The ianVisits guide to September's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Tuesday 1st September
Chemical engineer Rachel Cooke introduces the 1971 musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's confectionery allegory.
Starts at 6:30pm
6:30pm to 9pm
Clerkenwell
A study of the Elgin Marbles, from the original controversy over their purchase to the current debate surrounding their restitution
Starts at 7pm
Richmond
More London events on Tuesday 1st September
Wednesday 2nd September
£29.00
10am to 5pm
Camden
Lambeth Palace Garden will be open on the first Wednesday of the month between March and October,
12pm to 3pm
Southwark
More London events on Wednesday 2nd September
Thursday 3rd September
The UK Space Agency presents the opportunity to attend our one day technology event focussing on nuclear power and propulsion for space.
9:30am to 4:15pm
Vauxhall Bridge
Free
An annual service of commemoration by the statue that stands by the Palace of Westminster.
Starts at 3pm
A lecture on the search for life on other planets.
6pm to 7:30pm
More London events on Thursday 3rd September
Friday 4th September
Visit a tall sailing ship on a visit from Colombia
10am to 6pm
Poplar
An illustrated presentation will delve into the dark and curious history of the ghosts of the Thames,
1pm to 1:30pm
City of London
Looking at the institution which is the Great British Pub, mapping a dataset of pubs across the UK.
1pm to 1:50pm
Shoreditch
Professor Daniel Szechi reveals the surprising significance of their widely supported but ultimately doomed rebellion.
2pm to 3:30pm
A talk about the River Effra, once a sparkling stream running the length of Lambeth but now downgraded to an underground storm relief sewer.
Starts at 7pm
West Norwood
You are the Large Hadron Collider's latest recruits and we are excited to welcome you into the fold - let's go find the Higgs Boson.
7pm to 8:30pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Friday 4th September
Saturday 5th September
Free
A rare opportunity to enjoy the once bustling London beach at Tower Bridge in front of the Tower of London.
tba
Visit a tall sailing ship on a visit from Colombia
10am to 6pm
Poplar
£16.50
An all-day guided walking tour of the Woolwich area covering both sides of the River Thames.
Starts at 10:30am
East Ham
Camberwell Bus Garage will open its doors to members of the public in the next of a series of bus garage open days.
11am to 4pm
Camberwell
£5.00
A four-mile walk of the urban infrastructure, flood management engineering and natural beauty of the tidal Thames, all within the M25.
Starts at 2pm
Erith
Monthly open day at one of London's more unusual, and delightful museums.
2pm to 5pm
A rare opportunity to explore this tiny jewel of secret London, a 1719 Huguenot merchant's house later turned into a Synagogue.
2pm to 6pm
Join us on an unusual excursion round the Marshes led by the colourful Local Historian and the Lady of the Pageant.
3pm to 4pm
Walthamstow
The festival features discussions, demonstrations and tastings with food and drink authors.
8pm to 9pm
More London events on Saturday 5th September
Sunday 6th September
A look around the RNLI's only floating lifeboat station, based on the Thames by Charing Cross.
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Strand
A ceremony to remember those who died in the Merchant Navy, held at the memorial on Tower Hill.
tba
A guided walk through some of South East London's beautiful sights (and some not so beautiful too).
Starts at 11am
Peckham
Come and explore this little urban oasis and join in with with lots of plant themed activities.
11am to 3pm
Peckham
Attend a lesson in a recreation of a Victorian school room.
2pm to 5pm
The guided tour of the Albert Memorial gives you exclusive access inside the memorial railings,
Starts at 2pm
South Kensington
A rare opportunity to explore this tiny jewel of secret London, a 1719 Huguenot merchant's house later turned into a Synagogue.
2pm to 6pm
A tall sailing ship will pass through Tower Bridge, while its crew will balance on its masts singing the Colombian National Anthem.
