Preview: Open Days @ Bishopsgate Institute

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 141 months ago
Preview: Open Days @ Bishopsgate Institute

From Panoramas of Lost London / North side of Wych Street looking east, 11 June 1906 / English HeritageBishopsgate Institute opens its doors for a day and three lunchtimes of free activities and exploration later this month.

The stand-out event for any London obsessive is the talk by Philip Davies in which he'll present photographs from Panoramas of Lost London on Saturday 23 June at 3pm. It's free to attend but ticketed, so book your place now.

If you've ever wanted to try ballroom dancing, photography, creative writing, yoga or sketching* you can take a free taster lesson. Likewise, see if you're cut out for studying languages, history, music appreciation or art history without committing to a course.

Explore the Bishopsgate building itself with a free tour or follow a trail round the local area and discover historic Spitalfields. Use free talks to find out about the Bishopsgate Library collections (there's loads of London stuff in there) and browse the library and oral history display. Plus, 15 minute-long 'bite-sized lectures' on London subjects, such as 'The City and Slavery', street art and signage and Henry Wellcome's collection of tattoos, will make your lunchtime at least 25% more edifying.

The Bishopsgate Institute Open days are on Saturday 23 June 10.30am-3.45pm, then Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 June between noon - 1.45pm. All activities are free, but some must be booked. Download a full guide (PDF) to all Open Day activities here.

*other subjects are available - check the website for a full list of courses.

Have a look at our article 'Finding the Panoramas of Lost London' where we contrast some of the photos in Davies' book with modern day snaps of seven of the sites.

Last Updated 12 June 2012