Skate Parks Near St Ives
Everyone knows that Cornwall is full of activities that are deemed “cool”. Renowned for its chilled but pumping surfing scene, skating in Cornwall is coming in a close second. Arguably as cool as surfing with perhaps less stuff to carry, the skills and bravery required are not to be underestimated.
Below we have reviewed some of the local to St Ives and best skate parks that there is on offer and how you can join in if you have the skills already, or how to learn if you want to get involved and up your street cred.
St Ives Skate Park
St Ives Skate Park. Photo Credit: Alex Jordan
If you are staying in a St Ives holiday cottage, then your closest skate park can be found at the top of the town on Penbeagle Lane, at Palemon Best Recreation Ground.
Designed by Maverick, who have an excellent reputation for their builds, and opened in 2021. The skate park was a long time in the planning and a community project which the town is extremely proud of.
The skate park offers a wealth of features which are great for a number of users and experience levels. It hosts numerous quality lines and innovative features such as the vortex, the only loop-the-loop in the UK, take a look at local news coverage from 2021 on Cornwall Live. The skate park is used by everyone from little ones on their scooters and first-time skateboard riders to the highly skilled and daring who ride and grind along lines which look impossible. Even just heading up there to watch is inspirational.
The skate park is next to a play park and St Ives Orchard which offers other activities so you should be able to keep everyone happy. Please note: This skate park is located at the top of St Ives so approximately a 20 minute walk from the sea front, and parking is very limited. Consider walking from the town centre or taking the bus to save your legs.
St Just Skate Park
St Just Skate Park. Photo Credit: canvasspaces.co.uk/portfolio/st-just-skatepark
At the end of the St Ives coast road, you will come to a small town named St Just. In the centre of the town just off from the square is a free car park and then down and around the corner from this you will find St Just Skate Park, in South Place with its adjoining play park and green space.
St Just is also easily accessible from St Ives by taking the open top bus which will bring you along the same route. The bus stop in St Just is situated in the same car park as if you’d drive.
St Just skate park was built in 2022 and designed in collaboration with Canvas Spaces. The skate park is designed to mix street and transition elements. These have been positioned carefully to link well and allow for flowing lines to be carved. A smooth open bowl is joined by other features such as rails, pyramid hip and hubbas to name just a few. A mini ramp for beginners and younger children means that this skate park can be used by all abilities and differing sets of wheels whether it be skateboards or scooters.
St Just itself is a happening town full of cute cafes and wonderful galleries and independent shops so making the most of your visit is easily done alongside a visit to the skate park. For more tips and suggestions on what to see in and around St Just, look at our Zennor Holiday Guide.
Porthleven Skate Park
Porthleven Skate Park. Photo Credit: Alex Jordan
Porthleven Skate Park is situated in Methleigh Bottom at the base of Porthleven, set back from the harbour with an adjoining green space.
This skate park was designed by Maverick in 2018 and is, in the main, a large wide bowl design. It comprises a set of long curved banks, a mini ramp, hips and roll-ins giving riders opportunity to feel turns and play with speed in a safer space.
At this skate park you will again see riders of varied abilities and ages. We would suggest this as one ideal for beginner riders and newer to skateboarding as there is the space to practice balance and turning with fewer obstacles, yet still having a smooth surface.
Porthleven as a town also offers a vibrant food and drink scene around the harbour front with a long sandy, pebbly beach reaching as far as Loe Bar when the tide is low. It definitely worth an explore around if you head over there. You will find cafes and restaurants alongside traditional pubs and bakeries. There are some lovely gift shops, galleries and independent traders and are often market stalls along the green in front of the harbour.
Mount Hawke Skate Park
Undeniably the best and fantastically well-run skate park in Cornwall!
However, unlike the other skate parks mentioned, Mount Hawke requires prior booking and payment. It is not a free venue, so some planning is essential.
Mount Hawke has everything you need from kit to purchase or hire, alongside a brilliant on-site café, loads of space, tuition, and free parking.
It is 30 minute drive away from St Ives and where the other skate parks are free and are in towns that can be explored and add to visit, Mount Hawke skate park is quite isolated, and you would go there solely to skate, scoot or ride. This skate park is an all-weather venue where the other skate parks mentioned are not.
Here you will find an outside skate park (the plaza) and bike pump track. Inside you will find a very popular street course. This is a course which incorporates ramps and obstacles so there is the opportunity to find flow and ride a full circuit without stopping. Small drop ins allow for confidence and skill development to grow at a rate which works for the individual. Things riders don’t feel ready for can be easily avoided and there are lines that can be practiced again and again.
Inside there is also a rhythm section, mini ramp, Blackpool and the vert ramp. All these sections are big enough to accommodate several riders and stand alone in their own spaces. These sections are for people with more experience and no fear of heights or dropping in.
Mount Hawke also offers tuition for both skateboarding and scooting and have dedicated, highly experienced and highly skilled instructors which can be booked for group and one to one lessons. These need to be done in advance and we advise that you have a good read of their website or pick up the phone and call them on 01209 890705 to discuss who is the most suitable person for your particular needs.
There are affordable sessions that can be booked online, all users must fill in a registration form prior to going. The sessions are grouped by age, ability or by type of wheels you are riding so having a good look at when you want to go before you head up there is a must.
Mount Hawke Skate Park (Truro). Photo Credit: mounthawkeskatepark.com/gallery
Skate Park Summary
All the skate parks above apart from Mount Hawke are outside and we strongly recommend you don’t ride them in wet weather due to how smooth and slippery the concrete will be by design.
Helmets and protective padding should be worn whether you are on a scooter or a skateboard, and you will see even the best riders are wearing them.
The surfaces are concrete and very unforgiving. Hang around a skate park for a little while and you will soon hear injuries a topic of conversation.
We hope that you can find a place that suits you to have a go and get involved in the skateboarding scene whilst you are on your St Ives holidays. Learning some new skills and tricks to show off when you get home will help keep the holiday alive and the memories live on that little bit longer and, p.s., you are never too old!