29/04/2026
Leaside Open Day – Life on the Lea Saturday May 30th 11.30am - 3pm
Join us for a special open day at Leaside celebrating the stories, heritage and communities of the River Lea.
In partnership with Life on the Lea, a project by Eastside Community Heritage, Loop Labs and Lea Boaters Organise, this event will explore the social history of the river through photographs, oral histories and stories gathered from people who live and work along the Lea.
Visitors will be able to enjoy canal boat trips or paddling journeys along the river, see archival images and hear first-hand accounts that capture everyday life on and around the waterway. Leaside will also be sharing stories from its own history – over 60 years of supporting young people and the wider community to canoe and kayak on the River Lea.
Come along to discover the rich heritage of this unique urban waterway, meet the people who keep its stories alive, and experience the river from the water.
This event is open to everyone and offers a welcoming opportunity to learn more about the past, present and future of the Lea. We will provide a lunch for donation and ask for a £2 contribution to take part in activities on the River Lea.
