What Happened To London’s Olympic Park, Stratford?

In August 2012 Olympic fever hit London. The Olympic Games held in the UK capital were a huge success with tickets quickly selling out and a jubilant atmosphere descending upon London. My husband and I got tickets to the wrestling at the ExCel centre. Not exactly a sport I was massively familiar with but it was an interesting experience especially as we were sat opposite rows of North Koreans cheering on one of their compatriots. But I was also lucky enough to go to the Olympic Park in Stratford for the first day of the athletics. A friend had a spare ticket which they offered my husband but as he was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, insisted I go. Well, me and my heavily pregnant self jumped at the chance.

It was an amazing day. The volunteers working at the grounds welcomed us with open arms and gave their help and guidance with sincere enthusiasm. As we entered the packed stadium the atmosphere was electric. Just being there was magical let alone being able to see the likes of Jennifer Ennis and Greg Rutherford. I hadn’t been back to Stratford since that day – until four years later. On a hot September day as the Rio Olympics and Paralympics drew to a close on the other side of the world, we were guided through the area with friends who live nearby. I was incredibly impressed with what I saw and, although far more sedate than four years previous, there was still a magic and I felt there was a very special legacy which has been left by London 2012.

Prior to the London Olympics, the Stratford site was an industrial site. Now it is multi-functional space. As well as offices and residential areas, there is also a huge Westfield shopping centre, playgrounds, sporting facilities, restaurants and food markets. And it hasn’t finished yet! By 2021 there will be a new V&A Museum and Sadlers Well as well as a space for the London College of Fashion. The ambitious (and expensive) project hasn’t been without its critics but since it reopened in April 2014, the Olympic Park has welcomed more than 11 million visitors and the stadium is now home to West Ham Football Club.

Visiting with our daughters and our friend’s two-year-old boy, I was struck by how set up it was for families. Here’s a photo journey of the walk we took around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Starting at the entrance close to Leyton tube station (on the central line), we were immediately treated to a huge playground area for all ages with a curved path which saw skateboarders whizzing past. On the other side there were some tennis courts. Crossing over a bridge we then came to the East Village. Once home to the Olympic athletes during their time competing in 2012, it is now residential apartments. In the distance we could spy the impressive Velodrome where the likes of Chris Hoy and the GB cycling team won a haul of gold medals. The Lee Valley VeloPark is now open to the public so if you are a budding cyclist or simply fancy having a go on the elevated track, it is possible to get kitted out, have a lesson and try your hand at track cycling. Wandering further along we came across some recently opened coffee shops and restaurants as well as a food market. On the verge next to it, people lounged on colourful bean bags: reading, chatting, basking in the Sunday sunshine. It felt like a very chilled area. Although we were just about ready for lunch, we decided to push on and keep walking. I was impressed at how much green space there was and how much thought had gone into helping people utilise the area. We passed groups of people making use of the permanent BBQs. On our way to the restaurant, we passed the media building used by the world’s press during London 2012 and were treated to some fantastic views of the Olympic Stadium and the UK’s tallest structure, the ArcelorMittal Orbit. It was finally time to eat and we settled on an Italian which did decent food. After a good feed we continued the route. Heading towards Stratford station we wandered along the canal, my daughter riding ahead on her scooter, showing little signs of tiring after her long walk. Street art adorns the walls and bridges by the waterways while barges and house boats are moored up. Glancing across to the opposite side of the canal, we could see people enjoying the bars and restaurants of trendy Hackney Wick. And then finally we are there. The Olympic Stadium. Without the crowds and Olympic branding, it certainly looked different from my last visit. The West Ham lettering now sits at the top and as the sun dropped lower and Sunday evening drew in, the area was very still and quiet. Next to the stadium is Sir Anish Kapoor’s ArcelorMittal Orbit, a landmark feature unveiled for London 2012. For the brave (and over eights), you can ride its slide. The park has some wonderful touches to it. I looked up at one of the pathways and saw lights shaped like decorative globes looking down on me. A short walk from the Olympic Stadium is the London Aquatic centre where Rebecca Addlington won gold. An incredibly impressive building, close to Stratford station, there’s no mistaking its ‘wave’ design by architect Zaha Hadid. It is open to the public, of all abilities, to use at a similar price to many other local swimming pools. My friend often goes there and disclosed that while swimming she has spied Olympic diver, Tom Daley, in training. You certainly don’t get that at most local pools! The serene peaceful space of the large Olympic Park was quickly shattered as we made our way to Stratford tube and rail station. It was buzzing with people, many of whom had no doubt been making use of the huge Westfield shopping complex. There’s plenty of restaurants there and a cinema too.

We bid our friends farewell and reflected on a wonderful day. Much different from the one four years ago but I was incredibly pleased that the space had been put to good use. It has breathed new life into the area and made it a destination I shall not be waiting another four
years to visit again.

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