7pm to 8pm
More London events on Sunday 6th September
Monday 7th September
Sir David Williams will give an illustrated talk on these exiled princes in the Salon,
Starts at 7pm
Twickenham
More London events on Monday 7th September
Tuesday 8th September
This workshop will aim to understand what 'smart' may look like in improving public transport services and how technology can best aid the process.
10:30am to 12:30pm
A talk on actually happened when the London Irish Rifles performed the first football charge at the Battle of Loos on 25 Sept 1915
2pm to 3pm
More London events on Tuesday 8th September
Wednesday 9th September
£5.00
A lecture and live demonstration exploring the science and speculation behind Franklin’s infamous and much-mythologised ‘kite and key’ experiment.
Starts at 11:30am
Free
A number of vessels, many of whom took part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, will gather by Tower Bridge and salute The Queen.
Starts at 12pm
Southwark
The River Thames is celebrated as the lifeblood of London, but few recognise it's threat to the City's survival.
1pm to 1:30pm
City of London
Guru Madhavan will discuss the essentials of the engineering mind-set—based on narratives from his book Think Like an Engineer
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
More London events on Wednesday 9th September
Thursday 10th September
Tour of the City of London's historic Guildhall, followed by attending the Common Council.
Starts at 10:45am
This interactive talk explores what this archaeologist did during the war and what was happening in his beloved Egypt.
6pm to 8pm
A fascinating talk on the 100,000 African soldiers who fought against the Japanese in Burma.
Starts at 6:45pm
A private view of the art gallery, followed by 18th-century music.
Starts at 7pm
£8.00
A robot malfunction creates havoc and terror for unsuspecting vacationers at a futuristic, adult-themed amusement park.
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Thursday 10th September
Friday 11th September
£5.93
For over 1700 years the City of London had only one bridge. Now it has five. This illustrated talk tells the often strange stories of all of them.
1pm to 1:30pm
City of London
Join Dr Robert Clark, Senior Fellow at the University of East Anglia, for a lecture on Jane Austen, Landscape and Gardens.
Starts at 1pm
Alice Casey from 360Giving and Tim Davis will explain how things work in practice and how people can get involved either as publishers, data users or contributors to the standard.
1pm to 1:50pm
Shoreditch
Dr Hila Shachar explores some of the many and varied adaptations of this classic novel.
4pm to 5:30pm
Southwark
£10.00
Actors Diana Quick and Anthony Andrews join writer and producer Derek Granger and the critic Giles Ramsay in a discussion about Brideshead Revisited,
6:30pm to 7:30pm
South Kensington
A screening of Audrey Hepburn's most famous film.
Starts at 6:30pm
£12.00
Late night opening at the Transport Museum to mark the arrival of 25-hour tube trains.
Starts at 6:45pm
More London events on Friday 11th September
Saturday 12th September
£10.00
A tour to mark the 100th anniversary of London Underground's Johnston typeface, designed by Edward Johnston in 1916.
tba
Get on board and enjoy a chilled out ride down the canal and through the locks on Tarporley, the community narrowboat.
All Day
A look around the RNLI's only floating lifeboat station, based on the Thames by Charing Cross.
tba
Strand
Join the Curatorial Team for a very special archive viewing weekend.
All Day
A chance to get up close and to see, hear and experience a Rolls Royce Merlin engine running.
All Day
This exhibition presents some of the most striking images of London and Londoners from the mid 1800s onwards
9:30am to 4:45pm
Starts at 11am
Victoria Dock
A celebration of classic boats in their natural environment, with music, food, stalls and tours throughout the weekend.
11am to 5pm
Wapping
The Hidden River Festival is an free annual waterside festival, with a mix of live music, food stalls, art and fun.
12pm to 6:30pm
Finsbury Park
Follow the river from the Cremone Bridge all the way to Parsons Green Station and see what you can spot along the way.
Starts at 2:30pm
Fulham
Aviation Historian at the RAF Museum, debates and seeks to offer an answer to this vexing question.
