Do London Differently by London National Park City

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Do London Differently by London National Park City

Rangers

32 episodes

1 week ago

We visited a new pocket park carved out from the Coulsdon South station car park, created to tempt the local cycling group (and everyone else) away from the tarmac and into a greener, friendlier meeting place. What started as “somewhere nicer to wait with a coffee” has grown into an outdoor classroom and community hub: rail-safety learning for Cubs, Scouts, nearby schools and adults with learning needs; a rest spot for commuters, cyclists and ramblers; and a platform for local volunteering. E...

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We visited a new pocket park carved out from the Coulsdon South station car park, created to tempt the local cycling group (and everyone else) away from the tarmac and into a greener, friendlier meeting place. What started as “somewhere nicer to wait with a coffee” has grown into an outdoor classroom and community hub: rail-safety learning for Cubs, Scouts, nearby schools and adults with learning needs; a rest spot for commuters, cyclists and ramblers; and a platform for local volunteering. E...

Show more...

Episodes (20/32)

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Coulsdon Station Pocket Park

We visited a new pocket park carved out from the Coulsdon South station car park, created to tempt the local cycling group (and everyone else) away from the tarmac and into a greener, friendlier meeting place. What started as “somewhere nicer to wait with a coffee” has grown into an outdoor classroom and community hub: rail-safety learning for Cubs, Scouts, nearby schools and adults with learning needs; a rest spot for commuters, cyclists and ramblers; and a platform for local volunteering. E...

1 week ago

20 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Inclusivity Listening Project interview with The East London Waterworks Park

Community voices shaping a new kind of park in East London At the launch of The Listening Project report, we spoke with volunteers and directors from East London Waterworks Park about what four years of paid listening taught them, and how co-design can turn a fenced concrete depot into a free, biodiverse park with natural swimming, learning spaces, and a genuine sense of welcome for everyone. In this episode you will hear Why ELWP put inclusivity at the heart of the project, and what they lea...

2 weeks ago

25 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Cultivate Colindale - The new home for Wayward Plants

Recorded on-site at Cultivate Colindale with Heather Ring and Thomas Kendall of Wayward—in partnership with Energy Garden—transforming 4,000 m² beside Heybourne Park into a meanwhile destination for sustainability, creativity and community. Guests • Heather Ring & Thomas Kendall — Wayward: https://www.wayward.co.uk/ • Project page — Cultivate Colindale: https://wayward.co.uk/index.php/project/cultivate-colindale Partners & Place • Energy Garden: https://www.energygard...

3 weeks ago

10 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

The Walking Lord Mayor: Footways in conversation with Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg

Emma Griffin (co-founder of Footways London) sits down with the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, to explore why walking is the best way to experience the city from side-road zebras and dropped kerbs to blue plaques, park corridors and the brand-new West End public toilets (yes, really). Recorded live at the London National Park City Visitor Centre during Open House Festival. Westminster Footways map & routes: footways.london/westminster In this episode Why Paul calls hi...

1 month ago

28 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

The Shade Revolution: Growing Street Tree Cover in London

Recorded live at the London National Park City Visitor Centre (80 Mortimer Street), host Michael Shilling speaks with Oli Back, Head of Operations at Street Trees for Living (STfL). We dig into how community-led planting and long-term care can transform streets: from sponsorship and guardianship, to cooling overheated playgrounds, to tackling tree equity and choosing the right tree, right place — and right reason. We also cover timelines, funding realities, and simple ways you can get involve...

1 month ago

52 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

The London Fungi Festival - preview show

Underground Connections: London Fungi Festival (4–12 Oct 2025) Artist–educator Poppy Flint and Lex from Fat Fox Mushrooms join Do London Differently to reveal how art, sound and science come together for a week-long celebration of fungi across London — including (un)common threads, a free interactive exhibition at the London National Park City Visitor Centre, plus Shroom Sunday, workshops and a guided “Walk Under the Trees”. Programme & tickets Festival hub & full listings: London Fun...

