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This heritage open space is packed full of history going back to King Harold and is now a wonderful place to explore with the family. For those wildlife lovers, Cornmill Meadows is a short walk with you will find the Dragonfly Sanctuary Waltham Abbey Gardens and Cornmill Meadows Waltham Abbey Gardens, Abbey View, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1XQ Never sleeps, open 24 hours a day With the remains of the country’s largest Augustinian Abbey, Waltham Abbey Gardens history is closely linked with royalty and religion from Bouda and Tovi to Henry VIII Contact us info@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 610 Check the latest visitor information > Facilities About Wildlife Things to see and do Plan your visit What 3 Words ///scars.slices.prop How to get here You can plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. Car parking Waltham Abbey Gardens has a car park that is open 24/7. There is a charge for parking which helps us maintain our wonderful park. Car parking tariffs apply at all times. No overnight parking is permitted at any time. Car parking charges Picnic spots There are a few picnic benches in the gardens as well as great open spaces you can lay down a blanket and spread yourself out. Walking, running and cycling routes Waltham Abbey Gardens is great for short walks with buggies and wheelchairs. If you fancy an extended walk Cornmill Meadows has a circular route or if you want to venture out our Monks and Meadows walking route is a great route that takes you through Cornmill Meadows to River Lee Country Park. Bird hides There is an open bird hide in Cornmill Meadows (around ///major.tides.healers ). Things to do near by The gardens are in the town of Waltham Abbey so you can easily walk to the town to pick up food, visit Waltham Abbey Church and the historic Royal Gunpowder Mills Toilets The closest public toilets are at Waltham Abbey Town Hall. Things nearby Waltham Abbey Church Discover the amazing history of this Augustinian landmark See more > Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park From meeting farm animals to epic event days - plan a day out for all the family See more > Epping Forest District Museum Learn about the people and events that shaped the history of the area See more > Royal Gunpowder Mills Explore the Mills' explosive history and see how nature has reclaimed this site See more > History of Waltham Abbey Gardens Waltham Abbey Gardens has been the setting for a church since about 790 AD, with the first stone church commissioned in 1057/8 by Earl Harold Godwinson (later King Harold II), whose body was reputedly brought here for burial after the Battle of Hastings. At its height, the monastic church was over 400 feet (135m) long, and was the last to be dissolved by Henry VIII. After dissolution, a large mansion house was built by the Denny family, opposite what is now the Church Centre, with extensive formal gardens. They built the boundary walls with stone from the monastery, with some of the original carvings still to be seen to this day. The site passed through several uses, until becoming part of the Lee Valley Regional Park in 1967, since when it has become a popular venue for events and family days out. Waltham Abbey Gardens today The gardens span 9.03ha with amenity grassland perfect for a picnic, playing games or enjoying the stretch of open space. There are some areas of the site set aside as wildlife refuges and woodland so bring your binoculars along to see what you can spot. In the south east area of the site is a moated old orchard with a number of veteran fruit trees, along with newly planted specimens, and over twenty varieties of fruit. This is also the setting of our yearly Wassailing event in the winter. The Cornmill Stream links the gardens with Cornmill Meadows, a semi-natural floodplain grassland with changing wildlife residents. The whole site lies within the Waltham Abbey Conservation area, and the land between the Romelands Estate and the moated orchard is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. For the visitor there is an excellent heritage experience with extensive paths and the opportunity to become immersed in the multiple layers of history, spanning over 1,000 years, to be found on the site. The proximity of the site to the Waltham Abbey town centre makes the site particularly easy to visit and enjoy the stories in this historic market town. Cornmill Meadows Cornmill Meadows is a large 54ha public park and nature reserve. The site is a mosaic of woodland, wetlands and meadows including traditional wet pasture and hay meadow within a level floodplain landscape. It's particularly noted for its dragonfly species, for which it is protected by a SSSI designation. The site was originally part of the land directly worked by the Abbey’s community, and now forms part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument area. In the dragonfly sanctuary you can see the fish ponds used by the monks to stick fish. The site also has calico ditches dating back to the 17th century, now used by wading birds overwintering and in the spring. For the visitor there is an excellent