Whether you're squashed in to one of those elusive tube trains that can carry you across town (when they want to), or squeezing your family of 4 in to that studio flat you can only just afford, city life today is all about being nose-to-armpit with your neighbour. Of course, if you're a true Londoner, you'll behave as if you hadn't noticed, but this is the reality.

This week, find some time to stroll through a Royal Park. Stretch your arms as well as your legs. Enjoy the peace and quiet. Then consider the busy trees: shared homes for thousands of animals, large, small, common, rare and endangered. These trees are vertical cities with areas for shelter, eating, setting up home and more.

We may live and work in spaces the size of postage stamps, but if we look after our parks, we can appreciate what we have - just by watching a line of ants embark on.. well, a bark. It's all a matter of perspective.