Starts at 3pm
£6.00
Learn about the bats at Osterley, then embark upon identifying the sights and sounds of these winged wonders.
7pm to 8:30pm
Isleworth
More London events on Saturday 12th September
Sunday 13th September
Join the Curatorial Team for a very special archive viewing weekend.
All Day
A chance to get up close and to see, hear and experience a Rolls Royce Merlin engine running.
All Day
Travel through time with this live theatre performance and get an insight into what operating theatres were like in 1884, 1984 and 2014.
All Day
On this walk you will uncover layers of social history and cultural curiosity, and find out about the controversies along its route.
Starts at 10:30am
Camden
A celebration of classic boats in their natural environment, with music, food, stalls and tours throughout the weekend.
11am to 5pm
Wapping
A walk around Brixton’s colourful 1980s murals to learn about their content and history.
11am to 12pm
Stockwell
Starts at 11:45am
Victoria Dock
£4.00
Join Friends of Tottenham Marshes for an informative talk about honey extraction with bottling and tasting with our beekeepers.
2pm to 4pm
Tottenham
A talk about the history of the Thames river police.
Starts at 2pm
Wapping
More London events on Sunday 13th September
Monday 14th September
This meeting will examine historical, evolutionary, and biophysical tensions inherent in the fire-climate-society.
All Day
The tours offer a unique insight into the history of the site and the people who have shaped it.
Starts at 6pm
In this lecture Timothy Snyder will talk about his new book, Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning, in which he argues we have missed basic lessons of the history of the Holocaust,
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
More London events on Monday 14th September
Tuesday 15th September
Free
This talk explores the history of the traditional overground and underground rail system.
2pm to 3pm
Clerkenwell
A talk about the much-mocked, yet reportedly very successful "nudge" team set up by the government in 2010.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
£10.00
London competes on a global stage, but what price does its infrastructure pay for doing so?
7pm to 8:30pm
South Kensington
More London events on Tuesday 15th September
Wednesday 16th September
Learn about the event in full detail and understand it’s significance while hearing some fun facts along the way.
1pm to 1:30pm
City of London
A talk that will show how beautiful images of igneous rocks under the microscope can help to understand the inner workings of volcanoes.
Starts at 6pm
Gary Butler of Butler Hegarty Architects will describe how his firm rescued, restored and recreated the house.
7:30pm to 9pm
Islington
More London events on Wednesday 16th September
Thursday 17th September
The conventional model of risk transfer and sharing is being challenged. Who are the winners and losers from this shake up of risk?
Starts at 6pm
Holborn
At this talk, Abram’s daughter Naomi reveals this lesser-known area of his work, his working processes and progressive sketches from his archive.
Starts at 6:30pm
During this talk Dr Katherine Harvey explores the role of medicine in the lives of the English bishops.
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Thursday 17th September
Friday 18th September
Senior pupils from Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, led by the School’s famous Band will parade through the City.
Starts at 12:30pm
Actors Rebecca Tremain and Penny Dimond will bring the archives to vivid life, revealing the curious remedies that were used to treat malaria before the introduction of quinine,
4pm to 5:30pm
Camden
A talk by Professor Tony Travers of the LSE to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the London Boroughs with a special focus on Lambeth.
6pm to 8pm
Iain Sinclair and Will Self discuss their enduring fascination with the capital and what it means for their work.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
South Kensington
More London events on Friday 18th September
Saturday 19th September
Join a tour of the Clothworkers Centre for an introduction to the V&A’s textile and fashion study collection
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West Kensington
Free
The annual opening of around 800 properties around London to the public for free.
All Day
Watch pottery being produced as it was thousands of years ago, in open fires on the Thames,
11am to 5:30pm
Southwark
This event is an opportunity for you to find out more about the project and what it means for your local area.
11am to 5pm
Camden
Have you ever wondered what a font might smell or taste like? Or what your choice of font says about your personality?
