Diesel Form to comply with guidelines received from HM Revenue and Customs, are required to include additional duty, payable on all Red Diesel (Gas Oil) used for propelling the vessel. Diesel Form As from 23 February 2009, Lee Valley Marina – Stanstead Abbotts in accordance with guidelines received from HM Revenue and Customs, are required to include additional duty, payable on all Red Diesel (Gas Oil) used for propelling the vessel. First name Last name Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Street Address Line 2 Country Country Select a date Diesel amount (litres) What percentage of fuel purchased do you declare will be used for propelling a private pleasure craft? Choose an option I declare that diesel purchased in Jerry/fuel cans is being used for the purpose of I am aware that the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979, which permits the use of marked diesel to propel private pleasure craft, only applies within UK waters. I acknowledge that nothing in that Act, or the making of this declaration, affects any restrictions or prohibitions that may apply to the use of the fuel for propelling private pleasure craft outside UK waters, including any restrictions or prohibitions under the law of another member state that apply within the waters of that member state. Your Signature Clear Submit > Thank you for your Diesel Form submission. Your order is being processed. Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

This nature reserve is a quite sancuary for wildlife in London with the historical open space Middlesex Filter Beds near by. WaterWorks Centre nature reserve and field & Middlesex Filter Beds WaterWorks Centre & Middlesex Filter Beds, Lammas Road (off Lea Bridge Road), Leyton, London E10 7QB WaterWorks Centre nature reserve opening times Winter: 08:00 - 16:00 Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day: 08:00 - 15:00 Christmas Day : Closed Summer: 08:00 - 18:30 Middlesex Filter Beds Never sleeps, open 24 hours a day Come and explore these amazing open spaces and natures reserves in the capital Contact us info@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 610 Facilities Check the latest visitor information > About Wildlife Things to see and do Plan your visit What 3 Words ///ripe.gangs.like How to get here You can plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. We’re within London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone. Find out more about ULEZ > . WaterWorks Centre opening times Currently closed Car park opening times April: 08:00 - 19:30 May: 08:00 - 20:30 June - August - 08:00 - 21:00 September: 08:00 - 20:30 October: 08:00 - 19:30 November - February: 08:00 - 17:30 Things nearby BoxUp Free sports equipment from our outdoor locker for use on Leyton Marsh See more > Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park A hub of culture, art, sport and nature in Stratford, east London See more > Wildlife watching Lee Valley Regional Park is a haven for wildlife with different species around every corner See more > Cycling Cycling in the park or battling the track at Lee Valley VeloPark, test your skills See more > Walking and running There's lots of different routes you can take when exploring the park - pick yours today See more > Lee Valley Ice Centre Head down to the coolest place in town and take to the rink, pump some iron or just chill out See more > Walthamstow Marshes Discover the different wildlife and habitats in the capital in this wonderful open space See more > WaterWorks Centre The WaterWorks Centre and Café is currently closed. The nature reserve and Waterworks Fields are still open to people adhering to the national or local restrictions when they apply. We're reviewing the future of the WaterWorks Centre at present and it will remain closed whilst this review is carried out. Middlesex Filter Beds There are some exciting works taking place on Middlesex Filter Beds to rewet the beds. You can see the update here. WaterWorks Centre nature reserve Over 500 varieties of plants and one quarter of Britain’s butterfly species have been recorded here, so there’s so much to see when out and about on the reserve. The WaterWorks Centre nature reserve has become a unique wildlife haven and is a fantastic area for all the family to visit, just a few miles from central London. Over 150 years ago, when it was known as the Essex Filter Beds, it supplied the surrounding boroughs with much needed clean water. Today it is home to one of the largest bird hides in London offering close-up views across a series of filter beds, each with its own unique character. WaterWorks Centre field By 1933, the area, once part of Leyton Marshes and known asThe WaterWorks Field was being used for recreation, mainly football pitches. Lee Valley Regional Park acquired the site on 26 July 1969, and it was then converted to a pitch and putt course until 2003 when the WaterWorks Centre was built and the pitch and putt upgraded to an 18-hole, 3-par golf course, which operated until its closure in 2012. The area was used as a campsite during London 2012 Olympics and continued to provide camping during the Shell Expo at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and occasional events. Since the closure of the golf course, infrastructure was removed and a more relaxed management of the site was adopted, there still remains a few of the bunkers around the periphery of the site which now act as basking points for insects and reptiles. There is a small fenced off area which is used for dog agility classes at weekends and Forest Schools during the week. The site links to Hackney Marshes over Friends Bridge and to Walthamstow Marshes. Please be advised there is no swimming at this site. See more on our water safety policy here . Middlesex Filter Beds This ten acre haven for wildlife is a short walk from the neighbouring WaterWorks Centre nature reserve. Built by the East London WaterWorks Company in the mid 1800s they demonstrate how previously industrial areas can become valuable habitats for wildlife. Spring At WaterWorks Centre nature reserve , Waders on passage through the valley often drop into the site. Common and Green Sandpiper are regular visitors, whilst Wood Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit have also been seen. The brickwork of the old bed walls at Middlesex Filter Beds provides shelter for amphibians and in spring the wetlands are home to frogs, toads and newts. The weir is a good spot for Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher, which nest along the banks. Summer The secluded beds at WaterWorks Centre nature reserve are a fantastic place to get up-close to birds like Pochard and Little Grebe who breed here. Sand Martin are regular summer visitors, see them feeding on insects overhead. Certain beds have been allowed to form dense scrub and are home to species such as Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, whilst Sedge and Reed Warbler nest amongst the reeds. The site is a fantastic place for reptiles and amphibians, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Grass Snake or Common Lizard sunning itself on a stony bank. Listen out for the distinctive call of the Edible Frog which can often be seen in the wellhead at the bird hide. The flood relief channel adjacent to the site is an excellent place to view bats foraging for insects in the warm summer evenings. Winter The wetter filter beds at WaterWorks Centre nature reserve provide great up-close views of winter wildfowl including Teal and Shoveler. Snipe can be seen feeding around the muddy edges of the reeds. Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

