The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was developed for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics as part of an ambitious urban regeneration project aimed at revitalizing the area of Stratford in East London. Spanning over 560 acres of former industrial land, the now green and vibrant space was built with sustainability in mind, and is a wonderful legacy for Stratford and East London. The construction process included extensive land remediation and the creation of new waterways, plus world-class sports facilities. State-of-the-art sporting venues like the Lee Valley VeloPark and the London Aquatics Centre are open for use by the public. The London Stadium now serves primarily as the home of West Ham F.C., and the Copper Box Arena hosts a variety of sporting events, from boxing and basketball to pro wrestling!
The AcelorMittal Orbit is a giant steel sculpture inside the park that was designed and built especially for the 2012 Olympics by Sir Anish Kapoor and the engineer Cecil Balmond. It offers 20-mile views across London and a slide that twists around the structure down to the bottom! For those interested in arts and culture, the park hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year, including performances at the ArcelorMittal Orbit and outdoor art installations.
As for nature, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic has plenty, with numerous paths for walking and cycling winding through the lush greenery. The River Lea and City Mill River also both run through the park, and nature-lovers can also explore the Wetlands Walk. The park can also be a great day out for families, with cafés and plenty of picnic spots, plus the purpose-built Tumbling Bay Playground.
Details
- Address:
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
- E20 2ST
- Transport:
- Stratford International Station or Hackney Wick Overground