From the origins of London National Park City to the Slow Ways movement, Dan’s story is rooted in movement—literal and metaphorical. As a former geography teacher, he saw first-hand how fieldwork could inspire deeper connections with place. That spark evolved into projects that saw him walking across entire cities, through spirals of urban parks, and across national parks in protest of the idea that Britain was “full.”

One of Dan’s most captivating projects is Earth in 100 Seconds—a short film that uses a single 100-metre walk to visualise how land is used across the globe. It’s a striking reminder that only 5% of our land is used for housing, while nearly half is reserved for livestock. A small rebalancing, he argues, could unlock space for affordable homes, wild nature, and thriving communities.

We also dove into Slow Ways — a volunteer-powered walking network connecting every town and city in Great Britain through over 10,000 walking routes. What began as a lockdown mapping project has grown into a sprawling citizen infrastructure of wayfinding, community stories, and joyful wanderings.

Slow Ways is more than just a tool for planning walks. It’s an invitation to see differently, to connect the dots, to turn space into place. Whether you’re a solo explorer chasing triangles through London’s outer edges, or a school creating nature-rich routes for pupils, Dan believes walking can be an act of hope — and an act of change. See the Slow Ways Crowdfunder

At the heart of our conversation was this: walking helps us belong. It makes the unknown familiar. It brings us together. And it’s a surprisingly powerful way to reimagine the future — one footstep at a time.

Hosted and Produced by Michael Shilling. Recorded at our op-up Visitor Centre at 80 Mortimer Street.