Myddelton House Gardens is a joy to visit anytime of year. The lifelong home of E A Bowles, the world renowned horticulturist this gardens is a hidden gem in Enfield's botanical crown. Myddelton House Gardens Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, EN2 9HG Open daily, 10:00 - 16:00 Christmas opening times: 24 December - 10:00 - 15:00 25 December - 3 January - closed 4 January 2027 - normal opening hours Eight acre botanical garden and lifelong home of renowned horticulturist EA Bowles. myddeltonhousegardens@leevalleypark.org.uk Contact us 03000 030 610 Facilities Donate to the Rock Garden Project today > Download a gardens map See upcoming events > See our venue hire page Check the latest visitor information > About the gardens Things to see and do The Bowles Tea Room Make a donation Plan your visit What 3 Words ///title.token.sweep How to get here You can easily plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. London's Low Emissions Zones Our site is located within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)e. This means that you may need to pay a charge when visiting our site if your vehicle doesn't meet the emission standards set. You can find out more and check your vehicle's compliance on Transport for London's website . Download a gardens map Prices Free to enter - donations welcome to help fund raise for our Rock Garden project Car parking charges apply Car parking charges Cars: £3 Minibuses (under 16 seats): £13.50 Coaches: £28.50 Blue Badge annual parking pass: FREE Are you a regular visitor? Our annual car parking permits offer great value for money: Annual car park pass: £35 EA Bowles Society Members: £22 Buy your permit Pay for parking Wheelchair available Visitors are welcome to use one of our wheelchair during your visit. Wheelchairs are offered on a first come first served basis and you can find them in the shed in the car park by the accessible parking area. There's loads to see at Myddelton House Gardens with just a few of its wonderful features listed below: The New River Masterminded by Sir Hugh Myddelton, the New River brought fresh water from Ware in Hertfordshire to London. The river became redundant in 1859 but was kept as a feature in the garden until 1967. The footprint of this can still be seen in the gardens in the form of the New River Lawn. The Alpine Meadow In this area of the garden Bowles created an alpine environment inspired by his plant hunting holidays in the Pyrenees. From late winter and into spring a mass of snowdrop and crocus appear, followed shortly after by daffodil and camassia. In summer the area is carpeted in a blue cloud of wild geraniums that grow up through the grass. Fun for the little ones! Let your little ones take on Ossie’s challenge discovering the gems in the gardens and museum. From finding hidden artefacts to colouring and puzzles, this pack is full of fun and comes with colouring pencils so it can be completed on the go. Japanese Knotweed Bowles planted Japanese Knotweed in his garden at Myddelton House as he admired its architectural qualities, something that seems unthinkable today! Widely considered an invasive species, our gardeners still maintain two specimens as a means to educate visitors on how to identify the weed and to demonstrate that through careful maintenance it can be kept in check. The Rock Garden This area is currently being restored and we can’t wait to see what has been achieved after all the hard work put into it! The Market Cross Bowles loved to salvage local relicts and artefacts, rescuing Enfield Town's market cross from a builder’s yard where it was destined to become rubble. It now forms a striking feature in the centre of the Rose Garden, a formal area of beds waiting to be discovered in the hidden middle of the garden. The Pond Forming the centre piece of the gardens, the pond and its fountain make a tranquil spot to pause and watch the world go by. During summer days Bowles could often be seen weeding the pond margins and would regularly use water from the nearby New River to top up the water levels when they got too low. Things nearby Capel Manor Gardens This great Enfield garden is a home to horticulture and teaching plus fun days out See more > Forty Hall A beautiful Jacobean manor house set in the heart of this leafy Enfield estate See more > Learning in the park There's lots of learning opportunities in our outdoor classroom See more > An enchanting place to visit at any time of year Myddelton House Gardens were once home to Edward Augustus Bowles, one of Britain’s most famous self-taught gardeners, artists and expert botanists. Nestl ed in the heart of Enfield, the eight acre grounds play host to a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers as well as an extensive heritage kitchen garden and cut flower beds. Bowles dedicated his life to maintaining the gardens at Myddelton House often bringing back unusual plants from his travels. An example of this today is in the ‘Lunatic Asylum’ beds, where plants with contorted stems and foliage can be found. The gardens are a treasure trove of hidden oddities and the beautifully reconstructed Victorian Glasshouse is no exception. With four climatic zones, you will find exotic plants from around the world ranging from cacti which thrive on dry arid conditions to air plants which obtain all of their nutrients from water vapour in the air. The sunken glasshouse, know as the Peach House, is perfect for harvesting fruits that thrive on high humidity. You can visit some of the sections today and discover what’s growing. The gardens are a treasure trove of hidden gems and the beautifully reconstructed Victorian Glasshouse is no exception. With four climatic z ones, you will find exotic plants from around the world ranging from cacti which thrive on dry arid conditions to air plants which obtain all of their nutrients from water vapour in the air. A brief history Myddelton House was built in the reign of George III circa 1812 and completed in 1818. It was built by Henry Carrington Bowles (1763-1830) one of five generations of print and map makers, based at St Paul’s Churchyard, London. It replaced an earlier Elizabethan property, Bowling Green House where Bowles had lived with his wife who died in 1812. After her death, Bowles built the new house in a then fashionable white brick from Suffolk and named it Myddelton House in honour of Sir Hugh Myddelton, an engineering genius who created the New River. A section of the New River had bisected the garden from 1613 until 1968. When Bowles died in 1830 the house was passed to his son, also Henry Bowles who later bequeathed it in 1852 to his nephew, Henry Carrington Bowles Treacher. Treacher assumed the name Bowles by Royal Licence in order to inherit the estate, thus becoming Henry Carrington Bowles Bowles. It’s these initials that can be seen in monogram on the newly restored main gate at the end of the drive. The youngest son of five children to Henry Carrington Bowles and his wife Cornelia was Edward Augustus “Gussie” Bowles, born in 1865 who became one of the great gardeners of the 20th century. He originally trained for the church, but family tragedies caused him to change course and he remained at Myddelton House and developed the remarkable garden as a self-taught horticulturist. For many years people came from all over the country to visit. He became an expert on many plants, particularly the Crocus and was dubbed “The Crocus King”. The connection with the Bowles family is still maintained today and Brigadier Andrew Henry Parker Bowles is the current President of the EA Bowles of Myddelton House Society . The beautiful Victorian Glasshouse range is open to the public. The restoration of the Kitchen Gardens led to the discovery of the foundations of the original glasshouse range. A collection of tender plants was transferred from the 1950s London School of Pharmacy glasshouses, which were subsequently demolished. Unique details have been kept in the designs, such as four climatic zones, a vine house complete with gauged arches to allow vine roots to remain outside and the vines to grow inside and a sunken glasshouse that would have been used to grow fruit such as melons and cucumbers. The gardens have had four Conservation Management Plans written, CMP4 is the current version. The plans address the historic nature listing a range of past elements to the gardens and actions that are taken to preserve various elements that sit within the Grade II registered landscape listing. Copies of the four CMP’s can be downloaded here: CMP 1 (2003 - 06) See plan CMP 2 (2006 - 08) See plan CMP 3 (2008 - 12) See plan CMP 4 (2018 - present) See plan The Bowles Tea Room Take a break from exploring the gardens with a hot drink in the Bowles Tea Room. Our tea room is the perfect pit stop when visiting the gardens. With a range of hot and cold food and refreshing drinks, you can enjoy the views in the sunny courtyard or keep toasty and warm inside on colder days. We also offer take away options so you can find your perfect picnic spot in the gardens. Drinks offers Loyalty Card Regular visitor to the gardens? We've hot drink loyalty cards so you can collect nine stamps and get your tenth drink free! Bring your reusable cup Bring a clean reusable cup to the tea rooms and get 20p off your hot drink. The Museum Take time to learn about the man himself in the Bowles Museum just off the side of the tea room. The display will tell you all about E A Bowles' life, the history of the house and some of his wonderful paintings are on display too. Opening times Daily 10:00 - 16:00 See our menu > Make a donation to the gardens Myddelton House Gardens, the Grade II listed home of renowned plantsman E A Bowles, is a place full of history, beauty and botanical curiosity. We're currently raising funds to restore Bowles’ much-loved Rock Garden - one of the most characterful and important features of our eight acre gardens. Your donation helps us to: Rebuild and conserve the historic rockwork Replant specialist alpine species Protect a unique part of Bowles’ legacy How to donate You can donate either online via our secure payment portal or in next time you’re visiting the gardens (collection boxes in the café and as you enter the gardens. If you’d like to donate online just click the donate button as choose the amount you’d like to give. Make a donation > Thank you for helping us care for this remarkable garden Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events Christmas Wreath Making Date: 27 November Time: 10:30 - 13:00 Myddelton House Gardens See more > Christmas at Myddelton House Gardens Date: 27 November - 19 December Myddelton House Gardens See more > Christmas Wreath Making Date: 28 November Time: 10:30 - 13:00 Myddelton House Gardens See more > Christmas Wreath Making Date: 4 December Time: 10:30 - 13:00 Myddelton House Gardens See more > Christmas Wreath Making Date: 5 December Time: 10:30 - 13:00 Myddelton House Gardens See more > Carols in the Courtyard Date: 12 December Time: 16:30 - 18:30 Myddelton House Gardens See more >

