The beautiful park that feels like the countryside despite being next to 1 of the busiest London Underground stations

Camley Street Natural Park may ironically boast a name that hints at the urban, situated just off a busy road, yet it astonishingly offers a slice of tranquillity amidst the hubbub of London.

London is full of surprises, constantly challenging even the most well-seasoned city-goers, but finding a nature reserve just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of King's Cross feels like unearthing a secret too delightful to be real.

Yet, this hidden gem is indeed as real as it gets.

READ MORE: The hidden garden where you'll feel like you're in Japan more than West London

Camley Street pond. Credit: Wikimedia (Image: No credit)

Described as a wonderland of "woodland, grassland and wetland habitats including ponds, reedbed and marshy areas" by the London Wildlife Trust who are custodians of this precious patch of green, Camley Street Natural Park provides an unexpected pastoral retreat.

Home to a vast array of wildlife, this park has served the community since 1985, though its roots trace much further back. Originally part of the Middlesex woodlands, it rested on London's fringes through the 17th century but now claims pride of place as an inner-city sanctuary.

Camley Street pond features a different type of Canada Goose. Credit: Wikimedia (Image: No credit)

Industrialisation inevitably spelled the end for the Middlesex woodlands, paving the way for coal drops along the canal and railways, connecting the capital to the North. The park's past adds a layer of historical intrigue to its rich ecological tapestry.

Camden 's once-forgotten slice of nature has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in the 21st century. Initially falling into disuse, Camden Council, swayed by the London Wildlife Trust's fervent campaign, spared the land from redevelopment, opting instead to craft an urban park.

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Now revitalised with a £2.5 million upgrade completed in 2021, this two-hectare wonder houses more than just flora and fauna; a cafe and a learning centre now stand amidst the natural splendour.

Reflecting on the transformation, Patrick Barkham penned: "The story of the park's creation, survival and rebirth is a powerful example of the importance of urban havens for wildlife and people," commemorating its grand reopening.

A hop on the Tube takes you to a miraculous reserve featuring ponds that are home to both regal swans and the shy kingfisher, reed beds flanking robust cherry trees, and a secluded island a metropolitan gem only a train ride away.

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Woman dies after Fulham flat fire breaks out in early hours of morning

A woman has died in a West London fire. A flat caught fire on Ongar Road in Fulham in the early hours of the morning on Thursday (August 1). Firefighters raced to the home at 4.07am and the fire was under control 40 minutes later.

Most of a flat across the first and second floors of a converted end-of-terrace house was damaged by fire. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Fulham, Kensington, Hammersmith, Wandsworth, Tooting and Chelsea fire stations attended.

READ MORE: South London gang members loaded up on guns and ammo for funeral of friend shot dead in Brixton

However despite their best efforts and that of London Ambulance Service paramedics, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. It's not the only death the capital has seen recently in a fire.

Robert Price, 76, was rescued from a mid-terraced house last Sunday (July 28), but was pronounced dead at the scene outside the property. The fire had ripped through half of the ground floor.

A 17-year-old boy was subsequently charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life on Tuesday, July 30. He appeared in custody at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 31 and was remanded in custody. He appeared at the Old Bailey earlier today (August 2).

And on July 13 three children died in an East Ham house fire. They are 7-year-old boy Muhammad Hanan Malik, 11-year-old girl Aayat Malik and 13-year-old boy Nakash Malik.

Their parents Khurram Malik and Naumana Gul Khan spoke of their children: "Your lives were a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. May you rest in peace in God's heaven." A funeral was held for the three children on Monday (July 29).

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North London borough littered with broken roads and footpaths has extra £6m set aside to sort them

A North London council has approved plans to spend an extra £6m on resurfacing the roads and footways in the borough. The measure will include rolling out the new ‘pothole squad’ with machines to repair and refill the many holes that have become a nuisance for drivers and pedestrians quicker and make them longer lasting.

The budget was approved at a meeting of Harrow Council’s Cabinet last week (July 25), with the most urgent defects to be prioritised first. The local authority agreed a £240,000 programme earlier in the year to fix some of the worst affected roads but the additional £6m will be a ‘boost’ towards a wider resurfacing scheme.

Cabinet member for finance and highways, Cllr David Ashton, outlined the council’s aim to ‘cosmetically improve’ the look of the borough but making sure ‘the worst roads are targeted first’. He also suggested the additional funds will allow for resurfacing works to be carried out on roads which didn’t meet the criteria for pothole repairs.

