London: Bicycling the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford
(Our reflection in one of the large signs outside the Copper Box Arena in the Park.)
Last Saturday Hannah, Rach and I spent the day biking around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which opened fully to the pubic in the spring. It still feels like one of London’s hidden secrets: it’s one of the best days I’ve had out this year, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. The transport links, unsurprisingly, are outstanding, and I was sitting in Wahaca, just opposite the park entrance in Westfield Stratford City less than 45 minutes after leaving my flat in Camden.
After our extensive brunch/early lunch at midday, and lots of talking about everything from global finance to sausage dogs, we walked across the road towards the Olympic Stadium. I was last here for the Longines Global Champions Tour show jumping tour last summer, and before that for the Olympics themselves, when I saw the Mens Hockey.
It’s hard to judge what, exactly has changed, and I am presuming the two year wait is down to the removal of all the temporary buildings, outdoor viewing areas and the scaffolded Riverside Arena, plus the addition of signage, and trails for visitors. (This is what it looked like in the summer of 2012.)
The Acelor Mittal Orbit and the Olympic Stadium (which is currently out of bounds, as it is being prepared for the 2015 Rugby), seen from under the curve of Zaha Hadid’s Aquatics Centre.
Our first stop off was the extraordinary curving Acelor Mittal Orbit tower, of which more later. (But which I highly, highly recommend visiting – another great under-sung London attraction.) The 360 degree views from the platform at the very top across London are quite extraordinary.
Afterwards, we walked down to the View Tube, a community hub a brisk five minute walk away, to hire our bicycles for the afternoon.
There are all sorts of arts activities and interactive spaces in the repurposed shipping containers at the View Tube, and if you have children it’s well worth a visit. (Do check on-line first.) There’s also a little cafe.
We biked the entire length of the Park up to Eton Manor, one of the Olympic venues, which is now a hockey and tennis centre.
Then we visited the Velodrome, which was a hive of activity, both inside, and on the BMX track adjacent to it. There is also a self-contained road cycling track, (good for teaching children to bike on in road conditions), and a mountain bike circuit, all of which are open to the public.
The velodrome also has a cafe, which is handy if your exertions mean you are gasping for water. (It sells ice creams and light snacks too.)
Biking the park is an absolute pleasure: the planting is ravishing, and there are all sorts of hidden paths, tracks and trails, both down by the River Lea, and all around the perimeter of the park. It’s quite flat too, so it’s perfect for a family day out, and it’s very disabled access very friendly, with ramp access to pretty much everything if you are in a wheelchair.
There are lots of activities for children, including a brilliant open access outdoor cross between a mini adventure playground and a jungle gym just by the stadium.
The more central areas of the park were busy with families having a day out, and picnicing in the fields, and there are all sorts of hidden and very beautiful private gardens, right in the lea of the stadium in which to think and relax.
We biked for just over an hour and covered pretty much every single part of the Park. There is a lovely looking cafe at the Acelor Mittal Orbit, but we ended up recuperating with coffee and cake after in Westfield on the way to the Tube, and then spent the next two days walking like John Wayne. We clearly all need to bike more.
The View Tube, The Greenway, Marshgate Lane, London, E15 2PJ. Nearest DLR: Pudding Mill Lane, or a 15 minute walk from Stratford tube/Westfield shopping centre
To book bikes in advance, call View Tube Bikes on 07957 346279 or get in touch via email at [email protected]
Cost from 1 Hour £5/ 2 Hours £7 / 3 Hours £9 / 5 Hours £11/ Day Rate £16. Family and group rates are available.
More information at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