The best of nature and the city come together at Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone! With pitches and camping pods on offer you'll find the perfect place to pitch for your adventure Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone Sewardstone Road, Chingford E4 7RA Reception opening: Monday – Saturday 08:30 – 18:00 Sunday – 08:30 – 16:00 Site open March – January (closed February) Download our season calendar for 2026 Located within the countryside on the outskirts of Chingford, east London, Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone is the perfect getaway spot where you can kick back and relax nestled amongst the trees. Contact us sewardstonecampsite@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 623 Accommodation types: Facilities BOOK NOW > See our current special offers > Read our FAQs > Check the latest visitor information > contact us No disposable or charcoal BBQs or fire pits are permitted at the current time. Although we’ve had some rain, the ground, grass and plants remain very dry, so there’s still a risk of wildfires. In line with current Government restrictions, disposable and charcoal BBQs, and fire pits aren’t permitted at our sites. Thank you for helping us protect our visitors, staff, wildlife and surrounding communities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. About the campsite Site facilities Pitch and accommodation options Things to do nearby Plan your visit What 3 Words ///shots.marked.drip How to get here You can easily plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. London's Low Emission Zones Our site is located outside of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) that are currently in place but is located close to both of these zones. Please check your journey route to see if it enters either the ULEZ or LEZ as our site is very close to these zones. You can check whether you’ll need to pay charges for your vehicle on the Transport for London website . If you travel into London you may need to pay these charges and in central London there's also a Congestion Charging Zone. You can find out more about these zones on Transport for London's website . Please note these charges apply to non-UK registered vehicles too. Staying safe at our campsites Read through some important information to help keep you, your group and and others safe during your visit. Read more > Frequently asked questions and campsite rules Got a question? We’re here to answer! If you can’t find the info you’re looking for please contact us. Read our FAQs . Like any site we have some rules we ask our visitors to follow. Download a copy of our rules . Accessibility None of the Lee Valley campsites are fully wheelchair accessible all year round. We have wheelchair accessible cabins at Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir; and all the campsites can accommodate campers with reduced mobility requirements and have facilities that are exclusive and accessible for people with disabilities and their family member/carers. Staff are also on hand to provide additional support. If you or any of your party have a disability or complex needs of any description, please contact the site you wish to visit and we'll try and make arrangements to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible. For more information on accessibility at this site visit AccessAble . Choose from: Touring and camping Pitches for tents, trailer tents, caravans, motorhomes, RVs or fifth wheelers. Find out more > Woodland Cabin Larger wooden open plan camping pod. Sleeps 4. Find out more > The Stirling Modern lodge offering open plan living with private garden. Sleeps 4 | 2 bedroom Find out more > Winter on-pitch storage Temporary winter storage. Find out more > Peaky Pod Glamping pods with kitchenette and bathroom. Sleeps 4. Find out more > Woodland Cocoon Cosy wooden camping pod. Sleeps 2. Find out more > The Gatehouse Large holiday home with private garden. Sleeps 6 | 3 bedroom Find out more > Not what you’re looking for? Our other sites may be have what you need: Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite, Broxbourne Lee Valley Caravan Park Dobbs Weir Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, Edmonton YHA, London Lee Valley As a woodland site the area teems with wildlife offering you that true escape in the great outdoors and the chance to explore truly stunning habitats close by. Plus there's great road and public transport links that makes visiting and exploring easy. The site is split into two dedicated areas: Touring, camping and our holiday rental accommodation Mix of hard standing and grass pitches with and without electric plus a range of rental accommodation from camping and glamping pods to lodges and a house to rent. See our pitch and accommodation options Holiday home owners Privately owned holiday homes which benefit from our long holiday season with no limit on the number of nights you can spend in your holiday home. Take a look at the homes that are currently available . Groups welcome Our spacious site welcomes groups – if you looking for a location to host a rally, put up a school or youth group then we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to receive a quote tailored to your groups needs. Prices All our prices are shown on each accommodation option. The easiest way to find out the total cost of your holiday is to click on book now and input your dates and choices. You’ll be shown availability and a price including any extras for your holiday. T&Cs apply to all bookings made. Checkout what’s nearby: For more ideas on places to visit check out: Visit Epping Forest Visit Herts Visit Essex Visit Cambridge Visit London Disc Golf This free family activity is a great addition to any day out in River Lee Country Park See more > River Lee Country Park 1,000 acre park crossing over Essex and Hertfordshire packed full of fun, flora and fauna See more > Cornmill Meadows A mystical meadow where you can see dragonflies darting over the water See more > Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park A hub of culture, art, sport and nature in Stratford, east London See more > Walking and running There's lots of different routes you can take when exploring the park - pick yours today See more > Waltham Abbey Gardens & Cornmill Meadows These historic gardens are packed full of stories and nature See more > Gunpowder Park This former MOD is site in now a wonderful open space with paved routes and varied habitiats See more > Myddelton House Gardens A hidden gem in the Enfield that gives a whole new meaning to secret garden See more > Cycling Cycling in the park or battling the track at Lee Valley VeloPark, test your skills See more > Lee Valley White Water Centre Watch the rapids roll as you soak up the atmosphere at this iconic venue See more > Wildlife Discovery Centre This state of the art hide with a Discovery Room and tower give you a spectacular view over Seventy Acres Lake See more > We have everything you need to for a great stay. Facilities on site include: Electrical hook up Fully serviced pitches Water Gas Toilets and showers Chemical toilet disposal Accessible facilities Shop Takeaway hot drinks Launderette Washing up area Playground Cycle hire Fire pit/BBQ hire Dog friendly For more information on accessibility at this site visit AccessAble . Bike hire onsite Explore the local area on two wheels with our great bike hire offer. Adult, child and two-along trailers available. Add to your booking or pop into reception to book on the day. Find out more > Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

