Attending the London 2012 Olympic or Paralympic Games is a once in lifetime experience. For those who can’t make the Games but still want to be part of the magic, there are plenty of venues that visitors to Britain can see and experience now.

Venues in London

Earls Court
Venue for Volleyball

Located in West London, just a hop and skip away from the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science and Natural History Museum, this exhibition, conference and live music venue will host the volleyball competitions during the London 2012 Games. Visitors who won’t be in town to catch the sporting excitement can drop by the venue to catch the many consumer shows that take place throughout the year. Upcoming events include the Doctor Who Experience, the Great British Beer Festival, the Specialty & Fine Food Fair and the Restaurant Show 2011.
(www.eco.co.uk/events)

ExCeL
Venue for Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Boccia, Paralympic Table Tennis, Paralympic Judo, Paralympic Powerlifting, Volleyball – Sitting, and Wheelchair Fencing

This exhibition and conference centre will have a blockbuster year in 2012, with its five arenas hosting 143 events from a multitude of Olympic and Paralympic sports. Those who won’t be attending the myriad of competitions during the London 2012 Games can stop by the venue to catch one of the consumer shows or events that regularly take place. Some of the most recent happenings include The London International Wine Fair, Britain’s Next Top Model Live and Grand Designs Live. Running between the O2 Arena in Greenwich and the ExCeL exhibition Centre, the London Cable Car Fly Through, which is due to be unveiled before the London 2012 Games, will sweep visitors over The Thames, offering them dazzling views of the city skyline.
(www.excel-london.co.uk)

Greenwich Park
Venue for Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, Modern Pentathlon

Greenwich Park, London’s oldest Royal Park, dates back to 1433 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. While the Park will host the equestrian and modern pentathlon events during the London 2012 Games, the historic park has lots to offer visitors to London pre and post-Games. Some of the main attractions include the National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College and Painted Hall, The Royal Observatory, the Greenwich Meridian Line, the Pavilion Tea House, the Wilderness Deer Park, the boating lake and the tennis courts.
(www.royalparks.gov.uk/Greenwich-Park.aspx)

Hampton Court Palace
Venue for Cycling Time Trials

Located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in southwest London, Hampton Court Palace is one of London’s most celebrated Royal Palaces and has housed some of Britain’s most famous Kings and Queens – the most renowned being Henry VIII. However, come 2012, this venue will be welcoming sporting royalty as the cycling time trials will take place on the roads surrounding the stunning palace. Visitors who will not be there for the sporting action can visit the palace throughout the year and take in the incredible palace and gardens. There will also be a huge range of attractions and events on offer including costumed guided tours, the world famous maze, Tudor kitchen tours and cookery demonstrations and the ghost family trail and interactive exhibitions that introduce some of the palace’s most famous residents including Henry VIII and his many wives!
(www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace)

Horse Guards Parade
Venue for Beach Volleyball

Located on the Prime Minister’s doorstep, the Horse Guards Parade is in the heart of Whitehall and will provide an unforgettable venue for the beach volleyball competitions in 2012 as the centre of London gets its very own beach! The Horse Guards Parade dates from 1745 and takes its name from the soldiers who have provided protection for the monarchy since its restoration in 1660. Visitors to London can visit this iconic attraction year-round and see the daily changing of the mounted guards of the Household Cavalry at the official entrance to the royal palace. Those who are lucky enough to be present in June can attend the Trooping of the Colour, which is staged here on the Queen’s official birthday.
(www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/484414)

Hyde Park
Venue for Triathlon

Hyde Park, the largest of London’s Royal Parks, has been open to the public since 1637 and will provide an iconic setting for the triathlon events in 2012. Located in the heart of London amidst some of the city’s most famous sites, the park offers a fantastic retreat for visitors year-round. Some of the most popular activities and attractions include cycling tours, boating on the Serpentine Lake, visiting the Diana Fountain and grabbing a bite to eat at Serpentine Bar & Kitchen or The Lido.
(www.royalparks.gov.uk/Hyde-Park.aspx)

