David Attenborough finds London's wildlife as home in Wild London documentary

Sir David Attenborough has delivered a new one-off documentary that returns him to his hometown for Wild London, a portrait of urban wildlife in the capital. The program, produced by BBC and Passion Planet, follows Attenborough as he revisits the places that shaped his long career and his love for the natural world. Wild London airs at 18:30 GMT on Jan. 1 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Attenborough has lived in Richmond, southwest London, for seven decades, calling the royal park a refuge and source of inspiration. “London is a city full of hidden natural wonders,” he says in the film, a sentiment echoed by producers who note he could live anywhere in the world but keeps returning to London.

The film is packed with urban wildlife: pigeons hopping onto the Tube, a snake colony beside a canal, and a Dalmatian dog strolling through Dagnam Park, Romford as a fallow deer fawn remains nearby. London Wildlife Trust chief executive David Mooney said the scenes capture wildlife interacting with people in a city of nine million. “The raw experiences of nature are something that at London Wildlife Trust we’ve been talking about for a long time,” he said.

Attenborough shows tender moments with animals, including a peregrine falcon chick at the Houses of Parliament while it is ringed for identification, and a tiny harvest mouse released into a meadow in Greenford. He tells the camera, “Now we can recognise you anywhere — yes, yes you,” as the chick tilts its head toward him.

Joe Loncraine, director of Wild London, said the moments convey warmth and infectious enthusiasm, describing scenes that deliver an intimacy with wildlife not seen in recent years. In the film Attenborough also highlights the Ealing Beaver Project, noting how the program has had a positive impact in west London. He observes: “If someone had told me when I first moved here that one day I would be watching wild beavers in London, I would have thought they were mad. But there they are, right behind me.”

Mr Mooney added that the film’s message is simple: if people notice wildlife, they will begin to love it; if they love it, they will protect it, helping to set London on a path to nature recovery. Attenborough frames the city as the world’s greenest major city, a point echoed by partners who helped produce the film.

Wild London arrives as Attenborough, soon to celebrate his 100th birthday, continues an extensive legacy of nature documentaries that emphasize the creatures that share cities with humans. Producers say the film nudges audiences to marvel at nature on their doorstep, even amid daily life’s fast pace.

Watch details: Wild London premieres at 18:30 GMT on January 1 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.