1pm to 4pm
This walk will examine the relics of a history lost in the redevelopment of recent years.
Starts at 1:45pm
Barking
An illustrated talk on six forgotten aquatic champions.
2:30pm to 3:30pm
A stunning light show, set to period music to bring the story of Magna Carta to life.
8pm to 11am
More London events on Saturday 19th September
Sunday 20th September
Free
The annual opening of around 800 properties around London to the public for free.
All Day
Free
The vicar of St John's Church will appear before his congregation on a horse in the well established tradition.
Starts at 10am
Paddington
Have you ever wondered what a font might smell or taste like? Or what your choice of font says about your personality?
1pm to 4pm
A very rare chance to access the Isleworth Ait nature reserve, an island on the Thames,
1:45pm to 4:30pm
Isleworth
Come and explore a secret place on the River Thames – visit Oliver's Island as part of TideFest 2015
2:50pm to 5pm
Chiswick
There will be access to ground floor displays about the history of the tower, and a chance to go up to the belfry.
3pm to 5pm
Erith
More London events on Sunday 20th September
Monday 21st September
A walking tour of some of the pubs and other buildings where the Chartist movement held meetings in the 1840s.
1pm to 7pm
We know that our world is in the process of seismic change - but how can we emerge from the crisis a fairer, more equal society?
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Join Andrew O’Bannon to discover if holography has the answers and find out why it really matters.
6:30pm to 8pm
When we can fly-through CGI buildings and see options, what role do painstakingly created physical models have?
6:30pm to 8pm
£12.00
Join Dr Karl for a whirlwind tour of scientific explanations and bizarre facts explored.
Starts at 7pm
£3.50
A screening, in a pub, of the groundbreaking sci-fi movie.
Starts at 8pm
Hackney
More London events on Monday 21st September
Tuesday 22nd September
A talk by an author of a book on the topic of the Princes in the Tower
12:45pm to 2pm
A talk about the funding crisis that hit the NHS in 1951 and lead to the resignation of two government ministers.
Starts at 6pm
Barbican
More London events on Tuesday 22nd September
Wednesday 23rd September
Prepare to shift your historical perspective as total war comes to London and its dockland communities for the first time.
1pm to 1:30pm
City of London
The current challenges in cosmic microwave background astronomy will be described.
Starts at 1pm
Barbican
An illustrated talk overview of the last 2000 years of Greenwich's history.
Starts at 7:30pm
Greenwich
More London events on Wednesday 23rd September
Thursday 24th September
Discover the fascinating story of diet and food in hospital.
2pm to 3pm
Clerkenwell
Meet the scientists and engineers applying engineering to design concepts.
5pm to 8pm
Find out about Ernö Goldfinger's furniture designs over a glass of wine and explore the house after hours.
6:30pm to 9pm
Hampstead
A talk about the 1990s mass hysteria that children were being subjected to satanic abuse.
Starts at 7:30pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Thursday 24th September
Friday 25th September
See the planned world record breaking car on display for just 2 days.
All Day
Poplar
This (approx) 3 hour walk covers the Lower River Lea from Bromley by Bow to Leamouth via Canning Town.
Starts at 11am
Bow
£5.93
Learn how the brave men of the London Fire Brigade, Auxiliary Fire Service and National Fire Service kept London supplied with water from the Thames.
1pm to 1:30pm
City of London
Free
Discover little-known areas of the Museum, hear about our latest research and enjoy a drink under the watchful eyes of Dippy the Diplodocus.
6pm to 10:30pm
Join a free tour of the specially-commissioned design installations around the building.
6pm to 10pm
This discussion will trace the history of both the Manor and the Bequest
Starts at 6:30pm
More London events on Friday 25th September
Saturday 26th September
£5.00
The weekend is packed full of arena displays, falconry, sheep dogs and ferret racing and the infamous dancing sheep show.
