The ianVisits guide to September's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Friday 1st September
Dr Catriona Kennedy provides an insight into masculinity and the army at the turn of the 19th century.
Starts at 11:30am
Chelsea
Monthly opening of the private gardens within Lambeth Palace in the heart of London.
12pm to 3pm
Southwark
In a venue rarely open to the public, this red & white wine tasting explores the history of Roman wines.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
More London events on Friday 1st September
Saturday 2nd September
Special event sees the large railway depot in West London opened to the public.
10am to 4pm
Willesden
£26.00
Spend a day experiencing Underground trains from the driver’s cab, in a variety of static vehicles ranging from 1940 to 1983.
10:30am to 3pm
Acton
£15.00
A walk through Stoke Newington taking in the fading remains of painted advertising on walls a.k.a. Ghostsigns.
10:50am to 1:30pm
Stoke Newington
Annual open day at the Fuller's brewery in Chiswick, with tours, tastings, and street food.
11am to 4pm
Chiswick
Local fete in Peckham organised by the Friends of the park.
12pm to 5pm
East Dulwich
Annual fete in a small wildlife garden in the heart of the West End.
12pm to 6pm
Soho
£5.00
Screening of short films incorporating a series of strange sounds from space recorded by satellites.
1:30pm to 3:30pm
Whitechapel
Join archaeologists Peter Marsden and Max Hebditch for a discussion on what it was what like to excavate in the post-war period.
2pm to 4pm
Barbican
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
A 40th anniversary celebration of the achievements of the voyager space probes.
Starts at 6pm
Clapton
More London events on Saturday 2nd September
Sunday 3rd September
A garden of 2 acres hidden behind high walls open to the public.
10:30am to 4:30pm
Clapham
Free
Attractions include Stalls, a Children’s Fun Fair with Rides & Bouncy Castles, Punch & Judy, Story-teller, Boat Trips
11am to 5pm
Islington
Step back in history and visit the terminus building of London's original international airport - in Croydon.
11am to 4pm
Croydon
Local fete with up to 100 local stalls and entertainment.
12pm to 6:30pm
Palmers Green
Annual parade and service in memory of those who died in the Merchant Navy.
Starts at 12:30pm
Tower Hill
Free
A wreath laying service at the statue of Oliver Cromwell in the grounds of Parliament.
Starts at 3pm
Whitehall
Join this archaeological walk with Dr Fiona Haughey looking at the rich history of the Bankside area.
4:30pm to 6pm
Southwark
More London events on Sunday 3rd September
Monday 4th September
A talk about the archives held about the 1960s founded Jewish Vegetarian Society.
2pm to 3:30pm
Clerkenwell
Transylvania is a byword for vampires and gypsy magic – but there is so much more strangeness that makes Dracula look pretty tame.
Starts at 7:30pm
Camden
What links this extraordinary community with the jazz musician Sun Ra? Is the time machine real? Who is Gorilla Eucalyptus?
7:30pm to 9pm
Holborn
More London events on Monday 4th September
Tuesday 5th September
Dr Naomi Paxton will explore the work and legacy of the suffragist actresses and actors of the Actresses’ Franchise League.
2pm to 3:30pm
Richmond
An evening in the Sir John Soane's Museum with the rooms lit by candles.
6pm to 9pm
Join Professor Cassidy to discuss her research and the latest developments in nutrition as a tool for improving public health.
6:30pm to 8pm
St James
More London events on Tuesday 5th September
Wednesday 6th September
Using archival material, Nadia Atia charts the experiences of women, most of whom were nurses, during WW1 in the Middle East.
6pm to 8pm
Euston
Can we unlock the potential of our waterways and still protect their heritage and ecology?
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Euston
£12.00
Geoffrey Marsh, curator of the recent blockbuster David Bowie exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, uses the map of Soho to chart his rise to fame.
Starts at 7pm
Soho
An event with writer and Londoner, Iain Sinclair, and award-winning novelist and journalist, Will Self.
