The Southbank Skate Park

Location: Under the Southbank Centre Overhang

Open: Day and Night!! 24/7

Southbank may seem like a tourist festival, but the little stretch between the National Theater and the Embankment footbridge is actually a quirky spot to mellow after visiting a couple galleries. Most of the crowds tend to linger further east at the Tate or west towards the London Eye, so on weekday afternoon you’ll find peace and, most importantly, a bit of  art treasure. The cave-like underside of the Southbank Center has been transformed into a skate park whose walls are layered with spectacular graffiti. Massive tags, geometric abstracts, and socially conscious murals come together to create an authorless masterpiece. Grab a sumptuous soft serve or questionable hot dog from the ice cream truck nearby and spend some time wandering through this open air street art gallery. By starting up a conversation with the teenaged trickers practicing their ollies, you might even get to meet some of the artists in person.

The Southbank skate park is open all the time, no charge to enter. Find it on the Southbank river path, closest tube stop is Embankment.