an entire half-pipe dedicated to board sports, it really is one of the best skateboarding parks in London. Oh, and if you get bored you can even do some rock climbing… Because… why not?
📍 You’ll find Better Extreme Skate N Climb at Mayesbrook Park, Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 2JR.
🚇 Nearest station is Upney.
6. Alexandra Palace Skatepark
IMAGE: @yourallypally, via Instagram
Whether you want to hone your skating skills or watch others accomplish theirs, there are enough things at the skatepark for everyone to practise on. Ramps, two entertaining boxes filled with numerous obstacles (including some cool tricks), and two distinct types of ground surfaces are all available.
Spend an afternoon filled with fun, thrills and spills while skating at the Alexandra Palace Skatepark. It’s open almost every day and closes at sunset, so you’ll have plenty of time for fun in the sun before it gets dark.
📍 You’ll find Alexandra Palace Skatepark at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY.
🚇 Nearest station is Alexandra Palace.
7. BAYSIXTY6 Skate Park
This community-favourite park is perfect for getting your board and taking off. BAYSIXTY6 Skate Park dates all the way back to 1997, when it became clear that more kids were interested than ever!
The park’s operators work closely with local communities to ensure people can enjoy skateboarding even after daylight hours or during bad weather conditions. They’ve also implemented increased safety features like railings along stepped drops so people can safely practice their moves.
They aim to provide children, youth, and people of all ages and backgrounds with top-quality sporting facilities where they can learn new skills in safe environments. It’s arguably one of the most inclusive London skateparks, too thanks to its many events for the overlooked groups in skateboarding.
📍 You’ll find BAYSIXTY6 Skatepark at Bay 66 Acklam Road, North Kensington, W10 5YU.
🚇 Nearest station is Westbourne Park.
8. Cantelowes Concrete Bowl and Skatepark
IMAGE: @diehappyuk, via Instagram
The Cantelowes Bowl is one of the most popular outdoor bowls in the whole of the United Kingdom, with its quirky shape and large size making it perfect for all sorts of adventures. An L-shaped street segment around the edge is the ideal area ideal for slaloms or speed skaters.
The bowl is a haven for all types of terrain and can be tackled by beginners and experts alike. This three-tiered course has hips that will take you around the different sections at six feet deep with rollin’ transitions between them, making it easy on your skateboard wheels. The neighbouring street course has banks that are flat but perfect for grinds and slides. Don’t forget about their nine-foot inversion love seat either!
📍 You’ll find Cantelowes Concrete Bowl and Skatepark at Cantelowes Gardens, Camden Road, NW1 9BY.
🚇 Nearest station is Camden Road.
9. Hop Kingdom
Although this may be London’s smallest indoor skatepark, Hop Kingdom is a great place to skate as they have a brilliant bar with their very own craft beer. Plus, the skatepark has everything you need to show off your skills, or you can learn to skate with their private classes and evenings for beginners.
This fantastic addition to the list is located at London Bridge, making it a great option if you’re heading towards the Thames for the Southbank Skate Space. Why not make a day of it and conclude it with some well-earned beers at this must-visit hotspot?
📍 You’ll find Hop Kingdom at 16 Druid Street, SE1 2EY.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
You can hit the ground skating with ease with these London skateparks. With plenty of variety in terms of terrain and difficulty level, get ready for a fun day out and shred away!