Welcome to the IanVisits alternative guide to London.
Lectures, talks, heritage events, organised walks and other random geeky miscellany.
This is quite an old listings page, did you want: Friday, 16th February 2024?
Displayed in date order by how soon they close.
He built an empire that stretched across the world. Rode across the sky on a flying chariot. And descended to the bottom of the sea in a glass bell. Or did he? (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Feb)
The British Library
A major exhibition to mark the 200th anniversary of the decipherment of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Feb)
The British Museum
Delve into the dreamlike relationship between Surrealism and design in this century-spanning celebration of surrealist objects of desire. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Feb)
The Design Museum
Through some of our country’s most provocative artists, this exhibition presents an alternative perspective on modern Britain. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Feb)
Somerset House
Free
This is England
See portraits of the full England football squad and manager by artist Matt Small. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Feb)
Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheater
Explore newly uncovered stories of African and Asian children in the care of the eighteenth-century Foundling Hospital. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Feb)
Foundling Museum
Free
Turner on Tour
For the first time in a century, two ground-breaking paintings by Turner are coming home for a special exhibition. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Feb)
National Gallery
The Church’s gold apse and white-flowered, coffered, ceiling, will be flooded with exploratory light and reverberate to the sublime sound of George Frederic Handel. (Ending Soon Thu, 23rd Feb)
St Mary Le Strand
From Lucian Freud to Kiki Smith, life drawing to minimalism and etching to collage, this exhibition spans an intriguing range of styles and techniques used in art on paper from 1960 to today. (Ending Soon Sat, 25th Feb)
British Museum
Tate Britain celebrates the return of Yiadom-Boakye's 2020 major survey which was sadly cut short by lockdown (Ending Soon Sun, 26th Feb)
Tate Britain
The exhibition includes rare pieces of porcelain and lacquer, samurai armour, embroidered screens and diplomatic gifts from the reigns of James I to Her Majesty The Queen. (Ending Soon Sun, 26th Feb)
The Queen's Gallery
£25.30
Permissible Beauty
An immersive installation at Hampton Court Palace brings past and present together to explore this question and to celebrate a new chapter of British Beauty for the 21st century. (Ending Soon Sun, 26th Feb)
Hampton Court Palace
Rebel Rebel, the first major UK commission by Iranian artist Soheila Sokhanvari, celebrates and commemorates feminist icons from pre-revolutionary Iran. (Ending Soon Sun, 26th Feb)
Barbican Centre
Free
The Lost Rhino
This virtual rhino will be roaming in a digital world within the Museum’s Jerwood Gallery as part of a new art exhibition from artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg. (Ending Soon Tue, 28th Feb)
Natural History Museum
An installation of six large-scale clay columns inspired by traditional architectural practices in Chile, by Swedish-Chilean artist Anton Alvarez (Ending Soon Tue, 28th Feb)
100 Bishopsgate
The Cost of Living Crisis has the whole of England feeling like we're living in a madhouse so we’re looking back to the master of wacky solutions W. Heath Robinson himself! (Ending Soon Wed, 1st Mar)
Cartoon Museum
£16.50
Orchids festival 2023
Back bigger and better than ever for 2023, Kew Gardens’ much-loved Orchid festival returns to the Princess of Wales Conservatory. (Ending Soon Sun, 5th Mar)
Kew Gardens
Eight pieces of artwork, curated in partnership with Light Art Collection, will be on display both outdoors and inside the Power Station. (Ending Soon Sun, 5th Mar)
Battersea Power Station
This exhibition examines Dickens’s interest in the paranormal, his ‘hankering after ghosts’, and how he became a master ghost story teller publishing over 20 spooky tales. (Ending Soon Sun, 5th Mar)
Charles Dickens Museum
Free
Leda in Soho
An exhibition to mark the release of Love, Leda, the never-before-published 1960s queer novel set in the streets that neighbour modern-day Foyles. (Ending Soon Thu, 9th Mar)
Foyles
At the heart of Ilford Limited is analogue photography and this display shows the beauty of Ilford film as a tool to experiment, make portraits and capture people’s stories. (Ending Soon Sat, 11th Mar)
Redbridge Museum
