Last week I was invited by Visit Essex and Lee Valley Regional Park to explore the area by bike from my accommodation at Lee Valley Sewardstone Campsite.
Lee Valley regional park is connected with a network of cycle lanes, quiet country lanes and the River Lee Towpath. I spent 3 days on a bike exploring the area and visited:
🚲 Myddelton House Gardens, the home of botanist E A Bowles. I was given a tour by the head gardener and shown a lot of unique features and flowers. Including a special collection of Iris, Nerines and Snowdrops.
🚲 Gunpowder Park, an award winning park created on an old Royal Ordnance site concerned with munitions testing now given over to nature and conservation
🚲 Epping Forest, at 6000 acres this is the largest public open space in south Essex and London. The ancient forest is accessible from the capital by bike or train and a 25 minute cycle from Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone.
🚲 River Lee towpath, accessible directly from the back of the campsite. Heading south and only one hour away by bike you reach Stratford Shopping Centre and The Olympic Park. The towpath is lined with barges for much of the route, old locks and an abundance of wildlife on the water.
Covering 40 miles on bike over the 3 days, immersed in the countryside and mostly off road, was a joy. I just love staying in the glamping pod at the campsite, heading out on solo adventures and discovering new places
Find out more about:
- Lee Valley Campsite Sewardstone here.
- Lee Valley here.
- Epping Forest here.
- Visit Essex here.
- Myddelton House here.