countryside experience with extensive paths and great opportunities to see numerous dragonfly species, which along with other wetland insects, attract large numbers of Swift, Swallow, House Martin and Hobby during the spring and summer months. Wintering wildfowl such as Wigeon are plentiful, as are water edge birds such as Grey Heron, Lapwing, Snipe and several species of waders. Water Vole are also present and spectacular rafts of water lilies can be seen in the Old River Lea in the early summer. Waltham Abbey Gardens is great for wildlife but if you really want to immerse yourself around nature Cornmill Meadows is the place to go. Cornmill Meadows is one of the best examples of semi-natural floodplain grassland remaining in the park. The mosaic of rivers, ditches and pools make this a fantastic place to see a variety of wildlife throughout the year. Hay meadows, woodland and a network of glades and rides can be found in the adjacent tree park. Spring and autumn are excellent times to visit to see waders passing through the valley, with the possibility of interesting species such as Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit as well as Redshank and Common and Green Sandpiper. Summer provides one of the best places in the region to see dragonflies, with over half the UK species found here, notably the White-legged Damselfly and Hairy Dragonfly. In late summer the woodland glades can be worth scouting on a fine evening for large numbers of Migrant Hawker Dragonfly. In winter there are magnificent views of large flocks of Wigeon and Teal. These are regularly joined by flocks occasionally Lapwing and Golden Plover. A walk along the rivers and streams is interesting at any time of year. Look out for Kingfisher or dragonflies. The Banded Demoiselle is particularly striking. No visit is complete without stopping at the Wake Hide to view the pools. Good numbers of Teal and waders can be seen in winter, whilst in summer Hobby hunt dragonflies overhead. You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Water Vole or hear the distinctive ‘plop’ as it dives into the water. Take a read of our blog Here comes summer Celebrate summer in Lee Valley Regional Park with a packed calendar of events and activities for all ages. From National Picnic Month in July to Love Parks Week and the East London Festival of Nature, the park offers everything from scenic picnic spots and wildlife watching to open-air theatre. 6 days ago Picnic in the park Summer is here and its time to take your lunch outside! See the best spots in the park Jun 18 Valuing volunteers in the valley! Its #VolunteersWeek and we want to shine the light on the unsung heroes of the park, our volunteers. From repairing and restoring vital assets to litter picks and planting – see what’s involved in being a volunteer in Lee Valley Regional Park. Jun 2 Upcoming events Lifewalk - Waltham Abbey Gardens - 20 July Date: 20 July 10:30 Waltham Abbey Gardens See more > The Tale of Jemima Puddle-duck Date: 3 August Time: 15:00 - 16:30 Waltham Abbey Gardens See more > Conservation volunteer task Date: 6 August Time: 10:00 - 15:00 Waltham Abbey Gardens See more >

We have an amazing team of volunteers to help up and down the park from helping at events, maintaining the park with litter picks and make the enviroment better for wildlife and visitors. See how to apply to be a volunteers and tasks on offer. Volunteering Myddelton House, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 9HG Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has a fantastic band of supporters who get involved in activities at a range of venues and open spaces within the park. Contact us volunteers@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 612 Check the latest visitor information > Register as a volunteer > Guide to registering > Contact us About Individual volunteering Corporate volunteering Clubs and groups Volunteers documents Clubs and groups volunteering Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) Volunteer Programme is going from strength to strength and offers a vital contribution to the work that we do. One key aim is to work closely with the many clubs, groups and organisations that work with volunteers and who run their activities on our land or at our various facilities. Are you one of these organisations? If so, we’d love to hear from you so please contact us to find out about becoming a member of the Lee Valley Regional Park Volunteer Programme The benefits of registering as a volunteer group include: support for external funding bids by demonstrating a robust and coordinated approach to volunteering access to professional advice and support from the LVRPA Volunteers Team input to the Lee Valley Park Volunteers Newsletter (including submission of articles and publicity for your events) eligibility for volunteers from your organisation to be nominated for one of the LVRPA Volunteer Awards Individual volunteering opportunities One of our litter picking volunteers at River Lee Country Park Building Stag Beetle habitats at Rushey Mead Volunteers at Walthamstow Marshes One of our litter picking volunteers at River Lee Country Park 1/6 We offer a range of volunteering opportunities whether