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When most people think of a workout, they think of a HIIT class, bootcamp or lifting weights at the gym but there are so many different ways that you can incorporate physical activity in to your life. 🚲🛶🎾🚶🚶‍♀️🏋 #NationalFitnessDay is a great reason to explore what activities are within your reach and continue (or perhaps, start) to lead a healthier life. The UK Physical Activity Guidelines , state that adults should try to be active every day and aim to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week. That’s 30 minutes a day over five days or 22 minutes a day, every day. It doesn’t take much time at all and increasing your physical activity can reduce your risk of major illness, such as a stroke or Type 2 Diabetes as well as lower your risk of early death by up to 30% - it also has a positive effect on your mental health. Cycling 🚲 With so many options for cycling out there, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Try out mountain biking , road cycling or BMX as your daily activity at Lee Valley VeloPark . They’ve got a road circuit loop for getting those kilometres under your wheels and better still, its traffic free! If you want to focus on getting the heart rate up, book on to a session at the VeloStudio and pedal to your own tunes on their stationery bikes. You can also explore Lee Valley Regional Park on two wheels – there’s plenty of cycle routes throughout our 26 mile park. If you don’t have your own bike, no problem – you can hire one from Lee Valley Canoe Cycle in Broxbourne. Paddling 🛶 Lee Valley White Water Centre provides kayaking courses from beginners starting out in the sport to more advanced kayakers who want to develop their skills further. There are great benefits to kayaking such as improving your core strength and stability as well as boosting your mental health. During the summer months they also offer Explore Kayaking and Explore Paddleboarding on the lake which are a great way to get a taster of the paddlesport world. Check out the courses and lessons that they have available. Tennis 🎾 Did you know you could burn up to 600 calories in one of Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre ’s Cardio Tennis sessions? These fun high energy sessions take place on their indoor courts and are guaranteed to get you working! They’re perfect for all abilities and great as a stand-alone workout or as the perfect excuse to practice your game too! Find out more on how to get your tennis fix here . There's also their wheelchair tennis sessions which are on a Thursday evening. It is played in the same way as able-bodied tennis, with the only exception being that a wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball. Wheelchair tennis is great for your mental health but it also improves your upper body strength, core stability as well as increase fine-motor skills. Plus, these sessions are 90 minutes which means that's over halfway for your recommended 150 minute weekly total! Walking 🚶🚶‍♀️ One of the most overlooked forms of exercise is walking! It’s something we all do every day and most people won’t even realise that they’re ticking off some of their recommended weekly 150 minutes. All you need is a brisk 10 minute daily walk to get you going and contribute to the health benefits that come with being active. You’ll be able to tell if you’re walking briskly if you can hold a conversation but wouldn’t be able to sing the words to your favourite song. Give it a go when you’re next out and about – if anything, it might make you laugh hearing your fellow walkers trying to hold a tune which also has its own health benefits!! Check out our walking routes to give you some inspiration. Gym 🏋 Of course, there’s the classic workout as we mentioned which is going to the gym! Lee Valley Athletics Centre has three areas for you to get your gym fix – try out their strength and conditioning suite which has eight lifting platforms with eleiko bars and plenty of weights. They’ve also got a gym equipped with wattbikes, boxing bags, treadmills and plenty more. If you’re not a solo gym goer, book on to a group exercise class such as a Boot Camp session where the friendly instructors will help get you moving. You can use all the facilities as a pay as you go or if you want to work out the best option for your money, take a look at their membership options . #NationalFitnessDay is on Wednesday 22 September and it’s a chance to highlight the important role that physical activity plays throughout the UK. The theme this year is ‘Fitness Unites Us’ and we want you to know that all are welcome throughout Lee Valley Regional Park. Whether you're new to a sport, wanting to try a new hobby or an avid fan of cycling, paddling, going to the gym or just general walking throughout our beautiful park, you are welcome and we want you to love visiting us as much as we love having you. 👐

Freshen up your scenery with a break away 🍃 Did you know we’ve four campsites dotted around our lush 26 mile park from pitches with close London links to cabins in the Hertfordshire countryside to an almost wild camping experience, there’s the perfect site and accommodation for everyone. So, we have planned three refreshing overnight stays all personalized for our top visitor groups 🦋👧🏻👦🏻🌊 Take a look and see what one is best for you. Have a splashing week Perfect for: Sports and adventure lovers Get the best of both worlds with this itinerary! You’ll splash down the rapids at Lee Valley White Water Centre , cosy up at our Sewardstone based campsite and take it easy like Sunday morning with a bike ride round the park. Little Explorers Holiday Perfect for: Kids and families Nothing’s better than seeing the kids enjoy the great outdoors. Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir will be your base for the stay and your gateway to River Lee Country Park . Wild Weekend Away Perfect for: Explorers and wildlife lovers Go off grid for the weekend and immerse yourself into nature with this plan. Nothing beats sleeping under the stars before a day of exploring. Booked your next trip? Tag us in your photos on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram

