Search Results

Planning your half term activities? Check all the events and activities on offer in Lee Valley Regional Park. 📷Banner photo: lewisfamilyblog Spooky days out Pumpkin Trail Date: 24 – 31 October Times: 10:00 – 16:00 Where: Myddelton House Gardens Price: FREE Jack-o’-lanterns are popping up over the gardens. Pick up a sheet, draw the different pumpkin portraits you find and return to the Bowles Tea Room to get a sweetie reward. Halloween Festival Date: 22 – 30 October Times: 10:00 – 17:00 Where: Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park Price: Under 2s - £4, over 2s - £16.99 Come in fancy dress and creep through our devilishly decorated farm and enjoy our spooky shows, walk-throughs, pumpkin picking patch, adventure play, bouncy pillows and 𝘴o much more Head outdoors during autumn Autumn Leaf Hunt Date: 24 – 30 October Times: 10:00 – 16:00 Where: Wildlife Discovery Centre Price: FREE Autumn is all about fallen treasure and there’s so many leaves to discover! You can pick up a FREE leaf hunt sheet from the Wildlife Discovery Centre and begin your search. Watersport fun at ESSA Dates and times: A range of dates over the half term Where: ESSA Water Activities Centre Price: From £25 From sailing courses to taster canoe and SUP boarding session to multi-sports days, there’s so much fun to be had on the lake. Lets get sporty Lee Valley Minithon Date: 22 October Time: from 11:30 Location: Lee Valley Athletics Centre Price: £20 Time for your athletics star to showcase their skills on the track and show off their competitive side. Star Track Date: 25 - 28 October Time: 9:00 – 15:00 Location: Lee Valley Athletics Centre Price: £78 This great training camp is perfect for any budding athlete to hone in their skills and final put them to the test on the last competition day Try out different cycling disciplines at Lee Valley VeloPark Track Attack! Date: 26 October Time: 11:00 - 13:00 Price: £20 per person, glove hire £3 Whether a complete track cycling newbie or a master of the banking, learn new skills and follow in the footsteps of Olympic heroes. Suitable for those aged 12 - 16 years. #Club VPK MTB and BMX Date: 27 October Time: 11:00 - 15:00 Price: £28 per person, glove hire £3 Children can learn basic skills, gain confidence in two exciting cycling disciplines, and improve their techniques on our mountain bike trails and BMX track. Suitable for those aged 11 - 16 years. BMX thrills and MTB Skills Date: Monday 24 October Time: 10:30- 14:30 Price: £28 per person, glove hire £3 Beat the boredom of the school holidays as your kids grab their handlebars, burn rubber and experience cycling like never before. Riders will improve their skills, learn new techniques, and gain confidence on the BMX track and MTB trails. Suitable for those aged 7 - 11 years.

Golden sunsets glistening over the waters, crunchy leaves under little feet and wintering wildlife returning the park are just some of parts of autumn that we all won’t want to miss so we’ve launched our Autumn Watch photo competition! 📷 Submit your autumn pictures onto our online gallery and you will be entered in to win a £30 GO Outdoors 🎫 All you have to do is: 1. Collect photos of your autumn visits to the park 2. Head to visitleevalley.org.uk/autumnwatch 3. Fill out the form and upload your best snaps 4. Submit and you’ll be in the draw! We’ll also share some of our favourites on our socials to keep an eye out for your pictures Facebook Twitter Instagram Looking for some inspiration? Check out some of these snaps 👇🏻

