The ianVisits guide to September's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Saturday 1st September
Lambeth’s local history fair is a treat for anyone interested in the history of the area.
10:15am to 4:45pm
Clapham
A celebration event to mark the 50th anniversary of the Victoria Line.
11am to 4pm
Walthamstow
Local fete in Peckham organised by the Friends of the park.
12pm to 5pm
East Dulwich
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
More London events on Saturday 1st September
Sunday 2nd September
Free
Boat trips, craft stalls and live music, offering a host of fun both on the water and the towpath.
Starts at 12am
Islington
Join Art-Deco enthusiast Adrian Whittle and see with fresh eyes some of Streatham’s best art deco and modernist buildings
Starts at 10:30am
Streatham
The free event is packed full of spectacular kite flying displays and is an opportunity for everyone to go fly a kite.
11am to 5pm
Streatham
A celebration event to mark the 50th anniversary of the Victoria Line.
11am to 4pm
Walthamstow
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
Occasional open days at Capability Brown's Gatton Park landscaped 600 acres.
1pm to 5pm
Reigate
View Henry Tate’s mansion Park Hill (exterior only) and explore the historic garden with its listed garden features.
2pm to 3pm
Streatham
Encounter outstanding monumental architecture and final resting places of famous people.
Starts at 2:30pm
West Norwood
More London events on Sunday 2nd September
Monday 3rd September
Free
Each year on the anniversary of Cromwell's death, an annual service of commemoration is held by the statue that stands by the Palace of Westminster.
Starts at 3pm
Whitehall
Launch of a report into boosting philanthropy in London to ensure that those who can, give, while those in need get the support they need.
6pm to 8:30pm
City of London
An opportunity to hear from London born and bred writer Ben Aaronovitch who wrote the hugely successful, Sunday Times best-selling urban fantasy crime fiction series Rivers of London.
6pm to 8pm
Clerkenwell
More London events on Monday 3rd September
Tuesday 4th September
The annual Race for Doggett’s Coat and
Badge will take place between London Bridge and Albert Bridge.
3:45pm to 5pm
These tours will explore the history and architecture of Lambeth’s gem of Edwardian public architecture and discuss the recent works.
Starts at 6pm
Brixton
Celebrate the ghosts and urban legends of the London Bridge, Borough and Bermondsey area with Travis Elborough, George Hoyle, Scott Wood and the London Fortean Society.
8pm to 10:30pm
Southwark
More London events on Tuesday 4th September
Wednesday 5th September
The stories of our poorer ancestors can be even more interesting than our richer ones.
2pm to 3pm
Clerkenwell
Free
Jill Finch’s illustrated talk takes us through those momentous days in September 1666 when the Great Fire of London destroyed not just the city but a way of life.
2pm to 3pm
City of London
Dr Becky Nesbit will be asking the question “Honeybees or Hairworms – which would you save?” to explore conservation priorities and the nature of “Natural”.
Starts at 7pm
Southwark
More London events on Wednesday 5th September
Thursday 6th September
Discover truly remarkable – but surprisingly little known – collections, featuring everything from artworks to scarce anatomical preparations and ext
5pm to 8pm
Camden
A talk on the French deportation site Drancy.
5:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
Roman expert Dr Simon Elliott explores the levers of power in the Imperial Roman court, and how the women of the Imperial family were able to use them to influence the governance of the Empire.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
In this evening session discover how brands such as Spotify, Innocent, Virgin and Google use words to build valuable equity.
6:30pm to 9pm
Notting Hill
£9.50
A talk about the lives of two of the greatest astronomers of all time, both of whom practiced their craft right here in London.
Starts at 6:30pm
Soho
£7.00
History Showoff is a comedy cabaret event all about the past, where a cast of historians, archaeologists, museum folk and comedians try to make sense of the olden days.
7pm to 9pm
Southwark
More London events on Thursday 6th September
Friday 7th September
Join NLA for this special breakfast briefing as we examine, for the first time, the Strategy and its future impact on central London.
8:30am to 9:30am
Euston
A rare opportunity to see behind the scenes
at Lambeth Palace Library.
Starts at 11am
Southwark
Over 40 vintage sailing and motor boats to view and explore, including a number of the Dunkirk Little Ships.
12pm to 6pm
Wapping
The large private garden of the Archbishop of Canterbury is open once a month in the summer.
12pm to 3pm
Southwark
£5.00
This session, as part of the Open City Documentary Festival, will explore the relationship between film and architecture with a panel of artists and filmmakers.
12pm to 1pm
Soho
£5.00
A screening of the film Steamboy directed by Japanese manga artist, screenwriter and director, Katsuhiro Ôtomo.
