In July we ran activities to mark the historic moment in making London the world’s first National Park City.
What is the National Park City Festival?
The festival was London’s largest free celebration of the outdoors, aimed at people of all ages. With lots of fun activities from culture and health and fitness to wildlife, the environment and more. Londoners were encouraged to discover new spaces and find fresh ways to get in touch with nature.
National Park City Redbridge*
Now the festival is over, you may wish to continue to enjoy some of the activities that were on offer, some of which are still free. Please see the list below:
Barley Lane Recreation Ground
Barley Lane, Ilford IG3 8ZZ
Nearest Tube/Train – Goodmayes station – Overground)
Nearest Bus – 86 Bus (Goodmayes retail park STOP N)
| Activity | Details |
| Bowls | Contact Barley Bowls Club |
Clayhall Park
Longwood Gardens, Ilford IG5 0EB
Nearest Tube/Train – Gants Hill – central Line
Nearest Bus – 462 Bus along Longwood Gardens (ring bell to stop)
| Activity | Details |
| Boxing | Contact Redbridge Amateur BoxingClub |
| Fitness with Corinne | Book your place here for Fitness with Corinne Enquiries: 07877779719 |
| Cricket | Contact Redbridge Cricket Club |
Fairlop Waters
Forest Road, Barkingside IG6 3HN
Nearest Tube/Train – Fairlop – Central Line
Nearest Bus – 462 Forest Road (Stop W Fairlop Waters) – or next stop (Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre for Paddle Boarding & Cycle rides)
| Activity | Details |
| Nordic Walk Nordic Walking is the fastest growing fitness activity in the world. It enhances ordinary walking through the use of poles which propel the walker along exercising the upper body muscles as well as the legs. Poles provided. | Wednesdays 11am-12noon (Intermediate) 1pm-2pm (Beginners) £5 Meet in Boathouse Bar – Instructor called Alvyn |
| Walking for Health Come join our social walking for health session around the beautiful Country Park and lake. | See our Walking for Health page. |
| Buggy Fit Buggy Fit provides a social, fitness class for Mums and babies. It has the perfect mix of cardio vascular fat burning exercises and strengthening, toning and stretching. The Buggy fit trainers use their expertise to make use of outdoor objects such as farm gates and park benches, to instruct exercises to re-tone muscles. | Tuesdays 10.30am-11.30am £3 Meet in Boathouse Bar |
| Yoga Come and join our fun friendly yoga session with great views of Fairlop Waters Country Park and lake. | Tuesdays 7.30pm-8.30pm £5 Meet in Boathouse Lakeside Suite upstairs |
| Rowing Fairlop Rowing Club run junior and adult indoor rowing session, this will give you a taster session and can link to the clubs on-water Learn to Row summer course. This can take place outside the rowing club or indoors in weather is bad. Great views of the lake, meet outside the rowing club (behind Aquabounce). | For more information visit Fairlop Rowing club website |
| Golf Individual Personalised Coaching Coaching programs aimed at improving players and those new to golf. | For more information on golf coaching visit our Sports page and click on golf or call 020 8500 9911 |
| Boot Camp Come and join our friendly outdoor fitness session, with great view of the lake. | Wednesday 10am-10.45am £5 Meet outside Boathouse Bar |
| History of Fairlop Plain | Discover the history behind RAF Station Fairlop visit the Fairlop Plain Times website |
Goodmayes Park
Goodmayes Park, Ilford IG3 9QX
Nearest Tube/Train – Goodmayes – over ground
Nearest Bus – 128 or 150 (Stop L or M Goodmayes Primary School)
| Activity | Details |
| Bowls | Contact Goodmayes Bowls Club |
Hainault Recreation Ground
Hainault Recreation Ground, Forest Road, IG6 3ZZ
Nearest Tube/Train – Fairlop – central Line
Nearest Bus – 462 Forest Road (Stop W Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre)
| Activity | Details |
| Bowls | Contact Hainault Bowls Club |
Hainault Forest
Romford Road, Chigwell IG7 4QN
Nearest Bus – 362 Fowler Road
| Activity | Details |
| Foxburrows Farm Come and meet the variety of animals who live at Foxburrows Farm. You will be able to help the staff with feeding and have a chance to getup close and learn more about each animal. | No booking required, just turn up during opening hours from 9.30am-3pm. Free entry |
| Walking for Health Come join our social walking for health session around Hainault Forest Country Park. | See our Walking for Health page. |
| Nordic Walk Nordic Walking is the fastest growing fitness activity in the world. It enhances ordinary walking through the use of poles which propel the walker along exercising the upper body muscles as well as the legs. | Saturdays 10am £5 Meeting point in car park near the 2 Brewers pub – if lost call Alvyn on 07903596869 |
Seven Kings Park
Aldborough Road South, Ilford IG3 8QP
Nearest Train/Tube –Newbury Park – Central Line
| Activity | Details |
| Bowls | Contact Seven Kings Bowls Club |
South Park
South Park Road, Ilford IG1 1XU
• Nearest Tube/Train – Seven Kings –overground
• Nearest Bus – 145, (R, G, E, H STOP, or 128, 145, 150 & 679 STOP R)
| Activity | Details |
| Bowls | Contact Clemenstwood Bowls Club |
Valentines Park
| Activity | Details |
| Parkrun A 5km run, meet by the café near Cranbrook Road entrance it’s free! Please register before your first run. Only need to register with parkrun once. Don’t forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode, every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at the Valentines Park Café, near the start/finish area. | Sundays 9am Register to attend parkrun here |
| Mobility Walk For people recovering from strokes and other mobility impairments such as MS. The walk is very gentle and at a slow pace. Walks last about 30-45 minutes depending on the individuals/groups. | Thursdays 10am Meet at the Gardeners Café |
| Dementia Walk & Talk For people living with dementia, mental health ilnness and disabilities. It’s a nice gentle walk and chance for a good bit of chit chat along the way. Walks last 45min-1 hour. | Thursdays 11am Meet at the Gardeners Café |
Wanstead Park
| Event details | Details |
| Walking for Health Enquiries 020 8708 0951. | Saturdays 10.30am Meet at Wanstead Place Surgery |
National Park City Splash
Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre hosted London’s first multi-site outdoor paddle sports event on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July. All abilities were welcomed to try their hand at paddle sports such as stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, rowing and canoeing. Contact Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre for more information call on 020 8500 1468.
*The asterisk is the symbol for the National Park City related events across London.