July was packed full of leaver assemblies, plays and celebrations before school kicked out for summer so no wonder we struggle with planning for the holidays themselves! Here comes our blog to help you get your diary back on track 📆 Check out what’s on in the park, venues and just some FREE ideas to enjoy the open spaces. Take a break in the Lee Valley Nothing says ‘holidays’ like a trip away from home! We’ve a range of different overnight itineraries that are perfect for every visitor: adventurers, families and nature lovers. See all of our short breaks 🏕️ Make a splash at Lee Valley White Water Centre Summer‘s the perfect time to take to the water at Lee Valley White Water Centre . Set sail on the lake on a kayak or paddleboard 🛶 Fancy a challenge? White water rafting sessions are the one for you, where you can duck and dive amongst the rapids 🌊😜 Pack out your days in the park Looking to fill a whole day in the park? Our day itineraries are the one for you, with days with minimal cost to nature escapes and sporting adventures. Pick your planned your day out 🍃 Free fun at the Wildlife Discovery Centre Take away a FREE activity for your little one to complete while on your walk! 🔍 There’s a different activity each week and you can see the line up below: 1 -7 August: Scavenger Hunt sheet 8 – 14 August: Sticky Nature card 15 – 21 August: I Spy sheet 22 – 28 August: Journey Sticks Cycling summer 🚴🏻‍♀️🚵🏻 Not only are the Commonwealth Games making their way to Lee Valley VeloPark , but your kids could also hit the tracks at our multi discipline cycling venue. Sound up your street? Check out the different sessions: Track Attack! #Club VPK MTB and BMX BMX thrills and MTB Skills BMX Follow up #ClubVPK Road and Track Attack Sign up to sports camp 🥎🏑🏐⚽ Do your kids love everything sporty? Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre are running their first summer sports camp. The sessions are run by experienced coaches and can be booked per day or for the full length of the camp. Check out all the details. Remember when out in our open spaces to #LoveThePark and: 🚴🏻‍♂️↔️🚶🏻‍♀️ Give people space 💚 Respect our Rangers 🚯 Take your litter home ❌ 🏊🏻‍♂️ Don't enter the water 🔥 No BBQs Following this will make for an enjoyable experience for you, other visitors, our Rangers and of course the wildlife We hope this has inspired you for those long summer holiday and don’t forget to share with us your days out in Lee Valley Regional Park on Twitter , Facebook, Instagram

During the summer days, the parks are filled with families soaking up the sun and dogs burning off their energy but who loves the park more: Dogs or kids? In Lee Valley Regional Park we’ve days out that your mini mes and four legged friends will love! Wildlife Discovery Centre Perfect for: 🧒🏻🐶 Summer’s here and there’s lots of wildlife to discover on the lake. The kids will love the Discovery Room and this August they’ll be able to take away a different FREE activity each week! Dogs, on a lead, are also welcome into the centre to see the Discovery Room and hide (unfortunately, they’re not allowed up the tower) FREE activities to take away each week include: 1 -7 August: Scavenger Hunt sheet 8 – 14 August: Sticky Nature card 15 – 21 August: I Spy sheet 22 – 28 August: Journey Sticks Dog agility course Perfect for: 🐶 (and the adventurous 🧒🏻) In River Lee Country Park , you’ll find our dog agility course! Great for puppy training or to test your dog’s skills with hoops to jump through, a frame to climb over and weaving logs - of course the kids can get in on the action too! Guided walks Perfect for: 🐶 and older 🧒🏻 It’s been wonderful to see our guided walks return to the park! These monthly volunteer led walks explore a different area of the park and are FREE to book on. Dogs on leads are welcome on the walks as well as older children as some of our walks are not designed for little human legs. Check out the upcoming walks here Placements in the park Perfect for: 🧒🏻🐶 To mark the 10 year anniversary since London 2012 anniversary, we’ve installed a range of placements to test your medal winning skills in running, sprinting and jumping! This is a great mid walk activity for kids and speedy dogs too. Find out where the placements are in the park Sculptures at Tottenham Marshes Perfect for : 🧒🏻🐶 New in 2022, you’ll find lots of nature inspired sculptures and benches scattered around Tottenham Marshes, which make the perfect pit stop for feet and paws alike. Plan a visit to the marshes Artworks at WaterWorks Centre nature reserve Perfect for: 🧒🏻 Under the Willow Dome, kids can use their imagination to create a different world and you’ll be able to continue the wonder by searching for the magic fish in the filter beds or plan a trip in Viking boat. Share your visits with us on social Twitter , Facebook, Instagram

