Do London Differently by London National Park City

In this episode of Do London Differently, Michael Shilling sits down with explorer, geographer and campaigner Dan Raven-Ellison - the visionary behind London National Park City and the Slow Ways walking network.

Dan shares how a simple question — "What if London was a National Park?" — sparked a global movement. We talk about:
✅ The story behind London becoming the world's first National Park City
✅ The rise of Slow Ways and how it's transforming how we explore the UK
✅ Why walking is a radical act of connection, belonging, and reimagination
✅ Earth in 100 Seconds — a powerful short film showing UK land use
✅ How walking can change the way we think about space, nature, and each other

Whether you’re a city walker, nature lover, teacher, or curious mind — this episode will inspire you to go outside, walk differently, and see the world with fresh eyes.

🔗 Links below to Dan’s projects, films, and the Slow Ways network

Slow Ways Crowdfunder

See the Slow Ways progress map

You can join the National Parks Trail challenge until the end of August. Find out how to get involved

UK in 100 Seconds 

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Our Director Mark Cridge interviews Kate Stockings – Trust Lead for Geography at Future Academies and London National Park City Ranger.

We have recently launched a free geography tool kit! – the resources showcase five real-world case studies from the London National Park City movement showing how we’re working to make London greener, healthier, and wilder.

The toolkit is designed to be used in the classroom for teaching urban greening, sustainable flood management & much more and we can't wait to see them in use! 

Download the Toolkit

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For the first time London National Park City will be showcasing a garden visioned by Rangers and brought to life by celebrated landscape designer Yoni Carnice and contractors Cultivate London and Froglife.

During the build week we joined contractors and volunteers who are helping bring together the Aster of The Senses Garden. 

We interviewed those involved and we'll be sharing some of these conversations during the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

This is the firth part of this mini series and we join the team from Froglife who were installing the pond. 

This episode was hosted by Ranger Emily Langston and produced by Michael Shilling.

 Explore the stories behind the garden

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For the first time London National Park City will be showcasing a garden visioned by Rangers and brought to life by celebrated landscape designer Yoni Carnice and contractors Cultivate London and Froglife.

During the build week we joined contractors and volunteers who are helping bring together the Aster of The Senses Garden. 

We interviewed those involved and we'll be sharing some of these conversations during the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

This is the forth part of this mini series and we join London National Park City Ranger Lesley Wertheimer who was part of the core garden delivery team.

Along with being a Ranger and volunteer at Stave Hill Ecological Park, beekeeper Lesley is also part of the Orchard Project.

This episode was hosted by Ranger Emily Langston and produced by Michael Shilling.

 Explore the stories behind the garden

Explore more London National Park City Podcasts

For the first time London National Park City will be showcasing a garden visioned by Rangers and brought to life by celebrated landscape designer Yoni Carnice and contractors Cultivate London and Froglife.

During the build week we joined contractors and volunteers who are helping bring together the Aster of The Senses Garden. 

We interviewed those involved and we'll be sharing some of these conversations during the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

This is the third part of this mini series and we join London National Park City Ranger Katie Blake who was part of the core garden delivery team.

This episode was hosted by Ranger Emily Langston and produced by Michael Shilling.

 Explore the stories behind the garden

Explore more London National Park City Podcasts

For the first time London National Park City will be showcasing a garden visioned by Rangers and brought to life by celebrated landscape designer Yoni Carnice and contractors Cultivate London and Froglife.

During the build week we joined contractors and volunteers who are helping bring together the Aster of The Senses Garden. 

We interviewed those involved and we'll be sharing some of these conversations during the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

In the second part of this mini series and we join Partnerships Manager Lou Rutherford who just arrived on site with a trolly of goodies from Fat Fox Mushrooms

This episode was hosted by Ranger Emily Langston and produced by Michael Shilling.

 Explore the stories behind the garden

Explore more London National Park City Podcasts

For the first time London National Park City will be showcasing a garden visioned by Rangers and brought to life by celebrated landscape designer Yoni Carnice and contractors Cultivate London and Froglife.

During the build week we joined contractors and volunteers who are helping bring together the Aster of The Senses Garden. 

We interviewed those involved and we'll be sharing some of these conversations during the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

This is the first part of this mini series and we join garden designer Yoni Carnice who was taking a well earned break in the shade.

This episode was hosted by Ranger Emily Langston and produced by Michael Shilling.

 Explore the stories behind the garden

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During the London Walking Festival Instepp Founder Julie Ford dropped by the London National Park City Visitor Centre to speak to Michael Shilling about walking for fitness. 
Instepp is built on the established methods of exercise therapists to combine the benefits of resistance training with fundamental movement. 

Julie, also hosted a workout for the London National Park City team says "for me, health and fitness have always been at the centre of my life, from teaching Physical Education in schools, to personal training across all ages from 18-80. I have explored and embraced every innovative idea, trend and fad and try to keep abreast of the latest scientific research.'

This episode was hosted and produced by Michael Shilling

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Author Paul Wood joined Ranger Dipa Patel at the Visitor Centre for a talk about his new book Tree Hunting: 1,000 Trees to Find in Britain and Ireland’s Towns and Cities. 

Over the past five years Paul has been researching and writing Tree Hunting, a book of 1,000 urban trees you can find in the cities, towns, villages and the roadsides of Britain and Ireland.

From a stumpy sycamore in Shetland, contorted by wind and hard weather, to the shining jewel in Brighton’s unlikely treasure trove of elms, Paul travels on a quest from north to south rooting out the legends and tall tales behind these marvellous specimens. As he delves into this rich ecosystem, he reveals how trees are inextricably bound to the story of our towns and cities: they have always meant a great deal to those that live near them, and they continue to shape the fabric of urban life in deep, and often surprising ways.

Including sumptuous maps, grid references and charming travel notes so you can plan adventures of your own, Tree Hunting will help you unlock the secrets of Britain and Ireland’s urban forests.

About Paul Wood - 
A constant explorer of cities and the irrepressible, boisterous nature they support, Paul Wood is the author of several books, including London is a Forest. He has been fascinated by trees ever since he noticed a beech seedling unfurling in his back garden as a child. He lives in London under the canopy of a pair of Victorian plane trees.

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Recorded at the London National Park City Visitor Centre during the 2025 London Walking Festival.

Illustrator, author & map maker of London guide books, David Fathers was interviewed by Walking Class hero Des Garrahan.

Green London

From parks and rivers to heaths and woodlands, discover London’s most beautiful natural spaces with this captivating and insightful guide.
Featuring 14 wonderful walks with delightfully illustrated route maps, David Fathers not only shows you how to plan these adventures along the green corridors connecting the city, using old railway tracks, towpaths and riverside trails, but also enriches your journey with insights into well-known landmarks, historical events, famous figures, diverse wildlife and so much more.

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