PRESS RELEASE : Mayor launches new nature trails to connect Londoners to green spaces

·         Four new London Nature Trails provide walking routes to connect natural spaces in the city’s most built up areas

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched four new London Nature Trails for Londoners to enjoy over the August bank holiday weekend.

The new walking routes connect natural spaces in the city’s most built up areas via green “corridors”, such as waterways and tree-lined streets to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. The Covid-19 lockdown highlighted how vital it is for Londoners to have access to green spaces for good health and wellbeing. These walking routes will connect Londoners to nature on their doorstep and will also help to address the inequalities in access to green space across our city.

The four new London Nature Trails are –

o    Wanstead to Royal Docks (East London)

o    Brockley to Bermondsey (South London)

o    Swiss Cottage to Kings Cross (Central London)

o    Wembley Stadium to Burnt Oak (North London)

Nature sites along the route include Camley Street Natural Park (Camden), Stave Hill Ecological Park (Southwark), Welsh Harp Open Space (Brent) and Bow Creek Ecology Park (Newham). The trails also pass landmarks such as the new City Hall in the Royal Docks, the Covid-19 memorial at the London Blossom Garden at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Wembley Stadium, ZSL London Zoo, the Thames and many more.

To launch the new routes, free nature activities will take place across the city this Bank Holiday weekend as part of the Mayor’s Let’s Do London campaign – which has been encouraging people back to the capital following the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry

These include bug house building, nature hunts and sculpture workshops. Full details on the routes and free activities can be found at www.footways.london/london-nature-trails

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: 

“The recent heatwaves, wildfires and flash-flooding we’ve experienced shows how vulnerable London is to the climate emergency. I’m doing all I can to support London’s green spaces and help improve the resilience of areas in our city.

 “Every Londoner should have access to quality green spaces that are proven to help our health and well-being.

“I encourage all Londoners living near one of the new nature trails to get out and enjoy the routes. These new trails will show Londoners that even in built up areas, there are hidden gems to be explored and are a key part of my vision of a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”

Emma Griffin, Co-founder of Footways said:

“Walking is the best way to see London, enjoy its wildlife and be healthy. We’ve carefully designed these walking routes to follow London’s natural corridors – its canals, rivers, parks, woodlands and nature reserves. We’ve also picked out some interesting cultural and historical features to discover on the way. So whether you want a full-day activity, or choose a section for a shorter walk, you’re guaranteed to see something new and feel great.”