6pm to 8:30pm
Russell Square
Attend a Regency Ball in a historical setting with expert dance tuition from Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom and live Regency music from Fortuna Trio.
7:30pm to 10:30pm
City of London
More London events on Friday 7th September
Saturday 8th September
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
Free
A spectacular boat race up the River Thames, it attracts over 330 crews from all over the globe.
10am to 2pm
Open Day at BRE - visit the eco show homes, their large-scale test facilities, and learn about the development of the Dambusters' Bouncing Bomb
10am to 5pm
A wondrous old barn now filled with random heritage clutter -- go for the atmosphere than the objects themselves.
10:30am to 4pm
Upminster
Over 40 vintage sailing and motor boats to view and explore, including a number of the Dunkirk Little Ships.
10:30am to 6pm
Wapping
More London events on Saturday 8th September
Sunday 9th September
This event will include the largest line up of Merlin and Swift vehicles to have been seen for decades.
All Day
North Weald
Annual country fair held in Wimbledon.
10am to 5pm
Wimbledon
Over 40 vintage sailing and motor boats to view and explore, including a number of the Dunkirk Little Ships.
10:30am to 6pm
Wapping
An annual summer event featuring around 170 stands and over 10,000 teddy bears for sale.
10:30am to 4pm
Kensington
Annual parade to remember those who died serving in the Merchant Navy during wartime.
12:30pm to 2pm
Tower Hill
More London events on Sunday 9th September
Monday 10th September
Join the Royal College of Physicians in their medicinal garden for a series of three afternoons exploring medical plants and herbal remedies. Special lectures, expert garden tour and refreshments included.
1:30pm to 6pm
Camden
More London events on Monday 10th September
Tuesday 11th September
How did the ancient village green of Stockwell come to be built over in the Victorian era?
Starts at 7pm
Stockwell
What would life on earth look like in 50 million years; long after the extinction of humanity? Join Dougal Dixon in conversation with Darren Naish to mark the return of Dixon’s astonishing speculative-evolution book ‘After Man: A Zoology of the Future’.
7:30pm to 9pm
Holborn
More London events on Tuesday 11th September
Wednesday 12th September
Free
In this illustrated talk, Pete Smith introduces some of the many trades to thrive along the Thames, some long defunct and some still thriving.
2pm to 3pm
City of London
These tours will explore the history and architecture of Lambeth’s gem of Edwardian public architecture and discuss the recent works.
Starts at 6pm
Brixton
This talk forms part of a series taking place in the centenary year of the Representation of the People Act 1918 which gave some women the vote for the first time.
6pm to 7pm
Whitehall
Migration from China to Britain started up in the 1800s, but why? And what was life like for those people?
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Soho
Bob Reeves, who has lived in Herne Hill since 1980 explores the view that the project was primarily for “respectable” working class tenants.
Starts at 7:45pm
Herne Hill
More London events on Wednesday 12th September
Thursday 13th September
Free
Author Jon-Jon gives you a detailed look into the amazing world of Tigers!
6pm to 7:30pm
Kensington
A one woman show will transport you back to the London of The Belle Époque.
7pm to 8pm
Chelsea
More London events on Thursday 13th September
Friday 14th September
Broadcaster and Art Historian Janina Ramirez joins Ian Hislop, Editor of Private Eye and co-curator of the Citi exhibition I object: Ian Hislop's search for dissent.
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
Discover the fascinating life of Queen Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III, in the 200th anniversary year of her death at Kew Palace.
10am to 5pm
Richmond
More London events on Friday 14th September
Saturday 15th September
The Grays Beachcombers will be meeting at Concrete Barges site in Rainham to clear along the Thames beach.
8am to 1pm
Rainham
Over the course of the day find out about the history of the Port of London, once one of the busiest ports in the world
10am to 4:30pm
Southwark
All day conference hosted by the Economist on classical liberal values and policies in the 21st century.
10am to 7pm
Trafalgar Square
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/festival/its-all-academic-festival-15-september-2018
10am to 5pm
An annual celebration of music, dance, arts, cuisine and creativity
11am to 6pm
Southwark
Free
A nostalgic festival celebrating the style and charm of the Hendon Pageants of the 1930s.
11am to 5pm
Colindale
A full day of live music, art, theatre, food, creative workshops and events for the whole family.
12pm to 6pm
Finsbury Park
See the ruined remains of the medieval manor house, and the newly restored shepherd's hut.
2pm to 4:30pm
St Mary Cray
Discover the story of the Cathedral Church of Westminster which was designed in the Early Christian Byzantine style by the Victorian architect John Francis Bentley.