All Day
Leyton
See the planned world record breaking car on display for just 2 days.
All Day
Poplar
Nearly 500 works of art inspired by Battersea Power Station on display/sale over the weekend.
10am to 5pm
Battersea
Visit the c.1397 Grade 2 listed ‘threshing’ barn, over 100ft x 40ft in size, with a fine crownpost roof.
Starts at 10:45am
Rickmansworth
£10.00
Uncover the stories behind design classics at London Transport Museum’s depot open weekend this autumn.
11am to 5pm
More London events on Saturday 26th September
Sunday 27th September
£5.00
The weekend is packed full of arena displays, falconry, sheep dogs and ferret racing and the infamous dancing sheep show.
All Day
Leyton
Annual full closure of the Thames Barrier right across the river.
10am to 4:30pm
Woolwich
Nearly 500 works of art inspired by Battersea Power Station on display/sale over the weekend.
10am to 5pm
Battersea
The Worshipful Company of Woolmen will be organising an annual Sheep Drive across London Bridge.
10am to 5pm
Southwark
£10.00
Uncover the stories behind design classics at London Transport Museum’s depot open weekend this autumn.
11am to 5pm
A chance to visit this superbly restored Grade 1 building and the Southern Outfall of the Victorian Sewer System
11am to 5:30pm
A tour of the WW2 era ship which was part of the Battle of the Atlantic.
11am to 5pm
Strand
Singing and dancing, art, craft and games, and a look at some very special traditional Russian toys and historic household objects,
12pm to 4pm
Traditional entertainment before a parade down to St Mary-le-Bow Church
12pm to 8pm
A talk about the Victorian working class women who brought their infants to the Foundling Hospital for adoption.
2pm to 3pm
More London events on Sunday 27th September
Monday 28th September
Free
In the early hours of the morning there will be a total lunar eclipse.
3am to 4:30am
John McAslan of John McAslan + Partners will address the housing crises in both cities and suggest a template for change.
6:30pm to 8pm
Camden
Edward Lucas talks about his new book, which reveals the ways in which cyberspace is not the secure or private zone we may hope,
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Free
Professor Stephen Sparks FRS CBE in conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE.
6:30pm to 8pm
Join Iain Sinclair, Anna Minton, Tom Bolton and Helen Parton for a discussion on London, how it is changing, how it affects us and what can be done ab
7:30pm to 9pm
More London events on Monday 28th September
Tuesday 29th September
Senior Vice President of Spaceport and Programme Development at Virgin Galactic, Jonathan Firth, will be giving a public lecture.
5:30pm to 6:30pm
Throughout history, artists, scientists and philosophers have been fascinated by the relationship between maths and art.
7:30pm to 9pm
More London events on Tuesday 29th September
Wednesday 30th September
HAL 9000 will soon no longer be science fiction: sentient machines will quickly be with us. How will the law and lawyers meet their challenge?
1am to 1am
Holborn
Come and join us and Moo Canoes for a clean up on the Regents Canal.
Starts at 5:30pm
Poplar
6pm to 7:30pm
Greenwich
The story is seemingly well-known but on closer examination there are still many disputed or puzzling features.
Starts at 6pm
Barbican
This talk will look at how writers have been influenced by Battersea and been inspired by the area to create backdrop for their stories.
6pm to 7pm
Battersea
Brian Sibley presents an illustrated talk on Alice's many adventures in Cartoonland.
Starts at 6:30pm
£15.00
Is it really possible to smell fear? Tickets include creature cocktails and perfume samples to take the horror home with you.
Starts at 6:30pm
In this talk, Matt will present a few highlights from the book, including a some (legal) nocturnal activities you might not be aware of.
Starts at 6:30pm
Covent Garden
Explore what makes us crave, what our second gut is and how to make food more appealing at this month’s Cravings-themed Science Museum Lates.
6:45pm to 10pm
