The Wave
£50m surfing destination planned for Lee Valley Leisure Complex
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is working with inland surfing specialists, The Wave, on plans to bring a world class inland surfing destination to Lee Valley Leisure Complex in Enfield, north London.
The £50m project led by The Wave, would transform around 100 acres of land adjacent to Lee Valley Athletics Centre in Edmonton, bringing both visitors and jobs to the area.
Plans for the state-of-the-art facility, that will be named The Wave London, have been in development for several years. In February 2025 the team behind the project signed an agreement with wave-making technology provider, Endless Surf, who are able to overcome challenging site conditions and enable the project to proceed. It is hoped that a planning application will be submitted in the spring.
If approved by Enfield Council and the Mayor of London, London will become the first capital city in the world to offer inland surfing.
The Wave opened its first centre in Bristol in 2019. Its new masterplan for the London site has built on initial public feedback in 2022 about its vision to create an oasis of sport, health, wellbeing, relaxation, leisure, nature and biodiversity.
About the site
Lee Valley Leisure Complex is home to Lee Valley Athletics Centre, which opened in 2007, the refurbished 12 screen Odeon Luxe Lee Valley and a wedding and events venue, Lee Valley Golf Course and Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, Edmonton. The site is designated as Green Belt and has been used for leisure since the 1970s.
About the plans
If plans are approved by the London Borough of Enfield and the Mayor of London, The Wave London would provide a new purpose-built surfing lake offering waves for everyone to enjoy, set in amazing green space and featuring other elements, such as skateboarding, playparks, food and beverage options and additional health and wellbeing activities.
The existing lake in the north of the Lee Valley Leisure Complex will not be affected by The Wave London and within the project plans it is aimed to enhance biodiversity and open up this wonderful area of nature and green space to the public. The proposed plans also consider a golfing experience as part of the offer and the campsite would be reimagined as part of the development. Activities at the world-class Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Odeon Luxe Lee Valley and the wedding venue would continue as normal.
Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said:
“We are delighted that The Wave’s plans for our site in Edmonton are progressing. Lee Valley Leisure Complex has a history of breaking new ground in sport and leisure – from being the home of what was once Europe’s largest leisure centre to today’s hugely popular Lee Valley Athletics Centre. If these plans are approved, The Wave would be a phenomenal new regional leisure hub offering a variety of outdoor activities, with surfing as the incredible jewel in its crown.
“This would be a perfect addition to the sport and leisure opportunities on offer across the 26-mile-long Lee Valley Regional Park and make surfing accessible for millions of people. The proposed plans offer enhanced natural green spaces for the local community to enjoy and also look at the feasibility of retaining a golfing experience.
“We strive to provide opportunities that attract people from across London, Essex, Hertfordshire and beyond to enjoy Lee Valley Regional Park, and we feel The Wave has the potential to be a truly outstanding new leisure attraction.”
The facility will allow people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to have a go at surfing, whether it’s a child stepping on a board for the first time, or a pro-surfer training for the Olympics. Surfing is a rapidly growing sport which has seen a boost in popularity following its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. Accessibility to the sport has been held back by geographical limitations, weather conditions, swell conditions, wind, tide and daylight hours. The Wave London will overcome all of these issues, using technology to create perfect conditions, with up to 1,000 quality waves per hour and heights starting at 50cm and peaking at almost 2m. The development would sit on 56 acres of the site.
Speaking about The Wave London project, Hazel Geary, CEO of The Wave, said:
“I’m so excited that our plans to bring a slice of the ocean to London are progressing. We have been working closely with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority for a number of years to develop plans for this incredible, but underused, land in the London Borough of Enfield. To have found the right technology provider for this site and be able to consult on the revised plans is a big step forward.
“London is one of the world’s most dynamic and influential cities. With its diverse population, strong sports culture, and high volume of visitors, it is the perfect location for an inland surfing experience. We can’t wait to bring the many physical and mental health benefits of surfing inland, to an urban environment and to those who can’t easily access the coast.
“This site is in many ways a hidden oasis. As we have done in Bristol, we want to increase biodiversity, enhance the green space, help people access it and encourage everyone to get outside in nature.”
Updated: April 2025
This page will be updated with further information as we have it.