OMG, Sun!
Now that we’re nearing a return to normalcy, you might be thinking it’s time to dust off those pads and get yourself back on eight wheels – AND YOU’D BE RIGHT! So, while you’re waiting to get yourself back inside a sports hall, why not check out our crowd sourced list of excellent outdoor skate spots in and around the Nottingham area to see you through the (hopefully) sunny summer.
We’ve split it into Parks, Paths and Skate Parks. All good fun, all tried and tested by various NRD members.
Parks
West Park, Long Eaton (Google Maps link)
A very large park with flat paths to skate around. There is also a skate park as well, but it’s often very busy. It has a cafe, toilets and playgrounds for kids with a little splash park for summer. There’s a large car park shared with the nearby leisure centre.
Merlin Park, Hucknall (Google Maps link)
Large basketball court with a small bike track around the outside, which has a small hill as part of it which makes it more fun. Nice wooden playgrounds for the kids. Main path around the big park is suitable for bikes but not skates. In a new housing development, so there’s decent space to park on the roads.
Kids cycle track, Embankment (Google Maps link)
Perfect for taking the kids with you. Paths marked out to look like roads with mini working traffic lights and roundabouts. Lido for the summer. Busy at the weekends with scooters and bikes. Playground next to it for the kids. Small car park, but plenty of parking on the road too.
Paths
Embankment (Google Maps link)
A long smooth path runs from Wilford Village to Clifton next to the tram tracks. Some slight up and down hills, with some road crossings, but is a good length. We start off at the Wilford Village tram stop car park so it is easily accessed by public transport and cars.
Cycle track at Harvey Hadden (Google Maps link)
1.5km closed road circuit track. Open to the public when not being used for events or organised sessions.
Through town
For people who don’t mind paving slabs and inclines. Plenty of route variation to be had. We often start from around the train station, or skate into town from the embankment.
Skate parks
Colwick skatepark (Goolge Maps link)
Colwick skatepark has the perfect mini ramp for new ramp skaters or those who want to practice new tricks. Colwick has a baby half pipe made of nice soft wood to start learning on too, as well as the bigger one for more confident skaters. Part of a big park which is good for cycling and open water swimming sessions. Car park.
Titchfield park, Hucknall (Google Maps link)
Hucknall has the largest ramp for Adrenalin lovers, but also has some great smaller ramps for beginners and a lovely smooth half pipe. This place can get busy with scooter kids! There’s a nice path running around the park for those that just want flat skating. There’s a car park, cafe and toilets across the grassy area (for cafe customers).
Valley road skatepark (Google maps link)
Valley road is easily accessible but covered in uninspired graffiti and isn’t the most suitable for skaters, given that it seems to be designed more with BMX in mind. But still decent for a quick session or something a bit different. The skate park is fairly small but the footpath that runs past it is smooth for skating with some small inclines and grassy verges in case you have to bail. Park on nearby sideroads and walk over as it is on the ring road. Easy access by bus.
Lady Bay skate park (Google maps link)
Lady bay is super smooth and really nice to skate. Watch out as there are a lot of scooter kids and it does get busy. This place is best to go early morning as it gets very busy as the day goes on.
Other notable skate parks are Radcliffe skate park, Ruddington skate park and keep and eye out for Rushcliffe Country Park, which is currently being built.
There we have it, enough skate spots to see even the most action starved skater through at least a few sunny weekends.