There's lots of waterbodies in the park and keeping safe around them is essential. Find out more about our Bylaws and how you can keep yourself and others safe Staying safe around water Entering water in the park isn’t permitted – not only is it against our Byelaws and but this rule is there to help keep you safe too. In recent years the number of accidental drownings in the UK has risen – a sad fact but true. We’ve set out some advice below to help you enjoy the park this summer. Reporting incidents Report any of the following incidents on the numbers below: unruly or dangerous behaviour in and around water accidents, incidents or near misses wildlife in trouble Contact us 03000 030 610 between 08:00 - 17:00 01992 210 196 between 17:00 - 08:00 In an emergency call 999 Remember Robbie Robbie Lea was a fun loving, sporty 17 year old boy when he entered North Met Pit in the summer of 2017. What was meant to be a laugh with his mates, turned into tragedy as Robbie drowned after the effects of cold water shock took hold. After his tragic death, Robbie’s mum, Sarah, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and other local and national organisations came together to create the Robbie Lea Water Safety Partnership. Its aim is to help educate children and young people about water safety through assemblies and community events. If you’d like to find out more please email our Learning and Engagement team on learning@leevalleypark.org.uk. Why not? What should I do? Where can I swim? What can parents do? Calling parents! Did you know that 83% of people that drown accidentally are male and there’s been a marked increase in teenagers, mainly young boys and men, entering the waterbodies in the park. We understand that young people want to enjoy themselves, but please share with them the different dangers there are in the water and how they can save themselves and others if they find themselves in danger. You can read the Canal & River Trust's advice for young people here . Why not? Entering water in the park isn’t allowed– it’s dangerous and against our Byelaws. Here are a few of the reason why this isn’t permitted. Here are some other great organisations who have information on water safety: Royal Life Saving Society RNLI Canal & River Trust It’s colder that it looks Inland water is always a lot colder than you think, even on hot days. The drop in your body temperature as you enter the cold water can cause Cold Water Shock . This is where you lose control of your breathing, use of your limbs and if left too long can fall unconscious. This could be fatal. Remember float to live – relax on your back while your body adjusts then make your way to safety. It’s dirtier than it looks From abandoned industrial equipment, dumped trollies, empty glass bottles, wrappers, animal wee and poo… the list goes on! Although our open water is a haven for wildlife it has, unfortunately, been a dumping ground and is still treated disrespectfully today. There’s no way of knowing what’s in the water and what could be going onto your skin, hair and if you accidentally swallow any of the water, into your body. Weil’s disease, also known as Leptospirosis, is a serious infection transmitted through animal wee (particularly from rodents) or contaminated water – you can’t see it, smell it and won’t know you’ve got it until you start experiencing symptoms. Find out more about it here . Dumped rubbish can also cause obstructions underwater which you could get trapped by - this could stop you from getting out of the water to safety. It’s stronger than it looks Lots of water in the park has underwater currents, which you can’t see from the surface. You can easily get caught up in the flow and will tire easily trying to escape. If you find yourself caught in a current, don’t try to swim against it, stay calm, swim with the current and call for help It’s lonelier than it looks There are no lifeguards at our waterbodies so there’s no one to help you. The average time for an emergency ambulance is 8 minutes but with lots of winding paths and detours in the park finding you in an emergency is a lot harder and extra time in cold water can have devastating consequences. A great way to pinpoint your position in the park is with the What3Words app. This will give you three words for your precise location within a 3m square and can be used by emergency services to help find you. Where can I swim? We understand that a lot of people enjoy open water swimming and here are some places around the Lee Valley where you can enjoy it in a safe environment. Lee Valley White Water Centre Herts Young Mariners Base H2O Rampage Redricks Lakes Hampstead Health What should I do? Whenever you’re around water – follow water safety code Stop and think : take in your surroundings, do your research and read all local signs. Stay together: when visiting places with water, go with a friend or family. Only swim at life guarded venues. If you do find yourself in an emergency Call for help! Shout to people on land or call 999 and ask for Fire and Rescue. Do not enter the water to try and help anyone – you could be putting yourself in danger too and making rescues more complicated. Float to live! Lie flat on your back with your arms and legs out like a star, stay calm, and try and keep your breathing at a normal pace. You can see more on float to live here . Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

Explore the top locations in the Lee Valley for filming and event hire. Wide open spaces, tranquil gardens and historic buildings, all commutable from London. Event hire and filming Whether you’re looking for historic gardens, award winning open spaces, beautiful lakes and rivers or tranquil countryside, Lee Valley Regional Park has it. Contact us events@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 640 Site hire form > Read our testimonials > Spaces and venues to hire Apply to hold an event Filming in the park Broxbourne Riverside Size: 12,125m² Postcode: EN10 7AX See the site > Showground and River Lee Country Park Size: 163,764m² Postcode: EN9 1AB See the site > Tottenham Marshes Size: 3,400m² Postcode: N17 0XD See the site > Area 12 at Lee Valley White Water Centre Size: 4,500m² Postcode: EN9 1AB See the site > Green Plaza Size: 1,000m² Postcode: E20 3AB See the site > Turnershill Marsh Size: 5,520m² Postcode: EN8 9AJ See the site > Northwest Arena (Picketts Lock) Size: 7,600m² Postcode: N9 0AS See the site > Leyton Marsh Size: 16,000m² Postcode: E10 7QL See the site > Middlesex Filter Beds Size: 2,000m² Postcode: E5 0BS See the site > East Lawns Size: 12,500m² Postcode: E20 3AD See the site > Three Mills Green Size: 23,600m² Postcode: E3 3DU See the site > Gunpowder Park Size: 37,402m² Postcode: EN9 3GP See the site > Myddelton House Gardens Sizes from 300m² to 900m² Postcode: EN2 9HG See the site > Western Plaza Size: 4,046m² Postcode: E20 3AD See the site > Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite, Broxbourne Size: 10,521m² Postcode: EN10 6TD See the site > Disc Golf Area Size: 12,908m² Postcode: EN9 1AB See the site > Waltham Abbey Gardens Size: 47,822m² Postcode: EN9 1XQ See the site > WaterWorks Field Size: 4,600m² Postcode: E10 7QB See the site > Rye House Gatehouse Size: 7,000m² Postcode: EN11 0EH See the site > Events within the park Choose from our award winning open spaces and take advantage of the natural beauty within Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching along 26 miles, 10,000 acres, there are several open spaces to choose from for your next event venue within London, Hertfordshire and Essex. The experienced Events team have good knowledge of the park and hosting all scales of events including music festivals, sporting events, charity challenges, country fairs and more. The Authority has a duty to develop and preserve leisure, recreation, sport and nature throughout the park and the Events Team are keen to work in partnership to develop activities and events that encourage use of the park in these ways. Apply to hold an event To apply to host an event in the park, please: Read our event application guidance Fill out and submit our site hire form a minimum of two months before your event. Site hire form > Commercial filming and photography Whether you're looking for historic gardens, award winning architecture, working farms, world class sports facilities or a unit base, Lee Valley has it - and all within easy reach of Central London. All our commercial filming and photography requirements are handled by Lee Valley Film Office , visit their website to find out more about the locations available and their contact details. For all press enquires please contact our Press Office . Head to Lee Valley Film Office testimonials Testimonials Running events in the park “Working with Lee Valley Regional Authority is always a pleasure. Their team is incredibly supportive, making the lead-up to our events seamless and stress-free. On event day, their professionalism and helpfulness shine through, ensuring everything runs smoothly. We have worked with them for 10 years and will continue to do so!” James Shipley - Managing Director - Active Training World Events “Lee Valley has consistently delivered exceptional service to RunThrough over the years. This phenomenal venue has been instrumental in hosting a diverse array of distances, ranging from a 1 mile race to the Half Marathon. Thousands of our runners have triumphantly crossed the finish line here, with feedback consistently highlighting it as an inspiring and unforgettable place to run. We eagerly anticipate continuing our successful partnership with you for many more years to come!” Ross - RunThrough Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

