Get Active in the Lee Valley this Mental Health Awareness Week

As Mental Health Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the mental wellbeing of communities across the UK, we are delighted to announce the launch of three new health walks in the south of the park, offering broad appeal to those with low activity levels, people looking for social engagement and those working on endurance and fitness.

All three are led by our park staff and trained volunteers and set off from Lee Valley Ice Centre in Leyton and Lee Valley VeloPark on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, exploring the glorious open spaces of urban east London. The three levels cater for walkers from beginner to endurance level.

· Tea, Talk & Walk – every Wednesday at 9.30 – Sociable walk designed for beginners.

· Lifewalks – every Wednesday at 11am – Our highly popular Lifewalks has a new dedicated weekly slot. Caters for all levels and abilities. Route lengths vary.

· Endurance Walks for Wellbeing – monthly – Routes exceed four miles. For those wanting to maintain consistent activity and improve mental wellbeing through exercise.

These new targeted walks – accredited by The Ramblers - have been added to the park’s Get Active programme, aimed at encouraging those who are inactive, living with health conditions or facing social isolation become more active. The Authority works with GP’s, health and social care teams and health support groups to encourage people to take part in a wide range of new and established activities in its 26 miles of outdoor space in Lee Valley Regional Park.

There are currently 21 free sessions a week on offer. These include:

Activity Nordic Walking

Frequency Induction, then weekly on Mondays

Location River Lee Country Park

Activity Sensory Walks

Frequency Monthly

Location Gunpowder Park

Activity Multisports & outdoor group exercise – run by Our Parks

Frequency Several weekly sessions

Location Wathamstow Marsh/Leyton Marsh

Activity Indoor group exercise class

Frequency Mondays from 11 May 2027

Location Lee Valley White Water Centre

Activity Swim Together – Cold Water Swimming for mental health

Frequency Monthly from May 2027

Location Lee Valley White Water Centre

Activity Cycling for health

Frequency Wednesdays @ 10am

Location Various locations

For details on dates and locations for events, head to our Visit Lee Valley website What’s On page.