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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.

As summer slips away and we head into the cooler and colourful autumn months the parks flora and fauna once again changes - read on to find our more about the park's autumn highlights. Autumn migration  Autumn is a time of movement for many of our bird species. As summer draws to a close our summer migrants begin their journey back to warmer wintering grounds and our first overwintering birds start to arrive. Keep an eye on our Wildlife Sightings page for the seasonal highlights. Sites with insect-rich muddy margins, so tempting for wading birds, such as Cornmill Meadows, Amwell Nature Reserve , WaterWorks Centre nature reserve and Hall Marsh Scrape are always worth a speculative visit.     By late September, Redwing arrive from their Scandinavian breeding grounds. The distinctive red patches along their flanks and underwings make them stand out - especially when they’re feasting on berries or probing fields for worms. They’re often seen alongside Fieldfare, another charismatic winter thrush.  Flora and Fauna highlights Bittern   The Lee Valley is an important site for wintering Bittern, a secretive buff-brown member of the heron family. Bittern spend much of their time hidden in reedbeds where they feed on fish such as Rudd and Perch.     Bittern return to the valley from September onwards, one of the best places to see them is from the Wildlife Discovery Centre at Fishers Green in River Lee Country Park. Volunteers and staff are on hand to help you spot one – they are particularly well camouflaged amongst the golden-brown autumnal reeds.     Once extinct in the UK, concerted efforts from a number of conservation organisations has meant that numbers have now increased to over 283 booming males in 2025. ‘Booming’ is the name given to the call the male makes to attract a mate and mark its territory. While breeding hasn’t been recorded in the Lee Valley yet, the reedbeds are improving every year… so watch this space!    We will be hosting the annual Bittern Roost Watch event on 18 January 2026 where you can join us to find out more about these amazing birds and have a chance to see one roosting in the reeds.    Barn Owl   If you spot a pale, silent figure gliding over the grasslands at dusk, it’s probably a Barn Owl. With exceptional hearing and soundless flight, these graceful hunters seek out voles and mice in the twilight. Its Latin name is Tyto Alba – which is quite literally – white owl.     You may notice Barn Owl boxes that have been placed on trees and poles around the park. These boxes supplement natural roosting and nesting features, such as hollow trees and old barns, which are becoming more scarce. Each year a licenced bird ringer checks our boxes and rings any young, which are known as owlets and are initially white and fluffy before developing the distinctive heart shaped face. This helps us to learn more about the population in the park and their movements.     Water Vole   Over the summer Water Voles have maintained their territories and may have reared up to five litters. As the days grow shorter, breeding stops and the Water Voles start to prepare for winter. Autumn sees their focus turn to fattening themselves up for the winter months, storing energy for cold periods which they spend in torpor – these are periods of dormancy to conserve energy when food is scarce. They will also start to create food stores in their burrows that they can eat during the winter months.    In partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Water Vole and Invasive Species project, we undertake the second Key Sites Survey of the year on our important Water Vole sites Silvermeade and Cornmill Meadows. These provide a useful overview of how the Water Voles have fared throughout the breeding season.     If you would like to find out more about these charismatic animals why not book onto our Water Voles and Wetlands event on 14 September 2025 - see event detail >     Floating Pennywort   The invasive non-native plant, Floating Pennywort is native to the Americas and has become established in the waterways of the UK having rapidly spread from garden ponds. It grows at a prolific rate – up to 20cms in a day - creating dense mats, reducing sunlight and depleting oxygen, in turn killing native fish, invertebrates and plants.     There is a fantastic project in the River Lea Catchment to eradicate Floating Pennywort which has been pioneered in the River Stort by Whoosh Canoes. The project is lead by Paddle UK, The Angling Trust and supported by partners including local paddle clubs, statutory bodies and other agencies, utility companies and many volunteers. They organise tasks where Floating Pennywort is removed from the river by canoeists and paddle boarders supported by volunteers on the bank.  All fragments of the plant need to be removed as it can quickly recolonise from just a small fragment. Autumn is a good time to clear areas as waterbirds will have stopped nesting.        Habitats and their management    Reedbed management   Reedbeds are a hugely important habitat in the Lee Valley and are home to a wide range of species including reedbed specialists like Bittern and Reed Bunting. If left unmanaged they would eventually turn to woodland. During the autumn months management of reedbeds can start to take place as the nesting season has finished. Willow scrub that has started to establish is removed and in some areas swathes of reedbed will be cut and removed to encourage new fresh growth and prevent the development of a deep layer of leaf litter. The reedbed in front of the Wildlife Discovery Centre has channels cut in each year, this creates fantastic edge habitat for Bittern to feed with the added bonus that it helps them be seen by visitors too!  