Beginner and kid-friendly skateparks near London, United Kingdom
A skatepark is good for a first visit when it has low, gentle ramps, wide flat ground to practice pushing and turning, and few big features (tall ramps, handrails, deep bowls) that experienced skaters fly off. A fence between the park and the street and lights for evening visits help too.
We score every park from the features it lists. Gentle features such as a mini ramp (a small ramp to learn on), low banks and quarter pipes (short curved ramps) add points; lights, a fence, restrooms and staff on site add a little more; big features such as stairs, handrails, deep bowls and vertical ramps take points away, and a park with a handrail, vertical ramp, pool or large half-pipe is never labelled great. Parks that owners or skaters have marked beginner-friendly come first. Labels are great for beginners, mixed, or advanced. 21 parks near London, United Kingdom earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Hackney Bumps, London, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); curbs to practice on; small speed bumps; staff on site
- Albany Park, Enfield, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; staff on site; described as beginner-friendly
- Charlton Park, London, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; a low box; restrooms on site
- East Wickham Park, Welling, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; described as family-friendly; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Beckenham Place, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Bloblands, London, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Bromford, Birmingham, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Cann Hall Skatepark, Leytonstone, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Castle Green, Dagenham, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Central Venture Park, London, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Chase Lane Skatepark, Chingford, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Churchfields Skatepark, Beckenham, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Cottons Skatepark, Romford, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Edmonton Skatepark, Edmonton, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Friary Park, London, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Fulham (Bishop's Park), London, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Goresbrook Park, Dagenham, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Greenfields, Maidenhead, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Mudchute Skatepark, Isle of Dogs, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Onboard Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); restrooms on site; indoors, out of the weather; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- White Grounds, Bermondsey, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Beddington Mini-Ramp, Wallington, United Kingdom ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Stockwell (Brixton Beach), London, United Kingdom ยท quarter pipes (short curved ramps); low ledges; a small kicker ramp; small speed bumps; a low manual pad ยท watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area); has pool coping (a rounded, tricky edge); has a spine (two ramps back to back)
- Southbank Undercroft, London, United Kingdom ยท low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a low manual pad; a small kicker ramp; a low box ยท watch out: has a gap; has a set of stairs; has ledges down stairs
Tips for a first visit
- Go on a weekday morning or early afternoon: the park is quiet and there is room to practice.
- Wear a helmet, and knee and wrist pads for the first few visits. Most falls land on hands and knees.
- Watch for a minute before you roll in, so you can see how skaters take turns, and let faster skaters pass.
- Start on the flat ground and the smallest ramp. Rolling, stopping and turning come before any trick.
