10 Olympic Sites and Sports Experiences for Families in the UK

You’ll discover Olympic magic across London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where world-class sports venues have transformed into exciting family destinations. Your kids can splash in the Olympic Aquatics Centre‘s championship pools, race down the ArcelorMittal Orbit‘s thrilling 178-meter slide, and explore cycling disciplines at Lee Valley VeloPark. Don’t miss Tumbling Bay Playground‘s natural adventure spaces with treehouses and zip lines. These venues offer everything from stadium tours to multi-sport experiences that’ll spark your family’s athletic adventures.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: Adventure Playground and Iconic Attractions

Since the 2012 Olympics transformed this East London landscape, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has become one of the UK’s most exciting adventure destinations for families.

You’ll discover Tumbling Bay Playground‘s incredible features, including towering treehouses, wobbly bridges, and zip wires that’ll get your heart racing.

Kids can splash through water pumps and canals while exploring the massive Scots Pine adventure structure with its hollow tree form and rope nets.

The playground’s design mimics natural woodland environments, creating zones that encourage creativity and risk-taking play.

You’ll find giant red climbing rocks, sensory-rich areas perfect for ages 2-12, and inclusive all-ability swings.

The play structures blend seamlessly into the natural environment, with whimsical designs that include rock pools and sand pits resembling outdoor wonders.

Don’t miss the nearby Timber Lodge Café overlooking River Lea, the impressive Climbing Wall, or the spectacular Waterworks Fountains with 195 jets outside London Stadium.

London Aquatics Centre: Olympic Swimming and Water Play

Just steps away from the playground adventures, you’ll find one of London’s most spectacular swimming venues at the London Aquatics Centre. This amazing building, designed to look like flowing water, was where Olympic swimmers competed in 2012! Now it’s open for families like yours to enjoy.

You can swim in the same 50-meter pool where Olympic champions raced, plus there’s a separate training pool and diving area with platforms up to 10 meters high. The moveable floors create shallow areas perfect for younger kids during family sessions.

You’ll find lane swimming, learn-to-swim lessons, and fun water play times throughout the week. The family changing rooms and accessible features make it easy for everyone to enjoy this incredible Olympic legacy venue. Located on the southeast edge of Olympic Park, the centre offers direct pedestrian access from nearby Stratford and connects seamlessly to the surrounding area.

Lee Valley VeloPark: World-Class Cycling for All Ages

When you’re ready to experience world-class cycling like an Olympic champion, Lee Valley VeloPark offers four different types of cycling adventures all in one amazing location!

You’ll find track cycling on the stunning indoor velodrome where Team GB won seven Olympic golds, plus BMX racing with over 30 thrilling jumps and bumps. There’s also a one-mile road circuit and five miles of mountain bike trails for every skill level.

You can start with beginner sessions or try the exciting one-hour track taster experience. The family-friendly venue welcomes all ages with traffic-free trails and pay-and-ride options. Don’t miss the pump track for extra fun! The venue regularly hosts various cycling competitions throughout the year for spectators to enjoy.

Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this incredible cycling paradise transforms you into a champion rider.

Copper Box Arena: Multi-Sport Indoor Activities

If you’re looking for Olympic-level indoor sports action, the Copper Box Arena delivers incredible multi-sport adventures right in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park! This awesome venue, nicknamed the “Box that Rocks” during London 2012, hosted handball and goalball competitions where athletes competed for gold medals.

Today, you can play basketball, badminton, boxing, and martial arts on the same courts where Olympic champions once competed! The arena offers drop-in sessions where families can experience the thrill of playing where legends made history.

You’ll also catch exciting live games featuring the London Lions basketball team and London Pulse netball club. The venue’s design prioritized legacy planning, ensuring over 40 years of usability with flexibility to accommodate diverse event types and maximize utilization.

With 7,000 seats and an 80-station gym, it’s London’s third-largest indoor arena, making every visit feel like a championship experience!

London Stadium: Behind-the-Scenes Tours of Olympic History

While the Copper Box Arena lets you play like an Olympic champion, London Stadium takes you behind the scenes where Olympic legends actually made history! You’ll walk through the same tunnel where Usain Bolt prepared for his record-breaking races and explore the dressing rooms where athletes got ready for the biggest moments of their lives.

The stadium’s transformation from an 80,000-seat Olympic venue to West Ham United’s home is fascinating to discover. You’ll see how the seating converts between football and athletics events, and learn about the incredible engineering behind the roof. Your guide will share stories about David Rudisha’s world record 800m run and the spectacular opening ceremony. The stadium sits on what was once industrial land surrounded by multiple rivers, creating a unique island-like setting in east London.

Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, you can easily combine your stadium tour with playground time and exploring other Olympic venues nearby.

Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre: Racquet Sports and Team Games

Though tennis might seem like a quiet sport, Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre brings the excitement with courts where Paralympic champions once played their hearts out! You’ll find ten tennis courts and two Olympic-standard hockey pitches at this amazing venue in North London. Book indoor or outdoor courts for family matches, or join beginner-friendly coaching sessions during school holidays.

The centre welcomes everyone, including wheelchair players and those with disabilities.

Watch Great Britain’s hockey teams compete in thrilling international matches with up to 15,000 cheering fans! Your kids can try both sports through structured courses and camps. The site has been home to a sports facility continuously since 1920, originally known as Eton Manor. The state-of-the-art clubhouse offers changing rooms and social spaces.

This £30m facility transformed from the 2012 Paralympic venue into today’s incredible sporting destination where families create lasting memories.

Olympic Park Legacy: Family Cycling Routes and Outdoor Exploration

After experiencing the thrills of Olympic-standard hockey and tennis, you can explore Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park‘s incredible cycling adventures that stretch far beyond any single venue!

Traffic-free paths wind through the park, connecting 2012 venues like the stadium and velodrome with short 1-3km loops perfect for younger riders.

Head to Lee Valley VeloPark for amazing variety – try the floodlit one-mile road circuit, tackle 8km of mountain bike trails, or experience the indoor track and BMX course. Bike hire makes everything accessible without owning specialist equipment.

Venture further on canal towpaths connecting to Docklands, creating flat family routes with locks, historic sites, and café stops. The scenic River Thames route offers paved surfaces ideal for children on balance bikes, providing beautiful waterway views. These adventures combine Olympic history with outdoor exploration, building confidence and skills across cycling disciplines.

ArcelorMittal Orbit: Thrilling Slide Experience and City Views

Once you’ve conquered the cycling paths, Britain’s tallest sculpture awaits with heart-pounding adventures high above Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park! The ArcelorMittal Orbit stands 114.5 metres tall, featuring the world’s longest tunnel slide that’ll send you spiraling down 178 metres of pure excitement. You’ll zoom through 12 tight loops, including transparent sections where you can glimpse the twisted red tower structure rushing past.

Start your adventure at the observation platforms 80 metres up, where you’ll spot London landmarks like Big Ben and The Shard stretching 32 kilometres into the distance. Take the lift or challenge yourself with 455 steps up the spiral staircase. Each observation platform can accommodate approximately 150 visitors at a time, ensuring everyone gets their chance to soak in the spectacular views.

This incredible sculpture uses 2,000 tonnes of steel and stands as a permanent Olympic legacy that’s twice the height of Nelson’s Column!

Tumbling Bay Playground: Natural Adventure Play Space

While most playgrounds stick you with plastic swings and metal slides, Tumbling Bay Playground throws you into a wild adventure that feels like exploring an actual forest! You’ll scramble up tall treehouses, cross wobbly rope bridges, and spot the park from “birds’ nest” lookouts. The coolest part? You can build dams, pump water through channels, and dig in massive sand pits that make learning feel like play.

Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park beside the River Lea, this award-winning playground uses natural materials like timber and boulders instead of bright plastic. Whether you’re a toddler or teenager, you’ll find challenges that match your skills. The playground’s commitment to inclusive design earned it recognition from the Civic Trust Awards in 2014, ensuring children of all abilities can enjoy the natural adventure experience.

The nearby Timber Lodge Café keeps parents happy with snacks and river views while you explore for hours.

Olympic Venues Combined: Planning Your Multi-Sport Family Day

Beyond the natural playground adventures at Tumbling Bay, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park transforms into your family’s ultimate sports wonderland where world-class athletes once competed for gold medals. You’ll discover 560 acres packed with thrilling activities across multiple venues.

Start your adventure with the ArcelorMittal Orbit’s 80-meter tunnel slide—the world’s longest! Next, plunge into Olympic-sized pools at the London Aquatics Centre, then cycle traffic-free trails at Lee Valley Velopark.

Plan your route strategically since venues require short safety inductions for equipment hire. Multiple cafes and restaurants keep everyone fueled between activities. During summer months, families can also enjoy the UK’s largest urban beach from July to August.

You can combine swimming, cycling, tennis, and arena sports in one epic day, following interconnected paths throughout the park. Check schedules ahead since special events occasionally limit public access.

The Sum Up

You’ll create amazing Olympic memories with your family at these incredible venues! Don’t forget to pack snacks, comfortable shoes, and your camera for action shots. Plan ahead by booking tickets online and checking activity schedules. Whether you’re sliding down the ArcelorMittal Orbit or splashing at the Aquatics Centre, you’re following in the footsteps of Olympic champions. Start your adventure today and discover why these venues continue inspiring future athletes across the UK!