Ditch management    Ditches need regular management otherwise they become clogged with vegetation and eventually may dry up. After the breeding season management can take place, the Rangers are careful to programme work sensitively, working on areas in rotation so that habitat is always retained on site for wildlife to use. By maintaining a balance of open water and emergent vegetation, ditches provide excellent habitat for species such as Water Voles, dragonflies and Grass Snake.      Surveys  Wetland Bird Survey    The Wetland Bird Survey or WeBS as it is known is a long-running national survey organised by the BTO, undertaken monthly to monitor waterbird populations in the UK. Counts are undertaken on the majority of waterbodies found the Lee Valley, where volunteers note every wetland bird they see, providing invaluable data to assist with our management. The counts can take place all year, but the core dates are from September to March.  Upcoming planned events Throughout the year the park runs special wildlife themed events. Up coming events include Discover Bats, Moths and More - 5 September Water Voles and Wetlands – 14 September 2025 Bittern Roost Watch – 18 January 2026 Know the latest If you want to be kept up to date with our events or wildlife sign why not sign up to our enewsletters. We have specific enewsletters so you only get sent information of interest to you. Find out more and sign up today >

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 This event has now passed, but there’s always more to explore! Want to discover upcoming nature events? Head over to our What’s On page and use the ‘nature’ filter to see what’s coming up. 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 (This event has now passed) . After a quick costume change the cast are back in the evening to perform Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility (This event has now passed) . 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       This event has now passed, but there’s always more to explore! Want to discover upcoming sport events? Head over to our What’s On page and use the ‘sport’ filter to see what’s coming up. 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

This #LoveParksWeek, we have plenty on offer in Lee Valley Regional Park to help you make the most of the best season to be outdoors. Here are five epic reasons to lace up your shoes and start exploring this Love Parks Week. 1. Great Places to Get Fit and Healthy From miles of traffic-free routes to free fitness classes, wellbeing walks, organised runs, and even a regular parkrun—there are activities for every fitness level to help boost your wellbeing. Through our Get Active in the Lee Valley  programme, we work with various partners to provide free and low-cost sessions for people who are less likely to be active. You can see all the different activities and their dates here. For those looking to step up their exercise game, Gunpowder Park hosts a weekly parkrun every Saturday at 9:00. You can join their Facebook group here. Looking for a bigger challenge? RunThrough  hosts regular running events in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park throughout the year. You can find them all on our What’s On page by filtering for “Running.” 2. Wildlife Galore Summer is the perfect time to see wildlife in the park. Whether you’re a keen birder or a first-time spotter with an ID sheet, there’s so much to see while you're out and about. Here are some hotspots for summer wildlife: If dragonflies are your thing, head to Cornmill Meadows . See butterflies fluttering in the breeze at Walthamstow Marshes . Watch wading birds at Rye Meads . Spot songbirds flitting among the hedgerows at Tottenham Marshes . Want to start your ID journey? Download one of our ID sheets and set off on your adventure: 3. Packed Full of Kid-Friendly Activities Seeing the park through the curious eyes of children is a great way to see things afresh! Set them on an adventure—finding sculptures along the artwork trail in River Lee Country Park  and Tottenham Marshes , exploring the secret garden at Myddelton House Gardens , or building a den in the tree park at Cornmill Meadows . Pick a place and let their imagination run wild! 4. Free and at Your Fingertips As well as free entry, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy at no cost while in the park. See our list below and plan a summer day that won’t break the bank: Test your aim at Disc Golf Download our Nature Explorer Activity Sheet Try our Scavenger Hunt Sheet Visit the Wildlife Discovery Centre See the Community Garden at Waterworks Nature Reserve Explore miles of traffic-free routes Check out our free health and wellbeing events There are some car parking charges in our car parks. You can see more about parking in the River Lee Country Park here and find your way using the "Plan a visit" tab on the webpage for the site you're visiting. You can see all the green spaces here. 5. Boost Your Wellbeing Did you know research shows that people who feel more connected to nature are usually happier? It’s important for all generations to build that connection—so we appreciate what nature offers and protect it for the future. Plan a day out and discover how nature can lift your mood and bring balance . Want to lend a hand in the park? We have a wonderful team of volunteers who help us look after our green spaces - take a look at the opportunities and find one that suits you best. We hope that this Love Parks Week, you feel inspired to take a step into the Lee Valley and experience all the wonderful things it can offer this summer. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts - happy exploring!

