Roller skates are making a comeback – for those who weren’t around in the ’70s – they are a great way to exercise for adults and kids.

Many people have discovered this trend again as a way to get around town in style during the lockdowns. Now, even though we can roam freely, it looks like roller skates are here to stay.

Besides looking cool, roller skating has many other benefits. It’s a great full-body workout that improves your posture, balance, and overall body strength.

We’re all about staying safe, so we strongly suggest sporting your vintage wheels only in secured parks that have smooth and even pathways. However, we must advise that, according to The Royal Parks (TRP) Skating Policy, the skaters must:

• Wear a helmet
• Stay alert and be aware of obstacles or uneven surfaces
• Be courteous and give way to pedestrians and animals
• Do not exceed park speed limits and adjust speed/skating style to the conditions
• Be aware of your surroundings, including other park visitors and vehicles

Some of our favorite parks that are not just for roller skating are…

Holland Park London

Holland Park is the Royal Borough’s largest park in Notting Hill, West London. It has 22.5 hectares of gardens, children’s play facilities, sports areas, a cafeteria, and, most importantly, lots of space to try out your roller skates.

A bonus is that it’s also the home to the beautiful Kyoto Garden.

Hyde Park London

Being one of the most well-known parks in London, Hyde Park doesn’t disappoint with smooth surfaces and beautiful scenery. Circle around the pond, head towards Kensington Gardens or grab a takeaway drink at the cafe. Hyde Park is large enough to spend the whole day. Take a chill pill, relax on the grass, or hire one of the colorful deck chairs. Once you have some energy back, why not enjoy boating on the Serpentine or try out the UK’s first Solarshuttle.

Greenwich Park

Another of London’s jewels! Greenwich Park has it all: rose gardens, a paddling pond, an observatory, and even a planetarium. However, this particular park is more of a challenge if you are on roller skates; there are several steep hills and sharp turns. We recommend Greenwich Park for skaters who are a bit more advanced and know how to stop and turn easily. And don’t forget to wear a helmet!

Battersea Park

Battersea Park is a particular favorite for skaters. Pre-covid, they held weekend skate meet-ups in Hyde Park and Battersea Park, like The Sunday Stroll and London Friday Night Skate; as London starts to reopen, check the website to see when these will be on again.

Richmond Park

Being the largest park in London, Richmond park is difficult to explore on foot – so why not do it on your roller skates? But please be aware of the wildlife – deer don’t particularly like fast-moving objects coming right at them!

Wherever you go, be it on skates or walking or cycling, have fun and stay safe x

Roller Skating Outfit Ideas And Access

When it comes to style and outfits, there are must-haves and nice-to-haves. When it comes to roller skates – you automatically think of the ’70s, disco glam, and studio 54 vibes. We don’t expect you to skate around Hyde Park in a shiny disco ball outfit but find some inspirational ideas for your next roller skating outfit from Source Lifestyle.

Must-haves