The Secrets of the Northern Queen Elizabeth Olympics Park

The pioneering walk. The walk that explored this area decades before the 2012 ballyhoo was even dreamt of. All that hoop-la is now history as well but it has made its mark. An out-of-the-way, hardscrabble, forgotten corner of London is now a jaw-dropping contrast of old and new. And, yes, the new of course comes into this walk – the Olympic Park, the Stadium, the Aquatics Centre, the Velodrome, Here East, etc. – how could it be otherwise? That said, it’s still that old, came first, pioneering walk – it’s just that it’s got the “Bolt”-on of that 2012 supercharge! That “old, came first, pioneering walk” with its “historic parts” that are centuries, not months, old. Historic parts centred on the River Lea, for centuries the cradle of much of London’s history going right back to Roman times. And from those earliest beginnings the long, long march forward. King Alfred, for example, made use of the River Lea in his “dealings” with the Danes.

Then there’s Carpenters Road Lock. This lock is in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium and is technically unique in Britain. A double radial gate lock, it was designed to cope with floods and tides. Restored after many years disuse, it is again passing boats through to the Bow Back Rivers.

 N.B. this walk is conducted in partnership with the Inland Waterways Association. It’ll be guided by a member of the Canal Guides team.

THE SECRETS OF THE NORTHERN QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPICS PARK – THE PRACTICALS

The Secrets of the Northern Queen Elizabeth Olympics Park takes place at 2.30 pm on Sunday, May 24.

The meeting point is just outside the exit of Stratford station, by the “Newham London” sign.