North Paddington Nature Pilgrimage - The Natural Way

Filmed on location along the route by Michael Shilling, with Lola May (Community Climate Action Coordinator, Paddington Development Trust) and Eman Asir (Library Officer, Westminster Libraries).What is The Natural Way? A fully accessible, six-mile circular walking route through North Paddington, inspired by the Camino de Santiago and Europe's pilgrimage trails. Walkers collect stamps designed by local children at stops along the way, visiting libraries, community centres, gardens and places of worship across Westbourne, Queen's Park and Harrow Road.In this episode, Lola and Eman walk the route and discuss:How the Camino de Santiago inspired a walking trail through one of London's most deprived neighbourhoodsThe Europe Challenge and how libraries and community groups are collaborating across EuropeWhy local young people didn't know the Grand Union Canal was on their doorstepMeanwhile Gardens: frogs, frogspawn and the first skateboard bowl in LondonGerry's Pompeii: a secret sculpture garden 30 years in the makingSwift nesting boxes on the Amberley Estate and what swifts symbolise about migration and belongingWildflower meadows, bat forests and the biodiversity growing out of the concreteThe Nature of Things salon nights at Mason & Fifth hotelWhy "starting to notice" is the most important skill the walk teachesThe right to joy: reclaiming a neighbourhood's story through walkingLibraries on the route (maps and stamps available): Paddington Children's Library | Paddington Library (reopening soon) | Maida Vale Library | Queen's Park LibraryKey stops mentioned: Grand Junction (Grade I listed church and community centre) | Grand Union Canal towpath | Meanwhile Gardens | Gerry's Pompeii sculpture garden | Beethoven Centre | Queen's Park | Urban Wise (urban study centre)Digital route: Available on the Go Jauntly appUpcoming events: Guided walks, bat walk and planting session, bird song walks, trip to the urban beaver sanctuary. Check Eventbrite and Instagram for dates.The Natural Way is a project of: Paddington Development Trust and Westminster Libraries, supported by The Europe Challenge (Arts Council and European Cultural Foundation).Links:The Europe Challenge project page: theeuropechallenge.eu/north-paddington-nature-pilgrimageGo Jauntly: North Paddington Nature PilgrimageExplore more London National Park City Podcasts