Explore Fassett’s world with some of his own original artworks as well as works inspired by him from international quilters and makers. (Ending Soon Sat, 11th Mar)
Fashion and Textile Museum
£22
Cezanne
Tate Modern presents a once-in-a-generation exhibition of paintings, watercolours and drawings by Paul Cezanne. (Ending Soon Sun, 12th Mar)
Tate Modern
A display of over 1100 works by the Lithuanian artist and celebrated composer Mikalojus Konstantina, widely credited as Lithuania’s greatest artist. (Ending Soon Sun, 12th Mar)
Dulwich Picture Gallery
£16.50
Anthony Daley: Son of Rubens
Abstract Expressionist painter Anthony Daley will present a new body of work, which explores his career-long fascination with the work of 17th century Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Mar)
Dulwich Picture Gallery
An exhibition of Heath Robinson’s early book illustrations -- a set for Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare. (Ending Soon Sun, 19th Mar)
Heath Robinson Museum
This exhibition aims to give a glimpse of insight into Japan’s close and complex relationship with the four seasons. (Ending Soon Fri, 24th Mar)
Embassy of Japan in the UK
The life and work of renowned 19th-century naval surgeon and physician, Sir William Beatty, is explored in all its fascinating – and often grisly. (Ending Soon Sat, 25th Mar)
Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre
This show exhibits new 3-D photography from Brian May’s latest publication ‘Stereoscopy Is Good For You: Life in 3-D’. (Ending Soon Sat, 25th Mar)
Proud Galleries
The exhibition explores three generations of artists, from Iran and the Arab world, from the early pioneers of a vernacular ‘Lettrism’ movement to those incorporating the written word in their works today. (Ending Soon Sat, 25th Mar)
Brunei Gallery, SOAS
The historical map collections at London Metropolitan Archives show the development of the city in incredible detail, from the late sixteenth century to the present day. (Ending Soon Wed, 29th Mar)
London Metropolitan Archives
Letters, books and documents are displayed to show some of the links between the Church of England and transatlantic chattel slavery. (Ending Soon Fri, 31st Mar)
Lambeth Palace Library
From tradeswomen, to community organisers, faith leaders, artists, and shopkeepers; this exhibition showcases and celebrates the many women who contribute to life in Bethnal Green (Ending Soon Fri, 31st Mar)
Oxford House
An exhibition about the Kelmscott Press – the 19th century designer William Morris’s printing operation. (Ending Soon Sun, 2nd Apr)
The William Morris Society
The exhibition brings iconic and unknown archival documents to life, including the original Treason Act and the Monteagle Letter that tipped off the Gunpowder Plot. (Ending Soon Thu, 6th Apr)
The National Archives
£24.50
Spain and the Hispanic World
This landmark exhibition, with over 150 dazzling and fascinating pieces, explores the art and culture of the Hispanic world. (Ending Soon Mon, 10th Apr)
Royal Academy of Arts
The first major exhibition of paintings by French artist Eugène Leroy in the UK. (Ending Soon Sat, 15th Apr)
Michael Werner Gallery
This exhibition explores the relationship between materials and supply chains, and addresses the opportunity and potential of locally grown, plant-based construction materials that are cultivated across the UK. (Ending Soon Sat, 15th Apr)
Building Centre
£16
Africa Fashion
Africa Fashion explores the vitality and global impact of a fashion scene as dynamic and varied as the continent itself. (Ending Soon Sun, 16th Apr)
Victoria and Albert Museum
£15
Executions
The Museum of London is bringing the lives and legacies of those who died and those who witnessed executions first hand to a major new exhibition (Ending Soon Sun, 16th Apr)
Museum of London Docklands
£16
Maria Bartuszová
Delicate, evocative plaster sculptures inspired by the natural world (Ending Soon Sun, 16th Apr)
Tate Modern
This exhibition explores the lives and legacies of émigré musicians who fled the Nazi regime and the ravages of war. (Ending Soon Sun, 16th Apr)
Royal College of Music
An exhibition of cartoons about Boris Johnson. (Ending Soon Sun, 16th Apr)
Cartoon Museum
A striking outdoor installation, the work comprises two intersecting spirals, 336 metres long, that echo the signage of UK roads and connects our iconic neoclassical courtyard both to locations across the planet and the distant universe. (Ending Soon Sun, 23rd Apr)
Somerset House
Free
Chinese and British
An exhibition about the history and impact of the Chinese community in the UK, and to understand what it really means to be Chinese and British. (Ending Soon Sun, 23rd Apr)
British Library
Free
Print Pound Notes!
