Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is far more than the preserved setting of the London 2012 Games. Across 560 acres, visitors move between playgrounds, wetlands, waterways, cultural buildings, public gardens and major sporting venues that continue to operate throughout the year.

The main challenge for first-time visitors is not finding something to do—it is understanding how far apart different experiences can be. The natural play landscape in the north, stadium district in the south, cultural buildings at East Bank and sports venues each create a different type of visit.

A family arriving only for Tumbling Bay Playground does not need to cross the entire park. Likewise, visitors interested in London Stadium, the Aquatics Centre or V&A East can plan a compact route from Stratford rather than treating the whole 560-acre site as one continuous attraction.

What Makes the Park Worth Visiting?

Understanding the North and South Park

The park is often easier to understand as two broad landscapes connected by paths, waterways and bridges.

Walking between the two can be enjoyable, but it is not always the best use of time with younger children. Saving a map before arrival helps avoid long detours around waterways, railway lines and venue boundaries.

The London 2012 Legacy

The site was originally prepared to host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. After the ceremonies ended, an eighteen-month transformation converted the competition landscape into a permanent public park, residential district and collection of working venues.

The result is not an untouched Olympic museum. Stadiums and sports centres have been adapted for new users, former event routes have become public paths, and new neighbourhoods, universities and cultural venues now occupy land once associated mainly with the Games.

Tumbling Bay Playground

Tumbling Bay is the main adventure playground in the North Park. Its appeal comes from using timber, sand, water, rocks and planting to create a landscape children can explore rather than a single fenced structure with one obvious route.

Tall wooden towers, rope bridges, slides and uneven routes suit children who enjoy climbing and physical challenge. Lower sand and water areas provide alternatives for younger children or those who prefer slower sensory play.

The official visitor update currently lists Tumbling Bay Playground as open. Because adventure equipment periodically requires maintenance, check the current visitor-information page rather than relying on an old social-media post.

Pleasure Gardens Play Areas

The South Park offers a different style of play. Large red artificial rocks form climbing surfaces and connect with broad slides, oversized swings and a substantial sand area.

This location is useful when the family wants to remain close to Stratford, London Stadium, the Aquatics Centre or East Bank. It is also easier to combine with the fountains during the warmer months.

The outdoor climbing wall

A separate red climbing wall occupies the space left by a bridge used during the 2012 Games. Its handholds are intended for traversing and low bouldering rather than roped climbing.

Waterworks Fountains

The fountains outside London Stadium use 195 individually controlled jets to create changing corridors and walls of water. They are one of the most popular free warm-weather attractions for younger visitors.

Children are likely to become completely wet even when they initially plan to stand only at the edge. Bring a towel, dry clothes and footwear with grip.

Waterways and the 6.5km Nature Trail

The restored waterways are one of the park’s quieter strengths. A free 6.5km loop follows five of the Bow Back Rivers and passes through wetlands, landscaped riverbanks and landmarks associated with London 2012.

The official estimate is around ninety minutes, but families, photographers and wildlife watchers should allow longer. Bridges and changes in level create different views, while cafés and seating allow the walk to be divided into shorter stages.

The waters are part of a working urban environment rather than a fenced visitor attraction. Keep children close near edges and follow temporary signs when paths are redirected.

Wetlands, Meadows and Wildlife

The greener North Park was designed around the River Lea and its floodplain. A large wetland bowl provides open sloping lawns in normal conditions while also helping manage high water levels.

Wildflower meadows, reed beds, woodland planting and wet areas were created as functioning habitats, not only decoration. The park’s biodiversity programme includes multiple habitat types spread over more than 45 hectares.

Depending on the season and time of day, visitors may encounter:

• Herons and other water birds
• Dragonflies and damselflies
• Reed-associated birds
• Bats around waterways at dusk
• Bees and butterflies in meadow planting
• Frogs, newts and other amphibians

London Blossom Garden

The London Blossom Garden is a permanent memorial to the city’s experience of the Coronavirus pandemic and a tribute to key workers. It provides a more reflective atmosphere than the nearby play and sports areas.

Thirty-three trees represent London’s boroughs and the City of London. Cherry, cherry plum, crab apple and hawthorn varieties flower at slightly different times, extending the spring display rather than producing one very short burst of blossom.

Olympic and Paralympic Venues

The park’s major venues operate independently, with their own tickets, programmes, opening hours and access rules. General park entry does not include swimming, stadium tours or specialist sports sessions.

Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit

ArcelorMittal Orbit remains the park’s most recognisable vertical landmark. It now operates as Zip World London, with paid experiences that include the high-level viewing area and the Helix tunnel slide.

