All the walks are at an easy pace and are suitable for people who are just starting out in walking, and as well as those who just want to slow down and enjoy what is good about our varied city.

The walks are led by experienced volunteers, and all ages walk with them. The London Strollers have a Saturday Stroll every week and organise weekday strolls too. Examples of recent walks include a Wimbledon circular, a city of London tour, a stroll around Brixton. as well as the popular Wednesday evening waterway walks along canals and the Thames. The London Strollers are looking to increase their membership and expand the number of walks they offer every week.

The London Strollers are part of the national Ramblers, who campaign to protect footpaths in the UK. The London Strollers would welcome fellow Slow Down Londoners on their walks. If you would like to join them please see their website at www.londonstrollers.org.uk where you can see details of their next few walks and how to join.

If you want more information please e-mail londonstrollers@gmail.com to join their mailing list.

Alex Mannings

As the stroll reached its conclusion (at Angel tube station) its tired but happy participants were left to reflect on an afternoon spent making new friends and discovering hidden gems such as the New River Path and Canonbury Square.

Tessa Watt, Director of Slow Down London, said: “Walking at a slow pace brings our body and mind back into sync. The walk today felt natural and healthy and in keeping with what Slow Down London is all about – looking around us and appreciating our world.”

Only a quarter of the participants on the walk were members of Metropolitan Walkers – a reflection of the great strides made by Slow Down London in attracting members of the public to its relaxed, unhurried perspective.

“The fact that most of the people here today came solely for the Slow Down London event speaks volumes for the movement,” said the leader of the walk Phil Marson. Slow Down London, which was formed as a response to the stresses of city life, began its fortnight of activities with a ‘slow walk’ over Waterloo Bridge during rush hour on 24th April.

Reflecting on the festival, Watt, a former BBC Producer and self-confessed workaholic, said: “We get into habitual patterns. Events of this kind take us out of our everyday environment and experiences.”

Michael Isaac
Image by Jessica Scott

Met walkers

The Ramblers and the Metropolitan Walkers (a Ramblers group for Londoners in their 20s & 30s) will be organising a series of ‘slow down’ walks where Londoners of all ages can explore the greener and more tranquil parts of their city.

These free walks will take place every afternoon over the weekend of 25-26 April 2009 and the Bank Holiday weekend, and in the evenings on Tuesday 28th April 2009 and Thursday 30th April 2009.  For more information, click on the relevant date, or visit www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk

Each has a particular spot that I return to when I‘ve been rushing around and feel the need to slow down. Either standing under a huge, old tree – where I look up through the branches, feel the bark and leaves and feel my breathing change pace and deepen. Or sitting on a bench at one of the many high points where I can see a long way across London and this change of perspective always make me feel calmer.

But I can also slow down in particular buildings that contain large spaces and have a sense of stillness and silence – the British Library, British Museum, St James Piccadilly and Serpentine Gallery are some of my central slow down haunts.

Today I made a new discovery that I loved – Kings Place near Kings Cross. A few years ago, if I’d been asked to name my least likely place to slow down, Kings Cross would have been top of my list with Oxford Circus and Victoria. Now I feel completely different about this area. It’s an airy, light space created to be a new concert venue for London – plus cafes, offices and galleries. I enjoyed the spaciousness , and mix of sculpture and art with views of canal boats and water outside.

After a few hours there, I left feeling revived and inspired and released of the pressure I had been feeling over the last few days as I struggled with competing deadlines at work and building work at home. That’s one of the many reasons I love living in London – there’s always somewhere new to discover and enjoy a slower pace for a while.

Amanda Stone – Director, Slow Down London

Alex Horne

Ingenious comedian Alex Horne joins forces with quirky urban folkstress Annalie to pay homage to some of the slower delights of London life.

Perrier Award nominee Horne reads from his brand new book Birdwatchingwatching, while Annalie performs acoustic songs from her debut album The Anomaly Project.

This event is free and booking is not required.

Metropolitan Walkers in the woods

As part of the series of ‘slow down’ walks, join the Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Ramblers Group for a 6 mile circular walk through Harrow Weald Common, Old Redding, Bentley Priory and deer park. Pub stop en route.

Metropolitan Walkers by the canal

As part of the 2009 series of ‘slow down’ walks, join the Metropolitan Walkers for a 6 mile walk from Highgate to Angel tube station, following a disused railway line, the Capital Ring and the New River.

Metropolitan Walkers in the park

As part of the 2009 series of ‘slow down’ walks, join the Metropolitan Walkers for a 6 mile walk through Dulwich Park, Dulwich Woods and the Horniman Museum gardens, ending at a café in Crystal Palace Park where there will be an ice cream opportunity.

Metropolitan Walkers in the woods

As part of the series of ‘slow down’ walks 2009, join the Metropolitan Walkers for a 7 mile circular walk through Wanstead Flats, Epping Forest and Wanstead Park, ending at a pub near Leytonstone tube station. Café lunch stop.

Metropolitan Walkers in the park

As part of the series of ‘slow down’ walks 2009, join the Metropolitan Walkers for a 3 mile stroll through Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, ending at a pub near Great Portland Street tube station.