Download images: https://we.tl/t-t1Fi62VxpZ

As the nation prepares for more sporting drama why not choose to cheer on Team GB from the very place we toasted great success during that sensational summer in 2012 and where many of our elite athletes train.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has already welcomed so many of you back but with the government’s restrictions lifting on Monday, July 19 we expect to see more of you in the coming days, weeks and months.

And while restrictions have been relaxed, we want to reassure visitors there are still strict cleaning regimes in place on the Park and in our venues to help keep them safe.

There is always a special buzz on the Park when the Olympics roll around and none more so than this summer after the Games were put back a year because of coronavirus.

There are two screens where you can relax and take in all of the action from Tokyo as Team GB aim to build on their impressive hauls of 65 and 67 medals at London and Rio.

Head over to Here East - the home of the broadcast and media centre during the 2012 Games - or the International Quarter London where you can watch it unfold with a stunning backdrop which includes London Aquatics Centre (where diver Tom Daley and swimmer Ellie Simmonds train), the ArcelorMittal Orbit and London Stadium.

The opening ceremony kicks off at 11am on Friday, July 23 - to find more information visit Here East here and IQL here.

Aside from the sport, this is the best time of year to visit the Park. The sun is shining and the planting and wildflowers are blooming.  

One missing feature over the past few months - a favourite of many of our visitors - has been the Waterworks Fountain. With 195 individually controlled jets, people of all ages enjoy cooling down in the water and they can do so again from Monday, July 19.

Boats tour the River Lea in the heart of the Park, and the swan pedalos are back on the water alongside the real swans that have made their home here.

Our world class venues, such as the London Aquatics Centre, Copper Box Arena and Lee Valley VeloPark, have all been open to the public since April 12 when the government began step 2 of their lockdown roadmap.

All of our venues are being cleaned regularly to ensure you can work out, swim, or race around the Velodrome in a safe and hygienic environment.

It is also the perfect time of year to stretch your legs and take a stroll. So why not walk ‘The Line’ - London’s first dedicated public art walk. It all starts at the ArcelorMittal Orbit where you can enjoy views from the world’s tallest sculpture or have a go on the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide.

The walk takes you all the way from the Park down to the O2 Arena at North Greenwich. Find more information about the walk here. 

This is your Park and we want to continue to make it your favourite place to come because we know how much of an important part it has played in your lives over what has been a really tough time. 

We want to encourage you to keep visiting the Park and we will continue to take the necessary steps to make your visit as enjoyable and as comfortable as possible.

Things to do

Parklands and gardens

Whether you’re looking for all the space you need for those open-air workouts or want the perfect spot to sit down with friends and enjoy a picturesque picnic, the Park’s acres of parklands and gardens are the place for you! Find yourself surrounded by flowers from around the world at the 2012 Gardens, or wander through the Wetlands that are home to hundreds of different birds, waterfowl and amphibians. The Park is open daily and free for you to enjoy, whatever the weather! 

Swan pedalos and boat tours

Take to the water and explore the Park in a unique way this summer on our beautiful swan pedalos, or relax and unwind on a guided boat tour on the river that runs through the Park. Either option makes for a great day out for the whole family and there is social distancing guidance in place for visitors’ safety. The pedalos operate daily from 12pm – 5pm and boat tours run every day at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.

Perfect Picnic Spots

Make the most of the weather and enjoy eating outside with a picnic. Pick a spot among the landscaped gardens or in the wildflower meadows, or sit in the shade created by the iconic sporting venues from London 2012.  

Playgrounds

Alongside all the acres of parkland, there are playgrounds and places to play in both the north and south of the Park! The Pleasure Gardens, just off Tessa Jowell Boulevard in the south of the Park, is an open play area with oversized swings, slides and a giant sand pit! There’s even a climbing wall along the canal path! In the north of the Park, there’s plenty to explore at the iconic Tumbling Bay playground. Please note the northern pine tree section of Tumbling Bay playground remains closed.

We recommend that hands are washed carefully before and after using the play areas.

Trails of the Park

We know that lots of you are looking for fun outdoor activities over the summer, and we have plenty on offer – whatever your age! The Park offers a landscape full of opportunities to discover something new, including four interactive free trails! We’ve been celebrating the anniversary of London 2012 recently and you too can relive the highlights – from challenging yourself to beat Greg Rutherford’s winning triple jump to hearing the roar of Super Saturday! More information about all of trails – including the Kids Explorer and Biodiversity trails – can be found here. Don’t forget to tag us your photos of you doing them!

Food and drink

The Park is full of unique cafés, bars and restaurants to suit every taste – whether you want a quick bite or a three-course meal. Drop by Canalside at Here East for dinner with a view or head over to East Village where you’ll find plenty of options for a delicious meal and a socially distanced pint! For food on the go, The Last Drop café is your best bet. It’s open for takeaway every day 11am – 6pm. Wherever you are on the Park, you’ll find something to hit the spot!

Social distancing rules are in place at all outlets. Please respect fellow visitors by adhering to them at all times.

We know that days out are a bit different at the moment, and the safety and enjoyment of all our visitors is at the heart of everything we do. We have toilets open at the Park at The Podium and The Timber Lodge which have a robust cleaning schedule in place. We also have on-site teams patrolling the area, cleaning and landscaping. And of course, there are acres of Parklands in the north of the Park – perfect if you want the reassurance of social distancing as you relax.