The ianVisits guide to January's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Tuesday 1st January
Start the New Year in Classic style, with a special event from Mean OldTimers and Greenwich Market.
2pm to 6pm
GreenwichCelebrate the New Year with a birding walk at Woodberry Wetlands.
10am to 12pm Stoke Newington
£11.25
New Year Steam-Up
All available engines will be in steam, including unlimited rides on the Waterworks Railway and the chance to see the Victorian Shand Mason steam fire engine in action.
10am to 4pm Brentford
Over 1,000 vehicles expected, live music and a winter barbeque and other additional food outlets.
9am to 4pm Weybridge
More London events on Tuesday 1st January
Sunday 6th January
Bless the Orchard for the New Year with the cider made from the apples on Apple Day.
12pm to : StreathamA celebration of the New Year, mixing ancient seasonal customs with contemporary festivity.
2pm to : Southwark
A monthly opening of the Victorian museum of industrial testing equipment.
11am to 5pm SouthwarkMore London events on Sunday 6th January
Monday 7th January
Medieval historian Michelle Brown explores the making, meaning and enduring cultural significance of these two legendary and beautiful manuscripts from the North of England.
7pm to 8:30pm CamdenMore London events on Monday 7th January
Tuesday 8th January
This talk will show how mathematics has played a vital role in making navigation as accurate as it is today and the impact that this has had on us all.
1pm to 2pm BarbicanMore London events on Tuesday 8th January
Wednesday 9th January
This lecture will explore the history of the galleries, key considerations in the re-displaying of historic copies for 21st century audiences.
1pm to 1:45pm South KensingtonMore London events on Wednesday 9th January
Thursday 10th January
£15.00
How Fabric Changed History
From the mummies of Ancient Egypt to the lab-blended fibres that have allowed astronauts to moonwalk – fabrics, manmade and natural, have changed and shaped the world we live in.
6pm to 8pm Southwark
£2.50
Is David Bowie A God?
This talk will discuss Bowie’s musical & magical life & whether or not he is a god.
8pm to 10pm SouthwarkIn this debate we bring together a range of perspectives to mull over the question of how to develop pupils who are wise – knowledgeable, but also empathetic, thoughtful, reflective, self-aware and able to show good judgement.
5:45pm to 7pmMore London events on Thursday 10th January
Friday 11th January
Historian David Olusoga delves into the series of race related riots of 1919
7pm to 8:30pm CamdenIn this special lecture, Irving Finkel, British Museum, gives an overview of how the library would have functioned, with reference to a few highlight texts from the Museum's collection.
Starts at 12am Russell SquareMore London events on Friday 11th January
Sunday 13th January
Music from Cunning Folk and Morrigan, Greenwich Morris Men dancing with Sticks, local choirs, and old rituals of song and dance.
12:30pm to 3pm Greenwich
Gather on London Bridge for the Annual Celebration of the Blessing of the River and those who use it.
12:30pm to : SouthwarkThe comedy website, Chortle, presents a funny day of sessions as comedians talk about their books, from memoirs to TV tie-ins to their astute social observations.
1:30pm to 8:30pm CamdenMore London events on Sunday 13th January
Monday 14th January
Discover the roots of English and trace its journey from the earliest days, through the Middle Ages, and into the language this blurb is written in today, with Britain's most distinguished linguistic expert, David Crystal.
7pm to 8:15pm CamdenMore London events on Monday 14th January
Tuesday 15th January
Dan Lyons, bestselling author of Disrupted and writer on the HBO series Silicon Valley, deliciously roasts the new work climate, while asking what can be done to recoup some sanity and dignity for the expanding class of middle-class serfs.
7:30pm to 9pm HolbornThis talk by Professor Laura Gowing will examine the part women played as mistresses to apprentices in the late 17th century guilds
6pm to 8pm City of London
Free
War
A historian and a cultural evolutionist discuss the past, present and future of war and ask what, if anything, can be done to make war less likely.
6:30pm to 8pm HolbornThis lecture examines the deep-sea discoveries that have transformed our understanding of our planet, and the history of exploring the deep ocean that covers most of it.