We’re excited to announce that we’ve added to our pin badge collection! As well as introducing five new badges (Water Rail, Emperor Dragonfly, Great Crested Grebe, Blue Tit and Hedgehog) we’re also launching two new limited edition Bittern versions to sit alongside our other pin badges. We’re also delighted to showcase our new range of blank greeting cards which use the artist’s graphics from our Wildlife Discovery Centre.   The gold (limited to 50) and sliver (limited to 200) Bittern pin badges will be released for sale on our stand (OD4) at The Global Bird Fair on 11 – 13 July 2025. Also on our stand we’ll have our complete range of pin badges and greetings cards for sale too.   After The Global Bird Fair all items will be available to purchase in person from the Wildlife Discovery Centre or Myddelton House Gardens .   Pin badges and key rings All of our badge designs are exclusive to Lee Valley Regional Park – you won’t find the same version anywhere else.   Our badge collection includes: Limited edition range (35mm) No 1 – Bittern. Gold limited edition  (only 50 available). £10 - new design No 1 – Bittern. Coloured with silver outline limited edition  (only 200 available). £6  - new design Standard range (25 mm) – all £3 each No 1 – Bat. Available in either a black or coloured with silver outline No 2 – Bittern. Available in either a black or coloured with silver outline No 3 – Kingfisher. Available in either a black or coloured with silver outline No 4 – Orchid. Available in either a black or coloured with silver outline No 5 – Otter. Coloured with silver outline No 6 – Water Vole. Available in either a black or coloured with silver outline No 7 – Barbel. Coloured with silver outline No 8 – Great Crested Grebe. Coloured with silver outline  - new design No 9 -   Water Rail. Coloured with silver outline  - new design No 10 - Blue Tit. Coloured with silver outline  - new design No 11- Emperor Dragonfly.   Coloured with silver outline  - new design No 12 - Hedgehog. Coloured with silver outline  - new design Bearded Iris. Coloured with silver outline   We also have Kingfisher keyrings, available in black or coloured with silver outline. £4 each.   Greetings cards We’ve recently launched a range of six colourful blank greetings cards which use the wonderful artist’s illustrations that adorn the walls of the Discovery Room at the Wildlife Discovery Cen tre . Designs include Snipe, Reed Warbler, Otter, Great Crested Grebe, Kingfisher and Emperor Dragonfly.   Individual card. £1.50 Pack of 6 cards (one of each design). £7.50

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

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

This month we’re celebrating the joy of cycling and all the different ways you can enjoy Lee Valley Regional Park by bike. With longer, brighter and warmer days June is the perfect month to hop on a bike and explore our stunning and diverse 10,000 acres of parkland. And whether you’re looking for a scenic cycle or keen to follow in the tracks of the Olympians and put your skills to the test at Lee Valley VeloPark – we have a cycling experience for everyone. June 9–15 is Bike Week We’re joining the UK’s biggest celebration of cycling and bringing you a guide to cycling in the Lee Valley. Read on for helpful tips, our best cycling routes and cycling experiences for everyone – no bike or experience necessary. Before you set off We asked staff for their tops tips on preparing for a bike ride – here’s what they had to say: Visually inspect your bike. Tyres should be at the recommended pressure. Look out for cracks or signs of excessive wear. Always give your breaks a squeeze, are they working smoothly? Loud squeaking could suggest a problem. Check your chain, is it working effectively? Look out for signs of dirt build up and rust Safe to cycle . If you’re cycling in low lighting you’ll need to have a clean and functioning front and rear light, check them before you set off Pack the essentials . If you’re heading on one of our longer rides be sure to pack a puncture repair kit and small handheld pump and make sure you know how to use them. You may also want to pack water, snacks and sunscreen Dress for comfort . Thin layers are perfect because you’ll soon get warm. Don’t forget high visibility clothing if you’re riding at dawn or dusk Check your route . It’s always a good to have an idea where you are heading so you can plan a manageable route, check the terrain and ensure there are no works taking place which may impact your route.   ℹ  Good to know… for cycling in and around River Lee Country Park. A basic toolkit and bicycle pump is located on the site of Lee Valley White Water Centre Need some inspiration?   