The ianVisits guide to June's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Wednesday 1st June
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore the Museum of Life Sciences, a ‘small gem in the heart of London’.
12pm to 4:30pm
Southwark
1:30pm to 2:15pm
Chingford
Mathematicians (and school children) have been giving proofs for millennia. Why? Why are they needed? How formal should proofs be?
2:30pm to 5pm
Whitechapel
A lecture about the great fire of London.
Starts at 6pm
Barbican
Screening of a documentary that examines the reasons why more girls and people of color are not seeking opportunities in computer science.
7pm to 9pm
Islington
7pm to 8:30pm
Hanover Square
More London events on Wednesday 1st June
Thursday 2nd June
To mark HRH Duke of Edinburgh’s Birthday, there will be gun salutes.
Starts at 12pm
This special screening of films from London Metropolitan Archives collection looks at London at Night; its market traders and its evening socialisers.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
From bathing kings at Battersea to championship races at Putney, learn how swimming the Thames was once the norm.
Starts at 6:30pm
Putney
More London events on Thursday 2nd June
Friday 3rd June
Once a month, the private gardens of Lambeth Palace are open for a few hours in the afternoon.
12pm to 3pm
Southwark
Michael Palin will be reading extracts from Summoned By Bells, which describes, most beautifully, Betjeman's early life in Gospel Oak and Highgate.
Starts at 7:30pm
Hampstead
More London events on Friday 3rd June
Saturday 4th June
A chance for everyone to come and see what they do, find out about beekeeping, buy local honey and enjoy teas,
tba
Twickenham
A walk through the old Heygate Estate at the hidden urban forest it used to conceal.
Starts at 11am
Southwark
£14.99
Buzz Aldrin will be signing copies of his new book -- signatures only, no photos/memorabilia.
Starts at 12pm
Picadilly
Try some traditional woodland crafts and have a wander around an array of craft and food stalls.
12pm to 5pm
Bow
£3.00
See a pure Japanese zen garden, plus talks by the designer and tea ceremony demonstrations.
2pm to 5pm
Acton
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 4th June
Sunday 5th June
Free
GrandFest will be showcasing lost skills in a series of masterclasses in and around Spitalfields Market.
All Day
£6.50
A day in the country with Heavy Horse breeds on parade including Clydesdales, Shires and Suffolks.
10am to 5pm
Enfield
Step back in history and visit the terminus building of London's original international airport - in Croydon.
11am to 4pm
Croydon
A chance to visit this hidden oasis not far from busy Peckham Rye.
1pm to 6pm
Peckham
£3.00
See a pure Japanese zen garden, plus talks by the designer and tea ceremony demonstrations.
2pm to 5pm
Acton
Come and find out about some of the old street trades of the 1920s-1930s, hear about the music halls, and some of the well known people who frequented the area or were raised there.
4pm to 5:45pm
Bethnal Green
More London events on Sunday 5th June
Monday 6th June
This lecture will explore Holbein's work as a resident of the City of London, and examine the tensions between artists of the court and the City as well as the synergies between London and the continent.
Starts at 1pm
Barbican
An evening of discussion and tastings exploring the brewing process and enjoyment of beer.
Starts at 6:30pm
Picadilly
Free
Our planet is warming – but by how much? Take a look at the latest forecast of our earth’s changing climate.
Starts at 6:30pm
Kings Cross
A talk to discover how the ocean’s tiniest life forms have a big impact on our climate.
6:30pm to 8pm
We will take a look at the life and career of the great, but controversial soldier and politician.
6:30pm to 7:45pm
Earls Court
More London events on Monday 6th June
Tuesday 7th June
Are police science and criminology simply a response to criminality? Or do they also help to invent the criminal?
Starts at 1pm
Barbican
On its final journey as a Royal Mail Ship, the RMS St Helena is making a rare visit to the UK from its usual base in the South Atlantic.
Starts at 4:45pm
Look around a private garden for the Brothers of Charterhouse, not usually open to the public.
6pm to 9pm
Author Stephen Jarvis talks about his novel, which tells the story behind the creation of Charles Dickens's first novel The Pickwick Papers.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
An evening in the Sir John Soane's Museum with the rooms lit by candles.
