Where to Skate in the UK

There are load of places to skate in the UK. If you’re freestyle then it’s up to you to make use of the urban environment around you. If you want to skate vert, however, then there are an increasing number of UK skate parks to choose from.

Livingstone Skatepark

16 Northwood Park
Livingstone
Midlothian
Scotland

Livingstone Skatepark is a huge concrete construction comprising a single long half-pipe that increases in vert (steepness of inclination) from the roll-in, to the point where the half-pipe opens out into a large bowl. This bowl has a quarter-pipe forming one side. Adjacent to this is an interconnected little pool and big pool where you can get some serious air.

Over the years, big name skaters have graced the hallowed site of Scotland’s premier skatepark. It is one of the UK's oldest, and possibly best, skate parks and for a long time was virtually the only skating facility in Scotland. It is a 50 minute bus ride from Scotland's capital city Edinburgh and well worth a visit for anyone. With a variety of gradients and ramp types, it is suited to everyone from beginner to pro. Furthermore this is a council skatepark so it is open 24 hours and free to use, just be sure to wear protection, as concrete is an unforgiving teacher.

• Price: Free
• Opening Hours: 24 hours

Ramp City Skatepark

Ramp City WSA Cropper Road Marton Blackpool FY4 5LB

Ramp City is a large indoor skatepark constructed from wood and covering a space of 22,000 square metres. Besides a brand new mini-spine, Ramp City has four half pipes ranging from three feet in height to a massive 13 feet 3 inches - the UK's largest skate half-pipe. If you’re more inclined to skate street then you can take advantage of a range of grind rails and hubbas plus a portable grind box, jump ramps and quarter-pipes. Big Woody's Skate Shop, located at the park, serves hot food, snack and drinks too.

• Price: 5 per session (3.5 hours)
• Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 4.30 pm till 9.00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10.00am till 9.00 pm.

Harrow Skatepark

Harrow Leisure Centre
Christchurch Avenue
Harrow
Middlesex
HA3 5BD

Harrow Skatepark was built in 1976 and today it is one of the few remaining concrete skate parks built in the 1970s. At Harrow Skatepark you will find a snake run, a half pipe, a small pool and a number of other skateable features. For street skaters there is a large flat area and a bank for street tricks. The park itself is famous for its friendly, uncompetitive atmosphere and, as it is a council skatepark, it is free to use and open all hours. You can easily get there from central London by taking a train from Euston or Clapham Junction to Harrow and Wealdstone Station, or on the tube via the Bakerloo line.

• Price: Free
• Opening Hours: 24 hours

Interact Skatepark

Interact Skate Park
Bank Hall Works
Off Colne Road
Burnley
Lancashire
BB10 3AT

Tel: 01282 455363
E-mail: Interactpark@aol.com Web: Interact Skatepark

Interact Skatepark boasts the largest indoor wooden bowl in Western Europe. The bowl is t-shaped and features a love seat and vert extension. There are two mini ramps ranging in difficulty so, once you have mastered the smaller of the two, you can move onto the more challenging larger ramp. A foam pit with a 10 foot roll in ramp allows you to practice those really difficult and dangerous skate tricks before you try them out for real. Moreover, a street section with multiple rails and ramps makes sure street skaters are not left wanting. In addition to all this, you will find the Colour Skate Shop offering a range of skate clothing and equipment, a viewing balcony for parents and friends and cafe/lounge/games room replete with sofas, tables and video games.

To use the park you must wear safety gear including a helmet at all times. You must also join as a member with Day Membership being £3.50 and Yearly Membership being £10.00. The skatepark and the foam pit have different opening hours and pricing structure - if you pay to use the foam pit you can use the skatepark but not vice-versa.

Skatepark

• Price: 3 hours session - £5.00. All day session - £8.50.
• Opening Hours: Mon - closed for private hire. Tues - 4pm till 10pm. Wed 10am till 10 pm. Thursday - 4pm till 10 pm. Friday 10am till 10pm. Saturday and Sunday - 10am till 8pm.

Foam Pit - Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Price: Day Members - £11.50. Yearly Members - £8.00. Plus 3 hours session - £5.00. All day session - £8.50.
• Opening Hours: 7pm - 10pm

Foam Pit - Saturdays and Sundays

• Price: Day Members - £13.50. Yearly Members - £10.00 (for a three hour session). Plus 3 hours session - £5.00. All day session - £8.50.
• Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm

Revolution Skatepark and Climbing Centre

Oakwood Industrial Estate
Dane Valley Road
St. Peters, Broad stairs
Kent CT10 3JJ
Tel: (Skatepark) 01843 866707, (Climbing Centre) 01843 866706 Web: Revolution Skatepark

Revolution Skatepark has been around since 1998. It is designed to appeal to all ages and abilities, from beginner to pro skateboarders. Besides the snack shop and skate shop, there are three main areas to skate at Revolution - the ramp room, the street course and the outdoors mini ramp and street complex.

In the ramp room you will find two mini ramps of 5 and 6 feet in height, and 8 foot midi ramp, a 2.5 foot spine plus a beginner’s area. The street course is aimed at those who love to skate street and includes a steep quarter pipe, flat banks, a death box, a fun box, a bowled corner and loads of other slide and grind obstacles. If the weather is good then you can take advantage of the outdoors area with a 6 foot high half-pipe and a street complex composed of flat banks, quarter-pipes, a spine ramp and grind boxes.

You can even skate here if you don’t have your own equipment. Safety equipment can be hired for £1.00 per session and skateboards, inline skates and micro scooters for £2.50 per session or everything for £9.50 per session.

• Price: £5.00 per 2 hour session or all day skate for £15.00. Spectators £1.00
• Opening Hours: Mon - closed, Tues - 10am till 10pm, Wed - 10am till 10pm, Thurs - closed, Fri - 10am till 10pm, Sat 10am till 10pm, Sun 10am till 8pm.

You can also find a list of places to skate in the UK with the help of the following websites.

• Skate UK
• Skatepark Pages
• SK8M8

And don't forget to check out these other UK skate parks.

• South Sea Skatepark - The South Coast's premier skatepark.
• Hemel Hempstead - A council skatepark just outside of London.
• BaySixty6 - Previously known as the Playstation Skatepark and now sponsored by Xbox with is a great skatepark in central London.
• Cardiff Skatepark - Situated in, unsurprisingly, Cardiff.