The Adana printing press is 100 years old and to mark the centenary of the company St Bride Library launches a new exhibition. (Ending Soon Mon, 24th Apr)
St Bride Foundation
This exhibition explores The Poppy Factory’s fascinating history and displays artefacts which chart the story of this unique local charity. (Ending Soon Sat, 29th Apr)
Museum of Richmond
Thamesmead Codex celebrates the voices and local community of Thamesmead, London (Ending Soon Sun, 7th May)
Tate Modern
A new series of fresco paintings by Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings (Ending Soon Sun, 7th May)
Tate Britain
This exhibition presents photographs from internationally renowned photojournalist Anastasia Taylor-Lind between 2014 and June 2022. (Ending Soon Sun, 7th May)
Imperial War Museum
Photography exhibition showing a decade of Walthamstow Market. (Ending Soon Sun, 14th May)
Vestry House Museum
The largest exhibition to date in the UK of American artist Alice Neel, whose vivid portraits capture the shifting social and political context of the American twentieth century. (Ending Soon Sat, 20th May)
Barbican Centre
Explore a forest of towering woven sculptures (Ending Soon Sun, 21st May)
Tate Modern
Focusing on Jacopo de' Barbari and his celebrated 'View of Venice', this display showcases the innovation and variety of printmaking on the lagoon during the High Renaissance. (Ending Soon Sun, 21st May)
British Museum
A celebration of one of the UK’s most enduring rock bands. (Ending Soon Mon, 22nd May)
Barbican Library
This display, marking the 200th anniversary of the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs, celebrates the female UCL teachers and students who were core to ancient language teaching in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (Ending Soon Sat, 27th May)
A rare opportunity to view works from this unique and highly personal collection outside Italy. (Ending Soon Sun, 28th May)
Estorick Collection
Free
War Games
The UK’s first exhibition to explore what video games can tell us about conflict. (Ending Soon Sun, 28th May)
Imperial War Museum
£16
Peter Doig
A major exhibition of new and recent works by Peter Doig – including paintings and works on paper created since the artist’s move from Trinidad to London in 2021. (Ending Soon Mon, 29th May)
Courtauld Institute of Art
The first major UK exhibition to explore the exceptional talents of the Renaissance master Donatello, arguably the greatest sculptor of all time. (Ending Soon Sun, 11th Jun)
Victoria and Albert Museum
Come and see centuries of royal fans from across the continent: from a special, printed, English fan marking the restoration of Charles II almost 400 years ago, to contemporary fans. (Ending Soon Sat, 24th Jun)
Fan Museum
The exhibition explores how Jews arrived in Britain, and fought for the right to acquire land and the political rights and social status that came with it (Ending Soon Sun, 25th Jun)
Gunnersbury Park Museum
The V&A's first exhibition to celebrate the colourful and dynamic popular culture of South Korea, following its early origins to its place on the global stage today. (Ending Soon Sun, 25th Jun)
Victoria and Albert Museum
Free
Yinka Ilori
Dive into the colourful world of artist/designer Yinka Ilori through installations, patterns and graphics that aim to shape and inspire a joyful and playful experience. (Ending Soon Sun, 25th Jun)
The Design Museum
Discover the natural world in all its wonder and diversity at the newly redesigned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (Ending Soon Sun, 2nd Jul)
Natural History Museum
Free
Hackney 300,000 BC
Hackney Museum is inviting residents to step back in time with its new temporary exhibition. (Ending Soon Sat, 22nd Jul)
Hackney Museum
Free
Unfamiliar
Photographs will be displayed alongside objects ranging from stethoscopes to snuff boxes, bringing together the worlds of medicine and art. (Ending Soon Fri, 28th Jul)
Royal College of Physicians Museum
Celebrating extraordinary artists who paint London on a huge scale. (Ending Soon Sun, 30th Jul)
Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheater
Visit an 'abandoned' Tube station underworld and discover what secrets lurk beneath our busy streets in this Hidden London exhibition. (Ending Soon Mon, 31st Jul)
London Transport Museum
What do we find in the LSE Library and Women’s Library archives and special collections if we look for the earth? (Ending Soon Tue, 8th Aug)
LSE Library
Astronomy Photographer of the Year is an annual competition featuring the world’s greatest space photography. (Ending Soon Sun, 13th Aug)
National Maritime Museum
In this immersive genre-defying exhibition you will embark on a once in a lifetime adventure through the cosmos to explore visions of the future through the science of today. (Ending Soon Sun, 20th Aug)
Science Museum
Free
Road to Recovery
This exhibition follows the challenging journeys of rehabilitation and recovery taken by soldiers who have suffered a life-changing physical or mental injury. (Ending Soon Mon, 28th Aug)
National Army Museum
£17
The King's Stamp
Discover the story of definitive stamps, from the very first design to today. (Ending Soon Sun, 3rd Sep)
The Postal Museum
£9
Brick Dinos
A 1.5 metre long model of a Polacanthus, an armoured 125-million-year-old dinosaur found in the UK, will be on show for the first time as part of the Brick Dinos exhibition. (Ending Soon Sun, 29th Oct)
Horniman Museum
This display celebrates the glittering world of musical theatre, exploring the evolution and craftmanship of iconic musicals (Ending Soon Mon, 27th Nov)
Victoria and Albert Museum
Free
Cut + Paste
If you could, would you edit your DNA? To treat disease, or to enhance your body? Which diseases should we try to cure, and who decides? Where would you draw the line? (Ending Soon Sat, 2nd Dec)
The Francis Crick Institute
Free
Inventing the Future
This exhibition celebrates the Tercentenary of the Constitutions of the Freemasons. (Ending Soon Thu, 21st Dec)
Museum of Freemasonry
This exhibition explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed. (Ending Soon Sun, 7th Jan)
Science Museum
Free
Slavery & the Bank
This exhibition explores the history of transatlantic slavery through its connections with the Bank of England and the wider City of London. (Ending Soon Fri, 26th Jan)
Bank of England Museum
How do you develop a vaccine quickly and effectively to combat a global pandemic? (Ends on Sun, 12th May)
Science Museum
This exhibition follows the lives of British soldiers in Germany over the past 75 years. (Ends on Wed, 21st Aug)
National Army Museum