6pm to 9pm
Join a lively panel discussion about art, architecture and engineering, drawing on the experience of Europe’s largest infrastructure project.
6pm to 8pm
A talk by the designer Eiichi Kono, who was given the task of updating the London Underground font for modern uses.
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Tuesday 7th June
Wednesday 8th June
A talk about Crossrail's legacy project, sharing lessons learned in the form of insights, data and events involving Crossrail staff with the aim of raising the bar in industry.
4pm to 5pm
South Kensington
The 'Sky Pool' is a transparent swimming pool which will connect two buildings at Embassy Gardens at 35m high
6:30pm to 8pm
South Lambeth
Two speakers will talk about the problem of capital flows from Eastern Europe into the British economy and the effects of kleptocracies on our society. How can we stop them?
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Mike (Mr Fitzrovia) is the co-author of the book Characters of Fitzrovia, a long-time local resident and the absolute authority on the area.
Starts at 6:45pm
Tottenham Court Road
More London events on Wednesday 8th June
Thursday 9th June
Librarian Jo Wisdom suggests, using examples from Guildhall Library collections, how old books have unique stories to tell.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
An evening talk with artist Craig Barnes and academic staff from Central Saint Martins Spatial Practices Programme.
Starts at 6:45pm
Kings Cross
More London events on Thursday 9th June
Friday 10th June
A weekend of steam trains on a former length of the London Underground's central line
All Day
Penny McMahon (Archivist at University College London Hospital) talks about the fascinating history of the Middlesex Hospital it's Chapel.
Starts at 7:15pm
Tottenham Court Road
More London events on Friday 10th June
Saturday 11th June
A weekend of steam trains on a former length of the London Underground's central line
All Day
Rodic Davidson Architects will host a day celebrating the architecture and community of Pied Bull Yard, Bloomsbury.
10am to 4pm
Bloomsbury
Ten hidden treasures behind some of the finest merchants and weavers houses in Spitalfields.
11am to 4pm
Whitechapel
The open day will mark the beginning of the consultation process for Harrow's flagship regeneration project on the current civic centre site.
11am to 4pm
Harrow on the Hill
To mark the Queen's official birthday, a procession of motorised vessels will take place from Tower Bridge to Westminster Bridge.
11am to 1pm
Free
Annual community festival held in Plumstead, South-East London.
12pm to 6pm
Woolwich
Over 120 charities, societies, Highgate shops and small businesses in this annual town fair.
12:30pm to 5:30pm
Highgate
The annual Queen's Birthday flypast over central London takes place at 1pm.
Starts at 12:50pm
Starts at 2pm
Becontree Heath
£25.50
A walking tour around the estate built for the 1951 Festival of Britain, ending at the foot of Erno Goldfinger’s Brutalist Balfron Tower.
Starts at 2:30pm
Poplar
Anna Minton, author of Ground Control, will give a special talk for Antiuniversity Now about the privatisation of cities and public space,
Starts at 3pm
Holborn
More London events on Saturday 11th June
Sunday 12th June
A weekend of steam trains on a former length of the London Underground's central line
All Day
As part of a local fete, the clock tower Stanmore church and its neigbouring ruins will be open to visit.
Starts at 12pm
Stanmore
More London events on Sunday 12th June
Monday 13th June
Poet, broadcaster and comedian Ian McMillan, and acclaimed composer Luke Carver Goss present a night of words, music and improv.
7pm to 8:15pm
John Clark investigates the story of London Stone, in Cannon Street, and the way in which myths have developed around it in the last 150 years.
Starts at 7:30pm
Holborn
More London events on Monday 13th June
Tuesday 14th June
Three architects and an urban planner from the Crossrail project discuss their architectural response to local context in the design of new stations.
Starts at 6pm
£17.02
Discover for yourself what it might have been like to attend a Regency dance in a historical setting with expert dance tuition from Mrs Bennet’s Ballroom and live Regency music.
6:30pm to 9pm
City of London
To mark 200 years since Jane Austen finished her novel Persuasion, Guildhall Library invites you to "A Regency Dance Experience" at the Livery Hall, Guildhall.
