Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 14-20 October 2019

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Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 14-20 October 2019

All week

Remembering Lions opens at La Galleria

REMEMBERING LIONS: New photography exhibition Remembering Lions begins this week. Tied to a book of the same name, it's raising awareness of the plight of the maned cats, whose numbers have declined by half in the last 25 years. 70 photographs are on show — and for sale — with money raised going to projects that protect lions. La Galleria (Pall Mall), free entry, just turn up, 14-26 October

LIONESSES: It's the final week of this free exhibition about the changing role of women in the British Army since the second world war. Particular focus is on the Women's Royal Army Corps, and objects on display include a chassis used by Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) during her training. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, just turn up, until 20 October

WATER LIFE: It's also your last chance to see photography exhibition Water Life by Aida Muluneh. Commissioned by charity WaterAid, the pictures show issues of water scarcity and ecological emergency in Ethiopia. Somerset House, free, just turn up, until 20 October

Last chance to see this exhibition about the Women's Royal Army Corps

TREASURED THREADS: Gunnersbury Park Museum unveils a new exhibition centred on the Acton Top. One of the most remarkable items in the museum's collection, it's a decorative fabric quilt top created by a local Acton family around 1825, depicting biblical scenes, animals and plants. Gunnersbury Park Museum, free, just turn up, 15 October-12 January

LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL: Thursday sees the start of London Literature Festival, a huge event in the book world calendar. While many events are pricey (and some are sold out), there's plenty to do if you're on a budget — especially if you've got kids in tow. Catch a free lunchtime spoken word performance, join in a free writing course for 18-25 year olds, or send the kids off on a fairy tale trail. Southbank Centre, various prices, 17-27 October

Monday 14 October

Tiny Troopers at National Army Museum

TINY TROOPERS: Younger kids are catered for at National Army Museum's toddlers' session, Tiny Troopers. The sensory session for under 5s involves singing, games and crafty activities, all on the theme of animals in the Army. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead,10am/11.20am

WHERE HANDS TOUCH: Hear from film writer and director Amma Asante MBE, who talks about her latest project, Where Hands Touch. Inspired by the real-life experiences of African-Germans in the Nazi era, it's an imagined account of a mixed-race teenager’s clandestine relationship with a Hitler Youth member. The Wiener Holocaust Library (Russell Square), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

MARGARET THATCHER: Charles Moore discusses the third and final part of his new biography of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher. In this talk, he focuses on her final period in office, when she found herself pushed out by her own MPs. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm

Tuesday 15 October

Eleanor Morton performs a free show

BULLET JOURNALS: Master the art of bullet journalling at this short workshop dedicated to the trendy journalling method. Get some advice on where to start so that you're not daunted by a blank page, pick up some creative inspiration, and learn how to plan your pages. 67b Neal Street (Covent Garden), free, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm

STAND UP TO CANCER: For one day only, a powerful photo exhibition can be seen, demonstrating the reality of living with cancer. Taken by photographer Ami Barwell, the shots show men and women baring their scars and changes to their bodies in an act of defiance against the disease. Carousel (Marylebone), free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm

POST MORTON: Comedian Eleanor Morton performs her Edinburgh Fringe show Post-Morton in London for one night only. The personal show sees her panicking that other grown ups have left her behind. Aces & Eights (Tufnell Park), free, book ahead, 8pm-9pm

Wednesday 16 October

National Poetry Library launches a new exhibition

21ST CENTURY FERLINGHETTI: A new exhibition opens today, celebrating poet, publisher, painter and activist Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who marked his 100th birthday this year. See examples of his work which are being exhibited in the UK for the first time, and hear and watch audio and video clips from his archive. National Poetry Library (Southbank Centre), free, just turn up, 16 October-17 November

MEMORIES OF LONDON: Aimed at those living with early stage dementia and their carers, Museum of London offers a trip down memory lane. Take a wander through the galleries, and hear about shops such as Woolworths, which have disappeared from our high streets but used to be prevalent. Lyon's Corner House also gets a mention, and there's a chance to try on 1950s fashions, and sample some foods which may be familiar from yesteryear. Museum of London, free, book ahead, 2pm

LGBTQ COMEDY: Comedy Bloomers offers a night of LBTQ comedy with 11 acts taking to the stage, MCd by Russell Arathoon. Other performers include LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2019 runner up Sam Serrano, and Funny Women 'one to watch' Chelsea Birkby. Age 18+. Seven Dials Club (Covent Garden), £3, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Thursday 17 October

