London's Royal Parks a sea of calm in uncertain times

Earlier today, over 12,500 runners took part in the first ever Royal Parks Half Marathon. The participants were running in aid of the Royal Parks Foundation and 150 plus other charities. The run began and ended in Hyde Park. Among the London landmarks runners would have seen on the route were Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Trafalgar Square.

The Royal Parks Foundation conserve the royal parks (which cover some 5,000 acres) for the public.

The oldest of the eight royal parks in London is St James's Park. King Henry VIII purchased the land in 1532, drained the marsh and populated it with deer. He even built a hunting lodge which later became St James’s Palace.

St James's Park is a pleasant place to relax and unwind away from the stresses of the current times. The park covers 58 acres (23 hectares) and is home to geese, ducks and pelicans. The pelicans are fed each day at 14:30.

Independent travellers in London can use twenty-first century technology to hear about the history of St James's Park with the Palace Trail, Walk Talk Tour, London travel guide.

There are five Walk Talk Tour London travel guides. Each Walk Talk Tour London walking tour costs just £5.95. Customers purchasing two tours simultaneously will receive a twenty per cent discount. Buy three at the same time and get thirty per cent off.

A Walk Talk Tour London audio walking tour represents excellent value compared for people wishing to explore the British capital in groups and parties. For more information about making a group booking please click here.

All of the Walk Talk Tour audio walking tours of London are available in English, French, German and Spanish.

All of the Walk Talk Tour London iPod travel guides - with the exception of the longer City & South Bank podcast guided tour - can be completed in two hours.

Unlike a conventional guide, listeners to a Walk Talk Tour mp3 guided tour are free to explore the sights at their own pace. No need to feel conspicuous with a guidebook in your hands or struggle to keep up - let alone hear - your tour guide. Listeners to a Walk Talk Tour London city walking tour are free to stop, start and listen again to any part of their commentary as they wish - or as the weather dictates.

Broadcaster and actor Johnathan Keeble narrates all of the Walk Talk Tour London travel guides. Listeners receive directions explaining how to get from one commentary point to the next. In addition, customers can print out a free downloadable map of the tour's route. To hear an audio sample from the Palace Trail mp3 guided tour please click here.

The other seven royal parks in London are Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, The Regent's Park and Richmond Park. Admission to all of the royal parks is free.