Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is more than a collection of stadiums left by London 2012. In Stratford, east London, it is a public landscape where sports venues, cultural institutions, waterways and neighbourhood life share the former Games site. The park is open every day, and entry to the parklands is free; attractions, performances and sports facilities may charge separately. This makes it possible to plan anything from a riverside walk to a day of sport and culture, provided you check which venues and paths are operating on your chosen date.

From the 2012 Games to an everyday city park

The site was built for London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Its operator describes it as part of a wider effort to regenerate east London and leave permanent venues for residents and visitors. After the Games, the landscape was reshaped for public use and its facilities became sports, event and cultural destinations. Its legacy is visible in both the architecture and everyday activities.

Recognizable venues include London Stadium, Copper Box Arena, London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Their programmes range from swimming and cycling to football, concerts and indoor sport. The ArcelorMittal Orbit adds a visitor attraction and a prominent public artwork. Operators, opening arrangements and ticket systems differ, so a park visit does not automatically include a match, museum, ride or pool session.

The cultural side has grown around East Bank, a cluster of arts, education and creative organisations. Sadler’s Wells East, V&A East and others add performances, exhibitions and learning spaces to a landscape once known chiefly for competition. Check current listings before building a day around a particular show. Elite sport, cultural venues and public green space sit close together, but each calls for its own plan.

Waterways, gardens and open-air routes

Green space gives the park a slower rhythm between venues. The official visitor guide highlights lawns near the Olympic rings, the London Blossom Garden, landscaped gardens and paths beside the River Lea. The blossom garden’s 33 trees represent London’s boroughs, including the City of London. A walk along the waterways offers a different way to read the site: canals and river paths connect open lawns with bridges, public art and the structures built for the Games.

Picnics are welcome in many green spaces, and free walking trails help orient first-time visitors. Cafés, food stalls and restaurants include options around Timber Lodge, Riverside East and Hackney Bridge. Hours and businesses can change. Groups larger than 60 should contact the events team about locations and conditions; smaller picnics should still account for event notices and temporary closures.

Several facilities offer a simple reason to visit without buying an attraction ticket. The South Park Waterworks fountains are currently listed as operating daily from 10:00 to 17:00, but they are switched off three hours before events at London Stadium and on West Ham match days. The Visitor Information Point, in the Pavilion at Stratford Cross, 9 Endeavour Square, is listed as open every day from 11:00 to 16:00. Both details are time-sensitive, so check the live visitor-information page before travelling, especially during event season.

Sport, culture and event days

A visit can be built around one venue or several. The London Aquatics Centre welcomes swimmers and divers; Lee Valley VeloPark has road, track, BMX and mountain-bike facilities; Copper Box Arena hosts indoor sport and entertainment; and London Stadium stages major sporting and music events. The Orbit, museums, performances and food venues add further options. Each attraction sets its own prices, booking rules and age or safety requirements. Treat the park as a district of separate experiences rather than assuming one ticket covers the whole site.

On a quiet day, combine a parkland walk with one booked activity and a nearby meal. On event days, crowd management matters: the operator says specified roads close for West Ham home matches from about three hours before kick-off until three hours after. Concerts can also affect paths, entrances, parking and public transport. Check the official calendar and visitor notices, allowing extra time near the stadium.

The park’s scale rewards choosing a focus. Families may prefer a playground, fountains and a relaxed walk; sports fans can plan around a match or a booked session; visitors interested in design can trace the Olympic structures and public art; and culture-seekers can check performances at East Bank. Food and drink options make it easier to stay longer, but the schedule of a venue—not the park’s general opening status—determines whether a specific experience is available. A little advance planning prevents a free visit from turning into an unplanned walk past closed doors.

Getting there, access and what to check

Public transport is the easiest way to reach the park. The official travel page lists Stratford, served by the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, DLR, London Overground and National Rail; Stratford International is served by DLR and Southeastern High Speed 1; Hackney Wick by London Overground; and Pudding Mill Lane by DLR. The best station depends on the venue or entrance you need. Use the park map and current journey planner rather than assuming every station is equally close to every destination.

The park says its public routes include step-free access, firm surfaces and regular seating, while individual venues publish more detailed accessibility information. Its Park Mobility service can provide manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters, a small electric buggy and sighted guides for visitors with visual impairments. The service operates from the Information Point, generally 11:00–16:00 daily; advance booking is strongly recommended because equipment and trained volunteers are limited. The current page lists wheelchair hire at £3 and scooter hire at £5 for the service day, with photo identification required and cashless payment.

At the time of writing, the operator says Stratford Waterfront’s public realm opened on 11 September 2026, with new walking routes. Road reconstruction is scheduled through 10 October 2026, and alternative routes are signposted. Paths near the River Lea may flood after heavy rain because the park is part of the Lea Valley flood basin; follow staff instructions and closure signs. Check current notices on the day.

The park is most rewarding when visitors see both famous venues and everyday public life. Come for a free walk, a swim, a concert, cycling or an exhibition, and notice how waterways and green spaces connect them. Before leaving, confirm your venue’s opening, event-day access, mobility support and construction diversions. The park is open daily, but the best route changes with the programme and the surrounding city.