you're looking for something in the outdoors working alongside the natural environment, working with animals or supporting coaching and local, regional and international events within our venues and open spaces. Training is given for all roles to ensure that you feel supported during your time volunteering with us. Our growing team are a testament to the strong bond we form with our volunteers and the appreciation that we have for their vital role they play in maintaining the park and its activities. Our sports venues, operated by Better, manage all their volunteering themselves. If you'd like to know more about volunteering at the following venues please click the link to go to the Better website: Lee Valley Athletics Centre Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre Lee Valley Riding Centre Lee Valley VeloPark Lee Valley White Water Centre We host local, regional and international events at some of our key sporting venues however we don’t currently have any of our own roles to offer. We always share information on any event support roles that are available via third parties at our venues – just register as a volunteer to receive information. Rye House Gatehouse Assistant Welcoming members of the public to the view the insides of the magnificent listed building See more > Honorary Warden for Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Sanctuary Help monitor, manage and maintain Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Sanctuary for the benefit of wildlife and visitors. See more > Garden volunteers To assist with the maintenance and developments of the historic Myddelton House Gardens. See more > Learning and Engagement Assistant To assist in the delivery of outdoor learning activities to schools, special educational needs, community and youth groups. See more > Honorary Warden for Silvermeade Help monitor, manage and maintain Silvermeade for the benefit of wildlife and visitors. See more > Honorary Warden for Tottenham Marshes Help monitor, manage and maintainTottenham Marshes for the benefit of wildlife and visitors. See more > Public Information and Wildlife Officer To provide assistance, advice and park wide information to the public visiting the Wildlife Discovery Centre. See more > Lifewalk Leaders and Supporters To become part of a team of volunteers who support staff to deliver a walks programme which has health and social benefits See more > Honorary Warden for Hall Marsh Scrape Help monitor, manage and maintain Hall Marsh Scrape for the benefit of wildlife and visitors. See more > Conservation volunteers Help manage and maintain different areas of the park for the benefit of wildlife and visitors as part of a team. See more > Litter Pickers Volunteer on your own or as part of a team to collect rubbish items, report flytips and any other hazards to the Ranger teams. See more > Activation Support / Admin Support To lead or assist with sessions within our get active programme. See more > These groups and individuals give up their free time to support the work of the park and undertake a variety of tasks. Investing in Volunteers This award is the national standard presented to organisations who maintain quality volunteer management and procedure regimes. Lee Valley Regional Park Authority have held this accreditation for fifteen years and are currently in the process of renewal during 2024. More information on this award can be found on the Investing in Volunteers website . Lee Valley Regional Park Authority celebrates our volunteers at an annual Volunteer Awards c eremony, ensuring they are valued and get to have their say about the service. Volunteer Awards 2024 Volunteers Policy, Strategy and Handbook The volunteers programme is guided by our policy and strategy, most recently revised in 2024: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Volunteer Strategy Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Volunteer Policy For the reference of our volunteers please find information about the Regional Park, its policies relating to volunteer health and safety and equal opportunities take a look at our Volunteer Handbook Corporate volunteering and team tasks Does your organisation have a corporate and social responsibility programme or love a team building exercise? The If so, our corporate volunteering days may be just what you’re looking for with activities ranging from clean-up projects such as graffiti removal and painting, to conservation related tasks to help one of our Biodiversity Action Plan species thrive and general land management such as scrub clearance. We have a range of outdoor tasks for teams of varying sizes at many locations stretching along the River Lee from East India Dock Basin opposite The O2 to Ware in Hertfordshire. Risk assessments can be provided and we have public liability and employer liability insurance for all volunteers in a team. Full health and safety talks and tool demonstrations are given before each task by experienced and qualified Rangers who supervise the tasks throughout the day. Prices We have a set pricing structure for our activities and these cover full supervision for the day, provision of tools, materials, equipment and any protective clothing such