Love Autumn
- Lee Valley
- Sep 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 2
The autumn season is here! There's some amazing things to see and do this season from seeing the golden colours appearing, the over wintering wildlife and making the most of the evenings before the nights draw in. Check out all that's on offer below.
Staying active this autumn
We need only look at the nature around us to remember that autumn is a season of change but that doesn’t mean giving up on your health and wellbeing goals. Whether you’re looking to build on positive habits or take the first step towards a healthier you, our Get Active programme has something for everyone from accessible walks to bike riding, group exercise sessions and much more!
Top autumn walks
Pull on your wellies, wrap up warm and head out to explore the wonders of autumn in our glorious open spaces. We’ve pulled together our top three walks with crunchy leaves, bursts of autumn colour and plenty of wildlife along the way.
Great for migrating birds – Lakes of the River Lee. At 7.5 miles this circular route covers plenty of ground. Autumn is a key time for migrating birds and there’s plenty of opportunity to spot them as you pass the stunning lakes dotted throughout the 1,000 acre River Lee Country Park. With wooded areas galore your path will be lined with dazzling displays of gold and crimson leaves.
Welly walk for little ones – Planes and Trains. This 1 mile circular route around Walthamstow and Leyton Marshes has plenty to look at along the way and is accessed adjacent to our new twin Olympic rink Lee Valley Ice Centre. Look out for planes, trains and signs of the changing season among the meadows.
No wellies needed – Three Hidden Gems. Check out this linear 2.5 mile route which follows surfaced pathways and takes in three hidden wonders steeped with history and wildlife. First stop is Bow Creek Ecology Park, a former industrial site which has been reclaimed by nature. Next you’ll come to Trinity Buoy Wharf, home to London’s only lighthouse. Finally you’ll double back to East India Dock Basin where you’ll enjoy views over the Thames to The O2 and a wide range of birdlife which resides in this urban wildlife sanctuary.
Autumn exploring for families
Step away from the screens and into nature. There’s so much to see throughout the park this season, check out our top flora and fauna highlights
Reconnect with nature
Come and visit our state of the art Wildlife Discovery Centre in River Lee Country Park. Head to the discovery room to learn about the habitats and species around you as well as the birds that visit the park. Kids will enjoy playing the migration game, drawing some of the wildlife they’ve spotted and completing the autumn activity sheets. Why not finish by climbing our tower and taking in the amazing view over Seventy Acres Lake.
Dates for your diary…
Enjoy the thrill of live sports
Our world class London 2012 Olympic legacy venues have hosted a whopping 38 major international events since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Be inspired by the world’s best this autumn:
London 3 Day
📅 31 October – 2 November, Lee Valley VeloPark
An electrifying weekend of world class cycling at Lee Valley VeloPark.
After a successful return last year, London 3 Day promises another unforgettable spectacle. Over three action-packed days, you’ll witness some of the world’s top cycling talent champions go head-to-head in sprints, chases, and high-speed showdowns.
Whether you’re a lifelong cycling enthusiast or looking for an unforgettable family day, London 3 Day’s schedule delivers something for everyone.
British Open
📅 Sunday 26 October, Lee Valley White Water Centre
Save the date for this action-packed weekend at the iconic London 2012 venue, where you’ll witness both canoe slalom and the thrilling new kayak cross event.
More details coming soon
Conservation walk and talks
Discover Bats, Moths and More
📅Friday 5 September, 19:00 - 21:30, Wildlife Discovery Centre, Fishers Green
An evening dedicated to bats, moths and fellow wildlife which come to life after dusk, when most of the park’s visitors have left.
Held at the Wildlife Discovery Centre, where a warm drink awaits and the hide offers the perfect vantage point for these elusive nighttime creatures.
The evening will be packed with interesting facts, displays, activities to try and expert guidance before heading out into this hotspot for bats armed with bat detectors. All of this for just £3.50 per person!
Water Voles and Wetlands
📅 Sunday 14 September, 10:00 - 12:00, Silvermeade
Water Voles were once common across Britain but have undergone serious decline throughout the last century, due largely to the loss and degradation of their wetland habitats and the spread of the American Mink.
Here in the Lee Valley we still have good populations and this walk will take a tour of one of their strongholds at Silvermeade where you can learn more about these charismatic little mammals and the work that is being carried out to protect them and their habitats.
We will search for their telltale signs along the network of ditches and if we're lucky we might even see one, or at least hear the 'plop' when they see us first! Just £3.50 per person.
A cosy autumn stay
After a day of exploring why not retreat to one of our warm, insulated camping pods for an adventure in the great outdoors with a little more comfort.
Alternatively you can go for all out glamping with our holiday lodges – some with hot tubs – and holiday cottages.
We have a whole host of accommodation options across our four campsites in London, Essex and Hertfordshire with something for everyone. Start planning your autumn break here.
Learning outside the classroom
We offer a wide range of engaging curriculum based outdoor learning opportunities across the diverse 26 mile Lee Valley Regional Park where young people and groups can try different activities, develop new skills, be inspired and have fun!
Autumn offer: 20% off programmes in Lee Valley Regional Park
You can take learning outside the classroom for less with our special offer. When you book a programme between 1 November 2025 and 28 February 2026, you'll get 20% off your booking.
Use code: WINTER25 to redeem.