The legendary Rom skatepark in Essex has been awarded grade II listing
October 30, 2014
The Rom Skatepark in Essex
When people think of national heritage sites, they usually think of Stonehenge or stuffy old country manor houses, and at first glance, the Rom skate park in Essex has almost nothing in common with these places.
But the English National heritage describes the Rom skate park as an important symbol of youth culture in the UK. Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey told the BBC: “Its listing at Grade II is testament to its design and also highlights how the UK’s unique heritage reflects all parts of our culture and history.”
"Its listing at Grade II is testament to its design and also highlights how the UK's unique heritage reflects all parts of our culture and history."
Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey
The Hornchurch Skatepark is the first UK Skate Park to be awarded the grade II listed status by the English National Heritage Trust, and only the second stake park to be awarded such status in the world (The other listed Skate Park is Bro Bowl in Tampa, Florida, which was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in October 2013). Not bad going for a humble skate park just outside of London.
The Rom was designed by Adrian Rolt of G-Force and constructed primarily out of concrete. It is often regarded as one of the best-preserved Skate parks in England.
The park features many ramps including The Pool, Moguls, Performance Bowl, Snake Run, Four Leaf Clover, a Concrete Halfpipe, Slalom Run and Freestyle Area, which have all stood the test of time. Added to this already impressive list is a 7-foot wooden spine ramp, a 4-foot wooden mini ramp and a 6-foot ramp indoors, along with curved wall rides, jump box, flat banks, grind boxes and quarterpipes.
Bob Haro, Matt Hoffman, Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain and the Bones Brigade, Scott Maylon and even Jack Clark have all skated and ridden there.
The Rom skate park is open 10am – 6pm 7 days a week, with a late session on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday which runs from 6 until 9pm. Sessions cost between £5 and £7 depending on what time you go.