Page 256 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

254  L ONDON AREA B Y AREA

e Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

As the only city to have hosted the Olympic Games three times – in 1908, 1948 and 2012 –
London is justifiably proud of its place in Olympic history. The main site for the 2012 Olympics
and Paralympics was a 225-hectare (560-acre) area of land stretching along the River Lea in
east London, which was previously a fairly bleak former industrial area. The main attractions
today are immediately familiar to anyone who watched the events: a series of large, functional
but striking venues dotted amid meandering waterways and surrounded by quintessentially
English wildflower gardens. Renamed Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to commemorate the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the site has been transformed into a permanent
leisure attraction. Renovation continues around the periphery, but there is
plenty to see and do, particularly if you catch one of the numerous events
hosted here, including big sporting events and live music, or go
equipped to try out some sports.

KEY
1 Lee Valley Hockey and
Tennis Centre
2 Mountain bike trails
3 Olympic Rings
4 Wetlands Walk
5 Underpass to Stratford
International station

Waterways and Wetlands
There are 6.5 km (4 miles) of waterways, including
stretches of the River Lea and its tributaries and
sections of canal. In the north of the park a wetland
area known as the Waterglades has been created,
complete with wetland plants to attract wildlife.

Hackney Wick
station

Copper Box Arena
An indoor arena that hosted the handball and modern
pentathlon fencing during the Games now hosts
numerous indoor sporting events.

Olympic Stadium
Substantially redesigned since
the Games, the stadium now
hosts sporting and music
events. It is the home of West
Ham United FC and also the
National Competition Centre
for athletics in the UK.

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