2025 UK Skateable Spaces Audit: Full Report

The 11 thematic areas investigated and associated top line findings are as follows;

Overall numbers

As of 2025, there are 1923 open skateable spaces in the UK. 1841 of these are outdoor, and 82 are indoor.

Regional distribution

Regional variation is significant, highlighting clear geographic disparities in provision.

Alignment with Sport England priority areas

A number of the UKs skateable spaces fall within the Sport England priority areas.

Alignment with progression and performance interests

Across the country, provision for talent development is lacking.

Patterns of usage

Usage and usability fluctuate, and both are influenced by a range of factors; ability of users, where the spaces are located, differences according to the time of day, their condition, the materials from which they are constructed and the presence of user groups.

Physical condition

Across the country, funding gaps affect maintenance for ongoing operational costs, including sealing and crack repair. That being said, survey results show that the physical condition of a skateable space strongly contributes to its overall quality but interestingly, does not dominate it.

Relationships between communities and spaces

Communities and their role in activating spaces impact positively on their use. They also play important roles in contributing to the cultural status of certain skateable spaces, which impact on their use.

Safety

Managed indoor skateparks are perceived as the safest environments, yet they represent only 5% of all facilities.

Inclusivity

How inclusive a space feels is closely associated with the levels of users feeling welcome there. Survey commentary on features that make spaces welcoming refer especially to positive communities and older people who are regular users of spaces.

Organised activity

Research strongly suggests that the budgets for new skateparks should be allocated both for construction and activation/organised skateboarding, and that the latter is often considered secondary when building a new space.

Provision for beginners

Many parks in the UK cater well to beginners, reflecting the standardized council run skatepark briefs for new facilities, which often prioritise accessibility.

The report has been compiled and written by the project researchers, led by Dr Esther Sayers of Goldsmiths University of London, alongside George Nicholls, Goldsmiths University of London, and Stuart Maclure, Betongpark.