< Back to What's On Winter at the Wetlands Enter the top-secret hide and meet nature’s superheroes, then help design Santa’s ultimate Super Sleigh. Date: 5 - 23 December From £40 for one adult and one child Walthamstow Wetlands Location: Book your space > Santa needs your help. This Christmas, join Norm and Nesbit, The Navigators, on Operation Redwing: a wild family adventure at Walthamstow Wetlands. Enter the top-secret hide and meet nature's superheroes. Then help design Santa's ultimate Super Sleigh. Then meet Santa himself, hear his story about the clever squirrel who once saved Christmas Eve, and take home a gift to remember the day. Set in the heart of a nature reserve, a haven for people and wildlife, this is a Christmas experience you won't find anywhere else. Every ticket helps London's wildlife. By booking your family's place on Operation Redwing, you directly support our work caring for London's wild spaces like Walthamstow Wetlands. What to expect Enjoy a 45-minute show created especially for Walthamstow Wetlands, brought to life by professional actors and packed with Christmas magic, wildlife discoveries and plenty of family fun. Meet Santa himself and hear him tell his special Christmas tale. Every child takes home a gift to remember the day. Please note, children under 12 months go free but are not eligible for a gift. Why here? Set in the heart of a huge nature reserve just 15 minutes from central London, home to wildlife like herons, kingfishers and hedgehogs. Step into the reserve and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, and make memories that you'll still be thinking about next December. Every ticket helps fund our work caring for wild spaces like this one, so the magic lasts long after Christmas. Previous Next

Located in the north of the park these area is know for its tranquil waterbodies with angling, wildlife watching and watersports on offer. Dobbs Weir, Glen Faba & Nazeing Meads Dobbs Weir , Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0AS Glen Faba , Netherhall Road, Hoddesdon CM19 5EX Never sleeps, open 24 hours a day Take in the sights and sounds of one of our tranquil areas of River Lee Country Park Contact us info@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 610 Check the latest visitor information > Facilities About Things to see and do Plan your visit What 3 Words ///fire.loudly.handy How to get here You can plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. Car parking Our car parks are open all the time. No overnight parking is permitted at any time. The barrier may be closed as required. Walking, running and cycling routes Full Circle at St Paul's Field Starting points: Route 1 - Meadgate Road, Nazeing, Hertfordshire EN9 2PB. Route 2 - Dobbs Weir car park, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon EN11 0AS See the route > Rye Meads Discovery Starting point: Dobbs Weir car park, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon Hertfordshire EN11 0AS (height barrier) See the route > Faba to Fieldes Starting point: Dobbs Weir car park, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 0AZ See the route > Tale of Two Rivers Starting point: Dobbs Weir car park, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon Hertfordshire EN11 0AS (height barrier) See the route > Things to do near by ESSA Water Activities Centre Get your paddles at the ready, this watersports centre has a range of activities See more > Watersports With clubs and centres in the park that offer a range of different watersports you can try See more > Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir Set in the heart of River Lee Country Park, this campsite is the perfect pitch for outdoor adventures See more > Wildlife watching Lee Valley Regional Park is a haven for wildlife with different species around every corner See more > River Lee Country Park 1,000 acre park crossing over Essex and Hertfordshire packed full of fun, flora and fauna See more > Dobbs Weir Dobbs Weir is definitely one of those special places you’ll want to visit again and again. Relaxing walks, wildlife watching, history, excellent fishing, picnics, a café and pub – Dobbs Weir really does have something for everyone. It’s also an ideal base for exploring further afield, so if you feel like stretching your legs, just follow the walking routes to Nazeing Meads, Admirals Walk and Glen Faba. Glen Faba Just to the north of Dobbs Weir you’ll discover the wilder, less visited area of Glen Faba. It’s an area of water, grassland, reedbeds and woods – perfect for all kinds of wildlife such as Gadwall, Cormorants and Reed Bunting. Please be aware that access is mostly via unsurfaced grass paths, and at certain times of the year cattle may be grazing on parts of the site. Nazeing Meads Within a 10 minute walk south of Dobbs Weir you’ll find three large lagoons, wildflower meadows, woodlands and a delightful sense of tranquillity at Nazeing Meads. These lagoons are perfect for wintering birds such as Goldeneye and Black-headed Gull. Fishing and watersports are popular here, and you can stroll along the grass path. Admirals Walk Lake Just across the River Lee lies another small former gravel pit, Admirals Walk Lake. The lake and nearby River Lynch are one of the best sites for dragonflies in the park. Sand Martin and Swallow feed over the water, replaced as dusk falls by bats including Pipistrelle and Daubenton’s Bat. St Paul’s Field St Paul’s Field is a newly opened green space in the park, located east of Nazeing North Lagoon—home to Broxbourne Sailing Club. Once a disused landfill site, it’s now a peaceful area for walking, fishing, and enjoying nature. A new footpath completed in 2025 connects Meadgate Road to Dobbs Weir Road, improving access and linking to the wider park trail network. Wildlife The path across St Paul’s Field follows the eastern boundary of Nazeing Meads, a large expanse of open water forming part of the River Lee flood relief system. The deep open water provides a plentiful supply of food for diving ducks including Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe. Look out from the viewing screen and you may catch the Great Crested Grebes famous ‘penguin dance’ as pairs form their bond. In winter, Nazeing Meads is a good spot for wintering duck including Goldeneye and Goosander. There’s a large winter gull roost, with numbers reaching over 2000, typically supporting Common and Black-headed Gull. It’s worth looking out for other species including the occasional Mediterranean Gull. On a warm summer evening you may be able to spot bats feeding on insects, low over the surface of the water. There are large patches of scattered and dense scrub across the grassland, in summer listen out for the distinctive song of the Chiffchaff – you’ll see how it got its name – you may spot it flitting through the bushes. Listen out for the yaffle of a Green Woodpecker and see it foraging amongst the grasses. Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

This heritage open space is packed full of history going back to King Harold and is now a wonderful place to explore with the family. For those wildlife lovers, Cornmill Meadows is a short walk with you will find the Dragonfly Sanctuary Waltham Abbey Gardens and Cornmill Meadows Waltham Abbey Gardens, Abbey View, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1XQ Never sleeps, open 24 hours a day With the remains of the country’s largest Augustinian Abbey, Waltham Abbey Gardens history is closely linked with royalty and religion from Bouda and Tovi to Henry VIII Contact us info@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 610 Check the latest visitor information > Facilities About Wildlife Things to see and do Plan your visit What 3 Words ///scars.slices.prop How to get here You can plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. Car parking Waltham Abbey Gardens has a car park that is open 24/7. There is a charge for parking which helps us maintain our wonderful park. Car parking tariffs apply at all times. No overnight parking is permitted at any time. Car parking charges Picnic spots There are a few picnic benches in the gardens as well as great open spaces you can lay down a blanket and spread yourself out. Walking, running and cycling routes Waders and Waterfowl Starting point: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire EN9 1AB See route > Winged Wonders Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Hooks Marsh car park, Fishers Green Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2ED See route > Wonderful Wet Meadows Starting point: Waltham Abbey Gardens car park, Abbey View, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2ES See route > Grebes and Gravel Starting point: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire EN9 See route > Valley Views Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF See route > Lakes of the River Lee Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF