15th May, 6-7.30pm, Thomas Guy Statue, SE1 9RS
Led by London guide and wellbeing champion Sarah Williams-Robbins (Mrs Londoner), this is a chance to explore nature in an urban environment. It’s also an opportunity connect with the neighbourhood, and with your neighbours, as we discover calm corners, award-winning pocket parks and diverse habitats so essential for the creation of sustainable, liveable cities.
Our walk will showcase this varied cityscape, and prove that you don’t need to leave London to immerse yourself in nature. We will admire some of the species that offer us shade, oxygen, beauty and colour, and hear of the important steps to encourage more wildlife and pollinators to share our urban space. We will discover hidden nooks and crannies, where you might return for future meet-ups, or for some peace and quiet during lunchtime or weekends.
As we wind our way through this regenerated area, we will hear stories of its fascinating past, as London’s larder, and home to ‘smelly’ industries, from brewing to leather-making. We will take notice and celebrate the beauty of the shrubs, trees and flowers and hear of their benefits, ancient and modern. We will take a moment to look and listen out for evening birdsong, under the canopy of plane and magnolia trees, and admire the world-famous waterfront.
We end our journey under the arches of London Bridge, in cobble-lined Holyrood Street, at the lovely neighbourhood bar Nine Lives. Here you may wish to relax over a drink with friends – new and old! The first drink is on us!
Meeting point: Guy’s Courtyard, next to the statue of Thomas Guy.