Mayesbrook Park Stadium

The athletics track at Mayesbrook Park is tucked away in Dagenham, east London - the kind of place you'd miss entirely if you weren't looking for it. It's a proper functioning stadium with a 400-metre track, grass infield, and enough facilities to host genuine sporting events rather than just sit there as a monument to something better days.

Most people won't have a reason to visit unless they're actually competing or watching a match. If your kids are into track and field, or you've got a young runner training seriously, you might catch them here during event days. The track itself is maintained to a decent standard, which is more than you can say for some council facilities. On a quiet afternoon, it's peaceful enough for a walk round the perimeter, though there's nothing particularly scenic about it - this is functional London, not postcard London.

If you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping just down the road, and someone in your group fancies a run or wants to watch local athletics, it's convenient enough. Don't expect a day out, though. It's a venue with a purpose, and that purpose is sport. In and out, really. Free to walk around, though entry for events varies depending on what's on. Worth checking their calendar before you plan anything around it - turning up randomly on a Wednesday afternoon might mean you're just looking at an empty track.