The Rom

The Rom is a skatepark in Hornchurch featuring interconnected concrete bowls, ramps, and half-pipes laid out in an open-air setting. The design follows Californian skatepark principles and accommodates skateboarders, BMX riders, and kick scooter users of varying abilities.

The facility was created in 1978 by Adrian Rolt and the G-Force design team as a pioneering skatepark for Europe. It later became one of the first skateparks globally to receive Grade II listed building status, gaining heritage recognition.

The Rom represents a significant development in youth sports facilities of the 1970s, maintaining its original design elements through decades of continuous use.

The site sits near the River Rom and welcomes skaters of all levels to practice their skills in an open setting. Its straightforward layout makes it simple to navigate between the different bowls and ramps.

This site earned a rare distinction as the second skatepark worldwide to receive official heritage protection status. Such recognition reflects its importance as an architectural record of how modern sports facilities were designed in the late 1970s.

Location: London Borough of Havering

Inception: 1978

Address: Rom Skatepark, Upper Rainham Rd, Hornchurch RM12 4ES, UK

Opening Hours: Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:00

Phone: +441708474429

Website: http://romskatepark.com

GPS coordinates: 51.55624,0.18849

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02