7pm to 8pm
Soho
A "skeptics in the pub" talk on experimental psychology.
Starts at 7:30pm
Greenwich
More London events on Wednesday 6th September
Thursday 7th September
Author Chris West will discuss the diverse group of people who enable the complex, priceless and unique establishment, of the Tower of London
2pm to 3pm
City of London
Free
A talk about hybrid air vehicles, which combine lighter-than-air technology with the best of aeroplanes and helicopters to bring brand new capabilities to aircraft.
6:30pm to 9pm
Strand
Jonathan Freedland delivers the 2017 Eccles Centre Fulbright Commission Lecture on the topic of ‘fake news’
7pm to 8:30pm
Camden
More London events on Thursday 7th September
Friday 8th September
£12.00
A panel discussion on the transformation, impact and influence of LGBTQ+ music makers.
7pm to 8:30pm
Camden
More London events on Friday 8th September
Saturday 9th September
An exhibition that provides a glimpse of the challenges and joys of theatrical life since the days of Elizabeth I.
9:30am to 4:45pm
Clerkenwell
There will be a rare chance for families to see a 100-year-old working fire engine, try on some fire kit and celebrate the history of firefighting,
10am to 3pm
Southwark
This symposium will mark the 400th anniversary year of a famous riot at this, the first playhouse in Drury Lane.
10am to 4pm
Clerkenwell
Display of 1940s-1960s London buses with free rides around Epping Forest
10:30am to 5pm
Chingford
This two-day display tells the stories of women’s lives before the war, their war work, and what happened to them afterwards.
11am to 4pm
Lewisham
Watch pottery being produced as it was thousands of years ago, in open fires beside the Thames,
11am to 5pm
Southwark
Find out about bread baking, music, painting, art, mosaics, yoga, and much more.
11am to 4pm
Upper Holloway
Get up close and personal with the famous Crystal Palace Dinosaurs.
11am to 3pm
Anerley
These tours have been created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Johnston typeface.
Starts at 11am
Acton
A free day of entertainment designed by locals to celebrate the neighbouring communities of Woodberry Down.
12pm to 6:30pm
Finsbury Park
A chance to climb on board over 40 vintage sailing and motor yachts not usually open to the public.
12pm to 6pm
Wapping
Free
A spectacular boat race up the River Thames, it attracts over 330 crews from all over the globe.
Starts at 12:40pm
Come along to Scadbury Moated Manor for a self-guided tours of excavations.
6pm to 7pm
St Mary Cray
More London events on Saturday 9th September
Sunday 10th September
Once a year, the Environment Agency holds a full tide test closure of the Thames Barrier.
All Day
Woolwich
A number of heritage buses offering local rides alongside the steam railway.
Starts at 9am
North Weald
Explore this Grade I Listed Founder's Building, Picture Gallery, Chapel and extensive grounds.
11am to 5pm
Egham
Join us for the Chrisp Street Country Fair and Ceilidh, with farm animals, fairground rides, food and family fun.
11am to 4pm
Poplar
This two-day display tells the stories of women’s lives before the war, their war work, and what happened to them afterwards.
11am to 4pm
Lewisham
Sydenham Hill Wood's annual Open Day to celebrate 35 years of nature conservation with London Wildlife Trust
11am to 4pm
Sydenham
Free
A family day filled with heritage activities which highlight RAF Kenley’s significant Battle of Britain history.
12pm to 5pm
Caterham
A chance to climb on board over 40 vintage sailing and motor yachts not usually open to the public.
12pm to 6pm
Wapping
A rare opportunity to view the inside of St Anne’s, to climb the top of tower and see the clock mechanism and bells.
12pm to 4pm
Poplar
Open day at the allotments with 70 plots.
1:30pm to 5:30pm
Finchley
A chance to go inside the small, but delightful subway that once took visitors to the Crystal Palace.
