The Open Guide to London: the free London guide

(This page covers skating on wheels - inline skating (often called Rollerblading(tm)) and quads. For ice skating, see elsewhere)

The skating 'scene' in London centres around the Serpentine Road in Hyde Park, where skaters of varying abilities gather to practice and/or to show off. For those who want to venture further afield, there are three large organised weekly skates (with volunteer marshals to direct traffic, and often with music) through the streets of London: these are

• Wednesday nights, the London Skate. Medium pace, meets Serpentine Road at 8pm, summer months only. Circular route, often with pub stop at half time. Free introductory lessons in the park after the skate leaves for people new to skating.

• Friday nights, the Friday Night Skate. Meets at 8pm across the road at Wellington Arch. Split into the medium-paced 'Blue' section (first half, finishes at a Tube station somewhere) followed by the faster 'Black' section which loops back to the start point. Runs all year subject to weather.

• Sunday afternoon, the Roller Stroll (a.k.a Sunday Stroll). 2pm from the east end of Serpentine Road. Slow-paced - this skate caters to pretty much anyone who can stop, turn, and control their speed on a slight incline. Usually a circular route, though sometimes there's a longer one-way skate; previous destinations include [Richmond Park]? and Greenwich. Year-round, again subject to weather.

Each of these tends to be around two hours long, more or less, though obviously they cover different distances in that time

Advice if you're thinking about joining one of these:

• you skate at your own risk
• stay behind the front marshal, ahead of the back marshal.
• obey the instructions of marshals; keep left to let them pass.
• take water, a pair of shoes, cash for taxi, etc
• appropriate protective equipment (pads, helmet etc) probably a good idea
• lots of people seem to end up in the pub (Victoria, W2 2NH) afterwards, esp. on Wednesdays/Fridays
• Enjoy!