6:30pm to 9pm
City of London
More London events on Tuesday 14th June
Wednesday 15th June
No events are listed for today. Sorry.
More London events on Wednesday 15th June
Thursday 16th June
Conspiracy theories seem to be everywhere nowadays, encouraged by the internet, and perhaps also by postmodern scepticism. But are they really more common than they used to be, and if so, do they constitute a threat to democracy?
Starts at 6pm
Barbican
£8.00
This talk will explore which Star Trek concepts became a reality,
7pm to 8pm
Is it possible to profoundly rethink our emotional support of the NHS and to bring about a revolution in health and social care in the UK?
Starts at 7:30pm
Holborn
More London events on Thursday 16th June
Friday 17th June
A chance to visit a local care home, meet the staff and residents and learn what they do.
All Day
More London events on Friday 17th June
Saturday 18th June
This massive book sale is a regular event on the London book scene.
9am to 5pm
Greenwich
There will be street theatre, poetry readings, stalls representing local groups, songs from local schools and choirs, live music, history talks.
10am to 4pm
Sidcup
Free
Probably London's oldest continuous village fair and parade.
11am to 3pm
Hanwell
See a replica horse-drawn mail coach running between Southwark’s George Inn to Guildhall Yard in the centre of the City.
11am to 2pm
Free
Annual Festival Day at St. George’s Square in Pimlico with local parade.
12pm to 6pm
Pimlico South
To celebrate our 60th anniversary the ACF London opens its doors for a special weekend of performances and events.
Starts at 1pm
South Kensington
More London events on Saturday 18th June
Sunday 19th June
£12.00
Annual chance to visit a huge number of normally private gardens that open for the weekend.
All Day
On display there will be a selection of pre and post war classics as well as the latest Ferraris, Maseratis, Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Aston Martins.
All Day
St John's Wood
Campaigner and activist Janice Williams will take us through this highly controversial topic.
Starts at 11am
Holborn
A day filled with stage performances promoting Hungarian culture.
12pm to 8:30pm
Trafalgar Square
To celebrate our 60th anniversary the ACF London opens its doors for a special weekend of performances and events.
Starts at 1pm
South Kensington
A rare opportunity to explore this tiny jewel of secret London, a 1719 Huguenot merchant's house.
2pm to 5:30pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Sunday 19th June
Monday 20th June
Chaired by Jon Snow, Channel 4 News, this panel discussion includes a private view of the exhibition Sicily: culture and conquest
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
This lecture will explore the extent to which Canaletto built upon the existing visual landscape of London.
Starts at 1pm
Barbican
More London events on Monday 20th June
Tuesday 21st June
Historian and author Dan Cruickshank will tell us about the many immigrants who settled in Spitalfields including the 18th century Irish and late 19th century Russian and Polish Jewish communities,
6pm to 8pm
City of London
Historian and author Dan Cruickshank will tell us about the many immigrants who settled in Spitalfields including the 18th century Irish and late 19th century Russian and Polish Jewish communities,
6pm to 8pm
City of London
Philosopher AC Grayling explores James Whale’s iconic horror Frankenstein.
Starts at 6:15pm
Speakers will present their case studies of inspiring projects that have taken disused old churches and turned them into community assets.
Starts at 6:30pm
This event look at how we might refurbish or rebuild our estates to create flourishing communities.
Starts at 6:30pm
Join pathologist Dr Suzy Lishman to learn what a modern autopsy involves and what modern science has revealed about Richard's life and death.
7pm to 8pm
Southwark
More London events on Tuesday 21st June
Wednesday 22nd June
A talk by panel of architects about the design of London Underground stations -- including Crossrail.
All Day
This debate will discuss the considerations involved in designing for the public realm.
Starts at 7pm
Owen Hatherley will share his insights on the history and ideology surrounding the building and dismantling of monuments throughout the Soviet world.
Starts at 7pm
Bethnal Green
More London events on Wednesday 22nd June
Thursday 23rd June
Contemporary specialist Mark Dunton looks at a nation caught between optimism and decline.