READ MORE: Beloved Greenwich cake shop to leave London after 14 years in 'bittersweet' move

The £165,000 Pothole Pro JCB machine can repair potholes in as little as eight minutes (Image: Harrow Council)

Cllr Ashton said: "One of the problems is what looks like a pothole to you and me is not a pothole because road surfaces differ - some are concrete with an overlay of tarmac and others aren’t. So, you might have what looks like a hole in the road but it doesn’t meet the so-called specifications."

It was announced in January that the council's highways contractor, JB Riney, will assemble a new 'pothole squad' to find and fix potholes quickly throughout the borough. By using the new £165,000 Pothole Pro JCB machine, repair work can be carried out in as little as eight minutes.

The council will now explore using other machinery, such as for thermal road repairs, which it claims are 'great for the environment, cost effective and get the job done quickly'. With this type of equipment there is minimal waste, the materials are recycled, and the repairs last longer.

Last year more than 1,500 potholes were repaired across the borough. The council said this new financial boost will ‘complement the additional funding and also the road resurface works which have already been planned in’. Harrow’s more than 450km of road network and 930km of footways have been assessed for ‘damage and defects’ - with this condition data set to dictate the prioritisation of repairs.

Cllr Ashton said: "Residents always tell us about the state of some of our roads. This last year we’ve done a lot to repair roads in disrepair, but we know more needs to be done. That’s why we’re investing more to permanently fix potholes and defects. Using state of the art machinery, and our dedicated pothole squad, will help to fix even more potholes and ensure long lasting repairs."

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Catching A Killer: What happened to Kyron Lee and where his killers are now

At 9pm tonight (Wednesday, July 31), Channel 4 is broadcasting Catching A Killer. The 90-minute programme details what happened to 21-year-old Kyron Lee, who was killed in Slough in 2022.

The Channel 4 series follows police as they investigate murders and search for missing people. At around 8.50pm on the fateful night, Kyron was cycling when a car slammed into him, knocking him off.

He bravely got up and tried to run away, but his killers chased him into nearby Waterman Court and brutally stabbed and slashed him with machetes or large knives. They then made their getaway in the same car used to knock Kyron off his bike.

READ MORE: EastEnders fans fuming as they 'work out' 40th anniversary murder plot after huge clue

Kyron was pronounced dead at the scene at around 9.45pm that evening. Four men were found guilty of his murder in 2023.

Khalid Nur, 22, of Graylands Close, Slough, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 26 years. Mohammed Elgamri, 20, of Carter Close, Windsor, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.

Yaqhub Mussa, 23, of Daylesford Grove, Slough, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 23 years and nine months after pleading guilty to murder. And Fras Seedahmed, 19, of Surrey Avenue, Slough, will serve a minimum of 23 years before being eligible for release.

Ahmad Hassan, 24, of Blackwell Court, Slough was sentenced to four years imprisonment for assisting an offender. Fuad Nur, aged 27, of Graylands Close, Slough was given a year-long sentence suspended for 18 months, 150 hours of unpaid work and £2,000 in costs, for failing to provide his mobile phone PIN when told to do so.

Hassan was found innocent of two further counts of assisting an offender, while Nur was found not guilty of one count of assisting an offender. Ilias Almallah, 22, of Eltham Avenue, Slough, was also found guilty of murder in March and Mohamed Abdulle, 21, of Kenbury Drive, Slough, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in March this year.

‘It is clear they intended to cause serious harm’

Det Ch Insp Mike Roddy, of Thames Valley Police, said: "There was a history of violence between this group of males and another group. It is clear to me that they intended to cause serious harm that evening.

"They utilised a stolen car, armed themselves with weapons, used clothing to mask their identities, took steps to distance themselves from the vehicle and attempted to avoid prosecution.

'Kyron was more than my son, he was my rock'

Donna Lesner, Kyron’s mum, said on the day her son's killers were sentenced: “I want to start by thanking the police, the CPS and the Courts for all of the work that has gone into making those responsible for killing my son to be held accountable for their actions. Following a number of lengthy trials, I can now grieve for my son and finally let Kyron rest in peace.

“But today is not a day to celebrate. There are no winners here and even though justice has been served no amount of years served will ever bring my son’s life back. I’ve come to accept that I may never get the answers as to why they decided to take Kyron’s life in such a senseless, brutal act of violence that fateful Sunday evening.

