EAST Enders are being invited to go Walking in a Winter Wonderland on guided tours taking in some of the sights and sounds of Tower Hamlets. Transport for London is putting on a weekend of free Winter Wanders around the capital on January 30 and 31, whi

EAST Enders are being invited to go "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" on guided tours taking in some of the sights and sounds of Tower Hamlets.

Transport for London is putting on a weekend of free Winter Wanders around the capital on January 30 and 31, which span the length and breadth of the city.

The guided walks will take place on London's 350-mile Strategic Walk Network, a series of seven long-distance routes broken up in to shorter sections.

Tower Hamlets will be explored with a series of five walks and participants will be able to get up close and personal with the Limehouse Dock and site of the 2012 Games as part of 'Walking Towards the Games'.

Leigh Hatts, who is leading the Hackney Wick to Limehouse Basin walk, said: "We go directly to the River Lea and the Olympic Park where we shall have a panoramic view of the 2012 stadium.

"Afterwards there is an extraordinary contrast as we take in Britain's largest tidal mill at Three Mills in Bromley-by-Bow. The climax is Limehouse Basin where the Lea Navigation joins the Thames.

"This is the very best time to visit this stretch of the River Lea. Soon it is going to get crowded and maybe less easily accessible as we approach the Olympic Year."

All walks will be led by either professional Walk London or official City of London guides who will be able to provide information on the areas as the walks progress. Some walks will also have local experts on hand to discuss more specific topics.

The start and end points of the walks are easily accessible by public transport and people who cannot make the Winter Wanders can download audio walks from the Walk London website at www.walklondon.org.uk where more information about Winter Wanders can also be found.