2pm to 4:30pm
Upper Norwood
A rare opportunity to explore this tiny jewel of secret London, a 1719 Huguenot merchant's house.
2pm to 6pm
Whitechapel
Come along to Scadbury Moated Manor for a self-guided tours of excavations.
6pm to 7pm
St Mary Cray
More London events on Sunday 10th September
Monday 11th September
The Reverend Canon Dr Judith Maltby, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, discusses the work of Dame Rose Macaulay (1881 – 1958)
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Pimlico
Stories and anecdotes from the work of Moveright International about moving ‘the odd, the awkward and the difficult’ around the world.
6:45pm to 8:45pm
Camden
Astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan guides you through the biggest questions in modern astrophysics and their surprising answers.
7pm to 8:30pm
Hanover Square
To mark the launch of his new publication 'The Gift of Anger', Southwark Cathedral hosts this talk by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.
7pm to 8:30pm
Southwark
A Video Presentation from The Independent Cinema Office (in association with The BFI National Film & Television Archive).
Starts at 7:30pm
Croydon
More London events on Monday 11th September
Tuesday 12th September
£12.00
A breakfast event which takes an international perspective on 24-hour cities.
9am to 10:30am
Euston
The Boy in the Statue is the personal story of a Jewish refugee boy, Erich, who arrived in this country from Nazi-occupied Europe.
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
Panellists will cover everything from the state of our soil to the knotty problem of food waste, and discuss whether a modern city can develop the infrastructure to help feed itself.
7pm to 9pm
Southwark
More London events on Tuesday 12th September
Wednesday 13th September
Steve Newman discusses the reasons behind the continuing fascination with the greatest murder mystery in the world
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Holborn
A talk that gives an insight into the lives of the South African soldiers and the medical staff who treated them.
1:30pm to 3:30pm
Richmond
In this talk, Pete Smith offers a survey of Londoners’ watery pleasures over the centuries.
2pm to 3pm
City of London
£12.00
An evening of talks and creative workshops debating our understanding of masculinity and its connection to the army.
6:30pm to 9:30pm
Chelsea
The Nerds are back with a brand new tour this Autumn “You Can’t Polish A Nerd”
7pm to 9:30pm
Rotherhithe
Former Labour MP, Gisela Stuart is in conversation with Professor Frank Furedi on sovereignty, populism and European culture.
7pm to 9pm
Whitechapel
Find out how data improves race performance in the fourth 'Operating at the boundaries' event
7pm to 8:30pm
Hanover Square
More London events on Wednesday 13th September
Thursday 14th September
This evening seminar will cover some of the practical design and construction aspects of tall buildings.
6pm to 8pm
Euston
An evening to celebrate Spitalfields Life Books’ new edition of AS Jasper’s tender memoir of growing up at the beginning of the twentieth century,
6:30pm to 8pm
Bethnal Green
£10.00
The history and impact of the Tree Charter 800 years later
7pm to 8:30pm
Camden
The Nerds are back with a brand new tour this Autumn “You Can’t Polish A Nerd”
7pm to 9:30pm
Rotherhithe
£3.00
If you would like to hear a great selection of English folk tales then you are in luck.
Starts at 8pm
Southwark
More London events on Thursday 14th September
Friday 15th September
£14.50
It's not often that you get the chance to dance among our aircraft at the RAF Museum, so join us for an evening of swing music, dancing, cocktails, open cockpits and general hoopla!
6:30pm to 9:30pm
Colindale
The Nerds are back with a brand new tour this Autumn “You Can’t Polish A Nerd”
7pm to 9:30pm
Rotherhithe
Future-tech videogaming comedy show WiFi Wars returns to the Ri for another fun development night.
7pm to 9pm
Hanover Square
A notice that there will be a firework display, for some reason, on the Thames this evening.
8:45pm to 8:55pm
Chelsea
More London events on Friday 15th September
Saturday 16th September
Free
The big annual event opening up hundreds of buildings to the public for free.
