Linford Christie Stadium

The track at Linford Christie Stadium is where British athletics actually happens - this is the real deal, not some heritage site dressed up for tourists. Located in East London, it's the home of the Newham & Essex Beagles running club and one of the country's premier athletics venues.

You won't find much to do here unless you're genuinely interested in track and field. There's no public seating for casual visitors, and you can't just rock up and expect to watch a session - it's very much a working training ground for serious athletes. That said, if you're visiting during a scheduled meet or competition, you'll catch some brilliant performances. The atmosphere on event days is electric, particularly when local runners are competing.

Anyone with a real interest in British athletics will find this worth knowing about. Kids won't get much from a drive-by, but teenage runners or aspiring sprinters might find it genuinely inspiring. The stadium itself is functional rather than fancy - no architectural showpiece here.

If you're staying at Lovat Parks just four miles away, you could incorporate this into a London trip if you're timing it right for an event. Check their competition calendar before you visit - turning up randomly on a quiet Wednesday won't yield much. Admission to events varies depending on what's on, so check their schedule beforehand. It's honest, unglamorous, and entirely unpretentious - which is precisely why serious athletics enthusiasts rate it.