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hey’re readying the arenas all across England, from football stadiums and cycling racetracks to stretches of open water and fast-flowing rivers for sailing and canoeing. As the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, these locations will be the battlefields for the world’s finest athletes. While the Olympic Park itself is in London, a host of events will be held at other locations across England.

Make sure you take in the myriad attractions around these 10 Olympic Games venues. Many of them are already open for a sneak preview.

Hampton Court Palace, London: Cycling Time Trials

One of London’s best-loved historic palaces, Hampton Court was built by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. Little did he know that in 2012 the roads surrounding the palace would become the start and finish point of the men’s and women’s time trials in the high-octane Olympic road cycling competition. With its manicured gardens, costumed guided tours and impressive maze, Hampton court is a year-round star attraction for visitors.
 

Lee Valley White Water Centre, Hertfordshire: Canoe Slalom

Newly built for the Olympics, the Lee Valley White Water Centre is 30 km north of the Olympic Park, on the edge of the 1,000-acre River Lee Country Park in Hertfordshire. It’s open to the public for white-water rafting, kayaking and canoeing now so you can hit that adrenaline high too. If you’d rather stay on dry land, camp or stay in one of the park’s cabins and chalets and go cycling, walking or visit the park gardens and farms. You can explore one of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest too.
 

Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour, Dorset: Sailing

Set in the heart of idyllic Dorset, Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour are part of England’s most scenic coastland. They’re also home to some of the country’s best sailing waters, and will host the Olympic and Paralympic sailing competitions. As well as the Olympics, you can watch all sorts of international competitions here, or even learn to sail yourself.
 

Wimbledon, London: Tennis

Tennis at Wimbledon is as English as strawberries and cream. In 2012, Wimbledon gets even more exciting as it hosts the Olympic tennis events. Home to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, visitors have flocked here to see the world-famous annual Grand Slam Tournament since 1877. Some of the finest tennis in history has taken place on Wimbledon’s immaculate grass courts. If you can’t make the Olympic events, you can always head to the Grand Slam itself, three weeks before the Games, or explore the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.
 

Eton Dorney, Windsor: Rowing, Canoe Spirit

A calm lake surrounded by sumptuous green parkland close to the regal splendour of Windsor Castle, Eton Dorney is a deliciously elegant English setting, and in 2012 will see the Olympic and Paralympic rowers skimming across its waters. It’s also a great spot for visitors to see rowers practicing on the lake and to investigate the major archaeological discoveries that have been made here. These include one of Britain’s most complete rural landscape histories, dating back to the Ice Age.
 

Hadleigh Farm, Essex: Mountain Biking

The lush woods and grasslands of Hadleigh Farm surround the medieval ruins of Hadleigh Castle, making it an excellent location for strolling and exploring. The land surrounding the farm is the chosen spot for the 2012 Olympic mountain biking events, one of the most thrilling and fast-paced events in the Olympic Games. If you can’t make the races, Hadleigh Farm is a worthy destination nonetheless, and visitors can explore on pedal tractors while they make friends with its goats, sheep, pigs and ponies.
 

Old Trafford, Manchester: Football

Manchester’s Old Trafford is one of the world’s most famous football venues. Home ground to Manchester United Football Club, it draws visitors from across the world who come to watch games and see world-class players in action. It’s also the venue of nine Olympic football matches. If you can’t make it to the Olympic events, you can watch football here throughout the year, or stop by the ground’s award-winning museum. They’ll even let you walk through the player’s tunnel and stand on the pitch itself. The National Football Museum opens in Manchester city centre in 2012 too.
 

Greenwich Park, London: Equestrian events, Modern Pentathlon

Created in 1433, the rolling green expanse of Greenwich Park is London’s oldest royal park, a historic London attraction and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Offering sweeping views over the city, the park is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, and is a dramatic setting for the dressage, cross-country and jumping events that are due to take place here. If you’re not attending the Olympics, the park bristles with things to see and do at all times, from the Royal Observatory to the Pavilion Tea House, and of course, the Greenwich Meridian Line.
 

Brands Hatch, Kent: Paralympic Road Race and Time Trials

Racing enthusiasts pay attention. Brands Hatch is the scene of all sorts of major racing events, and foremost among them will be the 2012 Paralympic road race and time trials. At other times of the year you can see motor racing events here, and even get behind the wheel of a Porsche or a rally car and take it for a spin!
 

City of Coventry Stadium: Football

Football fans, don’t miss one of the main Olympic football venues. The City of Coventry Stadium will host 12 Olympic football games, so it’s going to be right at the heart of the action. Outside of the Olympics, you can see football and rugby here throughout the year. Beyond the stadium, Coventry has a host of top attractions. Among these are its modern cathedral, which celebrates its Golden Jubilee in 2012 with a number of exhibitions and workshops.