Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 11-17 March 2019

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Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 11-17 March 2019

All week

Under The Skin at Royal College of Physicians

UNDER THE SKIN: Closing this week is Under The Skin. Find out about the different techniques used by artists throughout history to represent the complexity of the human body in drawings, sketches and paintings. Royal College of Physicians (Regent's Park), free, just turn up, until 15 March

CATS IN BOOKS: It's the final week of British Library's free Cats on the Page exhibition, which looks at feline literary characters throughout time. Some of the characters are familiar — particularly from childhood books — while others are less so. The exhibition also looks at how writers have been influenced by their own cats. British Library, free, just turn up, until 17 March

Monday 11 March

Watercolours are the art form of the month at London Metropolitan Archives

GRESHAM, PEPYS AND EVELYN: The origins of Gresham College are traced in this lecture. Find out about the bequest Thomas Gresham left, stipulating that after his wife's death, his house and fortune be used to start a college for scientific development. An author and researcher talks about the bequest through the testimony of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, both friends of Gresham. Part of a special series of lectures marking 500 years since Gresham's birth. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn), free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

WATERCOLOURS: The London Metropolitan Archives' art form of the month is watercolours. Join a curator for a free tour through some of the watercolour artefacts held in the collections, and how they are cared for. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

BOARD GAMES: Play board games for free tonight — but don't be expecting Scrabble and Monopoly. Board Games and Beyond aims to introduce people to some of the lesser-known games out there, including Ticket To Ride and King Of Tokyo. Ritzy (Brixton), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm

Tuesday 12 March

CLOTHES SWAP: Travel company Contiki hosts a holiday clothes swap. Bring a bag of pre-loved clothes and swap them for other people's donations, all while enjoying vegan food, cocktails, and talks about sustainable travel. Contiki (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 5.30pm-6pm

LIVE WITH WILDLIFE: The charity behind London Zoo hosts a free lecture about finding better ways for humans to live alongside wildlife. Real-world case studies are examined, and speakers include experts from ZSL, UCL and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. ZSL Library (Regent's Park), free, just turn up, 6pm

CROSSRAIL: Politician, author and railway historian Christian Wolmar talks about his new book, The Story of Crossrail (the way things stand, we wouldn't be surprised if it spills over into a sequel...). Wolmar discusses Crossrail as an extraordinary achievement, while also acknowledging the setbacks it's experienced. Owl Bookshop (Kentish Town), £3, book ahead, 6.30pm

Wednesday 13 March

Knit for kittens at Battersea

CAST COURTS: Following the recent reopening of the V&A's Cast Courts, find out how the museum has relied on copies and replicas for many years, actively seeking them out and embracing new technologies to produce them. In the early 20th century though, many copies were destroyed as their reputation deteriorated, but in recent years, technological advances have allowed copies to be made more accurately than ever. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm

KNITTING KITTENS: Take your knitting needles along to the Battersea animals' home and spend the evening with fellow knitters, creating toys and blankets for the resident cats. Battersea, suggested donation £2, just turn up, 5pm-8pm

Thursday 14 March

Hear the work of Indonesian poets at Southbank Centre

CHILD HEALTH: Delve into records and archives about the history of child health in London. Find out how child health was monitored different periods, and how it was improved through medicine, school meals and sports initiatives. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

LEGO ROBOTS: Release your creative streak and fashion a Lego robot — aided along by a drink or two, of course. Give it a name and a special power, and enter it into the judging at the end of the evening. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free when you buy a drink, book a table, from 6pm

NURSE RECRUITMENT: Find out why so many British nurses travelled all the way to Philadelphia for work in the late 19th century. Hear about a campaign to recruit the British nurses to work in newly-established nurses and training school. The Royal College of Nursing (Marylebone), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

INDONESIAN POETS: Hear readings by poets from the Indonesia region, Avianti Armand and Laksmi Pamuntjak. Both share some of their latest work, followed by a Q&A session hosted by fellow poet Will Harris. Southbank Centre, free, book ahead, 8pm

Friday 15 March

Enjoy a free lunchtime concert at Southbank Centre

WALKING BOOK CLUB: If you've read Anita Brookner's novel, Look At Me, join this walking book club to delve further into it. Writer Emily Rhodes leads the walking tour from Marylebone and into Regent's Park, the area inhabited by Brookner's protagonist, medical librarian Frances. Daunt Books Marylebone, free, just turn up, 10am

LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Treat your ears to the music of The Moostak Trio at this free lunchtime concert. The trio's music is somewhat improvised, the musicians reacting to each other as they play. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 1pm

GERMAN MISSILES: Find out more about the V1 and V2 missiles that landed on Britain during the second world war. Documents and resources from the National Archives show where and how the weapons hit British soil, and why British interception techniques were powerless to stop them. National Archives (Kew), £4-£5, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

Saturday 16 March

Enjoy family storytelling at the National Army Museum

BSL STORYTELLING: This storytelling session is specifically aimed at families with deaf and hard of hearing children. BSL interpretation is provided for the tales about the role of animals in the Army. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, booking recommended, 11am/1pm

EAST END ENTERTAINMENTS: All manner of traditional East End entertainments are recreated for a PG audience. Expect stand-up comedians, songs from a bygone era, and cabaret tricks, as well as a workshop where you can create your own mini matchbox theatre. Museum of London Docklands, free, just turn up, 11am, 16 and 17 March

ROMAN FORT: There's a rare chance to visit London's little-known Roman fort gate on this tour, led by Museum of London experts. The Roman remains are buried beneath the streets next to the museum, and were used as a lookout post for Roman sentries in Londinium. Museum of London, £5, book ahead, 2pm

Sunday 17 March

London turns green for the St Patrick's Day Festival

ST PATRICK'S DAY: London goes green today for St Patrick's Day. The main festival celebrating Ireland's patron saint takes place in Trafalgar Square, following a parade from Piccadilly. Irish arts and culture, food and drink are all showcased through stalls, performances, workshops and other events. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

Last Updated 08 March 2019