6pm to 7pm BarbicanProfessor Wilks will describe the Semantic Web and its origin in annotation methods from the humanities and will argue the need for this form of AI to manage a lifetime’s information on the web.
1pm to 2pm BarbicanMore London events on Tuesday 15th January
Wednesday 16th January
£10.00
The Future of Renting
Join a panel of industry experts as they discuss how designers are responding to the decline in home ownership in ‘generation rent ’.
6:30pm to 8pm KensingtonNerd Nite London aims to teach you details about subjects which you didn’t even know you were curious about, while you drink beer and learn things you didn’t know you didn’t know.
7:30pm to : Bethnal GreenMore London events on Wednesday 16th January
Thursday 17th January
Join Susan Bishop for a nostalgic look at Barkers of Kensington’s 1920s fashions.
6pm to 7:30pm Kensington
Poet and professor of English Mark Ford leads an informal, interactive evening of discussion about T S Eliot’s classic collection of cat poems.
7pm to 8:30pm CamdenCelebrate the New Year with a walking tour through Stanfords London from 1853 to 2019.
11am to 12:30pm Soho
In this lecture John Mearsheimer explains why US foreign policy so often backfires and what can be done to set it straight.
6:30pm to 8pm HolbornThe discussion will consider the ways in which the Commonwealth and other legacies of Empire featured in the debate about Brexit and Britain’s broader place in the world.
6:30pm to 8pm HolbornMore London events on Thursday 17th January
Friday 18th January
Come along and see the full spectrum of modelling from traditional model engineering, steam locomotives and traction engines through to modern gadgets.
10am to 5pm Wood Green
To mark the publication of their new book, David Cannadine and Jeremy Musson will explore how the identity and image of country houses has changed over the past forty years,
7pm to 8:45pm South Kensington
£3.00
Guerilla Art
This documentary introduces the street art pioneers Futura, Rammellzee and Blek le Rat.
Starts at 12am Russell Square
£5.00
The Trial of Charles I
The talk will focus on the contemporary record of the trial that was produced by the clerks of the high court of justice and is now held by The National Archives, which will also be on display.
2pm to 3pm Richmond
Join Lieutenant General Sir Cedric Delves and Helen Parr in conversation with Major General Arthur Denaro as they look at the Falklands War through the experiences of those who fought there.
6pm to 8pm Chelsea
More London events on Friday 18th January
Saturday 19th January
Come along and see the full spectrum of modelling from traditional model engineering, steam locomotives and traction engines through to modern gadgets.
10am to 5pm Wood GreenThis winter, warm up round an open fire that you built.
Starts at 10am PaddingtonMore London events on Saturday 19th January
Sunday 20th January
A talk on the history of council housing and the place of post-war prefabs within it.
5pm to 8pm Catford
Come along and see the full spectrum of modelling from traditional model engineering, steam locomotives and traction engines through to modern gadgets.
10am to 4:30pm Wood GreenMore London events on Sunday 20th January
Monday 21st January
In this illustrated lecture, Miles Taylor talks about the significant effects India had on the Queen as well as the pivotal role she played in India.
7pm to 8:45pm South KensingtonMore London events on Monday 21st January
Tuesday 22nd January
£12.00
Fable, Folklore, Fiction
Joanne Harris, Fiona Mozley and Irenosen Okojie come together to discuss how myth, legend, fable and folklore have influenced their work, and how great works of literature from the roots of our cultures can be reimagined for the modern reader.
7pm to 8:30pm CamdenHenry Eliot takes a dive into a world-famous list covering 4,000 years of literary creations
7:15pm to 8:30pm CamdenJane talks about her role as Keeper of the collection and its evolution from a research resource for her work as a costume designer.
7:30pm to 9pm Highgate
More London events on Tuesday 22nd January
Wednesday 23rd January
What can cats teach us about how to live? And why we should celebrate the solitary hunters among us?
7pm to 8:30pm CamdenDimitris Avramopoulos will explore how Europe has reacted to the challenges brought about by migration in a globalised Europe.
6:30pm to 8pm HolbornMore London events on Wednesday 23rd January
Thursday 24th January
The government says it wants to make new developments more beautiful – but beautiful to whom?