as boots, gloves etc. Corporate conservation task day (less than 10 people): £350 minimum charge for up to 10 people, additional cost of £25 per head for over 10 people Corporate team building day (less than 10 people): £650 for up to 10 people, additional cost of £30 per head for over 10 people We're very flexible in our approach and are happy to discuss options with you. If you’d like to know more please contact us . Testimonials Not only was the whole Ranger team very welcoming, and kind to share their office space and field-work knowledge, but Rob and Olivia went really above and beyond. Claudia Kaplan-Pavia, Volunteer with the Ranger Team Take a read of our blog Here comes summer Celebrate summer in Lee Valley Regional Park with a packed calendar of events and activities for all ages. From National Picnic Month in July to Love Parks Week and the East London Festival of Nature, the park offers everything from scenic picnic spots and wildlife watching to open-air theatre. 6 days ago Picnic in the park Summer is here and its time to take your lunch outside! See the best spots in the park Jun 18 Valuing volunteers in the valley! Its #VolunteersWeek and we want to shine the light on the unsung heroes of the park, our volunteers. From repairing and restoring vital assets to litter picks and planting – see what’s involved in being a volunteer in Lee Valley Regional Park. Jun 2 Upcoming events Our Parks: Beginners Bootcamp Date: 3 July Time: 09:00 Walthamstow Marshes See more > Introduction Into Nordic Walking - 4 week programme (3 July - 24 July) Date: 3 July Time: 10:30 - 12:00 Lee Valley White Water Centre See more > Lifewalk - Lee Valley White Water Centre - 3 July Date: 3 July 10:00 Lee Valley White Water Centre See more >

Diesel Form to comply with guidelines received from HM Revenue and Customs, are required to include additional duty, payable on all Red Diesel (Gas Oil) used for propelling the vessel. Diesel Form As at the 23rd February 2009, Lee Valley Marina – Stanstead Abbotts in accordance with guidelines received from HM Revenue and Customs, are required to include additional duty, payable on all Red Diesel (Gas Oil) used for propelling the vessel. First name(Required) Last name(Required) Address(Required) Address Line 2 City/Town(Required) Postcode(Required) Date picker(Required) Diesel Amount (Litres) (Required) What percentage of the fuel purchased will be used for propelling a private pleasure craft?(Required) I declare that diesel purchased in Jerry/fuel cans is being used for the purpose of(Required) I declare that the fuel purchased will be used for propelling a private pleasure craft. (Required) I am aware that the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979, which permits the use of marked diesel to propel private pleasure craft, only applies within UK waters. (Required) I acknowledge that nothing in that Act, or the making of this declaration, affects any restrictions or prohibitions that may apply to the use of the fuel for propelling private pleasure craft outside UK waters, including any restrictions or prohibitions under the law of another member state that apply within the waters of that member state. (Required) Signature Drawing mode selected. Drawing requires a mouse or touchpad. For keyboard accessibility, select Type or Upload. Submit Take a read of our blog Here comes summer Celebrate summer in Lee Valley Regional Park with a packed calendar of events and activities for all ages. From National Picnic Month in July to Love Parks Week and the East London Festival of Nature, the park offers everything from scenic picnic spots and wildlife watching to open-air theatre. 6 days ago Picnic in the park Summer is here and its time to take your lunch outside! See the best spots in the park Jun 18 Valuing volunteers in the valley! Its #VolunteersWeek and we want to shine the light on the unsung heroes of the park, our volunteers. From repairing and restoring vital assets to litter picks and planting – see what’s involved in being a volunteer in Lee Valley Regional Park. Jun 2 Upcoming events Our Parks: Beginners Bootcamp Date: 3 July Time: 09:00 Walthamstow Marshes See more > Introduction Into Nordic Walking - 4 week programme (3 July - 24 July) Date: 3 July Time: 10:30 - 12:00 Lee Valley White Water Centre See more > Lifewalk - Lee Valley White Water Centre - 3 July Date: 3 July 10:00 Lee Valley White Water Centre See more >

It’s that time of year when you start thinking of what you want to do, where you want to go and how much is it going to cost. The Lee Valley, located on London’s doorstep with great transport links from both the road and public transport network could offer you a fantastic holiday at a great price too.   You only need to pay a small deposit at the time of booking, with the balance due a few days before you arrive.   