"My only hope is that one day they understand the severity of their decisions and show some sort of remorse for taking my son's life.

“Kyron was an amazing young man, he had such a beautiful caring and selfless nature. I had so many hopes and dreams for his future and was excited at the thought of having grandchildren by him.

"There are many other things that Kyron will never get to do or be which is why it’s so much more painful. Kyron had so many talents that he will never get to master.

“Kyron was more than my son, he was my rock, my biggest supporter and he made me proud to be his mother. Even in his death Kyron touched so many people’s lives and I’m thankful to everyone who has shown love and support for Kyron.

"We can now let Kyron rest in peace. Kyron’s memory will forever live on with his big cheeky smile and wink that we all loved and knew. Smiling back at you son.”

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2 rushed to hospital then arrested after gunshot heard near Oxford Street

Two were rushed to hospital earlier today (Tuesday, July 30), shortly after a gunshot was heard near Oxford Street in Central London.

While neither of them was shot, one had a head injury and the other a hand injury. Neither of their conditions is life-threatening.

READ MORE: Man stabbed 23-year-old to death after victim followed him with a baseball bat

The Met said: "Police were called at about 18:35hrs on Tuesday, 30 July to reports of a gunshot heard and a group of youths in possession of a knife on Gilbert Street at the junction with Oxford Street, W1.

"Officers attended. Two people were taken to hospital for treatment to a head and hand injury. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Neither was shot. They have both been arrested.

"A knife was recovered at the scene.

"A third person has also been arrested.

"Enquiries continue."

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Sadiq Khan says Londoners 'less likely to be victim of violence' after 6 stabbed in 3 days

Sadiq Khan has insisted that he is making progress over crime and that Londoners are 'less likely' to be attacked when compared to other areas of the country after six people were stabbed over the weekend. It comes as the Mayor of London announced £2 million for youth projects over the summer on Monday, July 29.

The cash funds 'a series of summer activities to tackle violence and provide a helping hand for thousands of young people', including sports and carpentry. On a visit to Goodmayes Park, MyLondon questioned the mayor on his record after 11 people were attacked in five days in the capital, including two 15-year-old boys who were shot and stabbed.

Six people were stabbed in the city over the weekend, leaving one man dead and another fighting for his life in hospital. Between the afternoon of Friday, July 26, and Sunday, July 28, five different stabbing incidents were reported across the city.

READ MORE: London stabbing spree marks bloody weekend of tragedy as 6 people knifed and 3 die

There have been a number of stabbings and shootings across London in recent weeks (Image: David Nathan/UKNIP)

A man was attacked, beaten and robbed near a London Overground station in East London on Sunday night (July 28). A man was stabbed in Mile End leaving him with life-changing injuries and found in the early hours of this morning.

MyLondon asked the mayor when this was going to change. Mr Khan said: "It's heartbreaking and horrifying when you see anybody who's a victim of crime, particularly people who lose their lives, and when you discover those who lost their lives are children, and those responsible are children as well, that compounds the anger and the heartbreak."

'Londoners know we've invested in young people'

The mayor added: "Londoners know, from the last 14 years, the consequences of cuts in youth clubs, policing, NHS, education and other public services. But also they know that within the last eight years, notwithstanding the central government cuts, we've invested in young people."

Mr Khan then said what he has told MyLondon before - that he believes crime is 'not inevitable but preventable', and that he is taking a 'public health approach', being 'tough on crime' and tackling the 'complex causes of crime'. The City Hall chief then claimed that, despite the capital's population increasing by more than a million and an increase in violence across the country, over his mayoralty, homicides are down in London, knife injuries of those under 25 are down, gun crime is down and burglary is down. "It's still too high, though," he added.

Pharrell Garcia was found stabbed at Stellman Close, Hackney shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, July 23, and died at the scene (Image: The Met)

He said: "I suspect one of the reasons Londoners voted for change on July 4 and voted for me on May 2 is because they're fed up with central government, and what you'll see going forward is central government and a mayor working together. It's very difficult, though, because we've had 14 years of austerity."

'People less likely to be a victim of violence in London'

Mr Khan then stated that, according to the Office for National Statistics, you are 'less likely to be a victim of violence in London than the rest of the country'. The same goes, he added, for being 'a victim of violence and being injured'.