We’ve pulled together a few of our favourite cycle routes across the park, including top picks from our colleagues and partners. ⭐Top staff pick –  Fishers Green Foray  River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green. Matt Ewings, Events Manager explains, “This route is a personal favourite, it doesn’t use any highways, the paths are predominantly tarmac and it takes in some lovely scenery through the park”. At 12 miles it’s one of the longer rides in our collection but there’s plenty of stopping points along the way and cafés to refuel 🚌  Accessible by public transport  – Urban Oasis  Tottenham Marshes. You’ll easily forget you’re in London as you take in the diverse wildlife and natural landscapes along this 3.5 mile route. A short hop from Northumberland Park train station and well served by bus this easy to access route will take you on a figure of eight through Tottenham Marshes via a mix of surfaced pathways, towpath, bridges, large cobbles and walk-around gates. For a shorter circuit of 1.5 miles check out Walk on the Wild Side 🚲Keeping little ones amused - The Artway Route 3    River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green.   This route is a firm family favourite. At 3 miles it’s suitable for all and there’s plenty to keep younger cyclists entertained with sculptures dotted along the route which can be touched, climbed and played with. There’s toilets nearby in Fishers Green Car Park. ✨ Partner’s Pick  – We asked our friends at Cycle Sisters, a Muslim womens' cycling charity for their favourite route. Deryn, a ride leader for Cycle Sisters shared details of a regular group ride through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney Marshes, continuing on to Walthamstow Wetlands, “This is one of my favourite places to ride in London. You forget you're even in London as you ride through the wooded areas and listen to the sounds of birds singing!" You can take in these sights for yourself with our 5.5 mile Golden Circle  route.   🥪Pedal and picnic  – It’s National Picnic Week 14 – 21 June. Cycling is hungry work, why not combine a bike ride with a good old fashioned picnic? You can filter all our cycling routes  for those that offer scenic picnic spots or picnic benches. Take things up a gear at Lee Valley VeloPark This iconic London 2012 legacy venue is open to everyone, seasoned cyclists to complete beginners and offers an impressive four cycling disciplines in one spot. Where will you head? Iconic Velodrome Track  – One of the fastest tracks in the world, frequently graced by the world’s best. Enjoy the thrill of track cycling at a coached Velodrome taster experience or book on to a drop-in session. Little ones can learn to ride in the most inspirational setting with VeloBalance session in the track centre. Epic BMX course – Show off your tricks on the remodelled Olympic BMX track. Learn the basics, hit the berms or practice your skills at one of our open sessions. Premium road circuit  – Cruse around this smooth, scenic route in the heart of east London. This one mile floodlit circuit is perfect from early morning through to evening. Pay and ride to work on your cycling skills or fitness. Beginners can check out the adult one-to-one learn to ride lessons. Graded mountain biking trails  – Tackle the terrain of our mountain bike trails, graded like ski runs into blues, reds and black. Develop your skills in a coached session or pay to ride and test your limits. No bike, no problem! Owning a bike shouldn’t be a barrier to enjoying the joy of cycling. There’s several options to hire bikes and helmets in the park. The Cycling for Health programme is a series of sociable weekly led rides on traffic free routes in and around River Lee Country Park, Gunpowder Park and Chingford delivered by Epping Forest MTB and Epping Forest District Council. Bikes and helmets are available for those choosing to ride and hire (£12) or you can bring your own bike and helmet (£7). For more information please visit:  Cycling for Health - Epping Forest MTB . Lee Valley VeloPark offers bike hire with all booked sessions, including pay to ride. Bike and helmet starts at £13 for adults and £9 for under 18s  Lee Valley Canoe Cycle , Broxbourne offers bike hire for all the family and is conveniently located for exploring the stunning scenery in the north of the park Santander Cycles has a number of docking stations spread across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, find out more at TFL Cycling for all We’re committed to breaking down barriers and together with partners are delivering funded programmes that provide access to cycling for a wide variety of groups. This has included dedicated cycling sessions for deaf cyclists, programmes to make cycling more accessible for Muslim women delivered with Cycle Sisters , a confidence giving road cycling course for young people living with or in remission from cancer being supported by Teens Unite   and regular track cycling sessions for people who experience mental health issues, delivered in partnership with Core Arts , a leading mental health creative education centre. These sessions foster a love of cycling and commitment to health and wellbeing which extends beyond the programme. Many Core Arts participants now join weekly cycle rides in and around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. "A great opportunity to experience so many different styles of bike riding. It's made me more confident. Thoroughly enjoyable." - Core Arts participant “It’s amazing we’ve been able to bring deaf people to experience this for free in such a fantastic setting. It’s good for confidence and gets people out enjoying themselves.” - Alice, an Empowering Deaf Society Project Worker You can find out more about working with use on cycling sessions here . Start planning your summer cycle today!

