Hadleigh Farm

Set against the backdrop of the 700-year-old ruins of Hadleigh Castle, this 550-acre site is owned by the Salvation Army. The construction of the Mountain Bike course was completed in March 2011. And in July 2011, the Hadleigh Farm Mountain Bike International was held as part of the London Prepares series. The event featured 82 athletes and allowed The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to test key aspects like course, spectator transport and admission, timing, scoring and the workforce ahead of London 2012.The Hadleigh Farm venue includes a beautiful grassland and woodland. It also includes the surrounding countryside of Hadleigh Castle Country Park. Because of its technically challenging course, the park fulfilled the requirements and was chosen as the venue. The hilly terrain is enchanting with open grassland covered by low shrubbery. It also offers some fantastic gradients for mountain biking and great viewing opportunities for spectators.

Fast Facts

Sport Events Mountain Bike
Location Hadleigh Farm is to the east of London, in Essex
New or Existing New
Permanent or Temporary Temporary
Number of Events 2 Events

Hadleigh Farm London Olympics 2012
The Hadleigh Farm venue is set to host the mountain biking events during The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The unique landscape of South Essex gives this venue an advantage and the construction was carried off keeping the terrain in mind. It provides the field of competitors with a challenge and spectators with an exciting, thrilling sporting event in the shadow of the stunning 700-year-old Hadleigh Castle overlooking the Thames Estuary. As the Hadleigh Farm plays host to the excitement and drama of the London 2012 Olympic mountain biking, events it also provides a spectacular backdrop for what will undoubtedly be one of the most thrilling events of the 2012 Games. The mixture of grassland and shrub with an excellent variation in gradients provides an ideal landscape for mountain biking. The course designers have made the most of the elevation developing what promises to be a relentless and grueling ride for competitors and a real thrill for spectators.

During The Game
The venue will host 20,000 visitors per day during the London 2012 Events and each spectator will gain an excellent view of the action in the open farmland setting. The London 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike Events will happen on 11 and 12 August 2012 at Hadleigh Farm in South Essex. The spectators will be able to watch the action along a course winding through woods and parkland. Some temporary grandstands have also been constructed to accommodate 3,000 people. This custom-built elite competition course is not open to the public to use, however, various viewpoints over the course linked to neighboring Hadleigh Country Park will be open to visitors between March- May 2011 and September 2011 - April 2012. A new Mountain Bike course will also be provided in Hadleigh Farm, Essex, with temporary grandstands and facilities that have been built for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

After The Game
Once the London 2012 Olympic Games are over, the temporary structures will be taken down. LOCOG will work closely with their partners, including Essex County Council and The Salvation Army, to explore what the course will be used for. This will involve the development of specific legacy proposals for the area and plans for the Olympic Mountain Bike Venue.Essex County Council and The Salvation Army remain committed to delivering a lasting, beneficial legacy from the London 2012 Mountain Bike Events at Hadleigh Farm. They are also committed to maintain its farming operation in this area providing the local community with plentiful opportunities to enjoy relaxing, living and working in its vicinity. The committee is planning to adapt it to make it suitable for public use. The three key principles incorporated for the development are protection of green space, delivery of a legacy for assorted users and delivery of a mountain biking legacy.

This educational working farm is the venue for the mountain biking competition in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, nestled in the borough of Castle Point, near Southend in the county of Essex. The LOCOG is also working on improving access to the site for the Olympics, which includes widening of Castle Lane and Chapel Lane in Hadleigh. The venue is located approximately five miles from London Southend Airport. A mountain biking course was specially built to facilitate the London 2012 Olympic Games.And after the games, the park will be used for a wide range of recreational purposes like walking, cycling, horse riding, running, engagement with nature, engagement with history, visitor facilities and parking and signage and way finding.