2pm to 3pm
Pimlico
£7.50
Discover how the older Elizabeth Fry, gentle Quaker prison reformer, influenced the independent, feisty Florence Nightingale and how both could teach 21st century women a thing or two today.
2pm to 3pm
Southwark
Rare screening of 1917 film The Battle of the Ancre with live orchestral accompaniment in 13th century church.
7:30pm to 9:30pm
Walthamstow
More London events on Saturday 15th September
Sunday 16th September
A note that there will be a military flypast of some sort centered on Westminster Abbey.
11:20am to 11:35am
Pimlico
Annual Pearly festival in Guildhall - expect Marching bands. Morris dancers. maypole dancing. donkeys and carts.
Starts at 12pm
City of London
See the ruined remains of the medieval manor house, and the newly restored shepherd's hut.
2pm to 4:30pm
St Mary Cray
Discover the story of the Cathedral Church of Westminster which was designed in the Early Christian Byzantine style by the Victorian architect John Francis Bentley.
2pm to 3pm
Pimlico
Justin Bengry’s research asks who benefited from commercial interest in homosexuality? And does the pink pound have a history?
3pm to 4:30pm
Holborn
More London events on Sunday 16th September
Monday 17th September
Join our Curator, Miranda Poliakoff, as she examines the fascinating mixture of architectural styles, from the Tudor to Victorian periods, that are showcased here at Fulham Palace.
2pm to 3:15pm
Fulham
Architectural historian Edmund Bird gives an illustrated review of the architecture and buildings that Lambeth has lost.
Starts at 7pm
Streatham
Marietta Crichton Stuart recounts the Chartist movement’s campaign for democracy, its huge petitions and the 1848 rally on Kennington Common.
Starts at 7pm
Kennington
£18.00
Join journalist and photographer Oliver Wainwright as he charts the evolution of Pyongyang as the showcase capital of the "socialist fairyland"
7pm to 8:45pm
South Kensington
More London events on Monday 17th September
Tuesday 18th September
Her great-grandson Peter Barratt will give an account of Alice’s life, highlighted with illustrations from the impressive collection.
2pm to 3pm
Richmond
Jonathan Bate will go on a journey from the Scottish Highlands to a teenage suicide in London to the Geneva of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in search of the origins of Romanticism.
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
More London events on Tuesday 18th September
Wednesday 19th September
Mary Stewart and Cynthia Brown give a brief introduction to oral history and how oral history techniques can be used by family historians.
2pm to 3pm
Clerkenwell
A tour of Victoria are looking at its recent regeneration.
4:30pm to 5:30pm
Victoria
This lecture will discuss the challenges faced in a major demolition project in a residential and rail environment
6pm to 7:30pm
Clerkenwell
A 1.5 hour tour of the graffiti examples right here in Southwark Cathedral led by graffiti researcher Crystal Hollis.
6:30pm to 8pm
Southwark
Roger Williams will talk about his search for the source of this fashionable dish that had London society truly hooked.
Starts at 7:30pm
Greenwich
£7.50
A a monthly event where three speakers give 18-21-minute fun-yet-informative talks across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along.
Starts at 7:30pm
Bethnal Green
More London events on Wednesday 19th September
Thursday 20th September
Moor Park Mansion is a Grade I listed Palladian mansion set within over 300 hundred acres in Hertfordshire.
Starts at 10am
Rickmansworth
Come and discover the National Theatre’s
archive: a treasure trove of theatre materials from the 1960s to present day.
10am to 12pm
Southwark
See a live display of Bespoke Shirt making and Hand Embroidery
10am to 6pm
St James
Free
2pm to 3pm
Clerkenwell
These tours will explore the history and architecture of Lambeth’s gem of Edwardian public architecture and discuss the recent works.
Starts at 6pm
Brixton
In this event Elisabeth Gifford will speak about her new book The Good Doctor of Warsaw, which is based on the true story of one of Poland's greatest men, Dr Janusz Korczak.
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
Discover the hidden secrets of the intriguing Kew Palace on an out-of-hours tour.
7pm to 9pm
Richmond
Death on the Brighton Road is an account of a recent nine mile journey along the old coach road between Kennington and South Croydon.
7pm to 8:30pm
Southwark
This talk will discuss some of that evidence and present the case that rivers, lakes, and seas covered the Red Planet billions of years ago.
Starts at 8:15pm
Hampstead
More London events on Thursday 20th September
Friday 21st September
No events are listed for today. Sorry.