6:30pm to : Kings CrossThis illustrated lecture by Jo Story (Professor at the University of Leicester) explores the deep-rooted connectivity between England and the Continent in the centuries before the Norman Conquest
7pm to 8:30pm CamdenComic Robin Ince uses the life of the stand-up as a way of exploring some of the biggest questions we all face
7:30pm to 9pm Holborn
£8.14
Roman Legionaries
In this talk Simon Elliott launches his most recent book, Roman Legionaries, which tells the story of every aspect of the lives of these elite warriors of the ancient world.
6pm to 8pm City of London
Paul Dolan launches his new book, Happy Ever After, exploring the narratives society installs in us, using good evidence to debunk bad stories.
6:30pm to 8pm HolbornThis lecture will explore how the sixteenth century found ways of distancing itself from religion – like Christopher Marlowe, who raged against its moral constraints.
6pm to 7pm BarbicanTo acknowledge the contribution of black and minority ethnic seafarers during the First World War and some of their stories just after the war had ended.
1pm to 2pm Richmond
More London events on Thursday 24th January
Friday 25th January
Learn the history of the oldest and smallest Royal Park and its resident pelicans! You
Starts at 1:15pm WhitehallEnjoy a brief tour of Scottish whiskies and an introduction to flavour pairings whilst you enjoy your complimentary cocktail.
7pm to 10pm Stoke NewingtonMore London events on Friday 25th January
Saturday 26th January
Free
Snowdrop Sale
There will be a select range of nurseries selling both common and rare Snowdrops.
10:30am to 12pm Enfield TownExplore how Burton came to write his great work – the task of most of his adult life.
2pm to 3pm BeckenhamMore London events on Saturday 26th January
Sunday 27th January
Discover the history of the building and climb the 135 stairs for the best view of Hackney.
2pm to 4:30pm HackneyA stunning parade by around 500 civil war reenactors to mark the execution of King Charles I.
11am to : Whitehall
Wade in a wild river and experience a different perspective of London history and urban wildlife.
11am to 1pm Deptford
A monthly open day at a quirky transport museum housed in an old water pumping building.
10am to 4pm Enfield Town
More London events on Sunday 27th January
Monday 28th January
Grab your magnifying glass and discover a land of tiny treasures
7pm to 8pm CamdenHow and why does class background still affect those in elite occupations? In this book launch the speakers look at barriers to upward mobility.
6:30pm to 8pm HolbornMore London events on Monday 28th January
Tuesday 29th January
Covering sustainability, terrorism, geopolitics, gender, religion, education and philosophy – what are the key issues and how can we prepare for the changes and challenges that lie ahead?
6pm to 9:30pm HolbornThe panel will discuss past and present controversies around public memorializing, from Ground Zero to Confederate monuments, from Rhodes Must Fall to Trafalgar Square.
6:30pm to 8pm HolbornIn celebrating 500 years since the birth of Sir Thomas Gresham, Professor Jones will examine how changes since the sixteenth century have affected the evolution of human beings and that of the animals and plants around us.
6pm to 7pm BarbicanMore London events on Tuesday 29th January
Wednesday 30th January
Free
Science Museum Lates
Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Science Museum's monthly late night opening.
6:45pm to 10pm South KensingtonWreath laying and prayers near the place of the martyrdom.
11:40am to : WhitehallProfessor Silk will describe the history of lunar exploration since 1969 and future plans for the Moon.
1pm to 2pm BarbicanMore London events on Wednesday 30th January
Thursday 31st January
From the history of lighting starting in the 1900’s to today’s practices.
6pm to 8pm WhitechapelAntony Clayton presents an illustrated talk that will uncover some of the colourful folklore of underground London.
6:30pm to 7:30pm Kensington
An exhaustive documentary exploring the life and work of Salvador Dalí, and that of his muse Gala.
2pm to : Barbican
A talk by Professor Ryan with a particular focus on the interwar home and the Ideal Home Show.
7pm to : PinnerIn this talk, Professor Stephen King (University of Leicester) will delve into the rich primary source material of pauper letters held at The National Archives.
2pm to 3pm Richmond
Has the Act done right by children since 1989? Has it adapted to the challenges of childhood and society?
6pm to 7pm Barbican
