The ianVisits guide to July's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Sunday 1st July
An annual March Past in memory of those veterans from the West Indies that sacrificed so much for world peace.
Starts at 10:30am
Balham
A parade of floats from the local Bengali community will wind its way through the streets.
11am to 12pm
Whitechapel
A monthly opening of the Victorian museum of industrial testing equipment.
11am to 5pm
Southwark
Step back in history and visit the terminus building of London's original international airport - in Croydon.
11am to 4pm
Croydon
Plotholders at London’s oldest allotment are giving visitors the opportunity to experience the capital’s horticultural heritage.
1pm to 5pm
West Ealing
Occasional open days at Capability Brown's Gatton Park landscaped 600 acres.
1pm to 5pm
Reigate
Luxury and Leisure in the Fast Lane
1:30pm to 3:30pm
Picadilly
A row of historical railway cottages opening up their gardens to the public.
2pm to 5:30pm
Wood Green
Occasional open weekend at a private garden inside Regents Park.
2:30pm to 5:30pm
Camden
Dr Kitta’s research draws on ethnography, media, Internet, and narrative analyses to explore reasons why parents decide not to vaccinate.
3pm to 4:30pm
Holborn
More London events on Sunday 1st July
Monday 2nd July
To launch the AIDS Histories and Cultures Festival, join us for an evening of games, activities and displays.
6pm to 9pm
Harley Street
Are teenagers really irrational? Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore of UCL talks about the adolescent brain.
6pm to 7:30pm
Camden
More London events on Monday 2nd July
Tuesday 3rd July
Explore the Summer Science Exhibition and enjoy an evening of science, comedy and cocktails.
6pm to 10pm
St James
This conversation will discuss what we can do with limited transport space to make more sustainable forms of transport safer.
Starts at 6pm
Euston
A talk about the traditions and rites surrounding death during Roman times.
6:30pm to 9pm
Poplar
More London events on Tuesday 3rd July
Wednesday 4th July
Richard Aronowitz-Mercer will talk about his work in provenance research and his encounters with so-called ‘degenerate art’ over the last twenty years.
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
Katrina van Grouw will be talking about Unnatural Selection: Evolution at the Hand of Man.
Starts at 7pm
Southwark
In this talk Professor Matt Cook explores the relationship between the capital, queer life and the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
7pm to 8pm
City of London
More London events on Wednesday 4th July
Thursday 5th July
Take an irreverent and amusing look at the not-so-famous people who have been unfairly consigned to the dustbin of history.
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
Discover truly remarkable – but surprisingly little known – collections, featuring everything from artworks to scarce anatomical preparations and ext
5pm to 8pm
Camden
Pride in STEM will host a special Out Thinkers night in collaboration with Proud Crick, in the Francis Crick Institute in St.Pancras.
5:30pm to 9pm
Camden
This talk will take a look at the history of childbirth through time on the day when the NHS was born 70 years ago.
Starts at 7pm
Southwark
More London events on Thursday 5th July
Friday 6th July
As part of the RAF's 100th anniversary events, there will be a display of military aircraft on Horseguards Parade.
All Day
Whitehall
The large private garden of the Archbishop of Canterbury is open once a month in the summer.
12pm to 3pm
Southwark
£7.50
This lecture will explore US representations of the NHS, and British response to them, asking why American visions of a British social institution provoked such strong reactions at home.
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Richmond
£15.00
A sing-along screening of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' brought to life by drag performances
7:30pm to 11:30pm
Greenwich
Using bat detectors, our site warden and volunteers will reveal a hidden, nocturnal world in urban south London.
9pm to 11pm
Sydenham
More London events on Friday 6th July
Saturday 7th July
As part of the RAF's 100th anniversary events, there will be a display of military aircraft on Horseguards Parade.
All Day
Whitehall
See 50 stand-up paddleboarders in an early morning race along the Thames at Westminster.
