River Lee Country Park, Greater London/ Hertfordshire/Essex

Just over 50 years ago, much of this 10,000acre site north of the M25 was a derelict home to redundant industry, sewage works, gravel pits, dumps and railway sidings.

The Lee Valley Regional Park Authority transformed it into a tranquil green space with world-class sporting facilities.

Its impressive new Wildlife Discovery Centre overlooks the Seventy Acres lake. Get a bird’s eye view from the two-tier gallery, or the CCTV in the Discovery Room allows you to zoom right into the buzz of nature. Book free tickets in advance.

There’s also outdoor activities including white-water rafting, mountain biking, tennis, horse riding and golf. Visitors can also use the state-of-the-art gym at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, meet furry friends at the children’s Animal Adventure Park and enjoy the walking, running and cycling routes.

Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir, opened its luxury lodges last month. Lee Valley Regional Park’s campsites – Lee Valley Campsite in Sewardstone, Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite in Broxbourne and Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, Edmonton – are open from

May 17. visit leevalleypark. org.uk