What you may see in the park this summer Our March blog showed you the park's spring highlights it's now time for us to showcase summer 🌞 The weather's warmed up, the days have got longer and the wildlife and fauna that you can find out and about in our 10,000 acres have changed too. Read on to find out more. Wildlife Here's a few highlights that you might see between June and August in the park's protected habitats: Common Tern returned to the valley in spring having spent the winter in Africa. They lay their eggs in late spring, early summer on the artificial rafts that mimic the coastal shingle banks where they traditionally nest. They lay 2-3 eggs, which are well camouflaged against the shingle, they hatch after around 22 days. The adults catch fish to feed to the young who are fledged after 28 days and are fully independent by 2-3 months and build up their strength for the long migration back to Africa. Head to the Wildlife Discovery Centre where our friendly volunteers will point out the Common Tern. Read more > The non-venomous Grass Snake is the only snake regularly recorded in the Lee Valley. They’re good swimmers and can often be seen hunting their prey of amphibians, fish and small mammals along ditches, through reedbeds or ponds. In summer they lay up to 40 eggs in piles of rotting vegetation, they hatch in late summer into miniature versions of the adult The White Letter Hairstreak butterfly , which gets its name from the ‘W’ shape on the underside of its wings, can be a difficult butterfly to spot as it spends most of its time flying around the tops of trees, particularly Elm. A decline in numbers coincided with Dutch Elm disease which swept the country in the years after it was first imported in the 1960’s. Where there are still Elms on sites, such as Cornmill Meadows Tree Park or on Holyfield Hall Farm, look high in the branches to spot them – binoculars can help if you have them Essex and Small Skipper are closely related butterflies that can be easily confused. The best way to tell them apart is by looking at the tips of their antenna, the Essex Skipper has distinctive black tips whereas the Small Skipper has brown or orange tips. Look across the grasslands of sites such as Walthamstow Marshes , Tottenham Marshes or Cornmill Meadows to see them feeding on nectar There are nine species of bat found in the Lee Valley. Look low across the waterways for Daubentons , sometimes called the Water Bat as they scoop prey from the water’s surface. The Soprano Pipestrelle , the UK’s smallest bat is also found in the park – it weighs the same as a 2p! Bats feed on small insects eating up to 3,000 in one night. We've installed bat boxes around the park on trees and buildings to provide roosting areas Dragonflies are amazing hunters both when they are larvae underwater and as adults on the wing. When flying they can move very fast, patrolling a stretch of waterway and hunting prey. If you are patient they may land on a perch – helping you get a better look. The Hairy Dragonfly , emerges from the water early in the season and if it stays still long enough look at its body and you might just see the hairs that give it its name. Head to Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Sanctuary or Amwell Nature Reserve to see over half of the UK’s dragonfly species The Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) is non-native moth, first recorded in 2006 having arrived on imported Oak trees. The caterpillars are active between April and July and can be seen moving in a procession around the trees, striping them of their leaves. The caterpillars have hairs that irritate the skin causing rashes, eye irritations and breathing difficulties and you should avoid contact with them. They build nests in early summer, in order to pupate into the adult moths. The nests can see a build-up of the hairs. If you spot an OPM nest or caterpillars, please contact our Ranger team on 03000 030 610 (select option 2, then option 1) Flora Creeping Marshwort is one of the rarest plants in the UK found only at two other locations in the country and discovered at Walthamstow Marshes in 2002 by a local botanist. Our Rangers carefully manage the area throughout