Here at London National Park City, we always say that nature is hiding in plain sight across our incredible capital: you just have to teach yourself how to notice it.
No project embodies this ethos more beautifully than North Paddington: the Natural Way. Born out of a simple question, “Why not here?” this community-led urban walking pilgrimage has just captured the heart of the entire nation by sweeping the UK’s top environmental honours.
On June 22nd, Lola May of the Paddington Development Trust (PDT) and Eman Asir of Westminster Libraries and Archives took to the stage at the People Environmental Achievement (P.E.A.) Awards, the leading sustainability and climate accolades in the UK. The duo achieved a spectacular triple-crown sweep, taking home awards for:
Evolution of Sustainability
Nature
Best of the Year (the highest accolade of the night)
Coinciding perfectly with London Climate Action Week, this monumental win highlights the incredible power of hyper-local climate action, accessible urban biodiversity, and community joy.
From the Camino de Santiago to the Art of Flânerie
The spark for the project ignited when Lola May, Project Lead for the Climate Champions, returned to London after walking Europe’s famous ancient pilgrimage trail, the Camino de Santiago. Struck by how a structured walking route could completely transform a person’s relationship with the landscape, she teamed up with Library Officer Eman Asir. Together, they wondered if that same magic could be brought to the urban streets of Westbourne, Queen’s Park, and Harrow Road.
Supported by The Europe Challenge (a programme by the Arts Council and the European Cultural Foundation) and funded by Westminster City Council’s Climate Champions, The Natural Way was born.
The result is a fully accessible, step-free, 6-mile circular walking pilgrimage designed to inspire active travel, mental and physical well-being, and a lifelong connection to urban nature. It embraces the classic French art of flânerie, which means exploring and discovering the city entirely on your own terms.
Tackling UK Nature Depletion via Go Jauntly
The timing of this award could not be more critical. In a recent episode of the London National Park City podcast, A Salon for Curious Minds, Lola May sat down with Hana Sutch, the co-founder of the popular walking app Go Jauntly. Their conversation shed light on a startling reality: the UK is currently one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
Lola and Hana discussed how urban walks are often the absolute best ways to reverse this trend, especially for people who might not feel confident hiking in rural areas. By mapping out The Natural Way digitally on the Go Jauntly app, the project directly dismantles the hidden accessibility barriers that many walkers face. It proves that you do not have to leave the city to build a deep, meaningful relationship with the natural world.
Over 1,000 Pilgrims and Counting
What makes The Natural Way so unique is how it weaves the community into its very fabric. The route connects 13 local sites of interest, including urban studies centres, community hubs, a Grade 1 listed Church, lush hidden gardens, and four Westminster libraries: Paddington, Paddington Children’s, Maida Vale, and Queen’s Park.
At each stop, walkers can use a Pilgrim’s Passport to collect unique stamps, each one affectionately designed by local children to capture the spirit of that specific neighbourhood spot. The community’s response has been nothing short of electric. Within just one month of launching, over 1,000 Pilgrim Passports were collected by eager urban explorers.
Unlocking Hidden Wonders and Rewriting the Narrative
North Paddington is one of the most densely populated areas in the UK, where green space can feel scarce and media narratives too often focus strictly on the negatives. The Natural Way acts as a deliberate, joyful counter-narrative, revealing a corridor of life right under residents’ feet.
During the project’s development, Lola recalled taking a group of local young people on a walk along the Grand Union Canal. Despite living in the area their entire lives and walking to school nearby, they had no idea the canal was even there. Today, the trail guides people directly to these hidden gems, encouraging them to spot coots, frogs, and frogspawn at Meanwhile Gardens, or discover Gerry’s Pompeii, a secret, enchanting sculpture garden built behind high hedges over 30 years by a local artist.
“So much of it is about teaching yourself how to notice,” Lola reflected. “Nature touches everybody. You don’t have to be excluded from it.”
The Swift: A Symbol of Belonging
Perhaps nothing sums up the beautiful spirit of this project better than its unofficial emblem, the swift. As part of the project, local children built swift nesting boxes for the Amberley Estate. Because swifts migrate continuously between North Africa and the UK, thriving seamlessly in both environments, they became the perfect symbol for North Paddington’s rich, diverse community. As the team notes, it’s a beautiful reminder that you can be both, and you are welcome to be both.
Reflecting on their incredible P.E.A. Awards victory during this vital week of climate focus, Lola May said:
“The project has been so amazing to work on, especially as we’ve had the dual benefits of the pilgrimage being hyper-local and led entirely by residents, plus the amazing trainings and connections across Europe provided by the Europe Challenge. Residents of North Paddington love the Natural Way. Our Pilgrimage builds connection across divides, encourages pride and joy in the area, and aids in mental and physical health. It’s brilliant to have that rewarded by the P.E.A Awards!”
Walk It Your Way
We want to extend a massive London National Park City congratulations to Lola, Eman, the Paddington Development Trust, Westminster Libraries, and every single Climate Champion and resident who poured their heart into this project. As we celebrate London Climate Action Week, you are the ultimate proof that sustainability isn’t just about high-level policy: it is about community, connection, and the right to urban joy.
Want to experience the award-winning route yourself? You can walk The Natural Way all at once or break it up into smaller strolls.
Pick up a physical map and Pilgrim Passport at Queen’s Park, Maida Vale, Paddington, or Paddington Children’s Libraries.
Go Digital: Find step-by-step directions, accessibility details, and local histories on the Go Jauntly app.
