Free And Cheap London Events: 29 September-5 October 2014

By Silvia Baretta Last edited 114 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 29 September-5 October 2014

Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week. For more ideas have a look at our Free & Cheap page.

The Make Escape is organising an Indian Summer Craft Night this week. Details below

All Week

BOOK SALE: The foyer of the Courtauld Institute of Art hosts a free-entry book sale. Find your favourite one among thousands of brand new and used books on art, culture, novels and travel. All proceeds of sales go towards student research travel grants. Free, until 7 October

BOOK FESTIVAL: Pimlico Library hosts a free book festival, with a series of authors presenting their new books. All events are free and the first 20 attendees of each event get a free gift. Free, various dates until 3 October  

STAY FIT: The London Aquatics Centre in Stratford offers free outdoor fitness this month. Activities include: boot camps, a women's running club and postnatal exercises for new mums. See website for full programme. Free, prebook, until 1 October

PUB: Just want to kick back and relax with a pint and a packet of pork scratchings? Our pubs guide has information about all of the best pubs in London, organised by area for your convenience. Find a boozer near you, or see if your favourite made the cut.

Monday 29 September

HAVE A COFFEE: Today is International Coffee Day. Take a look at our London Blend series or choose between one of these 10 independent coffee shops in London. For map lovers, we also have an alternative coffee shops tube map designed by Chris Ward — who actually tried all the places in the map.

FREE TALK: Historian Christopher Clark is at the Museum of London for a talk about the First World War. He explores the crisis that brought war to Europe in the summer of 1914. Free, just turn up, 6pm

PHOTOS AND MUSIC: Cafe 1001 in Brick Lane hosts the launch of My Scary Friends photographic exhibition, which features 40 black and white photographs by Nicko Straniero. Tonight is the opening party with free live music as well. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: Interested in learning a new language? Lingua Diversa Group offers an introductory lesson to Brazilian Portuguese at its offices in Holborn. £5, prebook by email, 6.30pm-7.30pm

COMEDY: The Loft Tickler Free Comedy Night takes place at The Loft in Clapham. Tonight's acts are Gemma Whelan, Harriet Kemsley, Damian Kingsley, Paul McMullan and Evelyn Mok. Free, just turn up, 8pm

Tuesday 30 September

BRITISH LIBRARY: Join a panel discussion about the global demand for meat and its production methods, taking place at the British Library. The talk looks at the impact of meat production on the environment and possible solutions to its pollution problem. £5, prebook, 6pm

THEATRE PLATFORM: Remembering Joan Littlewood takes place today at the National Theatre. To mark her centenary and a weekend of ‘Fun Palaces’, Stella Duffy, Murray Melvin and Peter Rankin celebrate the theatre maverick’s life and work. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: Interested in learning a new language? Lingua Diversa Group offers an introductory lesson to Italian at its offices in Holborn. £5, prebook by email, 6.30pm-7.30pm

POLITICAL ECONOMY: Listen to Dr Matthew Watson, Professor of Political Economy at Warwick University, who talks about his latest research study called Rethinking the Market. The event takes place at the meeting room inside St James's Church, Piccadilly. £4, just turn up, 7pm

SCIENCE IN A PUB: Join a scientific talk about Neuroenhancement and Public Health at the Cittie of York pub in Chancery Lane. Guest speaker is Dr. Alex McKeow. Free, just turn up, from 7pm    

CRAFT NIGHT: Join The Make Escape at the Hackney Attic for a free-entry Indian Summer Craft Night. Try your hand at weaving, stitching and collaging and create a sparkling masterpiece with their stash of sequins, glitter yarns and shimmering scraps — all materials provided. Free, just turn up, from 7.30pm

Hieronymus Quartet performs at Bishopsgate Institute on Friday. Details below

Wednesday 1 October

PHOTO EXHIBITION: British photographer Martin Parr presents a one-day exhibition, commissioned by food brand Birds Eye, which displays Britain's eating habits. The exhibition takes place at 18 Newman Street, London W1T 1PE. Free, just turn up, 9am-9pm

FREE TALK: Head to the Wiener Library and listen to historian Roger Moorhouse, who tells the full story of the pact between Hitler and Stalin for the first time. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

FILM SCREENING: Rich Mix in Shoreditch hosts the screening of To Get To Heaven First You Have To Die. The screening is part of Dash Arts Central Asian Season. Free, just turn up, 7pm

Thursday 2 October

WRITING WRONGS: Fifty years since the death of conservationist author Rachel Carson, a panel of experts look at her masterpiece Silent Spring and reflect on her environmental-focused lessons. The event takes place at The Royal Society and is on a first-come first-served basis. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm

POETRY NIGHT: The Working Men's College in Mornington Crescent hosts a free night of poetry and reading. Enjoy short poems, stories and novellas, from these authors: Cynan Jones, Jools Lee, May-Lan Tan, Stephen Watts and Meike Ziervogel. Free, prebook, 7pm   

Friday 3 October

LUNCH BREAK: Listen to Hieronymus Quartet performing live at Bishopsgate Institute today. They play music by Debussy and Haydn. Free, just turn up, 1pm

FOLK ON A BOAT: Join Tiller Flat Folk Club for an evening of music aboard the Golden Hinde in London Bridge. £5, prebook, 7pm

LIVE MUSIC: Mister Susan & Friends perform live tonight at Roadtrip & The Workshop in Old Street. Expect a mix of electro, progressive and punk music. £4, prebook, 7.30pm

FILM SCREENING: Join the screening of Where Are You Go, followed by a short Q&A session at Look Mum No Hands in Old Street. The film showcases four months on a bicycle between Cairo, Egypt and Cape Town, South Africa. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm

COMEDY: Laugh Out London presents Disney Night: The Sequel!, taking place tonight at the Camden Comedy Club. £5/£3, prebook, 8.30pm

POP PARTY: Head to The Purple Turtle in Camden for The Great British Pop Party. During the evening there will be pop music, dance and even a silent karaoke competition. £5, prebook by email, from 10.30pm

The Geekatorium takes place at The Phoenix in Cavendish Square

Saturday 4 October

FUN PALACES: Get hands on with theatre shows and events at Ovalhouse's Fun Palaces weekend in Oval. See website for full daily programmes, but expect music, fun and games, workshops, science and more. Free, just turn up, 4-5 October

CAFE LAUNCH: MASSIS Tea and MADD have joined forces to launch a new MADD Hatter's Cafe on Great Newport Street, near Leicester Square, and today's the launch party. Pop along for 50% off, live music and entertainment. Free, just turn up, 9.30am-3pm

Sunday 5 October

TREE WALK: Haringey Tree Wardens lead monthly free walks around the area, allowing us to learn a little about the greenery all around. This month focuses on the West Green area, and the walk will be 1-2 hours in length. Free, prebook, 3pm

GEEKATORIUM: Presented by Paul Gannon, Iszi Lawrence and Richard Sandling, The Geekatorium is a pop culture comedy show that celebrates everything from Pavlov’s Dog to Henry’s Cat, with comedy, music, storytelling and games. This month's special guest is Nick Revell. £5, prebook, 7.30pm

Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun. Or pop over to BrokeInLondon.com who also have plenty of great ideas.

Last Updated 28 September 2014