If you've been watching the Olympics and would like to get moving in a slightly different way - whether it's skateboarding, kayaking, or climbing - there are lots of opportunities to do so in (or very near) Waltham Forest.

We have a list of Feel Good Mark-accredited sports clubs in the borough and lots of fantastic sports and leisure centres if you'd like to explore more of what you can do in Waltham Forest. Our list here gives a flavour of some Olympic sports you might not have realised you can be involved with right on your doorstep.

BMX 

Cheney Row Park, in Higham Hill, features a BMX track with sessions for everyone – from complete beginners through to budding experts, children and adults alike. The sessions are run by COG on Saturdays.

Climbing 

Lovely local independent climbing centre Yonder, in Blackhorse Road, are able to get you up and climbing via introductory sessions, a variety of coaching opportunities, and holiday clubs for children.  

You can also have a go at Clip and Climb at the Feel Good Centre: a non-technical climbing experience great for first-timers and kids.

Cycling 

Perhaps not that niche, but would it be Waltham Forest if we didn't include cycling?

If you haven’t cycled before and would like to learn, we can help you do so for free via Cycling Instructor, who run free cycle training for adults and families. We can also help you out with a cycle – you can borrow one for free for a month at a time via our Community Cycle Loan Scheme.  

For more confident riders who’d like to give group cycling a go, Lea Valley Cycling Club are a local club who run no-drop, social rides suitable for those new to group riding. 

And if you’d like some help discovering your local area on bike, come along to our annual Tour de Waltham Forest on Sunday 22 September 2024: a chance to ride with others, find new routes and be part of our borough’s biggest cycling event.  

Horseriding 

You don’t need to own a horse to attend one of the Lee Valley Riding Centre’s Have A Go Lessons - these are relaxed group sessions for complete beginners, where you can experience being on horseback in a safe environment.  

Skateboarding 

Local community group Everyone on Boards hold sessions in parks across Waltham Forest, teaching skateboarding and BMXing. Keep an eye on their Everyone on Board Instagram and Everyone on Board website for their next events.  

If you want to have a go at skateboarding in your own time, we have skateparks in Lloyd Park, Cann Hall Park and Chase Lane Park.  

Tennis 

If you'd like to channel your inner Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu, we’re lucky to have tennis courts in parks across Waltham Forest: in Abbotts Park, Chingford Memorial Park, Higham Hill Park, Lloyd Park and Ridgeway Park.  

If you’re looking for lessons, we have the Chingford School of Tennis, where you can sign up for coaching – or you can make use of their covered courts, which are available to the public as well as members.  

For younger people, Better are running a Tennis holiday camp from 19 August to 30 August. 

Beach volleyball 

Did you know you can play beach volleyball in...Leyton?  

SideOut Volleyball run sessions including training for beginners, drop ins, and competitions – so if you want to feel the sand between your toes without leaving Waltham Forest, check out their events calendar.  

Swimming and diving 

Our Better Leisure Centres have swimming pools at the Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre and at Leyton Leisure Centre. They offer free swimming for under 3s, free swimming for under 18s during the school holidays (with an annual Pay and Play card for £6.50), and women and girls only sessions. 

Athletics 

We have a weekly Parkrun/Parkwalk event in Waltham Forest which is open to anyone who would like to run, jog, speed-walk or just stroll along the 5k course. There is also a Junior Parkrun every Sunday in Leyton Jubilee Park.

If you’d like a go on the track, there is a 400 metre track available for use at the Feel Good Centre. 

Paralympic sports

Waltham Forest also has opportunities for sports and activities if you have a physical, sensory or learning disability. See the link below for a longer A-Z list of accessible sports in and around the borough.

Frame Running

There is a weekly free Frame Running Club at the Feel Good Centre. Frame Running uses a three-wheeled frame to enable people with mobility or balance impairments to propel themselves forward using their legs.

Adapted cycling

Our weekly All Ability Cycling Club is a free, informal drop-in session where you can try out a range of different adapted cycles to find one that suits your needs.

Hockey

Forest Flyerz sessions from Waltham Forest hockey club are there for anyone age 6+ with learning or physical disabilities.

Swimming

Better Leisure Centres are disability-inclusive and have regular sessions for those with SEND, including SEND swimming lessons and disability-friendly swimming sessions at Leyton Leisure Centre on Mondays from 4.30pm to 6pm.

Trampolining

There are SEND sessions at the Feel Good Centre's trampoline park on Tuesdays from 16.30-17.30 and Saturdays from 08.30-09.30.

What else is nearby? 

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford is easily accessible from Waltham Forest on bus and bike. There you can try out taster sessions at the Velodrome, take a dip in the Olympic pool, or visit the Lee Valley hockey and tennis centre for games and lessons (including wheelchair tennis for those with disabilities).  

Venturing in the other direction up the Lee Valley, you’ll find opportunities for kayaking and open water swimming at the Lee Valley White Water Centre.