Herne Hill Velodrome

Did You Know?

• During the 1948 Olympics, the deciding third heat of the tandem final was held at 9pm in such darkness that the Italian riders were invisible against the spectators.
• The velodrome was the only track in London between 1987 (when Paddington Recreation Ground's track was demolished) and 2011 (when London Velopark opened).
• Bradley Wiggins started racing at Herne Hill when he was 12 and later supported the campaign to retain the track.

History

The venue was originally called the London County Grounds, serving the London County Cycling and Athletic Club, and became known as Herne Hill track after its location off Burbage Road. George Hillier, an amateur racer, founded the velodrome in 1891 after the Crystal Palace Company declined to redesign their track. He leased land from Dulwich College Trustees. Construction by W. and J. Peacock began in September 1890 and finished in March 1891. The first race for club members took place on 16 April 1891, with the first open meeting on 23 May. The circuit initially had 5 ft bankings, later raised. The original red shale surface was replaced by wooden slats in 1893, then concrete in 1896. The track saw many records, peaking in popularity with the Cuca Cup 24-hour races. From 1903 it hosted the Southern Counties Cycle Union's Good Friday meeting, drawing crowds of 10,000 in the 1920s and 1930s. Frank Southall broke records there in the late 1920s and early 1930s. In 1936, Ernie Mills and Bill Paul set an unpaced tandem world best of 30 miles 793 yards in one hour, though tandem figures were not officially recognised.

Structures and facilities

The velodrome is a shallow concrete bowl of about 450m circumference with a maximum banking of 18°, unlike modern Olympic velodromes. The original 1891 grandstand was demolished in 2016 and replaced. In the 1890s, the interior held a cinder athletics track and tennis courts, later a football or rugby pitch. Today the centre includes a 250m flat warmup track and a multi-use area, also used for cyclo-cross races.

Other uses

Crystal Palace F.C. played at the velodrome from 1914 to 1918 after the Admiralty commandeered their stadium for World War I training, drawing crowds of 3,000–4,000. The FA Amateur Cup final in 1911 and Surrey Senior Cup finals in 1906 and 1909 were held there. London Welsh Rugby Club was based there for 40 years after World War I until 1957. The athletics track hosted the 1934 WAAA Championships on 30 June 1934. Motor cycle events also took place there before World War I.

Regeneration

Upgrade work began in February 2013 as part of the Southwark Olympic Legacy Project. The first phase added a new Junior 250m track, a hardstanding warmup area, and floodlights. A £200,000 grant from British Cycling resurfaced the track, and £1.5 million from Sport England and the London Marathon Trust funded a new pavilion. Designed by Mike Taylor of Hopkins Architects, the pavilion opened in March 2017, with UCI President Brian Cookson cutting the ribbon.