The venue for this year’s Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Festival of Water has been confirmed as Lee Valley Park in Waltham Abbey on the outskirts of north east London.

Held over the August Bank Holiday weekend, this free family-friendly event is packed full of activities, music and entertainment for boaters, campers and visitors alike with more than 120 boats expected to attend.

IWA events team chairman, Jane Elwell, said: "Over the years, IWA has held some fantastic events in Waltham Abbey and we are confident that this year’s Festival of Water is going to be one of our best. We are grateful to Vibrant Partnerships, Waltham Abbey Town Council and Roydon Marina Village for their support of this event.”

Handle a boat and watch an illuminated procession

Attractions on the water will include boat handling competitions and an illuminated procession on the final evening. In the park, there are children’s fairground rides, craft stalls, food stands, live music, Morris dancers and free learn to drive a digger taster sessions run by IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group.

IWA has arranged with the Canal and River Trust to secure visitor moorings for boaters travelling to the event through London. These are in Paddington Basin, Kings Cross and on the Lee below the Hertford Union.