If you feel like you have overindulged in mince pies and mulled wine over the festive period but want to avoid costly gym prices, why not kick start the New Year by exploring the beauty of some of London’s most vibrant parks instead.

To mark its 50th anniversary, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is hosting 50 free, leisurely walks through various open spaces including, The Three Mills to the Olympic Park Loop on January 15, in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and also the Gunpowder Park, Swan and Pike Pool and Enfield Island Walk, which will take place on January 29.

There is no need to book or register in advance for any of the walks, just arrive with plenty of time to spare at a session’s meeting point.

The Park Authority was created in 1967 after much of Lee Valley was derelict and abandoned at the time, following many decades of being worn down by chemical, electronic, gravel pit and waterworks industries, as well as distilleries and munitions factories.

With a great deal of investment, the last half century has seen Lee Valley Regional Park transformed into an award winning attractions that boasts 6.6million visits a year.

Shaun Dawson, the chief executive at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, says: “This is the perfect way to mark the park’s golden anniversary and share the best of the region with visitors.

“Walking is a simple rewarding activity for everyone, regardless of their age, fitness or where they live and best of all our commemorative walks are free, allowing anyone to join our guides on the weekend sessions.”

For more information, visit: visitleevalley.org.uk