More London events on Friday 21st September
Saturday 22nd September
The cemetery runs guided history and heritage walks every month throughout the summer.
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Manor Park
Free
The annual chance to visit a bazillion different buildings for free.
All Day
Tours of the the only surviving windmill in inner London
1pm to 2pm
Brixton
Encounter outstanding monumental architecture and final resting places of famous people.
Starts at 2:30pm
West Norwood
More London events on Saturday 22nd September
Sunday 23rd September
The Apollo Victoria Theatre are opening their doors to celebrate their history and design.
Starts at 12am
Pimlico South
Free
The annual chance to visit a bazillion different buildings for free.
All Day
Discover the story of the Cathedral Church of Westminster which was designed in the Early Christian Byzantine style by the Victorian architect John Francis Bentley.
2pm to 3pm
Pimlico
Following this screening, its producer, Pierre Spengler, will be interviewed on stage about his key part in the making of Superman: the Movie.
Starts at 3pm
Soho
More London events on Sunday 23rd September
Monday 24th September
These tours will explore the history and architecture of Lambeth’s gem of Edwardian public architecture and discuss the recent works.
Starts at 6pm
Brixton
Gothic or 'gaslight' visions of London have remained popular with cinema audiences, providing a fictional and often eerie counterpoint to the growth of the modern city.
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
Free
Have you ever wondered what preceded the Soho we know and love today?
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Soho
£13.00
A talk by Dr Neil MacGregor on his new publication Living with the Gods: 40,000 Years of Peoples, Objects and Beliefs.
7pm to 8:30pm
Southwark
Discover more about the relationship between chocolate and royalty in this talk from Historic Royal Palaces’s curator, Polly Putnam.
7pm to 8pm
East Molesey
More London events on Monday 24th September
Tuesday 25th September
Talk about Minnie Lansbury -East End Suffragette, socialist, school teacher, champion of the victims of war, and rebel councillor.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Clerkenwell
Ramachandra Guha tells the epic story of Gandhi's life and how he changed the world armed only with his arguments and example.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
A discussion between Diarmaid MacCulloch and Helena Kennedy QC on the life of Thomas Cromwell who went from being born into poverty to beome the right hand of King of Henry VIII.
7pm to 8:30pm
Southwark
More London events on Tuesday 25th September
Wednesday 26th September
Drawing on a range of contemporary urban experiences included in a new book, Shaping Cities in an Urban Age, the panel discussion will explore the dynamics and challenges of urban change.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
More London events on Wednesday 26th September
Thursday 27th September
£8.14
Join author, lecturer and Blue Badge Guide Rachel Kolsky, as she profiles the many fascinating female characters who feature in her new book.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
This lecture will take a tour of medieval unbelief, showing how and why some medieval people defied the powerful orthodoxies of their day.
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
£13.00
An evening of comedy and storytelling that will make you think about how architecture keeps you safe from harm and how security has helped shape cities for thousands of years.
7pm to 9:30pm
A hand drawn animation inspired by Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness and Ben Jonson’s Jacobean play The Masque of Blackness will be projected onto the National Theatre flytower.
8pm to 11pm
Southwark
More London events on Thursday 27th September
Friday 28th September
£10.00
Discover more about the Thames Tunnel, sewer systems and power supplies and find out why Waterloo Bridge is known as the 'ladies bridge'.
10am to 4pm
Clerkenwell
A hand drawn animation inspired by Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness and Ben Jonson’s Jacobean play The Masque of Blackness will be projected onto the National Theatre flytower.
8pm to 11pm
Southwark
More London events on Friday 28th September
Saturday 29th September
There should be gathering of four preserved B-type buses in the Piazza at Covent Garden.
9am to 3pm
Covent Garden
Two talks about film making and showing in London.
Starts at 5:30pm
Clerkenwell
Join the premiere of this film as part of Barnes Film Festival followed by a Q&A with members of the production team and Thames environmentalists.
Starts at 7pm
Barnes
A hand drawn animation inspired by Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness and Ben Jonson’s Jacobean play The Masque of Blackness will be projected onto the National Theatre flytower.
8pm to 11pm
Southwark
More London events on Saturday 29th September
Sunday 30th September
End of season harvest festival with green hop beer, local market stalls and live music.
12pm to 6pm
Camberwell
Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas explain how counterfeit democrats are able to use elections to remain in power, and reveal the six essential strategies that dictators use to undermine the electoral process in order to guarantee victory.
3pm to 4:30pm
Holborn
£8.00
This eye-opening study offers a sobering overview of corrupted professional politics, while providing fertile intellectual ground for protecting democracy.
3pm to 4:30pm
Holborn
