The Walking Lord Mayor: Footways in conversation with Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg

Emma Griffin (co-founder of Footways London) sits down with the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, to explore why walking is the best way to experience the city from side-road zebras and dropped kerbs to blue plaques, park corridors and the brand-new West End public toilets (yes, really). Recorded live at the London National Park City Visitor Centre during Open House Festival.

• Westminster Footways map & routes: footways.london/westminster
  
  

In this episode

• Why Paul calls himself the “Walking Lord Mayor” and how walking shapes civic life
• How the Westminster Footways
  map helps residents find calmer, greener everyday routes
• Small changes with big impact: dropped kerbs, side-road zebras, lighting, seating, planting, and better toilets
• Favourite routes: Paddington → Hyde Park → Green Park → St James’s Park → Victoria, Serpentine North past the wildlife sanctuary, and Marylebone → Bell Street → Edgware Road
• Themed strolls: tree walks, pub heritage walks, blue plaque trails, and even Nordic walking in Hyde Park

Try these this weekend

• Three-Park Green Corridor: Paddington → Hyde Park → Green Park → St James’s Park → Victoria
• Hyde Park Sanctuary Stroll: Serpentine North path up to Bayswater Road
• Marylebone Heritage Meander: Marylebone Station → Bell Street → Edgware Road

Guest
Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, Lord Mayor of Westminster; Westminster councillor since 1982; former Cabinet Member for City Management & Air Quality (2022–2025).

Host
Emma Griffin, co-founder of Footways London

Recorded at
London National Park City Visitor Centre (Open House Festival, live audience) — learn more about the movement: nationalparkcity.london

If you enjoyed this conversation, share the Westminster Footways map
with a neighbour, pick a themed route, and tell us your favourite Westminster walk in the comments.