Lord’s Cricket Ground
Venue for Archery

Whilst Lord’s Cricket Ground in northwest London will host the archery competitions for the London 2012 Games, it has a rich sporting history for visitors to the city to enjoy throughout the year. The grounds have been home to cricket since 1814 and regularly host test marches and one day international matches. Visitors can buy tickets in advance for some of the matches and tours of the grounds are also available. Lord’s Cricket Grounds is located close to Regent’s Park, which will play host to the road cycling races in 2012.
(www.lords.org)

North Greenwich Arena
Venue for: Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics, Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball

Originally built for the Millennium Celebrations, North Greenwich Arena has been transformed into a sports and entertainment arena, and in 2012 will host an array of Olympic and Paralympic sporting events. It is located on the point of the Greenwich peninsula, right on the Meridian Line, and has plenty to keep visitors entertained throughout the year with multiple blockbuster exhibitions and concerts taking place. Some of the events currently taking place include the British Music Experience, Dinosaurs Unleashed, Titanic – The Artefact Exhibition and Batman Live.
(http://www.theo2.co.uk/index.php)

The Mall
Venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Marathon, Race Walk, Road Cycling

This Royal Road lies right in the heart of London and will provide a very memorable starting and finishing point for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Marathons, as well as the Olympic cycling road races. The Mall, running from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square, was created as a ceremonial route in the early 20th century. It remains a popular backdrop for ceremonies and sporting events. The Mall was most recently on the ceremonial route for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It is open for visitors all year around and some of the most iconic sites in London are within strolling distance including Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Number 10 Downing Street and the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms.
(www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/3889689)

Wembley Arena & Stadium
Venue for Badminton, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Soccer

Located in northwest London, approximately six miles from the city centre, this flagship music and sports venue will host an array of events during the 2012 Games including badminton and rhythmic gymnastics at Wembley Arena, and soccer at Wembley Stadium. Sports enthusiasts who want to be part of the action but can’t make the trip in the summer of 2012 will not be disappointed as football games regularly take place here. High profile concerts, exhibitions and stadium tours also regularly take place and tickets can be purchased in advance.
(www.wembleystadium.com)

Wimbledon
Venue for Tennis

Wimbledon, home of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and the world-renowned Wimbledon Championships, will be used for the Olympic Tennis competitions in 2012. For visitors who cannot make the Olympic events, the annual Grand Slam Tournament takes place just three weeks prior to the kick-off of the Olympic Tennis events. Alternatively, visitors can take in the multi award-winning Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. Highlights include a display of glittering Championship trophies, a 200º camera that captures the science of tennis, film and video footage of the game’s most memorable matches, a collection of tennis memorabilia that dates back to 1555 and CentreCourt360 – a new viewing experience of Centre Court.
(/www.wimbledon.com)

Venues in England

Brands Hatch
Venue for Paralympic Road Race and Time Trials

Located in Kent, Brands Hatch is home to numerous international racing events and in 2012 will host the Paralympic road cycling events. Visitors who would like a taste of the action that Brands Hatch has to offer, but cannot make the 2012 events, can visit the venue throughout the year to take in one of the many professional racing events. The more adventurous visitors can even get behind the wheel to put a grand prix style car, Porsche, Land Rover Defender or rally car through its paces.
(www.motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch)

City of Coventry Stadium – Ricoh Arena
Venue for football

Built in 2005, the City of Coventry Stadium (known outside Games-time as the Ricoh Arena) is home to English Football League Championship Club Coventry City and in 2012 will host 12 Olympic football games. For visitors who would like to experience the stadium but cannot make the trip during the 2012 Games, there are ample opportunities as the stadium regularly hosts football and rugby games, blockbuster music concerts and exhibitions, and attractions for all ages. Tickets can be purchased in advance.
(www.ricoharena.com)

Eton Dorney
Venue for Olympic and Paralympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint

Located near Windsor Castle, around 25 miles west of London, Eton Dorney will be the venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic rowing as well as canoe sprint events. While it is a privately-owned site, access by the public is allowed and visitors can enjoy the substantial parklands, view the rowers and canoeists on the lake and discover details of the huge archaeological finds during the construction of the Lake.
(www.dorneylake.co.uk)

Hadleigh Farm, Essex
Venue for Mountain Biking

Owned by the Salvation Army, Hadleigh Farm is situated in Essex, one of London’s home counties. It covers 550 acres of grassland and woodland area and is set against the backdrop of the 700 year old ruins of Hadleigh Castle, making it a spectacular location for the 2012 mountain biking events. For visitors to Britain who will not be there to see the athletes battling it out but would still like to visit, Hadleigh Farm is an ideal location for a family experience and is open from April to October. Children can visit The Rare Breeds Centre’s by pedal tractor and meet its residents who include Bagot goats, Golden Guernsey goats, Leicester Longwool sheep, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, and Exmoor ponies.
(www.hadleighfarm.co.uk)

Lee Valley White Water Centre, Hertfordshire
Venue for Canoe Slalom

Located in Hertfordshire, 30 kilometres north of the Olympic Park, this new venue will host the canoe slalom competitions during the London 2012 Games and is the only brand new Olympic venue that is open to the public before the games commence in summer 2012. Visitors to the centre can try white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking even before the athletes have a chance to visit the centre. Courses are available for beginners through to Grade 4 Olympic Standard Competition Courses.
(www.leevalleypark.org.uk/whitewaterrafting)

Old Trafford, Manchester
Venue for football

Located within a few miles of Manchester city centre, Old Trafford is one of the most famous sporting grounds in the world and is home to the Manchester United Football Club. It first opened its doors in 1910 and in 2012 will welcome football stars from around the globe as the stadium hosts a total of nine Olympic football games. For visitors who cannot make the football action in the summer of 2012, the tour and award-winning museum are an absolute must, allowing visitors to step onto the hallowed turf, stand in the dug-out, walk through the players’ tunnel and sit in the home team’s changing rooms.
(www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford.aspx)

St. James’ Park, Newcastle
Venue for football

Home to Newcastle United Football Club, St. James’ Park has hosted lots of thrilling sporting clashes in the past making it well prepared for what is to come in 2012, when it will host a number of Olympic football games. Visitors who cannot make the 2012 Olympic action in Newcastle don’t have to completely miss out as the park regularly hosts national and regional football games, concerts and exhibitions. Stadium tours and tickets can be purchased in advance.
(www.nufc.co.uk)

Weymouth and Portland
Venue for Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions

Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour, tucked away on England’s southwest coast, boast some of the best natural sailing waters in Britain, making it the ideal location for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing competitions. There is plenty for visitors to do pre- and post-Games including taking training courses, tours and watching the many international competitions that take place at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), the venue for 2012 events. WPNSA has been enhanced prior to the Games and is currently open to the public.
(www.wpnsa.org.uk)

Venues in Scotland

Hampden Park, Glasgow
Venue for football

Located a few miles south of Glasgow’s city centre, this 2012 soccer venue recently underwent a £70 million refurbishment and has plenty of sporting action taking place throughout the year to keep visitors entertained. National and regional matches regularly take place and a host of music superstars from Bruce Springsteen to The Rolling Stones have played at Hampden Park. The Hampden Experience at the stadium allows visitors to peruse the Hall of Fame and take a stadium tour. Visitors can review upcoming events and purchase tickets in advance by visiting the venue’s website.
(www.hampdenpark.co.uk)

Venues in Wales

Millennium Stadium
Venue for football

This impressive stadium is located on the banks of the River Taff in the heart of Cardiff, the capital of Wales, and will be the first venue in Britain to host an Olympic competition in 2012. The women’s soccer games kick-off even before the Opening Ceremony in London. For those who will not be in Wales during the London 2012 Games, there are plenty of events to see throughout the year including rugby, football and music concerts that regularly take place. Stadium tours are available for visitors who want a behind-the-scenes look at this incredible venue.
(www.millenniumstadium.com)