See route > Lake and Riverside Trail Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF See route > Rambling Rivers Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF See route > Rockets to Woodland Starting point: Gunpowder Park car park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3GP See route > Bird hides There is an open bird hide in Cornmill Meadows (around ///major.tides.healers ). Things to do near by The gardens are in the town of Waltham Abbey so you can easily walk to the town to pick up food, visit Waltham Abbey Church and the historic Royal Gunpowder Mills Toilets The closest public toilets are at Waltham Abbey Town Hall. Things nearby Waltham Abbey Church Discover the amazing history of this Augustinian landmark See more > Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park From meeting farm animals to epic event days - plan a day out for all the family See more > Epping Forest District Museum Learn about the people and events that shaped the history of the area See more > Royal Gunpowder Mills Explore the Mills' explosive history and see how nature has reclaimed this site See more > History of Waltham Abbey Gardens Waltham Abbey Gardens has been the setting for a church since about 790 AD, with the first stone church commissioned in 1057/8 by Earl Harold Godwinson (later King Harold II), whose body was reputedly brought here for burial after the Battle of Hastings. At its height, the monastic church was over 400 feet (135m) long, and was the last to be dissolved by Henry VIII. After dissolution, a large mansion house was built by the Denny family, opposite what is now the Church Centre, with extensive formal gardens. They built the boundary walls with stone from the monastery, with some of the original carvings still to be seen to this day. The site passed through several uses, until becoming part of the Lee Valley Regional Park in 1967, since when it has become a popular venue for events and family days out. Waltham Abbey Gardens today The gardens span 9.03ha with amenity grassland perfect for a picnic, playing games or enjoying the stretch of open space. There are some areas of the site set aside as wildlife refuges and woodland so bring your binoculars along to see what you can spot. In the south east area of the site is a moated old orchard with a number of veteran fruit trees, along with newly planted specimens, and over twenty varieties of fruit. This is also the setting of our yearly Wassailing event in the winter. The Cornmill Stream links the gardens with Cornmill Meadows, a semi-natural floodplain grassland with changing wildlife residents. The whole site lies within the Waltham Abbey Conservation area, and the land between the Romelands Estate and the moated orchard is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. For the visitor there is an excellent heritage experience with extensive paths and the opportunity to become immersed in the multiple layers of history, spanning over 1,000 years, to be found on the site. The proximity of the site to the Waltham Abbey town centre makes the site particularly easy to visit and enjoy the stories in this historic market town. Cornmill Meadows Cornmill Meadows is a large 54ha public park and nature reserve. The site is a mosaic of woodland, wetlands and meadows including traditional wet pasture and hay meadow within a level floodplain landscape. It's particularly noted for its dragonfly species, for which it is protected by a SSSI designation. The site was originally part of the land directly worked by the Abbey’s community, and now forms part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument area. In the dragonfly sanctuary you can see the fish ponds used by the monks to stick fish. The site also has calico ditches dating back to the 17th century, now used by wading birds overwintering and in the spring. For the visitor there is an excellent countryside experience with extensive paths and great opportunities to see numerous dragonfly species, which along with other wetland insects, attract large numbers of Swift, Swallow, House Martin and Hobby during the spring and summer months. Wintering wildfowl such as Wigeon are plentiful, as are water edge birds such as Grey Heron, Lapwing, Snipe and several species of waders. Water Vole are also present and spectacular rafts of water lilies can be seen in the Old River Lea in the early summer. Waltham Abbey Gardens is great for wildlife but if you really want to immerse yourself around nature Cornmill Meadows is the place to go. Cornmill Meadows is one of the best examples of semi-natural floodplain grassland remaining in the park. The mosaic of rivers, ditches and pools make this a fantastic place to see a variety of wildlife throughout the year. Hay meadows, woodland and a network of glades and rides can be found in the adjacent tree park. Spring and autumn are excellent times to visit to see waders passing through the valley, with the possibility of interesting species such as Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit as well as Redshank and Common and Green Sandpiper. Summer provides one of the best places in the region to see dragonflies, with over half the UK species found here, notably the White-legged Damselfly and Hairy Dragonfly. In late summer the woodland glades can be worth scouting on a fine evening for large numbers of Migrant Hawker Dragonfly. In winter there are magnificent views of large flocks of Wigeon and Teal. These are regularly joined by flocks occasionally Lapwing and Golden Plover. A walk along the rivers and streams is interesting at any time of year. Look out for Kingfisher or dragonflies. The Banded Demoiselle is particularly striking. No visit is complete without stopping at the Wake Hide to view the pools. Good numbers of Teal and waders can be seen in winter, whilst in summer Hobby hunt dragonflies overhead. You may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Water Vole or hear the distinctive ‘plop’ as it dives into the water. Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events

Our most southen point in Lee Valley Regional Park, where you can see these small green spaces gems as the River Lee joins the the Thames. Bow Creek Ecology Park and East India Dock Basin Bow Creek Ecology Park, Bidder Street, London E16 4ST East India Dock Basin, Orchard Place, London E14 9QS July - August: 08:00 - 21:00 September - October: 08:00 - 19:30 November - March: 08:00 - 17:00 April - June: 08:00 - 19:30 In the most southern part of the park you will find these two hidden gems. Contact us info@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 610 Check the latest visitor information > Facilities About Wildlife Things to see and do Plan your visit What 3 Words Bow Creek: ///famed.expose.spins | East India Dock Basin: ///crop.rear.hood How to get here You can plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. We’re within London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone. Find out more about ULEZ > Car parking There's no car parking at these sites. The closest train stations are Canning Town and East India Station. Bow Creek Ecology Park Originally, Bow Creek was an Osier bed but was turned into an ironworks in 1846. This industrial site has since been reclaimed by nature, following the closure of the ironworks in 1912 and its subsequent acquisition by the London Docklands Development Corporation, and is now a haven for wildlife in an urban environment. Bow Creek has something to offer all year round, and has won the prestigious Green Flag Award for several years running East India Dock Basin Near to Canary Wharf and just across the river from The O2, sits the old East India Dock Basin. Originally trading in tea, spices, indigo, and silk, the docks played a key role in the Second World War as a site for constructing Mulberry harbors, which were used by the Allies during the D-Day landings in France. The dock has now been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary, supporting a wide range of birdlife. Picnic spots Both Bow Creek and East India Dock have benches where you can sit for a picnic, just make sure to take your litter home with you! Walking, running and cycling routes The Lee Valley Walk starts at East India Dock Basin and passes up the side of Bow Creek, before continuing to Three Mills, the next most southern site, and then continues up through the Lee Valley. Three Hidden Gems Starting point: Canning Town Tube Station, Silvertown Way, Canning Town, London E16 1DQ See the route > Bird hides East India Dock Basin has two bird hides overlooking the basin, from which you can watch birds, such as teal, shelduck, and herons, swimming and feeding in the water. Things to do nearby Just across the river there is The O2 where you can catch a gig or just go shopping. Alternatively, Canary Wharf is close by where you can also do some shopping. Around this area there is also Mudchute Park and Farm . There is also Royal Victoria Dock close by where you can go