Herne Hill Velodrome

The Herne Hill Velodrome is an outdoor cycling track in south London’s Herne Hill, part of the London Borough of Southwark. Built in 1891, it is one of the oldest velodromes in the world. The track hosted the track cycling events for the 1948 Summer Olympics. Between 1987 and 2011 it was London’s only cycling track. The circuit was designed with 5 ft bankings, later raised, and originally surfaced with red shale before wooden slats and then concrete were laid. The velodrome was founded by amateur racer George Hillier after he failed to persuade Crystal Palace’s owners to upgrade their track. Hillier leased land from Dulwich College Trustees and commissioned builders W. and J. Peacock to construct the track. By the end of the 19th century the venue reached peak popularity with the Cuca Cup 24-hour races. World champions appeared at Good Friday meetings, which in the 1920s and 1930s drew crowds of 10,000. Visitors find a shallow concrete bowl about 450 m long with banking up to 18°. The original 1891 grandstand has been replaced, but the site retains its historic character. The track still hosts cycling events and community activities. The surrounding area includes Burbage Road and the Dulwich Estate’s grounds. The velodrome remains a rare surviving example of late 19th-century sports architecture in London.