Our latest post in the skatepark series presents a guide to some of the most impressive skateparks you can discover in Bristol.
As the near home of the NASS festival, Bristol's skateboarding scene keeps reaching new levels. From young skateboarders practicing on College Green to enthusiasts at Dame Emily Park, skateboarding is a significant aspect of Bristol's urban culture, where drum and bass music and graffiti art take the spotlight. Being the origin of the 'Bristol Sound', the city boasts a wealth of fresh talent as everyone prepares for NASS's 14ft high ramp, taking inspiration from Tony Hawk and Sam Beckett. Have a look at our top skateparks to test out your tricks.
1. Campus: Pool
Last year, Campus Skateparks transformed an abandoned swimming pool in Bishopsworth into an indoor concrete skatepark, with the aim of using skateboarding's positive energy and influence to connect with young people.
Designed and built by Canvas, the once-forgotten area was converted into one of the most remarkable spaces in the nation.
You could say they've taken the competition to a whole new level! More surprises are also on the horizon for Bristol and Bath soon...
The park features ramps, classic street elements, and a quarter pipe standing four feet high, a hubba ledge, and an eight-foot-high hipped vert bowled wall. It's crafted to be smooth and perfect for beginners too, allowing you to glide through all the obstacles without needing to step on the ground.
The skatepark also includes a café and meeting spaces for social activities, alongside all the kickers, rails, and vertical bowled corners.
• Opening hours:
o Monday: 4pm – 10pm (6pm – 10pm BMX allowed)
o Tuesday: 4pm – 10pm
o Wednesday: 4.30pm – 5.30pm (tuition) 5.50pm – 10pm (open to public) 6pm – 10pm (BMX allowed)
o Thursday: 4pm – 10pm
o Friday: 12pm – 10pm o Saturday: 10am – 8pm
o Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
• Charge:
o Standard Membership €1
o Premium Membership €30
o Standard Session (2hr) €7
o Premium Session (2hr) €5
• Address: Whitchurch Road, Bishopsworth, Bristol, BS13 7RW
• Website: www.campusskateparks.co.uk/pages/pool
*warning: the music in this video contains strong language
2. Emersons Green Skatepark
Opened in the spring of 2011, Emersons Green is a concrete skatepark that offers a smooth ride. Additionally, Emersons Green skatepark caters to everyone, whether you're a professional or just starting out.
With two main back-and-forth sections arranged in an x-shape, the park is very well designed, and it would take you an afternoon to try all the routes.
The central area of the park includes two quarter pipes and a large pyramid bank. There's also a gentle bank leading up to a bench suitable for sitting or performing tricks.
Although there are no facilities on the premises, free toilets are available nearby.
• Opening hours: Unsupervised access 24 hours a day
• Charge: Free
• Address: Emersons Green, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BS16 7AL
• Website: n/a
3. Hengrove Skatepark
Hengrove is an outdoor skatepark offering a little something for everyone, blending street and transition features with ultra-smooth surfaces and plenty of grip.
The park’s fast and smooth surfaces make it ideal for beginners, yet it also presents challenges for more advanced skaters. It includes a street area with a long, flat bank and a bowled corner next to two rectangular bowls placed side by side, with a spine and roll-over in between. Additionally, there are two lines of ramps, a jump box with a hipped side, a fun box, and a long manny pad.
There are no toilets at the site, but a leisure centre with free toilet facilities is conveniently located nearby.
• Opening times: Unsupervised access available 24 hours a day
• Charge: Free
• Address: Hengrove Skatepark, Hengrove Park, Hengrove Lane, Bristol, Avon, BS14 0HR.
• Website: n/a
4. Dean Lane Skatepark
Known locally as ‘The Deaner’, Dean Lane skatepark is one of the most original skateparks in the UK. Constructed in the 1970s when skateboarding was first gaining popularity, the park continues to be just as popular today.
As you might expect from such a historic park, the layout differs from modern skateparks, with more emphasis on transitions. However, it's a fantastic spot rich in heritage, so it’s definitely worth a visit. You might even encounter legendary skaters like Korahn Gayle, who still resides in the city.
• Opening times: Unsupervised access available 24 hours a day
• Charge: Free
• Address: Dean Lane Skatepark, Dame Emily Park, Dean Lane, Bristol, Avon, BS3 1DL.
• Website: n/a
5. Filton Skatepark
For a skatepark with character, Filton is the place to be. Built in 2008, it’s now relatively old, but its concrete surfaces are as smooth as when it first opened.
Filton is a bit quieter than some other nearby parks, making it ideal for beginners honing their skills. With two main sections—a bowl and a street section—there’s a range of options depending on what you want to practice.
The street section also offers plenty of space between obstacles, featuring ledges, banks, a whippy quarter pipe, and a grind rail.
• Opening times: Unsupervised access available 24 hours a day
• Charge: Free
• Address: Elm Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7PS
• Website: n/a
Finding the perfect park for you in Bristol is almost guaranteed. We couldn’t possibly include them all in this post, so let us know if we missed your favourite.
Image courtesy of iStock.