From Dame Laura Kenny (née Trott) lapping the velodrome to the Team GB’s historic gold and silver medals in the canoe slalom C2 event to ParalympicsGB’s wheelchair tennis triumphs, there’s a host of unforgettable moments which took place in our legacy venues! Now it’s time to reignite that Olympic spirit, whether that’s reliving the magic for yourself or passing the baton to younger people. See how you can get involved here 👇🏻 Read all about it! Lee Valley VeloPark is not only home to cycling glory, but it’s now hosting our wonderful ‘Ten Years On’ exhibition in partnership with LLDC and the National Paralympic Heritage Trust . Split into two sections you can explore the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and see iconic items such as Olympic and Paralympic medals. There’s also the chance to take a selfie with Wenlock, touch the Super Saturday running track and feel the structure of running blades. The exhibition is FREE to visit and is open during the venues opening times. Credit: Stanton Williams Learn from those that were there Our 10 Years On events programme is bringing the history of the Games to you. Our knowledgeable volunteers, many whom attended and volunteered during the Games, have two great guided walks to take you on! The Lee Valley Olympic journey, will explore Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and White Water to Wildlife, will focus on Lee Valley White Water Centre and the history of the site. 👟 The Lee Valley Olympic Journey: Sunday 26 June at 11:00 👟 White Water to wildlife: Sunday 24 July at 11:00 Keen on architecture? As part of London Festival of Architecture, we’re hosting a talk on how Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis was developed for the Games, revealing the site’s sporting history and how it was transformed into London 2012’s only purpose-built Paralympic venue. Book your FREE space on the walks and talk here Have a go yourself We pride our venues in opening the door for everyone to get a taste for Olympic sport and helping pass the baton to the next generation. Want to have a go yourself? Check out these beginner friendly sessions at our venues: 💦 Lee Valley White Water Centre – Explore Kayaking and White Water Rafting 🏑 Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre – Tennis courses , Disability Tennis and Pay and Play Tennis 🚲 Lee Valley VeloPark – Check our range of experience sessions You can now test yourself against the champs while exploring Lee Valley Regional Park’s open spaces! We have a range of new tracks where you can test your running , sprinting and jumping skills against records set at London 2012. How are you marking the 10 year anniversary? Share your pictures with us on social media Twitter , Facebook, Instagram

We know it’s hard to get kids away from screens these days! With the weather set to warm up, it’s the perfect time to have real life family face time in the summer sunshine (we still always pack a brolly just in case 🌦️). Here’s different ways you can be making the most of our open spaces while the weather is playing ball - why don’t you save this post for school holiday inspiration too! Outdoor meals 🥪 Nothing says summer more that taking lunch al fresco. Pack up a cosy blanket, re-useable cutlery and all your favorite snacks for a picky tea in the park. There are many perfect picnic spots from Tottenham Marshes , Waltham Abbey Gardens and Fishers Green . Make sure you leave no trace and take all your belonging and wrappers home with you to be dispose of and recycled where possible. Find your old Frisbee 🥏 Ready to unleash your competitive side? Our disc golf course in located in River Lee Country Park , next to Lee Valley White Water Centre and is FREE for you to use. Just bring your Frisbees and download our scorecard, you’ll be flying away the hours in the outdoors. Follow our artwork trail 🎨 Hidden in our country park you’ll find a giant’s chair, fighting Stag Beetles and a Water Vole nibbling on grass - there are lots of different artworks to discover! In the north is our Artwork Trails , which have three different routes varying in length for little legs and at Tottenham Marshes is our newly installed sculptures and benches. Wildlife Discovery Centre 🔎 Give your kids a spy hole into the world of wildlife at the Wildlife Discovery Centre . Hearing different bird calls, creating their own wildlife landscape and seeing wildlife up close await them in the Discovery Room. They can take a trip up the tower to see the wonderful Seventy Acres Lake from the air before seeing what they can spot close up in the hide. Fun on the go! 🤸🏻‍♀️ Our fun downloadable sheet are perfect for taking with you on a walk. You can see what you can tick off on the or collect up materials to make some wild crafts. Share with us your outdoor adventure with your family pack on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram 📸