swimming. Toilets The closest public toilets are in Canning Town Bus Station. Things nearby The Line Explore the city with this artwork trail See more > Lee Valley VeloPark Lap the track and soak up the atmosphere of this London 2012 venue See more > Cody Dock A creative industries quarter with community gardens and footpaths. See more > Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park A hub of culture, art, sport and nature in Stratford, east London See more > Wildlife watching Lee Valley Regional Park is a haven for wildlife with different species around every corner See more > Spring Kingfisher and Sand Martin in the river next to Bow Creek. Butterflies and dragonflies flying around the pond on site. East India Dock is also home to a variety of dragonflies and damselflies which can be seen skimming over the water. Summer You can also see dragonflies skimming along the water’s edge. At Bow Creek listen out for the distinctive call of the Cetti’s Warbler which are present all year round, but are particularly loud in the summer when the males are defending their territories. They're quick birds so you're more likely to hear them than see them Autumn This is the season where you will see Lapwing wading in the river next to Bow Creek. Looking up into the trees at Bow Creek you might catch a glance of a tiny Goldcrest or Firecrest. Winter Hundreds of Teal can be seen on the water at East India Dock Basin, as well as Redshank feeding the muddy margins of the river alongside Bow Creek. Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

Find a new way of exploring River Lee Country Park with the orieteering trail. There are 34 post throughout the 1,000 acre park and you can purchase a map and begin exploring Orienteering River Lee Country Park Open 24/7 Explore River Lee Country Park using you map and compass from four different starting routes throughout our 1,000 acre park. Check the latest visitor information > Find your way around the park armed with map and post numbers! This course is great for family groups and individuals alike! What are you waiting for? Purchase a physical map and start exploring the 1,000 acre River Lee Country Park. Self guided orienteering You can join at any one of our four starting points Waltham Abbey Gardens (EN9 1XQ) River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green (EN9 2EF) River Lee Country Park, Pindar (EN8 9AJ) Lee Valley White Water Centre (EN9 1AB) All you need is a map (£4), post descriptions and a score card which you can order online. This is a physical map that will be posted out to you. Please confirm your postal address at the point of ordering and allow five working days for receipt of your map. Buy a map Orienteering for schools and youth groups Our Learning and Engagement Team can provide an amazing range of experiences on the course from map based orienteering to GPS! Things near by River Lee Country Park 1,000 acre park crossing over Essex and Hertfordshire packed full of fun, flora and fauna See more > Waltham Abbey Gardens & Cornmill Meadows These historic gardens are packed full of stories and nature See more > Lee Valley White Water Centre Watch the rapids roll as you soak up the atmosphere at this iconic venue See more > Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >

Our 1,000 country park spanning from Waltham Cross to Broxbourne where you will find with routes, visitor farm, sculpture trail, Lee Valley White Water Centre all surrounded in open space River Lee Country Park See our different entrances on our 'Plan your visit tab' below Never sleeps, open 24 hours a day River Lee Country Park stretches between Waltham Abbey in Essex and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, this 1,000 acre park has a huge variety of activities to enjoy Contact us info@leevalleypark.org.uk 03000 030 610 Check the latest visitor information > Download our River Lee Counrty Park leaflet > Facilities About Wildlife Things to see and do Plan your visit What 3 Words ///enjoyable.wacky.clips How to get here You can plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more. Car parking The majority of our car parks are open all the time, no overnight parking is permitted at any time. Pindar, Cheshunt Country Walk and Turnford Brook have seasonal opening times listed below. Month Pindar and Cheshunt Country Walk Turnford Brook April 09:00 - 19:30 08:00 - 19:30 May 09:00 - 20:30 08:00 - 20:30 June, July and August 09:00 - 21:00 08:00 - 21:00 September 09:00 - 20:30 08:00 - 20:30 October 09:00 - 19:30 08:00 - 19:30 November, December, January and February 09:00 - 17:30 08:00 - 17:30 March 09:00 - 18:30 08:00 - 18:30 Car parking charges apply at all times. Find out more about parking in our open spaces here > Find us Different locations in River Lee Country Park: Broxbourne Old Mill and Meadows, Mill Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 7AX Broxbourne Riverside, Mill Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 7AX Clayton Hill, Nazeing Road,Nazeing,Essex EN9 2HX Cornmill Meadows, Crooked Mile,Waltham Abbey,Essex EN9 2ES Fishers Green, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF Hooks Marsh, Fishers Green Lane,Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2ED Pindar and Cheshunt Country Walk, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire EN8 9AJ Turnford Brook, Off Cheshunt Wash, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire EN8 0LU Waltham Abbey Gardens, Abbey View, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1XD Picnic spots Top picnic spots are Fishers Green, Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Abbey Gardens and Broxbourne. You will find benches and open spaces to your can enjoy a spot of lunch. Walking running cycling routes Valley Views Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF See the route > Water-lily Wander Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Pindar car park, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire EN8 9AJ See the route > Lakes of the River Lee Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF See the route > Rambling Rivers Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF See the route > Water Vole Trail Starting point: Broxbourne Old Mill and Meadows car park, Mill Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 7AX See the route > Waterbird Discovery Trail Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Cheshunt Country Walk car park, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire EN8 9AJ See the route > Grasshopper Walk Starting point: River Lee Country Park, Pindar car park, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire EN8 9AJ See the route > River Lee Trail Starting point: Lee Valley Boat Centre car park, Old Nazeing Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 6LX See the route > Pedaller's Paradise Starting point: Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3GP See the route > Bird hides Wildlife Discovery Centre is our main bird hide in the park with discovery room, tower and hide to enjoy wildlife watching. At Cornmill Meadows you will also find the Wake Hide and at Holyfield Lake the Grebe Hide. Toilets You will fins toilets in our country park at Fishers Green. Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park, and at Lee Valley White Water Centre. If in the Waltham Abbey Area, there are also toilets at Waltham Abbey Town Hall. Things to do Angling We have a host of fisheries run by licensees, angling clubs, societies and consortia See more > Disc Golf This free family activity is a great addition to any day out in River Lee Country Park See more > Herts Young Mariners Base Set in River Lee Country Park, this centre is known for its open water swimming sessions See more > Lee Valley Canoe Cycle Explore the Broxbourne area canoe or bike See more > Orienteering Grab a map and test your navigation skills with this orienteering course See more > Sailing We have lots of clubs that offer sailing up and down the park so you can get your sailing fix See more > Watersports With clubs and centres in the park that offer a range of different watersports you can try See more > Broxbourne Old Mill and Meadows See history and nature come together See more > ESSA Water Activities Centre Get your paddles at the ready, this watersports centre has a range of activities See more > Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park From meeting farm animals to epic event days - plan a day out for all the family See more > Lee Valley White Water Centre Watch the rapids roll as you soak up the atmosphere at this iconic venue See more > Royal Gunpowder Mills Explore the Mills' explosive history and see how nature has reclaimed this site See more > Walking and running There's lots of different routes you can take when exploring the park - pick yours today See more > Wildlife Discovery Centre This state of the art hide with a Discovery Room and tower give you a spectacular view over Seventy Acres Lake See more > Cycling Cycling