We know planning days out can be a lot of pressure, whether it’s for the family, your mates or just a change of scenery, so we’ve done the hard work for you! So what are you waiting for take a peek and pick your next outing. Perfect for kids and families Child’s Paradise This is one of our favourites 💙 Low cost and you even have the chance to get sand in-between your toes! The kids will love exploring by bike or foot and testing their Frisbee skills Walthamstow Wonders Lots of people don’t know about the amazing open spaces that are in our capital! Take the kids to explore the wildlife in London and you can even catch the Moomins in ‘The Woman Who Fell In Love With An Island’ exhibition at Walthamstow Wetlands 🍃 Sporting days out Cycling experiences, the Lee Valley way! Lee Valley VeloPark is the place to be if you love all things to do with two wheels! From Track Cycling and BMXing like our Olympic greats to exploring the amazing Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park , this is a pedaller’s paradise 🚴🏻‍♀️ Wildlife lovers Gardener’s delight Enfield is the crown of botanical beauty! From Capel Manor Gardens and Forty Hall to our own hidden gem, Myddelton House Gardens , these gardens are amazing to see when in full bloom and have stunning evolving scenes to see throughout the seasons 🌸 📸: @dollysdailypics Historical Lee Valley Gems History is all around us in the park! 👑 From the days of King Harold to the destruction of part of the church by Henry VIII, Waltham Abbey Gardens is home to historical stories and stunning wildlife 🔎 Been inspired? Tag us in your day out photos on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram

With 26 miles and hundreds of days and stays to discover, finding what you want to do in the Lee Valley can be a little overwhelming. Take our quiz to find the profile that best suits you and then explore our personalised mood board full of inspiration made for you. Answer the five questions below and find the perfect profile for you! 1. Where would we find you on the weekend? a. Finding a new experience to have b. Warming up for a day of sport c. Surrounded by nature d. In a bird hide 2. You wake up and the sun is shining what’s the first thing you do? a. See if my friends are around for a day out b. Find the nearest watersports centre c. Pack up the backpack for a day outdoors d. See what’s in bloom in my local garden 3. What do you never leave the home without? a. Change of clothes b. Trainers c. Map d. Wildlife ID book 4. What’s your favourite TV programme? a. Rob & Romesh Vs b. League of Their Own c. Countryfile d. Life on Earth 5. Who is your favourite celebrity? a. Laura Kenny b. Garth Southgate c. Bear Grylls d. David Attenborough Mostly As The adventurer Wetsuit, helmet, map, tent? Check ✅ This adventurer is ready for anything that comes their way! They're the organiser of the best activity days and love to share experiences with others whether that's friends, kids and grandchildren 🧒🏻 Mostly Bs The sport fanatics Whether is pedalling, paddling or playing, if it’s a sport this enthusiast will try their hand at it 🛶 You'll catch them in their spare time pushing iron at the gym, exploring running trails and anything that gets those feel good endorphins pumping 💪🏻 Mostly Cs The explorer Walking through the undergrown and making dens is this explorers speciality! They'll take you on a journey in the great outdoors from treasure hunting to minibeast safaris and of course soaking up the summer breeze ☀️ Mostly Ds The wildlife lover Never seen without a backpack, our wildlife lovers take the time to stop and stare at the wonderful wildlife around us 🦋 They see the world through a lens whether that’s to see things up close or from far away!