9am to 10am
An ecological introduction to the large acid and neutral grasslands, open water and trees of Bushy Park including the important veteran trees.
Starts at 10am
Hampton
Free
This free day will be an exploration and celebration of out very diverse grasslands and the plant and animal life they support.
10am to 5pm
Bow
A wondrous old barn now filled with random heritage clutter -- go for the atmosphere than the objects themselves.
10:30am to 4pm
Upminster
Monthly open day at one of London's more curious and delightful museums, devoted to the history of the sewing machine.
2pm to 5pm
Tooting
A note that a tall sailing ship will pass through Tower Bridge this evening.
7:45pm to 8:15pm
Southwark
More London events on Saturday 7th July
Sunday 8th July
As part of the RAF's 100th anniversary events, there will be a display of military aircraft on Horseguards Parade.
All Day
Whitehall
Annual open day of the two cemeteries with guided walks, the chapel will be open, and history display.
11am to 4:30pm
Brockley
See and buy microscopes, telescopes, maritime antiques, surveyor's instruments, globes, pharmaceutical and medical sets, electrostatic machines, magic lanterns, optical toys, corkscrews, etc.
11am to 3pm
Southwark
A note that several tall sailing ships will pass through Tower Bridge this afternoon.
2pm to 2:30pm
Southwark
A guided tour of the Tower of London by night, exploring ideas of power and leadership and attitudes to gender and sexuality from medieval times to the present.
Starts at 6:30pm
Tower Hill
More London events on Sunday 8th July
Monday 9th July
British Museum Curator Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis will look at the magic of ancient Persia from 550 BC to AD 651 and discuss the intricate connection between kingship and religion,
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
As part of the RAF's 100th anniversary events, there will be a display of military aircraft on Horseguards Parade.
All Day
Whitehall
£10.00
Join leading language authorities to reflect on the state of, and attitudes towards, English grammar and vocabulary
9:30am to 5pm
Camden
Hear from founders and members of ICW about their experiences, past and present, of healthcare, advocacy and activism.
5:30pm to 7pm
Harley Street
Join Sirius Astronomy who will give you the chance to safely view the surface of the Sun using specialist equipment, seeking out solar flares and learning a bit more about solar astronomy.
6pm to 7pm
Sutton
More London events on Monday 9th July
Tuesday 10th July
Upwards of 100 military aircraft are due to join a huge flypast over central London on Tuesday.
Starts at 12am
Join our Head Gardener and discover the history of our beautiful 13 acre site, the botanical garden, and projects for the future.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Fulham
More London events on Tuesday 10th July
Wednesday 11th July
After the collapse of the Soviet Union an astonishing treasure trove came to light – hundreds of thousands of maps showing in chilling detail countries and cities throughout the world.
7pm to 9pm
Bloomsbury
More London events on Wednesday 11th July
Thursday 12th July
A handful of unique guided tours that provide a glimpse of the hidden interiors of Fulham Palace that are not normally open to visitors.
3pm to 4pm
Fulham
This talk will explore attempts in the UK and abroad to counter the Nazi attack on 'degenerate' art.
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
Join astronomer and comedian Jon Culshaw for a personalised tour of the night sky in his own unique style.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Greenwich
Following the discovery of a forgotten autobiography, Dr Riddell telsl the story of her sensational life and explosive actions, and how WW1 led to her history being covered up by the movement.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Richmond
More London events on Thursday 12th July
Friday 13th July
No events are listed for today. Sorry.
More London events on Friday 13th July
Saturday 14th July
Free
London's lost buildings – from coaching inns and horse markets to riverside mansions and gin palaces – are the focus of a this exhibition.
9:30am to 4:45pm
Clerkenwell
The inaugural Kew Bridge Classic will see a collection of vehicles from all eras exhibited within the surroundings of the pumping station at Kew Bridge.
10am to 4pm
Brentford
The Thamesmead Festival returns to the shores of Southmere Lake as it celebrates its 50th birthday.
