Lee Valley Park

About Lee Valley Park

Lee Valley Park covers 40 km2 (10,000 acres) and is 42 km (26 miles) long. It runs from Ware in Hertfordshire, through Essex and North East London, following the course of the River Lea, and was created by a unique Act of Parliament as a ‘green lung’ for those counties. The park is a diverse mix of countryside, urban green spaces, heritage sites, country parks, nature reserves, lakes, rivers and canals. Various areas within the park have been awarded the Green Flag, the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales.

Fauna and Flora

The park is home to numerous nature reserves, open spaces, parks and gardens which provide diverse habitats for flora and fauna. There have been over 200 species of birds recorded in the valley, of which 150 are seen each year, including the rare Bittern, Great spotted woodpeckers, red kites, reed warblers and jays.

Over 35 mammal species have been spotted, including water voles and otters. There are many insect species, notably several rare moth and butterfly species and over half of the UK’s dragonfly species.

There are also over 500 recorded plant species.

Activities

There are many activities available along the length of the park, including facilities for angling (25 venues), athletics, canoeing and kayaking, cycling, golf, hockey, horse riding, indoor ice skating, marinas for boating (sailing and rowing), orienteering, running, tennis and white water rafting.

Other facilities include campsites and other accommodation for extending your stay, indoor and outdoor children’s play areas and farms, picnicking spots and many walks and nature trails with lengths to suit all ages and abilities.