in the park or battling the track at Lee Valley VeloPark, test your skills See more > Epping Forest District Museum Learn about the people and events that shaped the history of the area See more > Lee Valley Boat Centre Set on the banks of the River Lee, you can explore the waterways by boat with all the family See more > Nazeing Meads Watersports, fisheries and wildlife are a 10 minute walk from Dobbs Weir See more > Rye House Gatehouse One of the first brick built houses in England, packed full of history and mystery See more > Waltham Abbey Church Discover the amazing history of this Augustinian landmark See more > Wildlife watching Lee Valley Regional Park is a haven for wildlife with different species around every corner See more > Nestled along the board of Hertfordshire and Essex is our 1,000 acre park, River Lee Country Park. Made up of wide open spaces, wildlife havens, sporting venues, farm land and a myriad of water and walk ways, there’s 100s of great days out you can have in this one area of the park. Are you a nature lover? The open spaces in the parkland create a range of different habitats from wetlands to woodlands. Along the river you might spot Kingfisher or amongst the reeds Water Rail and Bittern. Amongst the branches you will find crowds of Long Tail Tit and in the spring the distinct call of the Nightingale. Cornmill Meadows is buzzing during the summer months as a Dragonfly Sanctuary where you can see Hairy and Emperor Dragonfly as well as the Branded Demoiselle. Silvermeade in Broxbourne is our key location for Water Vole and if you’re lucky you might catch sight of one or hear it as it ‘pops’ into the water. The jewel in the crown of our wildlife watching is the Wildlife Discovery Centre . Visitors enter through the discovery room where they can learn all about the wildlife in the park and the head up the tower to get views over Seventy Acre Lake and the reed bed. Once back on the ground, you can enjoy watching the flitting birds from the wide windows. If sport is your thing, you can enjoy getting the most out of outdoor fitness with miles of walking, running and cycling routes. There’s many different waterbodies in the park and plenty of water sports for you get involved in from the extremes of the white water rapids at Lee Valley White Water Centre to sailing at Fishers Green Sailing Club and rowing along the river at Broxbourne Rowing Club . You can see all the different sporting venues in the Things to Do Nearby Tab . If you’re just beginning your wellbeing journey our Active Communities team have a range of different activities to get involved in from Life Walks to Sensory walks as well as some new and exciting activities on the horizon. There’s many historic sites even in this small area of the park. Waltham Abbey Garden s dates to the 7th century and is one of the largest Augustinian abbeys in the country. This has seen kings from Harold Godwinson to Henry VIII and now the King Charles. Just down the road is Royal Gunpowder Mills . Formerly the site of gunpowder manufacture is now a wonderful historic site with open space and nature now calling it home. Visitors can visit on select days through the year and enjoy their iconic fireworks for Bonfire Night. In the north of River Lee Country Park is Rye House Gatehouse . This was one of the first brick-built houses in the country and has been the setting for tales of treason and ghost stories. This great place is open for select days from spring to autumn by our knowledgeable volunteers. There's also lots of family friendly days, whether you’re heading to Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park to see the farm animals or enjoy and action pack day out on one of their event days to enjoying a bit of disc golf in the open spaces. All of the key areas come together to make great days out for family and friends so start planning your next day out today. The 1,000 acre River Lee Country Park is an excellent place to spend time watching a range of wildlife. The network of surfaced paths wend their way round the mosaic of flooded gravel pits, wader scrapes, wet woodland, rivers, grassland and scrub. There’s a wealth of wildlife throughout the year with every visit offering different sightings. Here are some of the wildlife hotspots for your to discover. Spring The woodland around Turnford and Cheshunt Pits is the perfect place to spot (or just hear) a Nightingale and amongst the reed you might see a Water Vole enjoying the ditches in the area. In terms of plant life, May and June are ideal for Orchids with Orchid displays in North Metropolitan Pit and Bowyers Water. Holyfield Hall Farm is a great viewing point for migrant birds in the spring months as well as smaller species such as Wheatear found along the edges of tracks and fields. The shingled islands along Hall Marsh Scrape are used by Little Ringed Plover as they return from Africa to breed. Waders like Green and Common Sandpiper use this as a rest during their passage through the valley. Cornmill Meadows muddy scrapes are a great source of food for waders and some interesting species such as Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit along with regulars like Redshank and Common and Green Sandpiper. Lapwing breed around the edges of the pools in the spring and can be seen defending their young. Summer Over Seventy Acres Lake the calls of the Common Tern and Black-Headed Gull can be heard all around and the Wildlife Discovery Centre is great place to spot them from the tower and CCTV cameras. Thistly and Cheshunt Marsh come alive with the sounds of crickets so keep and eye out for the Roesel’s Bush-cricket. Dragon and damselflies begin to take flight along the water ways like the Brown Hawker. Butterflies also make an appearance with the Speckled Wood preferring the woodland and skippers fluttering amongst the meadows. Bowyers Water is also a great place to see the water lilies in bloom. The flower rich meadows in Holyfield Hall Farm attracted a large amount of butterflies with Elms growing along the hedgerows providing a home for the White-letter Hairstreak. Hall Marsh Scrape become a show of birdlife with the Common Terns from Seventy Acres Lake being spotted over head and the Hobby hunting for dragonflies. If it's dragonflies you want to see, Cornmill Meadows is the place to be with the Hairy Dragonfly being the first to emerge, the Emperor Dragonfly patrolling the water ways and the Red-eye Damselfly resting on floating vegetation. Barn Owl and Kestrel can be often seen hunting for small mammal in the grass. Autumn The Tree Park at Cornmill Meadows is a great place to visit during the autumn months with the changing colours of the leaves. English Oak turns a wonderful brown colour, English Elm a buttery yellow and Hawthorn turning from green to red to orange along with their signature red berries. Winter visitors begin to return to Holyfield Hall Farm so keep an eye out. Hall Marsh Scrape and Cornmill Meadows is a regular stop for migrate birds making their return journey so you can get some spectacular sights. Winter The Bittern is the star of the winter show in River Lee Country Park, returning to Turnford and Cheshunt Pits yearly. The Wildlife Discovery Centre is a great spot to see them. There are some other great winter visitors like Gadwall and Shoveler. It’s worth looking out for more uncommon visitors such as Pintail. Alder thrives in the damp habitats around the pits and provides excellent feeding opportunities for flocks of tits, which are joined by large flocks of Siskin and Redpoll in the winter months. Holyfield Hall Farm is planted up with crops like Quinoa and Millet which provides a great food source for Yellowhammer and Linnet. You can also spot winter thrushes like Fieldfare and Redwing. A variety of ducks come to Hall Marsh Scrape like Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon as well as large flocks of Lapwing. Some rarities have been spotted to like Spoonbill and Spotted Crake. Cornmill Meadows flooded meadows are great for spotting large flocks of Wigeon and Teal. You might also see Snipe feeding amongst the rushes. Take a read of our blog Love autumn Autumn has arrived after a very dry summer, and we're looking forward to making the most of the season in the Lee Valley. From enjoying the changing colours of the leaves and spotting local wildlife to attending seasonal events and getting active in the cooler weather, there's plenty to explore. Aug 27 Spotlight on autumn wildlife The autumn flora and fauna highlights in Lee Valley Regional Park. Sep 1, 2025 Our Volunteers Calendar is back for 2027 helping mark our big birthday! Our 2027 calendar, which showcases images taken by our volunteers, is now on sale 4 days ago Upcoming events The Music is Black Date: running until 3 January 2027 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park See more > Lifewalk - open space Date: 23 October Time: 10:00 Open Spaces See more > Minithon Date: 24 October Lee Valley Athletics Centre See more >