Flowers, wildlife and warmer weather are all on the cards as spring arrives, we’ve put some of our favourite spring moments in a list so you can keep an eye out on your wander. Butterflies 🦋 Nothing says warmer days are on the way than a butterfly fluttering by as you walk along the river. The family of yellow and white butterflies are normally the first to appear with a Brimstone butterfly being one of the first spotted at Fishers Green this year. The hibernating Peacock Butterflies and the migrating Painted Lady follow them later in spring. Our tip for getting a photo of our fluttering friends is to make sure you don’t cast a shadow, so they can continue sunbathing while you get your snap. 📷 Great Crested Grebe courting dance 🧡 Birds are busy building nests this time of year preparing for their future chicks and the Great Crested Grebes are no exception. Early spring morning will see pairs rush together chest to chest to exchanging head bobs, beak brushes and the grand finale of weed flicking. This behaviour is to establish a territory on a lake. Some courting pairs have been seen at the Wildlife Discovery Centre and Stanstead Innings. Bulbs and buds 🌸 You might catch some naturalized Daffs popping up from the ground and branches brimming with buds on your walks through the park, but Myddelton House Gardens is the place to be for spring flora. From the flourishing Alpine Meadow to the budding magnolias dotted around the gardens and the legendary tulip display starting to break through the soil, there’s plenty to see at this hidden gem. Cuckoo is calling 🎶 Keep an ear out when taking a stroll to hear the undeniable sound of the Cuckoo amongst the trees, ringing in the spring season. They lay their eggs in nests of other birds and are masters of disguise adapting their eggs to look like those of their hosts. Our note for spotting is to keep an eye out after their call has finished as they won’t fly and sing at the same time. Meadows for May Day 💈 Cowslip is beginning to appear in meadows up and down the Lee Valley. This member of the primrose family can be identified by its bright yellow five petal flowers and was traditionally used in garlands for May Day celebrations. They give wildlife an early source of nectar in the spring and have been spotted in the meadows at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Make sure you share your sighting with us on our wildlife sights page 🔍

We all know January is a trial month right? February sees the days getting longer, the weather getting better (fingers crossed!) and those long awaited spring bulbs are finally making an appearance 💛.There is no better time to continue or even make a start on those physical and mental wellbeing goals while out in the park. Taking exercise outdoors It goes without saying that lots of people look at exercising more as a New Year resolution. We think variety is the spice of life and workouts shouldn’t just simply be going to the gym! Run or cycle along the towpath (remember to follow Canal and River Trust code of conduct ), take HIIT workout in the open spaces or even take up a new sport such as kayaking or BMXing ! There’s lots of ways to shake up your exercise schedule. Forest bathing Shinrin yoku or forest bathing, is a method of relaxation that originates from Japan and involves you taking in and appreciating your surroundings. We know what you are thinking but trees don’t need to have leaves to be able to enjoy the benefits of forest bathing. Closing your eyes and feeling the cold wind on your cheek, touching the different textures around you and listening out for a variety of bird songs can all be enjoyed no matter the season and gives you time to tune into your surroundings. Soon the blossom will be back on the trees and you’ll be able to enjoy some blossom bathing too! Wildlife watching Nothing slows your pace and brings you in time with nature than wildlife watching. Wintering birds are still wondering and soon spring will be here and a whole new lot of wildlife will appear to call the park home. Flowers will pop up, bugs will begin to take flight and mammals will wake from hibernation and we’re sure you don’t want to miss the joy it can bring. Natural art Autumn and winter brings lots of fallen treasure to the floor which is perfect for some natural art. Collect up your resources and create your masterpiece, whether that’s a self-portrait, your favourite animal or a landscape scene. This is a great way to practice mindfulness, enjoying the wild textures around you and have some fun whether you are small, tall, young or old. Inspired? Make sure you share with us photos and videos of you enjoying the outdoors and you might feature on our social media channels. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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!