All Day
Discover Thamesmead’s iconic architecture with Bexley archivist, Simon McKeon, on this guided walking tour.
11am to 1pm
Abbey Wood
A monthly classic car show/meet in central London.
12pm to 4pm
Southwark
A parade of Thames Sailing Barges sailing from the Isle of Dogs to London Bridge.
Starts at 12pm
A flotilla of 12 Thames sailing barges will pass through Tower Bridge.
12pm to 1pm
Southwark
Take a tour of the vibrant Docklands’ creative arts hub and riverside community at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Starts at 12:30pm
Poplar
£5.00
A guided walk through the woodland with bat detectors to listen out for our furry friends.
6:30pm to 9pm
Bow
More London events on Saturday 16th September
Sunday 17th September
Free
The big annual event opening up hundreds of buildings to the public for free.
All Day
The vicar of the church arrives on horseback to bless local horses, and horseriders.
10am to 1pm
Paddington
A tour of Kensington Gardens’ very own First World War trench – a reconstruction of the one built in the park 100 years ago.
11am to 4pm
Paddington
Join this archaeological walk with Dr Fiona Haughey exploring London's illustrious shipbuilding past through to site of a possible ancient murder.
5pm to 6:30pm
Rotherhithe
More London events on Sunday 17th September
Monday 18th September
In this talk, Lenore and Manuel Blum will explain and recognize Alan Turing’s work in the foundations of numerical computation.
12pm to 3:30pm
Camden
In this talk, Dr Aleksandra Loewenau will explore how the Dering v. Uris libel trial drew the attention of the British public to wartime atrocities,
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
The Reverend Canon Dr Jessica Martin, Ely Cathedral, discusses the work of Dorothy L Sayers (1893-1957)
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Pimlico
£12.00
A panel debate on the future of cultural nightlife in London.
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Euston
More London events on Monday 18th September
Tuesday 19th September
In this Data Debate, a panel of experts will discuss what the future of data in public life could look like.
6pm to 8pm
Camden
A screening of, and talk about Stanley Kubrick’s nuclear comedy masterpiece
Starts at 6:15pm
Barbican
Join Professor Brian Cox as we look at the best science writing of 2017, and announce this year’s winning book.
6:30pm to 7:45pm
St James
Three speakers on nerdish topics - the science of beer, human history in DNA, and decision making.
Starts at 7:30pm
Bethnal Green
More London events on Tuesday 19th September
Wednesday 20th September
The Milky Way galaxy was once ablaze with bright young stars. Today, star formation has calmed down, but we glimpse intense pockets of gas that are forming massive stars, testifying to the brilliant past.
1pm to 2pm
Barbican
More London events on Wednesday 20th September
Thursday 21st September
Moor Park Mansion is a Grade I listed Palladian mansion set within over 300 hundred acres in Hertfordshire.
10am to 12pm
Rickmansworth
Historical seminar on nursing during the First World War, looking at letters, diaries and personal accounts from archives worldwide.
5:30pm to 8pm
Harley Street
Join Roman London expert Simon Elliott to hear about the early history of Roman London.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
More London events on Thursday 21st September
Friday 22nd September
Free
A night of exploration, extravagance and entertainment finding out how our complex capital works.
6:30pm to 9:30pm
Pimlico
More London events on Friday 22nd September
Saturday 23rd September
Open day at the Victorian steam pumping station with displays and fete.
10:30am to 6pm
Abbey Wood
A chance to see the objects not able to fit into the Transport Museum at their large Acton overflow depot.
11am to 5pm
Acton
£7.00
Take an 50 minute guided tour of Hornsey Town Hall with Paul and Oonagh of Crouch End Walks.
11am to 12:30pm
Hornsey
Tour of remarkable modernist 1930s Town Hall, with original features.
3pm to 4pm
Hornsey
More London events on Saturday 23rd September
Sunday 24th September
Free
Experience the vibrancy of Japanese culture in the heart of London.
