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7 things ABBA fans will LOVE about the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

7 things ABBA fans will LOVE about the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Story 08/09/2022

Dear fellow ABBA enthusiast, 

We are writing to you today because we understand that, thanks to ABBA Voyage, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park can look forward to welcoming you (and thousands like you) each day for the foreseeable future. 

We've whittled down a list of seven fun things to do on the Park that we think that ABBA fans will love most.

Plus, look out for an exclusive ABBA ticket-holder offer which enables a whole new perspective on the ABBA Arena. 

Haugen

Haugen is an all-wooden, rustic-chic bar and restaurant with views across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Without a doubt, the most ABBA-esque venue on the Park....obviously after the ABBA Arena.

It's not strictly Swedish, but it's inspired by the Alpine culture and serves modern versions of classic Alpine dishes, including cheese fondue - which comes with schnapps (to be enjoyed if you drop a piece of your bread into the cheese – it's an old Swiss tradition). 

The atmosphere is reminiscent of Alpine chalets with large windows bathing diners in natural light.  

Visit Haugen's website to check out what's on at the bar (with an extensive wine list) or to book a table at the restaurant, which is open from until night.

Cheese fondue at Haugen restaurant

Tina We Salute You  

Tina We Salute You is probably where you're most likely to hear your favourite ABBA song.   

This trendy, inclusive LGBTQ+ bar is named after a 1950s poster of a woman called Tina (which takes pride of place in the bar itself). 

It's a mysterious, hidden East London gem that's off the beaten track. The one thing we do know is that it was a Time Out 'Love London' award winner. 

And it serves great cocktails. 

Negroni bottle in a glass

ArcelorMittal Orbit

Skyline Views at the ArcelorMittal Orbit (and a money, money, money-off voucher) 

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is the UK's tallest sculpture and contains the world's longest tunnel slide. 

There is a viewing platform at the very top which has incredible 360-degree panoramic views. It offers one of the most iconic sights of London.

There are touch screen information panels to help you identify the capital's landmarks and a set of concave mirrors installed by Anish Kapoor – the designer of the structure itself. 

EXCLUSIVE ABBA TICKET-HOLDER OFFER 

See the ABBA Arena from a new perspective, as well as bird's-eye views of London's other landmarks (you can even see Wembley Stadium on a good day).   

Enter the code ABBAVOYAGE and get 2-4-1 tickets on all adult or senior Skyline View tickets. 

Arena with ABBA headline

Lee Valley VeloPark 

Lee Valley VeloPark is one of the most under-rated areas in the Park.   

It's a huge, awe-inspiring space, and there are usually cyclists tearing around the track at phenomenal speeds.  

There's a nice café in the VeloPark, serving a range of healthy and not-quite-so-healthy snacks. . 

Cyclists riding in velodrome

The Secret Garden (not its real name) 

Shhhh, there's a secret garden in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Apparently, it was designed by an 11-year-old competition winner and then created by renowned garden designer Sarah Price. The garden's real name is 'The Great British Garden' and was designed to provide a quiet area of solitude in such a bustling part of London. 

The garden intermingles rich and varied new planting designed for the London 2012 Games with existing (mostly sycamore) trees that had crowded the canal banks for decades. 

It's designed to take visitors on a journey of discovery through three gardens themed on the colours of Olympic medals: Bronze, Silver and Gold. 

The bronze section features reds, oranges and other fiery tones; the silver section features a human-sized sundial set within an area of silver-coloured paving. In the gold section, spiral planting leads to a stately oak tree.  

This garden really is 'off-the-beaten-track'. Even locals walk past it every day without knowing it exists. Plus, there's a quaint swinging chair for a nice sit-down. 

We'll share the secret location with you.  

Two people walking on path through trees

Barge East 

 Barge East is an award-winning dining experience set on a 114-year-old Dutch barge.  

The barge was piloted across the somewhat perilous 90-mile stretch of North Sea (between Dan Helder in Holland to our very own Hackney Wick) by the current owners.  

Beautifully lit with fairy lights, the restaurant area extends into an edible garden adjacent to the barge and serves delicious food, including a range of burgers. 

The food is excellent – in fact, Barge East was voted London's number one restaurant for 2019  –  2020 and has recently won a prestigious Catey award for best newcomer. 

We can personally recommend the burgers!

Side view of Barge East barge docked in canal

London Blossom Garden 

For a change of pace visit the London Blossom Garden. It's a beautiful but poignant garden that commemorates those who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.  

It also pays tribute to London's brave key workers who risked their own lives to help others and keep our city moving. Created in partnership with local residents and community groups, it's a place for you to enjoy spending time in. 

The garden acts as a permanent reminder of the lives that have been lost, a tribute to every single key worker, and a symbol of how Londoners stood together to help one another. 

It's also a peaceful place to reflect and be with nature. 

Vew of information board and path in garden

See you soon

We hope you enjoy your day out on the Park and of course the incredible ABBA Voyage! 

For more information on the comings and goings of life on the Park – ABBA or otherwise – do register for our newsletter. 

And never forget; you are the Dancing Queen.