Neighbourhood Hikes

We’re excited to announce that we are launching a new series of neighbourhood walks for 2026! Funded through the Walking and Cycling Grants programme, by Transport for London in partnership with The London Marathon Foundation, the walks run from April to September 2026.

Continuing from the success of Branching Out in 2025, these walks will talk place weekly, along with additional Saturday walks, and will last for up to an hour with a chance to chat over refreshments at the end.

Step outside and connect with nature and your community. Explore green spaces, community gardens, and hidden nature spots across Islington’s Nature Neighbourhood.

Walks will take place every Tuesday, and on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 10.30am - 12pm. Walks will begin at the Old Fire Station, Holloway Neighbourhood Group, Mayton St, N7 6QT, with each walk ending at one of our Nature Anchors, or another nearby location chosen by our volunteer walk leaders.

No need to book, just meet us at Holloway Neighbourhood Group at 10.30am!

Volunteer walk leaders design and lead the walks, so check this page for the latest information about walk themes:

Past Walks:

• Tuesday 14th April, tree walk finishing at the Ecology Centre

• Tuesday 21st April, wildflower seed sowing, finishing at Hilldrop Community Centre

• Saturday 25th April, mindfulness and nature walk finishing at Whittington Park

• Tuesday 28th April, experiencing nature through all our senses, finishing at Whittington Park

• Tuesday 5th May, finishing at Holloway Neighbourhood Group

• Tuesday 12th May, identifying local nature walk finishing at the Community Plant Nursery

• Tuesday 19th May, local wildlife walk, finishing at Hilldrop Community Centre

Upcoming walks:

• Saturday 23rd May, exploring local nature, finishing at the Finsbury Park lake

• Tuesday 26th May, mindfulness and nature walk finishing at Whittington Park Community Centre

• Tuesday 2nd June, mindfulness and nature walk finishing at Holloway Neighbourhood Group

• Tuesday 9th June, pollinators - a bug hunt finishing at the Community Plant Nursery

• Tuesday 16th June, a tree walk finishing at Hilldrop Community Centre

• Tuesday 23rd June, ecology walk finishing at Whittington Park Community Centre

• Saturday 27th June, colour walk finishing at Holloway Neighbourhood Group

• Tuesday 30th June, mindfulness and nature walk finishing at Holloway Neighbourhood Group

• Tuesday 7th July, a tour of local community gardens finishing at the Caledonian Park Clock Tower

• Tuesday 14th July, colour walk finishing at Hilldrop Community Centre

• Tuesday 21st July, tree walk finishing at Whittington Park Community Centre

• Saturday 25th July, finishing at the Community Plant Nursery

• Tuesday 28th July, finishing at Holloway Neighbourhood Group

• Tuesday 4th August, time travel to Cally Park, finishing Caledonian Park Clock Tower

• Tuesday 11th August, finishing at Hilldrop Community Centre

• Tuesday 18th August, creative writing walk finishing at Whittington Park Community Centre

• Saturday 22nd August, finishing at the Community Plant Nursery

• Tuesday 25th August, finishing at Holloway Neighbourhood Group

• Tuesday 1st September, food growing and harvesting, finishing at the Community Plant Nursery

• Tuesday 8th September, seasonal changes and seed collecting, finishing at Hilldrop Community Centre

• Tuesday 15th September, finishing at Whittington Park Community Centre

• Tuesday 22nd September, finishing at Holloway Neighbourhood Group

Why join?

- Boost your physical & mental wellbeing

- Meet new people and build community

- Discover the local area, nature and growing projects 

Please bring a water bottle and comfortable shoes.

We have Walk Leader training available for local residents who want to get involved in designing and leading a walk. Get in touch with info@octopuscommunities.org.uk to find out more!

“Walking is a very good way to meet people, as you have something to do while talking to them. It is easy to start a conversation commenting on things around you and go from there”

“Very enjoyable, relaxing and helpful mindful walk/session today. I’ve found a number of aspects helpful - several reminders of helpful things I will now carry forward and get back to doing day to day. I’ve also learnt several new things about the nature/mindfulness wellbeing connection.”