the year to provide the optimal habitat; they're aided by Redpoll cattle from the Authority’s farm A number of orchids can be found amongst the grassland of the park. Bee Orchids are in flower from June to July, so called as they mimic a female bee to attract the males to attempt to mate and pollinate the plant. Unfortunately, this country is outside the range of the bee and they self-pollinate. Also look out for Pyramidal Orchid , named as its flower head is pyramidal in shape. Sites such as Rammey Marsh or Bowyers Orchid Meadow in River Lee Country Park are good places to visit. Read more about the management of orchids > Flowering throughout the summer, the bright yellow flowers which are tinged with red of the Birds Foot Trefoil are an excellent source of nectar for insects. Later in the year look at their seed pods and you’ll see why they are called ‘birds foot’! The purple heads of Common Knapweed can be found across the parks meadows and verges; it provides an excellent source of nectar for insects and in turn the seed heads provide food for birds such as Goldfinch Flowering Rush can be found around ponds or pools on wetland habitats such as Walthamstow Marshes, Fishers Green and Hall Marsh Scrape. Its tall green stems have a cluster of pretty pink flowers in July and August. It was introduced into America and is considered invasive but here it is native and a real jewel of the wetlands Floating Pennywort is an invasive non-native plant found in some of the waterways of the park. Originally from the Americas, it grows at a phenomenal rate here – up to 20cms per day! It can outcompete native plants and spread across our waterways depleting them of oxygen and making navigation difficult. There's a fantastic project in the Lee Valley working in partnership to eradicate the Floating Pennywort, the partnership is always looking for new volunteers Upcoming planned events Throughout the year the park runs special wildlife themed events. Up coming events include LoveLea Festival 17 May - 8 June East London Festival of Nature - 25 June - 5 July Bee focused event – summer Water Vole guided walk – September 2025 London Rivers Week – October Bittern Roost Watch – January 2026 The park will also be at the Global Bird Fair  (11 – 13 July) held in Rutland. Know the latest If you want to be kept up to date with our events or wildlife sign why not sign up to our enewsletters. We have specific enewsletters so you only get sent information of interest to you. Find out more and sign up today  >

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 . Opportunities for all The park is so varied with open spaces, gardens, sporting venues, marinas, fisheries and more, so whether you have an existing interest or are looking to explore something new, you’ll be able to take your pick. Here’s just a selection of the opportunities on offer in the park: Walk Leaders and Supporters Conservation Volunteers Wildlife and Public Information Assistants Myddelton House Gardens Volunteers Learning and Engagement Volunteers Rye House Gatehouse Assistants Day in the life Hear from our volunteer, Linda, who is an honorary warden at Silvermeade, Broxbourne. She gets stuck into habitat works and has been monitoring Water Voles in the area too Rob and Olivia use prongs to tackle a large sedge root ‘ Under the expert guidance of Ranger, Rob Hawkins and Assistant Ranger, Olivia Chamberlain, volunteers have been improving the habitat at Silvermeade for Water Voles and getting the site ready for conservation grazing later in the season. Regular volunteer days have enabled fast progress. Ditches in the enclosures are cleared on a six year cycle, so that Water Voles and other species are able to move to adjoining water courses if they are disturbed. The ditch cleared in recent months was home to this Water Vole last summer, and there was plenty of evidence that the resident population is thriving. Water Vole at Silvermeade who will benefit from these habitat improvements Water Vole at Silvermeade will benefit from these habitat improvements. Water Vole droppings, which are known as a ‘latrine’ when the Water Vole repeatedly revisits the same spot. Next was some tree works. Clearing trees or pollarding older stumps helps to increase the light levels reaching the water and encourages emergent vegetation such as sedge to grow. Water Voles feed on the sedge (and hundreds of other plant species) and use it as cover, as well as sometimes weaving nests from it. The artistically created wood pile with its creators Claudia and Bob, volunteers. Arisings from volunteer work stays on site, and wood from pollarded trees is used to create dead hedges or log piles, great habitat sites for invertebrates. While we created this one, we were lucky to see a Goldcrest in a neighbouring tree, who will no doubt be pleased at the increase in food source that this pile will bring. The artistically created wood pile with its creators Claudia and Bob, volunteers Thank you to Lee Valley Regional Park for providing the opportunity to take part in activities which improve the state of nature by increasing biodiversity.’ Valuing our volunteers Making sure our volunteers feel valued and part of the team is so important to ensure they’re motivated and want to continue to lend a hand. Here are some of the things we have in place: Uniform provided Tea and coffee while working Departments arrange thank you events and trips – most recently our Ranger arranged a scavenger hunt for the volunteers Providing training Tiered benefits system that includes discounts at our venues Annual volunteer awards to recognise those who go above and beyond Here are some quotes from our volunteers that show how much they feel valued in their role: ‘…the fact that Lee Valley has put in a system which recognises, incentivises and rewards its volunteers ” – Sonny, Events volunteer “…I look back when I have finished the job I have done and I can see that I have made a difference to Lee Valley (Regional) Park, but I also think that the Rangers and the people who run the Lee Valley (Regional) Park Authority do express their gratitude, so I think that we are all well aware that we are appreciated” –   Murray, Conservation volunteer for the Rangers​ To ensure we’re providing the best for our volunteers our organisation is assessed by Investing in Volunteers, we have now held this accreditation for eight years. Hear from our Volunteers Officer Jess about how this accreditation has helped our volunteer service #VolunteersWeek got you inspired? Apply to become a volunteer today

#LoveLeeValley The days have grown longer, the sun is peaking through the clouds and there’s no better time to get out and about to explore the beauty of Lee Valley Regional Park. Our great park stretches over 10,000 acres, and offers hundreds of great days out.   May is National Walking Month 🌼 A time to celebrate the joys and benefits of walking - it's an opportunity to commit to a healthier lifestyle by incorporating more steps into your daily routine. Whether it's a leisurely walk through your favourite bit of the park or a brisk stroll somewhere further afield, every step counts towards better health.   Discover the park with our pre planned routes – take the guess work out of exploring 🌿 We’ve created more than 30 of our favourite walking routes for you to try each has its own charm and character. Here’s a few of our top choices:​ Sensory route  – Waltham Abbey Gardens. A short, accessible walk, around this historic area with great sensory highlights to stimulate senses Mills and Thrills  – Bromley-by-Bow. A 4 mile walk explores this area of London where old and new combine Walk on the Wild Side – Tottenham Marshes. This 1.5 mile circular route meanders through wetland and wildflower meadow habitats Lakes of the River Lee – River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green. A scenic 7.5 mile circular walk that takes in the lakes of this wonderful country park Faba to Fields  – Rye House. A circular 2 mile route through tranquil surroundings, with beautiful views, weirs and wildlife   Each route offers a unique experience, allowing you to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors in a meaningful way.   Why walk? Here’s some of the benefits of walking🚶‍♂️ Walking isn't just a way to get from A to B, it's a powerful tool for enhancing both physical and mental wellbeing. Here's how regular walks can benefit you: Physical health Regular walking strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart disease Brisk walking has been shown to increase white blood cell count, bolstering your body's defence against illnesses Being active, such as walking, can help regulate your sleep patterns, leading to better rest Mental wellbeing Walking, especially in natural settings, can lower levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone, promoting relaxation Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural mood lifters Regular walking increases blood flow to the brain, improving memory and cognitive abilities Increase your activity with a Lifewalk 🌳   We run free guided “Lifewalks” every week up and down the park. These sociable walks are a great chance to meet new people while leading a more active lifestyle. Walk leaders and volunteers make sure  everyone gets to know each other and people can walk at their own pace.   See what walks are coming up – just hit the Health and Wellbeing filter button to see the list of planned walks.   Ready to Explore? 👟 The park offers a diverse range of walking routes suitable for all ages and abilities – however you can just as easily explore on your own and see where the trail takes you. So, whether you're looking to immerse yourself in nature, visit one of our heritage sites or simply enjoy a peaceful walk, there's a trail that’s perfect  for you.