12pm to 7pm
Abbey Wood
Tours of the the only surviving windmill in inner London
1pm to 2pm
Brixton
In the early nineteenth century, when commercial cemeteries began to be created with no precedents for the type of landscape they should present. Join Dr Brent Elliott to explore the history of this unique landscape.
Starts at 2pm
West Brompton
More London events on Saturday 14th July
Sunday 15th July
£5.00
The London Gaming Market is a place to buy retro video-games, board games and merchandise all in one place.
11am to 4pm
Euston
Dharshini David follows the journey of a single dollar to see how the global economy really works.
3pm to 4:30pm
Holborn
A guided tour of the Tower of London by night, exploring ideas of power and leadership and attitudes to gender and sexuality from medieval times to the present.
Starts at 6:30pm
Tower Hill
More London events on Sunday 15th July
Monday 16th July
A screening of The Curse of Frankenstein, Hammer’s first ever colour horror film.
Starts at 12am
Hackney
Join the Royal College of Physicians in their medicinal garden for a series of afternoons exploring medical plants and herbal remedies, celebrating the College’s 500th anniversary.
1:30pm to 6pm
Camden
More London events on Monday 16th July
Tuesday 17th July
A note that the Silver Wind, a large cruise ship will be passing through Tower Bridge this evening.
5pm to 5:30pm
Southwark
Matt Brown will share his love of maps, and particularly how they can be used to illuminate London's history and culture
6pm to 8pm
City of London
The Pathology Museum at QMUL presents the book launch The Science of Sin by Dr Jack Lewis.
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Barbican
To coincide with Hope to Nope, this talk explores the role of social media, gifs and memes, in the rise of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
6:30pm to 8pm
Kensington
More London events on Tuesday 17th July
Wednesday 18th July
As one of the engineers working on the new buildings, Nawja Jawahar will give an insight into the innovative solutions, including the design of the 5.4m deep, complex truss system supporting a 16-storey building with an 11m overhang above the ground floor.
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Clerkenwell
This talk examines the experiences of German-Jewish emigre artists in the UK, examining not only their achievements and legacies but also the challenges they faced.
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
Enjoy the quiet of Southwark Cathedral in the evening by attending this history tour.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Southwark
An evening exploring words and the art of writing in the historic house where Dr Samuel Johnson penned his famous Dictionary.
Starts at 7pm
Holborn
More London events on Wednesday 18th July
Thursday 19th July
Moor Park Mansion is a Grade I listed Palladian mansion set within over 300 hundred acres in Hertfordshire.
Starts at 10am
Rickmansworth
The City Centre will be hosting an evening of presentations, discussion and networking to mark one hundred years of women’s suffrage.
6pm to 7:30pm
City of London
£5.00
Discover the wonders of the new World Gallery at this special evening of dance, tours, talks, film screenings and installations.
6:30pm to 9:30pm
Forest Hill
Professor Mark Ormrod will unpack their personal stories and also look at the contribution of the immigrants to English social and economic life
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Richmond
Historian James Evans discusses some fascinating individual stories and the variety of reasons for the astonishing migration of English men, women and children to North America during the 17th Century.
7pm to 8:30pm
Southwark
More London events on Thursday 19th July
Friday 20th July
No events are listed for today. Sorry.
More London events on Friday 20th July
Saturday 21st July
£13.50
The site will be filled with the actual cars, motorcycles and bicycles that raced at Brooklands from 1907-1939.
10am to 5pm
Weybridge
A summer weekend with street food, bars, funfair rides, stunts and shows, fireworks, and, a colourful array of hot air balloons.
11am to 11pm
Enfield Town
Look to the skies, for the red, white and blue of the Red Arrows will be gracing the skies of East London.
1:40pm to 2pm
More London events on Saturday 21st July
Sunday 22nd July
The cemetery runs guided history and heritage walks every month throughout the summer.
tba
A summer weekend with street food, bars, funfair rides, stunts and shows, fireworks, and, a colourful array of hot air balloons.