10am to 8pm
Trafalgar Square
A tour of Kensington Gardens’ very own First World War trench – a reconstruction of the one built in the park 100 years ago.
11am to 4pm
Paddington
A chance to see the objects not able to fit into the Transport Museum at their large Acton overflow depot.
11am to 5pm
Acton
Join this archaeological walk with Dr Fiona Haughey in Hammersmith to discover the importance of the foreshore and the river walls.
12pm to 1:30pm
Hammersmith
Forming part of the Forest Hill to New Cross Gate railway cutting, this is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.
1pm to 5pm
Pearly society Harvest festival in the Guildhall yard.
Starts at 1pm
City of London
More London events on Sunday 24th September
Monday 25th September
Suppose we try to imagine a 'day in the life' of some Londoners in 1900, what would we find?
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
Dr Jane Williams, St Mellitus College, discusses the work of Barbara Pym (1913-1980).
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Pimlico
One of the UK's foremost philosophers examines the history and future of representative democracy
7pm to 8pm
Camden
£16.00
Join Matthew Walker for a journey into the new science of sleep and dreams
7pm to 8:30pm
Hanover Square
More London events on Monday 25th September
Tuesday 26th September
A talk about the Victorian criminal, Kate Webster, a woman at a time when it was unthinkable for a woman to be a criminal.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
Join award-winning travel writer Phoebe Smith as she discusses her new book Britain's Best Small Hills.
6:30pm to 7:45pm
Covent Garden
Trace the blue pencil and its consequences through literary history, from Ulysses and Lolita to a book implicated in a murder case.
7:15pm to 8:30pm
Camden
£3.00
Beer historian Martyn Cornell will look at the important role the Thames has played in the history of brewing in Britain
Starts at 7:30pm
Chiswick
More London events on Tuesday 26th September
Wednesday 27th September
A series of short films and talks hosted by Alex Julyan - Wellcome Trust Engagement Trust Fellow
All Day
Poplar
A talk about long series of major archaeological excavations within the City, the ancient harbour was gradually revealed, often where it was least expected.
1pm to 2pm
Barbican
Free
A talk about surgical advances, the psychological effects of facial disfigurement, and the differences in surgical approach between the UK and the continent during WW1
2pm to 3pm
Richmond
Free
Delve deeper into the biology of our bodies at this month’s Science Museum Lates.
6:45pm to 10pm
South Kensington
More London events on Wednesday 27th September
Thursday 28th September
What can we do to improve our mental health, and support that of others? In this public lecture, we look at innovative ways of supporting mental health care, in nursing and beyond.
6pm to 8pm
Harley Street
An evening of networking and discussions regarding the scope for wood applications in housing design and construction.
6pm to 8:30pm
Euston
Chris West will be discussing the key players who came together to achieve the brilliant planting of 888,246 acrylic poppies which created a World phenomenon at the Tower of London.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
Expect a selection of vintage motorcars on the cobbles of the old Greenwich Market.
7pm to 10pm
Greenwich
Melvyn Bragg and guests reflect on their fight to end the fatwa against Salman Rushdie
7pm to 8:30pm
Camden
£4.40
For the past two years Harry Rose has been working on a project exploring evidence the of Bigfoot in the UK
Starts at 7:45pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Thursday 28th September
Friday 29th September
In a venue rarely open to the public, this red & white wine tasting explores the history of Roman wines.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
A host of steam trains will run along the former Central line railway that's now a heritage line.
All Day
More London events on Friday 29th September
Saturday 30th September
Visit the c.1397 Grade 2 listed ‘threshing’ barn, over 100ft x 40ft in size, with a fine crownpost roof.
Starts at 10:45am
Rickmansworth
Guided tours of the London Transport museum's archive of posters and artwork.
Starts at 11am
Acton
Will Self and Chris Beckett in conversation and a rare screening of David Cronenberg's film
2:30pm to 6pm
Camden
A host of steam trains will run along the former Central line railway that's now a heritage line.
All Day