What you may see in the park this spring With 10,000 acres of habitat the wildlife changes with the seasons and offers an array of things to look out for. Wildlife The park is renowned for its important and protected habitats and the species that make them their home – some highlights that you may see from March to May are: Swifts  as they return from Africa to start their breeding season, listen out for their ‘screaming’ calls as they feed on insects. They can be seen across the valley feasting on the insects especially over waterbodies. We’ve installed Swift boxes in the walls of the Lee Valley Ice Centre and play recordings of their calls to draw them in, hopefully one day they'll nest here. Read more > Nightingale are secretive birds known for their melodic song who love scrubby or coppiced woodland. They are Red Listed due to their decline in numbers – there has been an estimated 42% decline in breeding numbers over the past 30 years. They return to the park each spring having spent the winter in west Africa, a great place to listen and look out for them is Fishers Green Barn Owls can be seen quartering the grasslands on the hunt for their prey of small mammals. If walking the park pathway from Fishers Green to Clayton Hill in River Lee Country Park keep an eye out over the farmland particularly at dusk Kingfisher , these lovely bright cobalt blue birds can be seen throughout the year, listen out for their shrill call as they fly low over the waterways or look out for them on perched on branches over the water. Good locations for spotting them are WaterWorks Centre nature reserve , Tottenham Marshes and the Wildlife Discovery Centre in River Lee Country Park at Fishers Green. This species is part of our Biodiversity Action Plan and we have installed special features in banks to encourage them to nest. Read more > House Sparrow are small noisy social birds that can be found in the park all year round. Sadly, their populations are in decline globally but can still be found throughout the park – listen out for their noisy ‘cheep cheep’ call as they gather together in bushes Skylark  with their distinctive small crest and streaky brown feathers are known for their aerobatics being able to fly vertically in the air. Their long rising and falling warbling song, is so evocative of this time of year.  They are a Red List species (which means it’s in critical danger) and are year-round residents in the park, loving our farmland and grassland areas on Gunpowder Park , where they nest on the ground Cuckoo , their distinctive call heralds the start of spring as they return from their African wintering grounds. They lay their egg in another birds nest, it hatches after 12 days and pushes out the hosts eggs and chicks so that it gets all of its adoptive parents attention. A great place listen for their calls are Glen Faba or Cornmill Meadows Pollinators such as bumblebees come out of hibernation and start to do their great work pollinating the spring flowers. The park is a haven for such species and they can been seen hard at work up and down the park. Look out for the scarce Brown-banded Carder bumblebee, the queen emerges from hibernation from April onwards   Flora The open spaces burst back into life in spring, from the buds on the trees bring back their leafy canopies to flowers in wildflower meadows making a reappearance. Notable for spring are: Cuckooflower so named as it blooms from April onwards, coinciding with the arrival of Cuckoos. With its delicate pale pink flowers its easy to see why they are also called Lady’s Smock– they love damp meadows, ditches and river banks. In the park you can see these flowers on the floodplain meadows at Silvermeade , Cornmill Meadows and Walthamstow Marshes Cowslips’ bright yellow flowers can be seen from April to May and are an important early nectar source for insects. This native plant is a member of the primrose family can easily be found throughout grasslands of the park such as WaterWorks Centre nature reserve , Gunpowder Park and those at our sporting venues such as the Lee Valley White Water Centre Upcoming planned events Throughout the year the park runs special wildlife themed events. Up coming events include Water Voles and Wetlands - event has finished BioBlitz – summer Bee focused event – summer London Rivers Week – October Love the Lea - October Bittern Roost Watch – January 2026   The park will also be at the Global Bird Fair (11 – 13 July) held in Rutland. Know the latest If you want to be kept up to date with our events or wildlife sign why not sign up to our enewsletters. We have specific enewsletters so you only get sent information of interest to you. Find out more and sign up today >