London: capital city and hub of activity but its streets have laid empty and attractions closed since the beginning of the pandemic. As we tip toe out of lockdown, we want to inspire you to explore the city again with our day trips based around the southern end of the park. It’s time to #LetsDoLondon Everyone has their own idea of the perfect day out so we’ve split this blog into sections to help you find what you’re looking for. Testing the water with your first day trip? Not to worry, we understand that you’ll move at your own pace when it comes to visiting attractions again, so we’ve created a key to help you decided what visit will be best for you. Adrenalin seekers Lee Valley VeloPark In an Olympic year what better place to visit than the track of London 2012 success at Lee Valley VeloPark . Whether its lapping the track of the velodrome , mastering berm on the BMX track or tackling the different mountain biking trails, you’ll get the blood pumping on the pedals. 📍 Abercrombie Road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 3AB 🚗 Limited parking available. Parking is free for four hours for cycling customers. 🚄 Stratford, Stratford International, Hackney Wick, Leyton ✅ Visit England’s Good to Go and our Activity Booking Guarantee 💻 Pre-booking required Lee Valley White Water Centre Jetting off on holiday might be out of reach, but you can still get your wave fix at Lee Valley White Water Centre ! White water rafting , Hot Dogs and Hydrospeeding all await on our crystal clear rapids. 📍 Station Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN9 1AB 🚗 Car parking available. Parking is free for four hours for activity customers. 🚄 Waltham Cross, Theobalds Grove ✅ Visit England’s Good to Go and our Activity Booking Guarantee 💻 Pre-booking required 🌞 Outdoor spaces and seating Nature lover Bow Creek Ecology Park This little London gem sits at the very end of Lee Valley Regional Park and is home to amazing wildlife and quiet walks. At the point where the River Lee meets the Thames, you'll enjoy views of the river as you walk the board walk… psst … if you lucky, you might even see a seal! 📍 Bidder Street, London E16 4ST 🚄 Canning Town 🌞 Outdoor spaces and seating Tottenham Marshes The perfect picnic spot awaits! As well as superb views over the marshes as you enjoy lunch, there’s also lots of wildlife to discover from beautiful Painted Lady butterflies to the stunning Bee Orchid that all appear in the summer months. 📍 Watermead Way, Tottenham, London N17 0XD 🚄 Northumberland park, Tottenham Hale 🌞 Outdoor spaces and seating Days out with the kids Myddelton House Gardens Uncover the real secret garden with your little adventurers. Tucked in a corner of Enfield, the lifelong home of E A Bowles, renowned Horticulturalist, has lots of wonders for children to see from the Ossie the Ostrich trail, secret pathways and hidden treasures from local history. 📍 Bulls Cross, Enfield EN2 9HG 🚗 Car parking available. £2.50 🚄 Turkey Street ✅ Visit England’s Good to Go 💻 🌞 Outdoor spaces and seating River Lee Country Park Just on the boarder of London is the wonderful River Lee Country Park. This park is home to epic artworks the little ones will love finding, traffic free cycling trails perfect for testing their cycling skills and is connected to Lee Valley White Water Centre , with lake activities ready for you to make a splash. 📍 Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF 🚗 Car parking available in multiple locations. Car parking charges apply . 🚄 Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Waltham Cross 🌞 Outdoor spaces and seating 💻 Pre-booking required for Lee Valley White Water Centre

From lapping the Olympic track to enjoying a leisurely cycle through the open spaces, you can get your wheels in motion this #BikeWeek . Our open spaces were a cyclist’s paradise over the last year as people dusted off their bikes in a bid for fresh air and that all important daily exercise. #BikeWeek is the perfect time to push the limits and pedal to a place you never thought you could go! Check out the different cycling adventures that all can be found in Lee Valley Regional Park. Take on the track There’s no better time that an Olympic year to try out track cycling at Lee Valley VeloPark . Join the likes of Laura Kenny and Chris Hoy as you climb the 42° slope with our Velodrome Taster . You’ll be lapping the track in no time! Add spice to your spokes The adventurer within must be calling after so long inside! You can add some adrenalin with our BMX Taster session. Bumping up and down the berms, this track will get your feet pedalling and your heart pumping 📈 Try a different trail Whether it’s exploring a new part of the park with our miles of traffic free trails or enjoying an easy cycle on the road circuit and mountain biking trails with Lee Valley VeloPark’s Pay and Ride sessions, you’ll enjoy seeing our open spaces and venues from a different angle. Get the tykes on their bikes We love to get the younger ones cycling 👦 👧 For the little ones just starting out we have our VeloBalance , Pedal Up! and PedalUp Pump! to take them from their balance bike to manoeuvring different obstacles. Pull the pre-teens and fully fledged teenagers away from their phone with our school holiday and after school sessions on our mountain biking trails and BMX berms.

Explore Lee Valley Regional Park through the lens of our visitor this #PhotoMonth We’re so lucky to have been able to appreciate and capture the little moments in life over the past year whether that’s soaking up the sights of nature, reuniting with friends or even playing in the snow! Now it’s time to share some of those moments our visitors have had in the park over the past 12 months. First and last light Nothing beats the glow of the sun in the horizon as it silhouettes the tree and glistens off the water. Blooming blossoms April saw the first #BlossomWatch day in the UK. Waltham Abbey Gardens’ pathways has a wonderful archway of blossoms that appear every spring. Perfect for Blossom Bathing! Returning to much loved places and people We’ve been apart from the places and people we love, but we’re slowly being reunited and better days are coming… Surrounding yourself with nature We’ve truly appreciated the outdoors and the mental and physical benefits it has brought us over the year. Here’s continuing our love and care for these special spaces for years to come. #LoveLeeValley Keep on sharing photos from your visits with us by tagging us in on social media. If you’re a keen wildlife watching you can also upload your sightings here. We hope to see your snaps soon!