London’s green side might surprise you. On a warm and sunny Spring day this week, I headed out across Greenwich Park. My mission was to acquire a pile of baked goods from Gail’s (most excellent!) bakery in Blackheath. What I found, in addition to the goodies, was a reconnection with nature and a feeling of renewal.
A hike from West Greenwich to Blackheath and back can be designed as a circuit, avoiding traffic and maximising the green vibe. When it comes to population, London is a high density city, with roughly 2.5 times the population per square kilometre of a city like Los Angeles or New York. But, careful land-use planning and protection of green space have paid off.
Most urban denizens in London don’t have to go far to find London’s green side. An ample supply of parks across the city, a green belt around it, and protection for notable trees combine to deliver open space as a counterpoint to the intense urbanisation in some areas.
Why not come along to enjoy the greenery with me? Follow my hike with this handy step-by-step slide show, linked below. (If you don’t see the slideshow, click here to get back to the original page.)
It looks like you had a beautiful early spring day for your walk,
Doug. It seemed like the trees were just starting to turn green, and spring flowers were blooming. And you planned your route well, some parts of your path looked as if you were in the countryside!
Thanks for the reply. Indeed… It’s amazing to me to come across such hints of countryside right here in town. After a short hike, you come back feeling revitalised, thanks to a glimpse of nature and a short change in scenery.