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The Lee Valley Regional Park is a 26-mile long park in Essex, Hertfordshire and London in England. It has had a special legal status for almost 80 years, set aside "for recreation, sport, entertainment and the enjoyment of leisure". The valley takes its name from the River Lee (or Lea).

A wide river on a sunny day: on the left, cyclists and pedestrians on the towpath, on the right, canal boats
The Lee Navigation, which runs through the Lee Valley Regional Park between Ware and the River Thames in London

Venues and attractions in the Lee Valley include the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford (home of the London 2012 Olympic Games) several marinas and moorings, a network of cycle routes, angling (fishing) areas, and green spaces.

Understand

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The Lee Valley Regional Park Act 1966 is:

An Act to establish the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority for the development, preservation and management for recreation, sport, entertainment and the enjoyment of leisure of an area adjoining the river Lee as a regional park.

The Lee Valley Regional Park Authority remains in control of the park today. It is based in Myddelton House, Enfield and has planning, sports and leisure, and environmental responsibilities.

The park is 26 miles long and around 10,000 areas all in all, spanning three counties. Some of the focal towns and destinations in and around the Lee Valley Regional Park are:

Essex

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Greater London

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Hertfordshire

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Get in

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By train

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The Lee Valley is well covered by National Rail and London Underground routes. It is very easy to travel into and around the Lee Valley, with trains every few minutes on some routes within London. There are also direct trains into the Lee Valley from surrounding destinations, including Cambridge, Chelmsford, Colchester, Ely, Hertford, Ipswich and Southend-on-Sea. The park is 26 miles long, so be sure to check which station is nearest to your final destination before you set off.

Some of the larger stations within the Lee Valley include:

By car

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Several major roads criss-cross through the Lee Valley. It is easily accessible from the London road network, and the UK motorway network. Various destinations within the Lee Valley, including the Lee Valley itself, feature on brown signs from some routes.

Major roads into the valley include:

By air

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There are two airports within 30 minutes of the Lee Valley. These are:

  • 11 London Stansted Airport (STN IATA) - international airport in Essex with flights to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Easy access to the Lee Valley by car using or by train into Bishop's Stortford (for onward local trains) and Tottenham Hale.
  • 12 London City Airport (LCY IATA) London City Airport on Wikipedia - international airport in East London with flights to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North America. Easy across the Lee Valley using  DLR .

There are direct trains into the Lee Valley Regional Park from:

Other nearby airports include 15 London Luton Airport (LTN IATA) Luton Airport on Wikipedia in Bedfordshire and 16 London Gatwick Airport (LGW IATA) in West Sussex.

Get around

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See

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The Lee Valley features rural country parks and gardens, and a collection of urban things to see throughout East and North London:

  • 1 Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, EN2 9HG, +44 300 0030 610, . The lifelong home of gardener E A Bowles, each season brings a new splash of colour to Myddelton House in Enfield. Look out for spring crocus and wisteria, and autumnal scenes in the treetops. Myddelton House (Q26350051) on Wikidata
  • 2 River Lee Country Park. Check the website for closure dates. Across Waltham Abbey in Essex and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, picnic, relax, bathe in blossom, and look out for water wildlife at this 1,000 acre park in the Lee Valley. River Lee Country Park (Q7337570) on Wikidata River Lee Country Park on Wikipedia
  • 3 Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY. Limited opening. Discover the explosive history of the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey - one of just three in the UK. The Royal Gun Powder Factory was bought by The Crown in 1787. Features temporary and permanent exhibitions, a theatre and an armoury. Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills (Q7966594) on Wikidata Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills on Wikipedia
  • Waltham Abbey Church, Waltham Abbey Church, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1XQ, . Allegedly the burial site of King Harold II, who died in 1066, marked with a stone slab.

Do

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The Lee Valley Regional Park was set up with leisure and entertainment in mind. There are plenty of things to do in the park, including:

  • 1 Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB, +44 300 0030 616, . The London 2012 Olympic Games canoe and kayak venue, the Lee Valley White Water Centre is open to the public for rafting or paddling. Includes courses and public sessions. Lee Valley White Water Centre (Q933416) on Wikidata Lee Valley White Water Centre on Wikipedia
  • 2 Lee Valley Golf Course, Lee Valley Leisure Complex, Meridian Way, N9 0AR, +44 300 0030 631, . A parkland golf course, an oasis surrounded by high-rise London. 18 holes (par 67) on the banks of the River lee. Narrow fairways and water hazards are designed to challenge experienced players, with short yardage tailored to beginners. Lee Valley Leisure Complex (Q15242184) on Wikidata Lee Valley Leisure Complex on Wikipedia
  • 3 Swim or gym at London Aquatics Centre, E20 2AQ. The London 2012 Olympic Games swimming pools and diving centre. Open to the public - both members and casual sessions. London Aquatics Centre (Q308874) on Wikidata London Aquatics Centre on Wikipedia

Buy

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

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Go next

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  • London's West End, the UK's capital city, with its galleries, museums, theatres, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, is a short train ride from the Lee Valley.
  • Greenwich - just over the River Thames, home to the Royal Observatory, charming town centre amid the bustle of London, and an enormous park
  • Cambridge, a world-famous university city, is roughly an hour from the Lee Valley by train or car.
  • Hertford - Hertfordshire's county town with a castle, historic streets, food, drink and lounge bars.
  • Southend-on-Sea, seaside resort, is home to the world's longest pier.
  • St Albans - a charming cathedral city with plenty to do, eat and drink in Hertfordshire
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