2pm to 3pm
Richmond
The annual Rent Ceremony is a weird and wonderful occasion when the Chairman and Trustees march around the Piazza,
Starts at 4:30pm
Trafalgar Square
Chance to visit the institute's garden, and also have any mystery plants you own identified.
6pm to 8pm
Herne Hill
A talk by one of Russia’s leading media rights lawyers Galina Arapova who will speak about defending media rights in Russia today.
Starts at 6:30pm
More London events on Thursday 23rd June
Friday 24th June
Explore the Burlington House Courtyard and discover the six learned societies that reside here.
6pm to 9pm
This lecture by Dr Michael Scott looks at how the communities of ancient Sicily were represented at the heart of ancient Greece.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
The Homosexual Necrophiliac Duck Opera plus new mini-opera It’s Not What He Says, It’s How Deep He Goes.
6:45pm to 8pm
South Kensington
When it comes to sex, how different are we to chimps? Explore sexual behaviour in the animal kingdom with our experts.
7:30pm to 9pm
South Kensington
More London events on Friday 24th June
Saturday 25th June
he audiences are encouraged to explore the maze which is designed based on a local area map, as well as taking the books home.
All Day
Pimlico
Free
Stalls will feature interactive displays, events and activities and explore topics including the environment and city-living, food and fashion.
All Day
There will be a low-flying helicopter filming around Tower Bridge in the morning.
8am to 9:30am
Occasional opening of Eel Pie Island to let outsiders visit the artists studios.
11am to 6pm
Twickenham
Are we on the brink of a science fiction nightmare, or is this the dawn of a new age of efficiency, ease and enhanced potential?
Starts at 12pm
Join the Institute of Making to celebrate the sheer joy of stuff as they host the greatest ever public extravaganza to mark the finale of their annual Festival of Stuff.
1pm to 5pm
£10.25
A tour of Southbank Centre with a focus on 20th-century architecture.
Starts at 2pm
More London events on Saturday 25th June
Sunday 26th June
Free
Stalls will feature interactive displays, events and activities and explore topics including the environment and city-living, food and fashion.
All Day
There will be a low-flying helicopter filming around Tower Bridge in the morning.
8am to 9:30am
£25.00
The event is a full-day festival with more than 75 different sessions to choose from.
10am to 5:30pm
Hampstead
A rare opportunity to visit the island, peek inside 'Belisle' and gain a different view of the garden.
11am to 4pm
Esher
Occasional opening of Eel Pie Island to let outsiders visit the artists studios.
11am to 6pm
Twickenham
Over 500 vintage and classic cars, and motorised vehicles on display.
11am to 4pm
Hampton
A local history sort of festival with canal boat trips, a heritage display and other local fair sorts of entertainments.
11am to 5pm
Bow
A rare opportunity to explore this tiny jewel of secret London, a 1719 Huguenot merchant's house.
2pm to 5:30pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Sunday 26th June
Monday 27th June
This lecture will explore different artistic representations of London Fog by artists.
1pm to 2pm
Barbican
More London events on Monday 27th June
Tuesday 28th June
A special exhibition will see three floors of University College Hospital accommodate 50 interactive stalls where researchers will demonstrate the latest technology.
2:30pm to 5:30pm
More London events on Tuesday 28th June
Wednesday 29th June
A talk about the fund-raising campaign that lead to the imminent unveiling of a statue to Mary Seacole.
Starts at 3:30pm
Are you fascinated by the ice age and mammoths? Here's a chance to learn from a world expert, Professor Adrian Lister from the Natural History Museum.
5:30pm to 6:30pm
New Southgate
This month the Science Museum’s Lates will celebrate the life and work of Leonardo Da Vinci.
6:45pm to 10pm
More London events on Wednesday 29th June
Thursday 30th June
Find out how a matrix of seemingly unrelated events and foreign policies ultimately pushed Turkish leaders to leave neutrality behind and join the Central Powers.
2pm to 3pm
Richmond
This lecture will discuss how big the wealth hidden in offshore tax havens is, what are the consequences for inequality, how tax havens work and are organized, and how we can begin to approach a solution.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
BBC presenter and Scottish artist, Lachlan Goudie explores the ways in which artists from Scotland used inspiration from home and abroad.
Starts at 7pm