Have a look at our different holiday options – and start planning! Head to the trip you'll love Touring and camping pitches Wild Camping Camping pods and pre-pitched tent Glamping pods, holiday lodges and rental cottages   Touring and camping pitches Ideal for those with all the kit whether it’s a caravan, motorhome or tent – our three main campsites offer pitch perfect options for you. Prices from £19.50 per night for two people. Available at: Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir (EN11 0AS) Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone (E4 7RA) Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, Edmonton (N9 0AR) Wild camping Well almost! “Back to nature” style camping with cooking over an open fire. If you don’t have your own kit- no problem, there’s a pre-pitched safari tent on site, which sleeps five, that you can hire. Prices £30 per night for two people. Available at: Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite, Broxbourne (EN10 6TD) Camping pods and pre-pitched tents Want that camping experience but don’t have any of the necessities, our selection of wooden camping pods (cocoons, cabins and Wigwams) or safari tents may be just the answer. With options sleeping from two to five people they offer ideal accommodation for short stays. Prices from £36 per night. Available at: Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite, Broxbourne  (EN10 6TD)# Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir  (EN11 0AS) Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone  (E4 7RA) Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, Edmonton  (N9 0AR)   Glamping pods, holiday lodges and rental cottages For those looking for a more Air BNB experience have a look at our Peaky Pods, high end holiday lodges (some even have their own hot tubs and EV charging station) or our holiday rental cottages with private parking and gardens. Accommodation sleep between four and six people and prices start from £265 for a four night stay. Available at: Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir  (EN11 0AS) Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone  (E4 7RA) What can you do in the area There are hundreds of wonderful days out in and around our campsites. Whether you’re a wildlife lover, thrill seeker, sporting enthusiast, fan of long walks or looking for the perfect family day out the Lee Valley can offer it all Take in nature reserve, riverside trails, heritage sites, hidden gems and urban retreats or explore breath taking sporting venues. Our sites have good access to the public transport network as well as great road connections and being on London’s doorstep there’s so much you can do. For more ideas check out the local tourist information websites: Visit London Visit Essex Visit Herts Visit Epping Forest Visit Cambridge

What better signal that summer has arrived than a picnic in a park, an afternoon of outdoor theatre or a school holiday wildlife spotting expedition?   Lee Valley Regional Park has got you covered for all the above and more.   Jump to the section best for you! National Picnic Month Get Active in the Lee Valley East London Festival of Nature School's Out for Summer Try something new Community group funding National Picnic Month   Whether you want wide open spaces, a spot by the water, the backdrop of a historic site or a feast with a view, we’ve got some lovely locations in Lee Valley Regional Park to roll out your blankets and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors.   If you missed National Picnic Week in June, fear not, July sees the start of a whole month when people are encouraged to embrace the picnic tradition - National Picnic Month!   Lee Valley Regional Park has 10,000 acres of open spaces to explore – here are our Top 15 locations   to stop for a picnic this July…. and August.     Share your favourite picnic spot in the park with us on social media. Post a picture and tell us why you love it. Use #LeeValleyPicnics. We can’t wait to hear about your top spots for al fresco dining.   Our volunteer Caroline Leonard, shared her favourite place for a picnic in the park.   “This hidden gem is tucked in the north of River Lee Country Park in Nazeing . The first field is a lovely spacious area with picnic tables shaded by oak trees   Following the path into the next field, there is a large lake with numerous waterfowl living on it. There are benches to sit and admire the view and nearby is another picnic area. Many birds nest at Clayton Hill and the uncut meadow areas are a fantastic place to spot a variety of butterflies, moths, dragonflies, damselflies and many other insects. Clayton Hill is a wonderful place to walk, play games, picnic and enjoy the wildlife.”       Clayton Hill Park, River Lee Country Park, Nazeing, Essex Get Active in Lee Valley   Love Parks Week (26 July-4 August) is the perfect opportunity to indulge the senses and try something new. Our Get Active  programme of free and low-cost activities is tailored to those adults who are inactive or need support for physical and mental wellbeing. The programme is rolling out over the summer and has something for everyone – whether your priority is gentle exercise, health and wellbeing, social or sensory, you’ll find a session that’s right for you. Below is a taster of what’s on offer, but a list of opportunities is on our   Get Active in Lee Valley   page.   Lifewalks  – Free Guided walks of different lengths several times a week. Explore a new or much loved area of the park and stop for a coffee and a chat afterwards.   