Day 1
The plan
Glide along the River Lea through the vibrant and wild East end of London. From the majestic weeping willows of Victoria Park through the hip neighbourhood of Hackney Wick, with its lively street art scene. Continue past the Olympic Park to the wilderness of the Hackney and Walthamstow Marshes and the Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve.
Opportunities to stop for refreshments at the Crate Brewery in the buzzing White Building or the Riverside Café in Springfield Park.
The Paddling
Three hours of gentle paddling on sheltered water in open canoes. No previous experience of paddling necessary but some level of fitness recommended. The route is 7km. There is morning paddle starting in Mile End and paddling North to Tottenham Hale and an afternoon paddle starting in Tottenham Hale and paddling South to Mile End.
Is it family-friendly?
This is a great trip for a family but we ask that there is one adult per child (drop us a line if this is an issue) so that we don't end up with an eight-year-old paddling solo and getting frustrated.