a stroll in the Lee Valley Park

Slawek and I live very close to the Lee Valley Regional Park and visit it quite often to get a breath of fresh air. The park covers huge areas of green open space, heritage sites, nature reserves, recreational facilities, sport centres and country parks. 

There are so many things to do there... you can enjoy many sport and recreational facilities such as the Athletic Centre and Leisure Complex... you can go skiing in the Ice Centre, play golf, use swimming pools... you can horse ride, fish, cycle, bird watch, camp there, play football and explore the countryside... 

Slawek and I took Angie and went for a long stroll in this enormous park that stretches almost 42 km (26 miles) along the grassy banks of the River Lee, from Hertfordshire, through Essex, to the Thames at East India Dock Basin. Of course, we didn’t make it on foot from start till the end... but maybe one day... who knows...:)

Among many other things, Walthamstow Marsh Nature Preserve and Coppermill Fields are my favourite. They stretch along the River Lee and its elongated lowlands and grasslands and their plant, animal and insect life is very unique in Creeping Marchwort. There is a great network of paths and trails and you can see many small herds of old breed farm animals grazing on growing grasses and herbage.

Thanks to the Lee Valley Boat Centre, you can cruise to London on one of the narrow boats (we would love to try this one day... it must be real fun) or you can have a quiet and relaxing trip up the river in an electric pleasure craft... you can enjoy a great day out sailing, canoeing or rowing as well as windsurfing, climbing, caving or rafting...

There are also many cycle routes leading through the countryside areas, urban green spaces and along riverside trails. Rivers and banks of lakes will guide you to various eye-catching meadows and pathways... and you will be able to cycle for over 48 km (30 miles) without seeing a car :))