Do London Differently podcast
What if your 2026 resolution was swapping scrolling for strolling?
So what’s been happening in London National Park City last year?
£80,000 redistributed through small grants to 112 community projects across London — from rain gardens and repair cafés to composting and fruit trees.
Grew our Ranger community to 160+ active volunteers, welcoming 60 new Rangers this autumn.
Launched new local Ranger cohorts in Hounslow, with Westminster now open for recruitment.
The number of National Park City Cities doubled globally, as we welcomed Chattanooga (USA) and Breda (NL) to the movement.
Support Ranger led projects
Winter Special London Urban Nature Map + Do London Differently Paper + Seed Packs + Badge
Whilst stocks last grab yourself a pack with a copy of our London National Park City Urban Nature Map, a copy of 12 Ways to Connect People & Nature in London, three wildflower seed packs, plus a National Park City logo badge.
This combo pack will help us raise much needed funds to support our small grants programme to directly support Ranger led projects within each neighbourhood of London.
£25.00
Three Go Jauntly challenges to power your 2026
1) Walk 2026 km in 2026
A full-year quest with a satisfyingly neat number. The Walk 2026 Challenge is exactly what it sounds like, walk 2026 km across 2026. That works out at about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) a day, but the point is consistency, not perfection. Starts 1 Jan and runs to 31 Dec
Join here
2) Two Million March
Despite the name, this one is also a whole-year challenge (a little plot twist). Two Million March invites you to clock up two million steps in 2026, roughly 5,500 steps per day, running 1 Jan to 31 Dec.
Join here
3) Capital Ring Challenge
Want a London-shaped trophy? The Capital Ring is a circular Walk London route split into 15 sections, stretching 78 miles (126 km) between Woolwich and Beckton District Park. It’s a brilliant way to stitch together green spaces, surprising edges, and “wait, this is still London?!” moments.
Join here
Go big in May
This May, London National Park City (with support from Go Jauntly and partners) hosts the London Walking Festival, a month-long celebration of walking and wheeling across the capital, running 1 to 31 May.
In 2026, the ambition is simple and bold: let’s walk a million miles in May. The festival’s goals include getting more Londoners walking for leisure and active travel, connecting people to local biodiversity, bringing marginalised communities together with established walking and nature organisations, and (re)introducing Londoners to the Walk London Network
52 Ways To Walk by Annabel Streets
52 Ways to Walk is a year-long invitation to get curious about the simplest bit of movement we do. Written by Annabel Streets, it’s structured as 52 bite-sized chapters, one for each week, each offering a different approach to walking, plus the science behind why that particular twist might change how you feel, think, and move.
Visit Annabel Abbs for more information and where to find the book.
In May I interviewed Annabel Abbs and talked to her about her newest book The Walking Cure. Part of the interview where we talked about making small changes was featured in today’s podcast. I think fit in perfectly with the theme of new year and challenges but if you want to listen to the full episode visit https://nationalparkcity.london/annabel-abbs
More From This Series
This is a new season of the London National Park City Podcast – we’re calling it Do London Differently. Hosted by Ranger Emily Langston. Produced and co-hosted by Michael Shilling.
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Stay Connected
Discover Things to Do
We’re curating a dynamic programme of things to do — from walks and talks to workshops and cultural activities — all in and around our pop-up Visitors Centre at 80 Mortimer Street. These activities are run in collaboration with a range of partners, both big and small.
For the latest list of upcoming activities, visit:
nationalparkcity.london/events
To find out more or discuss running your own event, contact Louis Rutherford at
louis.rutherford@nationalparkcity.org.