Herne Hill Velodrome
An integral part of British cycling, Herne Hill Velodrome has had a long and eventful history, and has recently been restored to its former glory.
This outdoor velodrome staged the kilometre time trial, match sprint, tandem match sprint and team pursuit track cycling events at London 1948, and continues to be used as a community cycling venue, 130 years on from its construction. Available for corporate events and private functions, it is used regularly by local clubs and 15 local schools, and is also open to disability groups.
The oldest remaining venue of the Olympic Games London 1948, it is one of the most famous velodromes in the UK, and is widely regarded as the spiritual home of British cycling. It enjoyed its heyday in the 1920s and 30s, when events such as the Good Friday Meeting attracted crowds of up to 12,000. Though in regular use after the 1948 Olympic Games, it was threatened with closure in 2010 due to the poor state of the facilities. The velodrome was extensively refurbished between 2011 and 2017, when the 450m banked asphalt track was resurfaced. Floodlights were installed and a new pavilion built to accommodate changing rooms, offices, a café, and bike storage facilities. It was London’s only velodrome until the construction of the Lee Valley VeloPark for the 2012 Olympic Games.