Dulwich Picture Gallery offers a free BSL talk about its Rembrandt exhibition

REMBRANDT'S LIGHT: For BSL users only, Dulwich Picture Gallery's John Wilson gives a free BSL talk about the newly-opened exhibition, Rembrandt's Light. He looks at key highlights of the display, which shows the painter's work from a modern cinematic perspective. Dulwich Picture Gallery, free, book ahead, 1pm

FIGHTING FOR RECOGNITION: Attend the launch of Royal College of Nursing's new exhibition, Fighting For Recognition. It marks a century of nursing registration in the UK, and there's a chance to view original registers, hear short talks from experts, and learn about the different fields of nursing, from anaesthesia to optometry. 20 Cavendish Square (Marylebone), free, book ahead, 5.30pm-8.30pm

VETERAN STATE OF MIND: Attend a live recording of military podcast Veteran State of Mind. Writer and former infantryman Geraint Jones hosts, and chats to both military and civilian guests about their experience of soldiers. Tonight's guest is Special Forces operator Dean Stott. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5/£4, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

Friday 18 October

Oval Night Market returns

BLACK POPPIES: Historian Stephen Bourne tells the little-known stories of black British servicemen during the first world war. Hear about Arthur Roberts, 'Scotland's Black Tommy' and David Clemetson, an Army officer who rose through the ranks after refusing to lie about his race. Bourne also shares wartime letters between Jamaican siblings Norman, Douglas and Vera Manley. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am

BREWERY PARTY: Bermondsey-based craft brewery Anspach & Hobday throws a free party to celebrate the first birthday of The Pigeon, its Camberwell-based bar. Sample a range of A&H beers, with free pizza to soak it up. The Pigeon (Camberwell), free entry, just turn up, from 5pm

NIGHT MARKET: Bethnal Green's night market is back for an autumn outing. As the streets around The Oval gasholder and venue are closed to traffic, browse stalls by local makers, tuck into street food and drinks from the bar, and dance the night away to live DJs. The Oval (Bethnal Green), free entry, just turn up, 5pm-11pm (repeated tomorrow)

Saturday 19 October

Ogle classic cars in Waterloo

HALF TERM: As of today, most kids are off school for a week. But fear not — we’ve put together a guide to spending half term in London, covering family-friendly events, exhibitions, theatre shows and other activities.

HOME MOVIE DAY: Finally, a use for those family films you've got lying around. Home Movie Day is a worldwide initiative, encouraging people to dig out and share their homemade footage. Volunteers are on hand at the Cinema Museum to help you watch your film in various formats, and save it for future viewing. Various productions from the London Screen Archives are also shown throughout the day. Cinema Museum (Kennington), free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

CLASSIC CARS: The monthly gathering of classic cars returns to Lower Marsh in Waterloo. Apply for a parking spot if you've got a motor you want to show off, otherwise just turn up and wander among classic vehicles of yesteryear. Lower Marsh (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm

QUEER TO CREATE: Intended as a safe space for LGBTQ+ makers, Queer To Create is a monthly event for the craftily inclined. Bring a project you're currently working on, start a new one on the day, or take part in a crash course in knitting and leave with a new skill.  DIY Space For London (Peckham), £3, book ahead, 12pm-5pm

Sunday 20 October

Have a rummage at the Vintage Kilo Sale

VALENTINES MANSION: A free exhibition of work by young artists opens at Valentines Mansion today. Inspired by the mansion itself, the artwork is by 6-19 year olds from a local art group, and marks a decade since the building was opened to the public. Valentines Mansion (Redbridge), free, just turn up, 20-23 October

VINTAGE SALE: Stock up on vintage clothes and pay by the weight at the Peckham Vintage Kilo Sale. Rummage through jackets, dresses, skirts, shirts, belts, handbags, jewellery, and pay £15 per kilo. There's no minimum weight, so choose carefully and you might find an item for as little as 75p. Bussey Building (Peckham), £3/£1.50, book ahead, 10am/11am/12pm

OCTOBER PLENTY: Witness The October Plenty, a traditional celebration on the streets of Lambeth which celebrates autumn. A procession starring the Corn Queene and Berry Man effigies begins at the Imperial War Museum, and meanders through the streets to Roots and Shoots in Kennington, where a play and storytelling session take place. Imperial War Museum, free, just turn up, from 12pm

Last Updated 11 October 2019