Cold water swimming  – Run by Mental Health Swims, these weekly wellbeing sessions are coming soon to the lake at Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross. Run by trained volunteers, the sessions will refresh and rejuvenate participants in a supportive environment to aid mental wellbeing.   Nordic Walking  – great for mobility and general exercise, Nordic walking’s enhanced technique uses poles to work your upper body as well as your legs. Weekly in River Lee Country Park, Herts.   Cycling for Health  – A programme of weekly guided rides on traffic free routes at a sociable pace, designed for riders wishing to regain fitness and confidence in a friendly environment.  July start locations include Gunpowder Park, River Lee Country Park and Clayton Hill Park Visit the Cycling For Health  page for more info.                East London Festival of Nature   There’s still time to get involved in the grand finale of our 10 day East London Festival of Nature. Join our ranger team on Walthamstow Marshes on Saturday 5 July for a citizen science bioblitz  combined with fascinating walks and talks on birds, butterflies and grasses on the marshes. Volunteers helping with the bioblitz will visually record the plants and wildlife on this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in one day. Event details are here .     School’s Out for Summer!   “So much to do and so little time….” said no parent ever at the start of the school summer holidays!   Come rain or shine, we have more activities in Lee Valley Regional Park to entertain the whole family than you can shake a poostick at this summer.   You’ll find our lists of great walking routes  and cycling routes  that can be tailored to suit your needs – whether it’s by distance, accessibility, routes near facilities or public transport or suitable for dogs too, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you.   No bike? No problem. Bike rental is available at various locations throughout the park and you’ll find a list of places you can hire bikes and helmets in our June cycling blog   Treasure hunting   If you’re children love to be immersed in nature, we’ve got 26 miles of parkland where they can look for lost treasures.   Every year hundreds of children visit the park with their schools to learn whilst having fun. Here are some top recommendations from our Learning and Engagement team on activities to do with the kids this summer.   I spy with my little eye However you choose to explore Lee Valley Regional Park, there’s always something to see. Print out one of our I Spy sheets and see how many different species you and your little ones can spot.       Natural Art If they fancy getting creative, our activity sheet  has eight free and easy ideas to make something arty. From dreamcatchers and journey sticks to mud faces and fairy houses…. it’s amazing what you can make from fallen sticks, leaves and flowers on the ground when the imagination runs wild.   Sculpture Trails There’s an abundance of art in the north and south of the park to enjoy and to make it easy we have created sculpture trails for you to follow. Perfect for all ages and add intrigue and play stops to any walk. Pick one here     Self-Guided Orienteering No Google maps here! Help children learn this useful skill of finding their way from A to B with only a map and compass to guide them (and perhaps an adult). Pick your start and end points in the park and away you go .       Follow an Ostrich Pick up an Ossie pack at the Bowles Tea Rooms and let the little one’s hunt for unusual artefacts in Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield . But who is Ossie the Ostrich? They’ll find out on their search…….       Open Air Theatre   Last chance to book your tickets for the ever-popular open air theatre productions taking place in the park this summer.   Dot Productions return once again to Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield with a family favourite matinee performance of Robin Hood  on Saturday 26 July. After a quick costume change the cast are back in the evening to perform Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility . Later in the summer fans of Alice in Wonderland are in for a treat. This historic site will provide a fabulous backdrop for a special adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic. Through the Looking Glass (and What Alice Fou nd There) performed by Quantum Theatre     At nearby Waltham Abbey Gardens, Essex, Quantum Theatre group will perform The Tale of Jemima Puddle-duck . You can see this classic tale with our tail feather friends in the background.     Try something new     Save the date! We are privileged to have some of the world’s best sport and leisure venues in Lee Valley Regional Park so why not kickstart your summer over the weekend of 19-20 July with free access to our venues where you can take part in fitness classes, yoga or gym sessions for free.   And for no more than £1 try: * kayaking  at Lee Valley White Water Centre * cycling experience  at Lee Valley VeloPark ice skating  at Lee Valley Ice Centre ( £3 skate hire fee applies) * pony experiences  at Lee Valley Riding Centre * fitness classes  at Lee Valley Athletics Centre * tennis and pickleball  at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre   Start summer with a new or memorable experience at a Lee Valley venue.             