The attraction should be booked and checked separately from the public park. Age, height, health and clothing rules may apply to the slide, while visitors interested only in the view can choose the appropriate admission option.

East Bank: The New Cultural District

East Bank has changed the character of the South Park. What was once mainly a route between Olympic venues now includes universities, performance spaces and major museum destinations.

By 2026, visitors can explore programmes connected with Sadler’s Wells East, UCL East, London College of Fashion and two V&A East locations. BBC Music Studios is the final major partner venue and is expected to open in 2027.

Each institution runs its own timetable. A building being present does not mean every gallery, performance or learning space is open without a booking.

Free Trails and Guided Tours

Visitors who want more direction can use free downloadable routes covering art, wildlife, children’s exploration and orienteering. Beginner, intermediate and advanced orienteering maps are available for both North and South Park.

Volunteer-led public walks normally last around ninety minutes and explain the transformation from the industrial and Olympic site into the present park. Paid stadium and boat tours offer more specialist experiences.

Boat Tours and Swan Pedalos

Seasonal boat tours and swan pedalos allow visitors to experience the park from the water. The service closes during winter and normally reopens in spring.

Boat tours run on selected dates rather than functioning as a guaranteed daily form of transport. Weather, river conditions and events can affect the programme.

Food, Drinks and Picnic Options

The park no longer depends on one central café. Food and drink are spread between Timber Lodge, Riverside East, Hackney Bridge, East Bank, Westfield Stratford City and independent venues around Hackney Wick.

Picnics are welcome. During busy summer events, choose a quieter lawn away from venue entrances and keep routes clear for other visitors.

Accessibility

Accessibility was incorporated into the park’s modern design. The principal routes use hard-standing surfaces, step-free connections and regular seating, while individual venues provide their own accessible facilities.

The London Blossom Garden has a hard-standing route and accessible seating. Timber Lodge also provides accessible facilities, including a Changing Places toilet.

A Practical Family Route from Stratford

A Practical North Park Family Route

Getting There

By Tube and Train

Stratford is the main transport hub, served by the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, DLR, London Overground, National Rail and other rail services. It is the most practical arrival point for the South Park, Westfield and East Bank.

Stratford International is served by DLR and Southeastern High Speed services and can be more convenient for parts of the North Park. Hackney Wick works well for Here East and the western park, while Pudding Mill Lane serves the south-western side.

By Bus

Several routes travel into or around the park. The 388 serves the Copper Box and Here East, the 339 passes the Aquatics Centre, and routes including the 108 and 308 connect with Stratford and other park areas.

Use live Transport for London information because major events can change road access and stop locations.

By Bicycle

The park has an extensive network of cycle routes and connects with surrounding east London cycling infrastructure. Slow down around shared paths, East Bank and family play areas.

By Car

There is no single general visitor car park serving every part of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Most on-site car parks belong to specific venues and are intended for customers using those facilities.

Opening Hours and Event Disruption

The public park is open 24 hours and free to enter, but this does not mean every path, playground or attraction remains available at all times.

London Stadium matches, concerts, filming and construction can temporarily close roads, paths or lawns. The visitor-information page should be checked on the day, not only when the trip is first planned.

How Long Should You Allow?

Best Time to Visit

Spring is particularly attractive for blossom, fresh planting and comfortable walking. Summer offers fountains, boating and long daylight, but events can create closures and heavy pedestrian traffic.

Autumn works well for walking and waterside colour. Winter provides quieter parkland, although fountains and boat activities are normally unavailable and daylight is limited.

A weekday morning is the easiest option for families who want a calm playground visit. Visitors attending a stadium event should expect a very different atmosphere, with security zones, diversions and crowded transport.

Useful Tips Before You Go

• Choose North Park, South Park or East Bank before travelling.
• Save the official map to your phone.
• Check the live visitor-information page for closures.
• Bring spare clothes for fountains and water play.
• Book sports, Orbit and cultural performances separately.
• Do not assume venue parking is general public parking.
• Allow extra walking time with children or mobility equipment.
• Use public transport on stadium event days.
• Bring water and sun protection in summer.
• Keep children close around rivers, canals and busy cycle paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Final Assessment

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is most successful when visitors stop treating it as a frozen memory of 2012. The Olympic venues remain important, but playgrounds, East Bank, waterways and new neighbourhoods now give the park a much broader identity.

Families receive excellent value from free play areas, fountains and trails. Sports fans can book world-class facilities, while adults interested in culture can combine V&A East or Sadler’s Wells with a waterside walk.

The principal weakness is scale. Attractions that appear close on a map may still require a substantial walk, and stadium events can alter routes without much warning. Choosing one zone and checking live information solves most of these problems.

Facilities Summary