Lee Valley VeloPark is one of the most impressive sporting venues in London. Whether you are there to watch elite cycling, race your own laps on the velodrome, tackle the BMX track, or ride the road circuit, you are probably going to be hungry and thirsty before or after. The good news: you do not need to leave the park.
Draughts is a board game cafe, bar and restaurant at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – on the same park as Lee Valley VeloPark. It is a short walk from the velodrome, and it is the kind of place where you can properly settle in. Over 1,000 board games, a full food menu, drinks, and a team who will help you find the perfect game for your group.
About Lee Valley VeloPark
Lee Valley VeloPark was built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, designed by Hopkins Architects. It has hosted some of the biggest names in cycling – Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Jason Kenny – and it continues to be one of the premier cycling venues in the world.
The venue has three distinct cycling experiences:
- The velodrome – a world-class indoor track with a 250-metre wooden cycling circuit. You can book taster sessions, race nights and coaching sessions. The banked track is designed for the intense speeds of track cycling and it is open to the public, not just elite athletes.
- The BMX track – an outdoor facility designed for the Olympic BMX discipline, with a start hill and a challenging course of jumps, rollers and berms. Open for public sessions and coaching.
- The road circuit – a one-mile (1.6km) outdoor circuit around the park, open for recreational cycling sessions. A great way to explore the park at pace.
- Mountain bike trails – 5 miles (8km) of off-road trails winding through the park, open for public MTB sessions.
Lee Valley VeloPark also hosts major events throughout the year, including British Cycling championships, UCI events and spectator races. The venue address is Lee Valley VeloPark, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Abercrombie Road, London, E20 3AB.
The best food and drink option near Lee Valley VeloPark
After a session at the velodrome, BMX track or road circuit, Draughts is the place to go. It is a proper sit-down spot – not a grab-and-go kiosk. You can order food, get a round of drinks, and then spend an hour or two playing board games. It is a great way to make a day of the park rather than just a couple of hours.
We have a full food menu with plenty of options whether you are coming in post-ride or arriving fresh. The bar serves everything from craft beers and cocktails to soft drinks and coffee. And of course, over 1,000 board games covering everything from quick 20-minute fillers to long-form strategy games.
Groups of all sizes are welcome. We have tables to suit two people and large groups, and our team are always happy to help you pick a game – and run through the rules if you need it.
How far is Draughts from Lee Valley VeloPark?
Draughts is at 5 Aquatics Walk, E20 2AS, and Lee Valley VeloPark is at Abercrombie Road, E20 2ST – both inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The walk between them is roughly 10-15 minutes, depending on your route through the park. The park has clearly marked paths throughout, and the route takes you past some of the other Olympic venues including the London Aquatics Centre.
If you are attending an event at the velodrome as a spectator, the park is easy to navigate and Draughts makes a natural pre-event or post-event destination.
Other things to do near Lee Valley VeloPark
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is 560 acres of parkland, playgrounds, waterways and world-class venues. From the velodrome end of the park, you can walk to:
- The London Aquatics Centre – the Zaha Hadid-designed swimming venue from 2012, open for public swimming sessions
- Copper Box Arena – a multi-sport venue open for badminton, squash, basketball and more
- ArcelorMittal Orbit – the UK’s tallest sculpture, with a slide down from the viewing platform
- The Stratford Waterfront area – home to Sadler’s Wells East, V&A East Museum, UCL East and the London College of Fashion, UAL
- Draughts – food, drinks and over 1,000 board games at 5 Aquatics Walk
The park also has an extensive network of gardens, playgrounds and riverside walks. It is a genuinely good day out beyond the cycling.
A game to try: Flamme Rouge
There is one board game that was made for cycling fans, and it is brilliant. Flamme Rouge is a tactical racing game for two to four players where you control a two-rider cycling team competing in a road race.
Each rider has a deck of cards representing their speed – sprinters have powerful bursts but tire quickly, rouleurs have steady, reliable speed. You play cards simultaneously, draft off riders in front of you to recover energy, and manage exhaustion through the final sprint to the finish. The game captures the tactical reality of professional cycling – the peloton, the breakaway, the timing of the sprint – in a format that takes about 45 minutes.
Flamme Rouge is one of those games that cycling fans pick up immediately and non-cyclists fall in love with anyway. It is tactile, tense and genuinely thematic. An ideal game to play after a session at Lee Valley VeloPark.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Draughts in relation to Lee Valley VeloPark?
Draughts is at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2AS. Lee Valley VeloPark is at Abercrombie Road, E20 3AB. Both are inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The walk between them takes roughly 10-15 minutes through the park.
What is Lee Valley VeloPark?
Lee Valley VeloPark is an Olympic cycling venue built for the London 2012 Games, located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. It has a 250-metre indoor velodrome track, an outdoor BMX track, and a 2.1km outdoor road circuit. It is open to the public for taster sessions, coaching and public riding sessions, as well as hosting major competitive cycling events.
Can I book a session at Lee Valley VeloPark?
Yes. Lee Valley VeloPark offers public taster sessions on the velodrome, BMX sessions and road circuit sessions. Booking is through the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Check the Lee Valley VeloPark website for current session availability, pricing and how to book.
Is there parking near Lee Valley VeloPark?
There is car parking available at various points around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Westfield Stratford City also has a large car park a short walk from the park. If you are attending an event at the velodrome, check the Lee Valley VeloPark website for specific parking guidance.
How do I get to Lee Valley VeloPark by public transport?
Stratford station is served by the London Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR, Jubilee line and national rail – making it one of the best-connected stations in London. Lee Valley VeloPark is about a 10-15 minute walk from Stratford station through the park. Hackney Wick station on the Overground is also close to the velodrome end of the park.
What events are held at Lee Valley VeloPark?
Lee Valley VeloPark hosts British Cycling championships, UCI track and BMX events, and international competitions. As well as elite events, the venue runs public race nights, Go-Ride sessions for juniors, and regular public sessions on all three cycling facilities. Check the Lee Valley VeloPark website and British Cycling for upcoming events.
Is Draughts good for large groups?
Yes – Draughts works well for groups of all sizes. We have space for larger parties and our team can help coordinate games that work for your group. If you are coming with a big group after an event at Lee Valley VeloPark, it is worth booking a table in advance to make sure we have room for you.
Does Draughts serve food?
Yes. Draughts has a full food menu as well as drinks, including a bar. We are a cafe, bar and restaurant – not just a games library. You can make a full meal of it or just come in for drinks and games. We are open all day.
Do I need to book a table at Draughts?
Walk-ins are welcome at Draughts, but booking ahead is recommended if you are coming as a large group, particularly at weekends. You can book a table online via the Draughts website.
What other cycling venues are near Draughts?
Lee Valley VeloPark is the closest dedicated cycling venue to Draughts – both are inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The park road circuit is also accessible. For road cycling beyond the park, the area has good access to quieter roads in east London, the Lee Valley and beyond.
Are dogs welcome at Draughts?
Dogs are welcome in certain areas of Draughts Stratford. Please check with the venue directly for the most up-to-date policy on dogs, as this can vary by day and area.
