Lee Valley White Water Centre

The 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will take place at one of the best, and most iconic, white water courses in the world –the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross.

Built to host the canoe slalom events for the London 2012 Olympic Games the venue has since hosted other major events including the World Championships in 2015 and two World Cups in 2014 and 2019 where Team GB won numerous medals.

The 300m long Olympic Standard Competition course has  a drop of 5.5m with and 13,000l of water being pumped down it every second providing a fantastic set-up for competition.  The venue offers white water rafting on the very same rapids that the elite athletes take on so anyone can get the adrenalin rush and feel the power of the water.

The venue is proud of it’s Olympic legacy, and 10 years on since the London 2012 Games the venue is still focussed on being able to provide opportunities to everyone from total beginners to world class athletes. Alongside the 300m main course there is also a 160m shorter course and flat water lake.

From canoeing, kayaking, rafting or hydrospeeding as well as paddleboarding and an inflatable water obstacle course – there’s no shortage of amazing activities to get your pulse racing! Thevenue’s resident club, Lee Valley Paddlesports Club, offers a range of opportunities allowing for individuals to get into paddlesport and progress their paddling  Lee Valley White Water Centre also offers opportunities for schools and businesses to take the water.

There are also vibrant cafés, a bar and a stunning outdoor terrace where you can watch all the action. There is also parking, toilets and changing facilities close at hand. Additional infrastructure will be on site to cater for all the spectators and athletes that we’re excited to welcome for the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships

Have you got what it takes to master the rapids? To find out more about the venue and book an activity outside of the event visit www.better.org.uk/lee-valley.

How to get to Lee Valley White Water Centre

Public transport and shuttle bus

The closest train station is Waltham Cross which is around 15 minutes walk from the venue. There will be a walking route signposted and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday a free shuttle bus will br provided between the station and the venue. This will begin 75 minutes before the start of competition and finish 45 minutes after the end of competition.

There are a number of other bus routes and train stations close to the venue. If you’d like to plan your journey by bus or train, get started with Transport for London’s journey planner. If you’re coming by train check out National Rail for detailed train information.

Cycling

There will be bike parking available at both spectator entrances to the venue.

By car

You can find the centre on Google Maps here.

From junction 26 of the M25:

  • Follow the A121 towards Waltham Abbey.
  • Continue forward over each roundabout.
  • At T-junction (facing Royal Gunpowder Mills) turn left towards Waltham Cross along Highbridge Street.
  • The entrance to the centre is after approximately 100m on the right.

From junction 25 of the M25:

  • Join the A10 towards Hertford.
  • At the first roundabout turn right onto the B198 for Waltham Cross.
  • Turn right at the next roundabout and left at a further roundabout to join Eleanor Cross Road / Station Road for one mile.
  • The entrance to the centre is on the left, opposite Jewson’s.

Please note that for the event, car Parking will be available at Lee Valley Showground, adjacent to the venue. There will be no car parking available for spectators directly at the Venue.