MyLondon also asked the mayor specifically about crossbows, as there have recently been a number of violent incidents involving them in the capital. In March, a man was arrested after two people were left injured after a series of crossbow attacks.

In the same month, a man was rushed to hospital after being shot in the neck by a crossbow. Bryce Hodgson, 30, was killed after trying to force entry into a house at Bywater Place, Surrey Quays, Southwark, armed with weapons and tools - including three crossbows - at around 5am on January 30 this year.

On potential legislation, Mr Khan said he hopes it will have a 'comprehensive ban' on some of these things. "What is the justification," he added, "of having a machete? What's the justification for having a zombie knife? How would you justify walking around with a crossbow? And so we do need to make sure we close down any loopholes that currently exist."

Asked if he wanted crossbows banned outright, the mayor said: "Well, we know that there are some weapons that may be used in other parts of the world, I suspect if you live in the Amazon jungle, a machete may be useful. I'm not sure what use it has in London."

Security minister Dan Jarvis said that crossbow laws need to be 'urgently examined', after the wife of BBC 5 Live racing commentator John Hunt and two of their daughters were killed in Bushey, Hertfordshire, earlier this month.

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Call the Midwife's Stephen McGann prepares for dramatic baby scene in behind-the-scenes snap

Call the Midwife's Stephen McGann, who plays Dr. Patrick Turner, has given fans a sneak peek into how the show films scenes with newborn babies. The 61-year-old actor shared a behind-the-scenes photo on the official Call the Midwife Instagram page, showing him in character as Dr.Turner attending to a very unwell baby, which is actually a plastic doll.

In the image, the actor can be seen gently holding the doll's chest while giving off a serious expression. When the time comes to film the scene, the doll will be replaced with a real-life baby.

The post also explained the use of dolls for rehearsals, stating: "This photo from the set of our latest Call the Midwife Christmas Special shows Stephen McGann (Dr. Turner) rehearsing a detailed medical sequence on the delivery room's Resuscitaire."

READ MORE: Call The Midwife star Olly Rix lands 'steamy new role' in Casualty

Stephen McGann in rehearsals as Doctor Turner in Call the Midwife (Image: Call the Midwife/Instagram)

The caption continued: "What first strikes us in this picture is the simplicity of the doll used! As you can see, Stephen is using the kind of plastic child's doll familiar to any child."

It added: "Talk about low-tech! Although we do have more sophisticated (and more expensive) prosthetic models available to us, their use for rehearsal really depends on the qualities needed by our cast for the precise actions in the scene.," reports the Express.

"For instance, prosthetic models have full baby weight and size, so that can be good for specific actions where carrying a baby is required.

"But here, Stephen is concentrating on providing oxygen for a child with breathing issues, so the nature of the doll is less important.

"That said, the cheap plastic doll will soon need to be replaced by the real thing! As we come to film the scene itself, it can often be a bit of a shock for our cast when a real, live, kicking baby suddenly replaces our well-behaved plastic rehearsal assistant!"

Call the Midwife uses real babies for some aspects of filming the BBC One show (Image: BBC / Neal Street Productions / Nicky Johnston)

"Real babies are our most precious commodities", the show added: "So their time on set is very short, and our cast must be ready to anticipate the differences between plastic and delicate newborn skin.

"Thankfully our team is well accustomed to this and handles our youngest stars with all necessary delicacy. In fact, there is a particular help to performance when actions with an inanimate doll become an interaction with a real human life.

"The baby in this story comes to Nonnatus House with some very specific medical problems. For all their careful rehearsal, will our team be able to save the real thing?"

Call the Midwife enthusiasts were quick to praise the post, with one viewer commenting: "As a real-life midwife I love the attention to detail."

Another fan chimed in: "I am always amazed and impressed at your use of actual 'newborn' babies and not three-month-olds like you see on every other show. Your attention to detail is always noticed by my husband as well, especially the cars!"

Stephen McGann as Dr. Patrick in Call the Midwife (Image: BBC / Neal Street Productions / Miya Mizuno)

A third viewer couldn't contain their excitement, exclaiming: "Absolutely love, love, love this series, really looking forward to next series", while another simply added: "Counting down!"

The much-loved show Call the Midwife is set to air on Christmas Day, marking the end of an era with its last episode thought to be set in the 1960s before the plot moves into the 1970s for series 14 which will air in 2025.

Call the Midwife returns on Christmas Day.

For more Call the Midwife news and gossip, visit our dedicated page here. Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.

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