11am to 9pm
Enfield Town
The annual open day showcasing the best of Brompton Cemetery.
Starts at 11am
West Brompton
The Dean of Southwark, the Very Revd. Andrew Nunn, conducts a blessing of Crossbones Garden of Remembrance, followed by a performance and picnic for St Mary Magdalene Day.
12:30pm to 5pm
Southwark
More London events on Sunday 22nd July
Monday 23rd July
No events are listed for today. Sorry.
More London events on Monday 23rd July
Tuesday 24th July
£22.00
The world’s biggest bouncy castle at 300 metres long comes to London.
9:30am to 11pm
Wood Green
More London events on Tuesday 24th July
Wednesday 25th July
£22.00
The world’s biggest bouncy castle at 300 metres long comes to London.
9:30am to 11pm
Wood Green
Monthly adults only late at the Science Museum -- this month with a medical theme.
6:45pm to 10pm
South Kensington
More London events on Wednesday 25th July
Thursday 26th July
£22.00
The world’s biggest bouncy castle at 300 metres long comes to London.
9:30am to 11pm
Wood Green
A note that a tall sailing ship will pass through Tower Bridge this afternoon.
1:15pm to 2:15pm
Southwark
Duck racing followed by dragon boat racing at Paddington Basin.
5pm to 9pm
Paddington
From microscopic organisms to the largest living thing ever, the fungal kingdom has it all. Folklore beyond belief is only matched by reality.
8pm to 9:30pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Thursday 26th July
Friday 27th July
During National Park City Week, this breakfast talk hears from built environment professionals on how to green the capital.
8:30am to 9:30am
Euston
£22.00
The world’s biggest bouncy castle at 300 metres long comes to London.
9:30am to 11pm
Wood Green
By filling out a Wayward Plant adoption form, stating how you will care for the plant and where it will live, you will have the opportunity to rehome one of the plants for free.
11am to 4pm
Morden
More London events on Friday 27th July
Saturday 28th July
Free
Somerset House presents two summer weekends of distinctive contemporary circus, hip hop dance and music.
All Day
Strand
£16.00
This all-marques event will feature demonstrations of exotic and exclusive modern and classic cars.
9am to 5pm
Weybridge
For the first time ever, all four nature reserves along the Forest Hill to New Cross Gate Railway Cutting will be open on the same day.
10am to 3pm
Brockley
Pick your own lavender at this harvest festival / fete.
10am to 4pm
Carshalton
Southwark Cathedral is delighted to host a day of talks in our Garry Weston Library looking at different aspects of archaeology, not just at the Cathedral, but also in our local community.
10am to 4pm
Southwark
By filling out a Wayward Plant adoption form, stating how you will care for the plant and where it will live, you will have the opportunity to rehome one of the plants for free.
11am to 4pm
Morden
Find out more about what is being done to improve the Pymmes Brook, fun activities, a dog show and a chance to kayak in the river.
11:30am to 3:30pm
Tottenham
Letitia Barden discusses the light that is shed on changes that took place in mental health treatment between World Wars I and II
Starts at 2pm
Beckenham
More London events on Saturday 28th July
Sunday 29th July
Free
Somerset House presents two summer weekends of distinctive contemporary circus, hip hop dance and music.
All Day
Strand
Pick your own lavender at this harvest festival / fete.
10am to 4pm
Carshalton
Lucy Siegle provides a powerful call to arms to end the plastic pandemic along with the tools we need to make a decisive change.
3pm to 4:30pm
Holborn
More London events on Sunday 29th July
Monday 30th July
No events are listed for today. Sorry.
More London events on Monday 30th July
Tuesday 31st July
This event will draw powerfully on excerpts from oral histories of HIV/AIDS affected people, including nurses, curated by researchers Tommy Dickinson and George Severs.
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Harley Street
