The ianVisits guide to August's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Coronavirus: Events may be cancelled and venues closed at short notice, you are advised to check on their websites before making a trip.
Saturday 1st August
Go to the top of a restored Grade II listed water tower that was formerly located close to St Pancras mainline station.
10am to 4pm
Kings Cross
Community celebration organised by Regent’s Canal Heritage to mark the day in 1820 when the Regent’s Canal was officially opened east of King’s Cross.
12pm to 5pm BowMonthly open day at one of London's more curious and delightful museums, devoted to the history of the sewing machine.
2pm to 5pm TootingMore London events on Saturday 1st August
Sunday 2nd August
Monthly open day at the museum to London's first international airport - in Croydon.
All Day Croydon
A monthly opening of the Victorian museum of industrial testing equipment.
11am to 5pm SouthwarkCommunity celebration organised by Regent’s Canal Heritage to mark the day in 1820 when the Regent’s Canal was officially opened east of King’s Cross.
12pm to 5pm BowMonthly open day at Gatton Park, the core 250 acres of the estate originally laid out by Capability Brown.
1pm to 5pm Reigate
More London events on Sunday 2nd August
Wednesday 5th August
Join George Hoyle in Southwark Cathedral and learn about brewing, it’s history in Southwark, and the links with the Cathedral.
7pm to 8:30pm Southwark
More London events on Wednesday 5th August
Sunday 9th August
Monthly opening of the only surviving fully working watermill in Surrey.
2pm to 5pm Cobham
More London events on Sunday 9th August
Saturday 15th August
Monthly tour of the former Inland Revenue offices, now a artists workshop.
Starts at 1:15pm Strand
More London events on Saturday 15th August
Sunday 23rd August
Open days usually feature the restored engines in operation, a light railway trip, and walks around the Victorian buildings.
10:30am to 4pm Abbey Wood
How did Nightingale and her friends such as Dickens and Lovelace influence each other?
2pm to 3pm Southwark
More London events on Sunday 23rd August
Tuesday 25th August
Although open daily, the Supreme Court also has a number of special open days with events and tours through the year.
9:30am to 4:30pm Pimlico
More London events on Tuesday 25th August
Wednesday 26th August
Although open daily, the Supreme Court also has a number of special open days with events and tours through the year.
9:30am to 4:30pm PimlicoMore London events on Wednesday 26th August
Saturday 29th August
Monthly open day at a wood and nature reserve that's next to the railway at Forest Hill.
1pm to 4pm Forest Hill
More London events on Saturday 29th August
Sunday 30th August
A monthly open day at a quirky transport museum housed in an old water pumping building.
10am to 4pm Enfield Town
Discover the history of the building and climb the 135 stairs for the best view of Hackney.
2pm to 4:30pm HackneyMore London events on Sunday 30th August
Bank Holiday Monday
Open day at the restored Victorian steam powered pumping station, with the machine running regularly throughout the day.
11am to 5pm South Tottenham