Cam Skate
Southbank - London
The most iconic skate spot in the country. Southbank's status as a cultural hub owes a large part of its success to accommodating the skateboarding community - even if this was initially unintentional.
The space has been used by skateboarders since the 1970s.
A long-fought campaign secured the preservation of this living part of UK skate history.
Schoolchildren watching skating at Southbank
A documentary, You Can't Move History was produced to explore what connects young people to the space.
In 2019, a restoration project restored access to the full undercroft, intentionally designed to expand the skating area.
The extension added new entrances to the space and brought in more natural light.
Skaters enjoying the extension
A head height (skateable) fence separates the park from passers-by but allows visibility and interaction.
The main part of the undercroft features a perimeter fence, but is directly connected to the main pedestrian area and visible.
This space has empowered generations of physical, visual and collaborative expression and informed and directed the lives of people from all walks of life. This world famous landmark and cultural icon must be preserved for future generations to flourish.
Henry Edwards-Wood
© SKATEBOARD CAMBRIDGE CIC 2022