5 facts about London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Originally known as the London Olympic Park during the Games in 2012, it was renamed to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and is now known as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Since the Olympic Games, the park and its facilities have been extensively redeveloped and opened to the public and it’s now one of London’s most famous attractions. 

If you think you know everything there is to know about the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, think again! From how to get there, to things to do in and around the park, we’ve rounded up a series of 5 facts that cover different aspects of the park that we think you might not know. It’s perfect pub quiz knowledge!

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is situated in Stratford, East London. The nearest station is Stratford, only a 15-minute walk away. As one of the most connected destinations in London there are numerous ways to get to Stratford, including 2 tube lines, the Elizabeth Line, overground, DLR, train, bus and bike. 

There’s plenty to see on your way there – why not stop for a bite to eat, admire the London skyline or hire a Boris bike and explore the area. . 

1.) Enjoy world class sports, music and culture at the London Stadium, take a tour or try out the London Marathon Community track.

2.) Visit the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the summer for fantastic views over London and learn about the development of the park. Top it off with a hair-raising ride down the world’s longest and tallest slide or take part in the UK’s highest freefall abseil!

3.) Swim or dive at the London Aquatics centre and imagine what it was like to swim in the 2012 Olympics or from there take a boat tour through the park. Boat tours take around 45 minutes and are weather dependent. 

4.) Take a walking tour of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to see how the space has been transformed since the 2012 Games. Start the Art in the Park trail at the History Trees found by the Park’s entrances, or explore the Landscape and Biodiversity trail starting at the Great British Gardens. Enjoy the area’s green and tranquil spaces  and relax and recharge. In spring what could be nicer than visiting the  beautiful London Blossom Garden, a peaceful haven for people and wildlife alike. 

5.) Take to your bike at the Lee Valley Velopark. Have a go at  track cycling in the award-winning velodrome, try your hand at the thrilling Olympic BMX course or simply go off-road with 8km of traffic-free mountain bike trails. 

1.) Now called the London Stadium, the venue is home to West Ham United football team

2.) Throughout the year the stadium also hosts events that range from UK athletics and baseball to major live bands and artists. 

3.) The stadium has a huge capacity and can seat 60,000 football fans or host 80,000 concertgoers. 

4.) You can explore the stadium with guided tours that take you behind-the-scenes, including the West Ham United FC dressing room, players’ tunnel and pitchside areas. Devoted football fans will love the two-hour Legends Tour, led by former West Ham players that brings you to areas of the stadium normally only open to players and management. The tour includes an exclusive 30-minute Q&A session and personalised photo. 

5.) The London Stadium also houses the London Community Marathon Track (LCMT), a fantastic community space that hosts athletics clubs and events and which is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The floodlit space boasts a 400-metre track, full-sized 11-a-side grass football pitch and athletic field event space. 

1.) Shop ‘til you drop at the world famous Westfield Stratford.

2.) Visit the Howling Hops Brewery or Crate brewery for a taste of local craft beer or to attend  one of their fun events.

3.) Visit the Stratford picture house, a luxury 4-screen cinema showing the latest big releases as well as British and international art-house films

4.) Keep the kids entertained at the Tumbling Bay playground.

5.) Enjoy the spring and summer months having a rooftop drink while challenging your friends to a game of bowling at Roof East. 

Want to find out more and keep up with activities in and around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park? Download theStratford Cross app and catch up with all things Stratford! The app is available on the App Store and the Google Play Store.