Lee Valley: An iconic regional park that’s perfect for summer 2012

If canoeing is your first love, then the facilities at Lee Valley will float your boat

Lee Valley is going to be the home of the canoeing for the Olympic summer games, and the park stretches over 26 miles of stunning and idyllic countryside.

The River Lee connects Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater London, with the park concluding near the East India Dock Basin in London's Docklands. The docks were significant for importing spices from around the world during the late 19th century, and many of the dishes we know and love today have been inspired through the discoveries of new flavours in this era.

Lee Valley has become synonymous with quite a few sports in the region, including horse riding and ice skating in addition to many others. In total, the park has four sporting venues, and the brand-new location for the canoeing is the Lee Valley White Water Centre which looks set to open in the spring of 2011. The investment is going to be a permanent asset for the area, and is one of the only venues that can be used by everyone before the games begin to take place in July 2012. Who knows: if you are visiting the local area, exploring the facilities at this brand-new complex may allow you to realise the challenges ahead of the athletes competing in the canoe slalom.

The canoe slalom course is the ultimate test of agility and speed

One of the most demanding and mentally-exhausting sports is the canoe slalom, with 82 athletes vying for four gold medals.

In the 80 years since the sport was introduced to the world in Switzerland, there have been considerable changes in the rules and the format of the event – and now, white water rapids are used to get the adrenalin pumping for spectators and participants alike.

The state-of-the-art facility at the Lee Valley Regional Park will show the talent of canoeists from around the world who need to need to negotiate through as many as 25 gates. There are two conditions: the first one being that no gates can be missed (which incurs a 50-second penalty on the athlete’s finishing time), and the other being that coming into contact with a gate adds a penalty of two seconds. As you can imagine, this means that serious concentration is required for success despite the high-speed nature of the sport.

Despite the course for the 2012 canoe slalom event being man-made and purpose-built for the sport, the conditions of natural white water rapids are going to be emulated through the use of pumps that recreate the demanding conditions athletes have to work with.

Best summer 2012 holiday accommodation

Where should you stay to watch the canoe slalom take place?

The canoe slalom event looks set to take place from Sunday the 29th of July to Thursday the 2nd of August 2012, and there are plenty of experiences to enjoy in between events – both at the Lee Valley Regional Park and in surrounding areas.

Attractions to visit

If you fancy reading the morning newspaper in a patch of sunlight flooded onto your table, there are few other places more idyllic than The Waffle House, situated in both Norwich and St Alban’s. It’s unexpected cuisine to find in Britain, with Belgian waffles made just the way you like it, along with fair-trade coffee and ethical produce.

Fancy some shopping?

St Alban’s is the place to go if you fancy shopping in some exquisite boutiques, with rare finds that you wouldn’t be able to buy in any high street chain. There are also some beautiful outlet stores that will make purchasing clothes and homeware a serious dilemma.

A restaurant we recommend...

If you are going to visit one restaurant while staying near the Lee Valley Regional Park, it has to be the Beautiful South restaurant in Enfield. Situated in Greater London, this restaurant serves brilliant French and Mediterranean cuisine for discerning guests.

Transport by canoe to Lee Valley isn’t an option...

Unfortunately, you can’t canoe to the Lee Valley Regional Park – but there are plenty of great alternatives. As the natural reserve is on the brink of Greater London, you are never too far away from the M25.

In addition, National Rail services can be found from Clapton, and the London Underground’s Victoria line is also obtainable from Tottenham Hale station. Long-haul and short-haul services to attend the canoeing will arrive at London Gatwick or London Heathrow.

Of course, once you are in close vicinity to the park, cycling between locations can be a great way to enjoy some exercise and the summer sunshine in beautiful surroundings.