1 month ago

30 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

The Walking Cure with Annabel Abbs (aka Annabel Streets)

What if walking was more than just a way to get from A to B? In this episode of Do London Differently, author Annabel Abbs (also writing as Annabel Streets) shares the powerful benefits of walking for health, wellbeing and inspiration. We talk about her books Windswept, 52 Ways to Walk and The Walking Cure, and explore why walking matters — from London’s hidden gardens and Wren’s churches to the science of sea air, forest terpenes and mountain hormones. 👣 Topics covered: Benefits of wal...

2 months ago

22 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

World of the Wandle - Morden Hall Park

In this episode, host Emily Langston heads to Morden Hall Park in South London, one of the National Trust’s lesser-known gems, to explore how history, ecology, and art come together in a unique creative project. Our guest is textile artist Ranger Elly Platt, who has been running an inspiring week-long workshop with young people, helping them connect with the rare chalk stream habitat of the River Wandle through embroidery and reclaimed fabrics. Alongside her are Isabelle Bryan (Programming &a...

2 months ago

44 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Green Streets: How a Croydon Community Transformed Their Neighbourhood

When Andrea Perry first looked at the neglected green patch near her home in Addiscombe, Croydon, it was a no-go zone nicknamed “Dog Poo Park” — littered with syringes, broken glass, and rubbish. Few dared to step inside. Fast forward a few years, and the same space is now Dartnell Park — alive with fruit trees, wildflowers, colourful benches, and even a wiggly path for children and dogs. It’s all thanks to Andrea and a group of neighbours who went on to create Croydon’s first official Green ...

2 months ago

54 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Walking, Wildlife and Land Justice: Dr. Bushra Schuitemaker

Programme Manager Rochelle Shanthakumar talks to Dr. Bushra Schuitemaker about everything from chickens and kayaking in Norfolk to community-led science and Racial and Ethnic Equality and Diversity in Ecology What do chickens, kayaking in Norfolk, the right to roam, and community-led science have in common? They’re all part of the expansive, joyful and deeply rooted conversation we had with Dr. Bushra Schuitemaker on this episode of the Do London Differently podcast. Bushra is a zoologi...

3 months ago

1 hour 12 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

London Assembly Environment Committee

What does it take to transform a city? Sometimes it starts with something small, a compost system, a shared idea, a community walk to reimagine our grey spaces as green. That’s what was heard loud and clear at the recent London Assembly Environment Committee, where two members of the London National Park City team were invited to speak about the power of community-led action. In a special session on the future of London’s parks and green spaces, Programme Manager Rochelle Shanthakumar and Exe...

3 months ago

23 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Stuart Goldsmith at The Phoenix Garden Covent Garden with Louise Gates

Welcome back to another joyful ramble through London’s green and surprising spaces! In this very special episode of the Do London Differently podcast, co-host Emily Langston is joined by two fantastic guests: climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith and Phoenix Garden manager Louise Gates. 👀 What’s in this episode? We start in Covent Garden, once a stomping ground for street performer-turned-comedian Stuart Goldsmith, and wind our way to the unexpectedly tranquil Phoenix Garden, tucked behind the b...

3 months ago

1 hour 5 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Dan Raven-Ellison on Rewilding Cities, Walking Movements & Slow Ways

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 radi...

3 months ago

34 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Hopeful Geography - Kate Stockings teacher resources

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'...

4 months ago

14 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

RHS Hampton Court Festival - Froglife

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 ...

4 months ago

14 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

RHS Hampton Court Festival - Lesley Wertheimer

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 ...

4 months ago

8 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

RHS Hampton Court Festival - Ranger Katie Blake

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 ...

4 months ago

8 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

RHS Hampton Court Festival - Lou Rutherford

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...

4 months ago

11 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

RHS Hampton Court Festival - Garden Designer Yoni Carnice

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 ...

4 months ago

10 minutes

Do London Differently by London National Park City

Julie Ford Instepp Founder

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 Ed...

4 months ago

20 minutes