Community group funding   To help make the park accessible to everyone, community and wellbeing groups in London, Essex and Hertfordshire can apply for our Community Access and Grant Funding, which help pay for coaching, venue hire or travel. We provide experiences that help people be more active, support health and wellbeing and opportunities for underserved communities to try new activities.   If you’re part of a community or wellbeing support group – for example a scout group, school, support young carers or wellbeing through the NHS – our funding support could help create memories that last a lifetime. Find out more about our funding opportunities here

Whether you want wide open spaces, a spot by the water, the backdrop of a historic site or a feast with a view, we’ve got some lovely locations in Lee Valley Regional Park to roll out your blankets and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors. There are 10,000 acres of open spaces to explore so here’s our Top 15 locations to try this summer.   Rye House Gatehouse –Learn about the fascinating history of one of England’s first brick built houses, then sit by the river, or on one of the picnic benches and watch the boats go by. Open on selected days. Visit RSPB Rye Meads nearby. Easy access on public transport Glen Faba  – A short walk from Dobbs Weir car park and café. A quiet site with a nice walk around the lake. Good for bird watching including a Heronry on one of the islands where you can watch them nesting Silvermeade  –You may spot water voles and dragonflies or hire a canoe or bicycle to explore further. Picnic benches available in the car park or visit Old Mill Retreat café to pick up supplies. Easy access on public transport River Lee Country Park  - walk or cycle around the park and find plenty of benches looking over the lakes for a scenic picnic spot. Great for bird watching. Fishers Green picnic area : visit the Wildlife Discovery Centre to learn about the birds in the park and get great views of the lake from the hide and tower Pindar / Cheshunt  – visit the natural play sculptures or dog agility course nearby.  Follow one of the sculpture trail walks or explore the gravel pit lakes. Easy access on public transport Fishers Green secondary car park  – perfect for those with mobility issues. There are picnic benches on the edge of the car park Waltham Abbey Gardens  – learn about the history of the site, visit the Abbey church or head through the underpass to explore Cornmill Meadows which is great for spotting dragonflies and wetland birds. Picnic benches on site Gunpowder Park  – An area of short mown grass close to the main entrance is perfect to put a picnic blanket down before heading off on the many great paths nearby for a walk or bike ride round the park.  Toilets available. On a summers day listen out for the Skylark, singing in flight from a great height Tottenham Marshes  – Choose from picnic benches on Clendish Marsh or the Waterside Café nearby. Close to public transport Leyton Marsh – a hidden gem beyond the Lee Valley Ice Centre, enjoy big skies, wildlife spotting and if you’re feeling active, try out the play and exercise equipment available to borrow for FREE from our new BoxUp unit. Or, combine a picnic with a skate session. Close to toilets. Good public transport links Walthamstow Marshes  – Enjoy your feast in the horseshoe thicket picnic area. This Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is great for wildlife spotting WaterWorks Nature Reserve  – Visit the bird hide and take a stroll to Middlesex Filter Beds, where you’ll be surrounded by trees and the sound of rushing water – hard to believe you’re in urban London! Make a day of it with visits to nearby Lee Valley Ice Centre or Lee Valley Riding Centre and Leyton and Walthamstow Marshes. Easy access on public transport. No dogs or cycling in the nature reserve Coppermill – Picnic in style on the giant picnic table! Combine with a visit to Walthamstow Marshes or Walthamstow Wetlands Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park  – explore the award-winning green spaces around our iconic Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and take a stroll along the river.  Easy access on public transport. You’ll find picnic benches dotted around QEOP to take a break Three Mills Green  – An interesting green space by the river in urban east London. Three Mills Green has flat green spaces to roll out a picnic blanket. Pick up some treats at the nearby Tesco or visit the Mill café. Enjoy a few heritage features and kids can burn off steam in the play park East India Dock Basin  - This fabulous green space is much loved by locals for good reason. It has some of the best views of London looking out across the Thames to the O2 Arena. Take in the view from a bench or a blanket before a short stroll along the river to explore Bow Creek Ecology Park nearby.  Easy access on public transport Bow Creek Ecology Park  – Look out for waders feeding on the muddy banks. There’s a little area to sit and escape the hustle of city life. Easy walk to Canning Town station