Rachel Holdsworth

London's First Indoor Skatepark Opens Under Waterloo Station

A weekend where we're due to be hit by the tail end of a tropical storm is a canny time to launch London's first indoor skate park, but we're not accusing House of Vans of meteorological interference.

This is the next phase in the life of the space beneath Waterloo station, which closed as the Old Vic Tunnels last year. Two of the five tunnels are being reborn as skate ramps: one contains a concrete bowl, while the other has a mini ramp and 'street' area. It's also free, but you need to reserve your two hour skate or BMX session in advance — this weekend is all snapped up but if planning is your thing you can book up to a month ahead.

There's a cafe in the same tunnel as the bowl, and a bar in the tunnel next door. There's plenty of stuff for non-skaters too, with a live music venue, cinema screening room and free art gallery filling up the rest of the space. It's no fly-by-night venture either; House of Vans reckons it'll be in situ for at least three years. Check it out this opening weekend and maybe you'll catch a gig, screening, talk or just some top skating.

House of Vans is underneath Waterloo station at 232 Station Approach Road, is free to get in and open Wednesday and Thursday 4pm-10pm, Friday 12pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm and Sunday 10am-6pm. Find out more on the website, Facebook and Twitter.