Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 3-9 June 2019

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Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 3-9 June 2019

All week

Get stuck into UCL Festival of Culture

FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: The first full week of London Festival of Architecture is a busy one, with free events including an exhibition inside London Bridge Hotel, a photo competition, and a debate about the difference between good fences and bad fences. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 1-30 June

FESTIVAL OF CULTURE: UCL's Festival of Culture has an impressively-varied programme, including several free events. Hear university students offer their perspective on Europe after Brexit, learn more about the world of forensic archaeology, or see inside Fitzrovia Chapel on an open day. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 3-7 June

HERITAGE FESTIVAL: There are still plenty of free Wandsworth Heritage Festival events happening, including a talk about the history of cinemas in Putney, and a walk centred around the Craig Telescope, which once resided on Wandsworth Common. See full schedule. Various locations and prices (some events free), booking required for some events, until 9 June

Watch the Cricket World Cup in Paddington

CRICKET WORLD CUP: No need for a ticket to Lord's or The Oval to keep up with the Cricket World Cup — most matches are shown for free, on the large outdoor screen in Paddington. Head along, bagsy yourself a deckchair and get stuck into the action. Merchant Square (Paddington), free, just turn up, until 14 July

SKULLPTURE: Inspired by the Grant Museum's zoological artefacts, students from the Slade School of Fine Art have created works in response. They go on display in new exhibition Skullpture, alongside historic skulls and skeletons from the museum itself. Grant Museum of Zoology (Warren Street), free, just turn up, 3 June-7 September

WATERLOO FESTIVAL: Halfway through the week, Waterloo Festival begins with a free rush-hour concert by Southbank Sinfonia. Other wallet-friendly events this week include a writing workshop and an open mic event. Various locations and prices (some events free), booking required for some events, 6-23 June

Monday 3 June

Create your own spoon puppets at Drink, Shop & Do

GUN SALUTE: The 66th anniversary of the Queen's coronation is marked with a gun salute in Green Park. The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire 41 rounds for the occasion. Green Park, free, just turn up, 12pm

SPOON PUPPETS: Get a group together and head to Drink, Shop & Do for a relaxing evening of crafting. Tonight, spoon puppets are the focus. Make your own mini wooden puppet complete with hair, eyes and clothes. Materials and a drink are included in the ticket. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, from 6pm

FOLK MUSIC: Five local acoustic acts are specially chosen to take to the stage at Folk Modern, a monthly music open mic night. It's curated by compere and performer Steve Folk, who picks the artists based on the sincerity of their music. Ritzy (Brixton), free, book ahead, 8pm-11pm

Tuesday 4 June

Mark a century since the Treaty of Versailles

TREATY OF VERSAILLES: 100 years on from the signing of the Treaty of Versailles — which aimed to prevent there ever being another conflict like the first world war — history professor Margaret MacMillan discusses whether the treaty was responsible for the second world war, and ultimately, whether its aims failed. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

ARTIST TALK: Londonist art critic Tabish Khan hosts an evening of art and conversation with artist Joseph Benoit, whose current digital photography exhibition Two is on display at the venue. Hix Art (beneath Tramshed, Shoreditch), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO: Mike Wells cycled the Camino de Santiago, a well-known pilgrimage route crossing Northern Spain from the Pyrenees to Santiago in Galicia. Then he went and wrote a book about his two-wheeled adventures, and tonight he talks about the preparations for his journey, and the experience of actually doing it. Stanfords (Covent Garden), £4, book ahead, 7pm-8.15pm

Wednesday 5 June

Learn about floating tidal energy

TIDAL ENERGY: Scottish based engineering company Orbital Marine Power is developing a new way to generate electricity from tidal stream resources. Tonight's presentation, aimed at Institution of Civil Engineers members and members of the public with an interest in tidal energy, looks at the company's past achievements, and the technology needed for this new idea. The ICE (Westminster), free, book ahead, 6pm-10pm

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: Ahead of the Women's World Cup, The Book Club opens an exhibition of photography celebrating womxn's football from grassroots to elite, and tonight's the launch night. It's part of the wider Festival of Football. The Book Club (Shoreditch), free, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

SMOKE COMEDY: Comedians Alfie Brown and Mark Watson, comic storyteller Pope Lonergan and comedy trombonist Faye Treacy are on the bill at tonight's Smoke Comedy show, which promises an eclectic couple of hours — and probably a sneak preview at a few Edinburgh shows. The Sekforde (Clerkenwell), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

Thursday 6 June

Take a YMCA exercise class

EXERCISE THROUGH THE AGES: Work your way through the decades from the 1970s to now via a series of exercise classes, from the vintage gym shorts of the 1970s to the primal print exercise gear of today. YMCA Club (Tottenham Court Road), suggested donation £5, book ahead, 12.30pm-2.15pm

LIVE MUSIC: Paddington's live outdoor acoustic music sessions are a sure sign summer's on the way. Pitch up on the extremely relaxing floating pocket park and enjoy the sounds of Essex singer-songwriter Josh Gleaves. Merchant Square (Paddington), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-7.30pm

AFROPEAN: Award-winning writer and photographer Johny Pitts chats to television presenter Ayo Akinwolere about the state of black culture and identity in Europe today. In his book, Pitts talks to many Europens of African descent who struggle with their identity and having multiple international allegiances. Libreria Bookshop (Hackney), £4, book ahead, 7.30pm-8.30pm

Friday 7 June

A rare chance to visit Lambeth Palace Gardens

RARE BOOK FAIR: Who knows what gem you might uncover at Firsts: London's Rare Book Fair. 150 worldwide dealers exhibit rare books, maps, manuscripts and art. Even if you don't buy anything, you're bound to see some fascinating and historical objects. Battersea Park, entry is £20 on Friday but free on Saturday and Sunday, book ahead, 7-9 June

SOLDIERS' STORY: French, German and Allied soldiers and survivors of D-Day have their stories told in a talk by writer Giles Milton, who bases his work on the raw experiences of those who witnessed it first hand. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am

PALACE GARDENS: The Church Urban Fund is the charity benefiting from the proceeds of this month's open garden event at Lambeth Palace. Visit the usually private — and rather large — garden right next to the Thames, home to beautiful roses, statues, and even beehives. Lambeth Palace, £5, just turn up, 12pm-3pm

Saturday 8 June

A family fun day at Strawberry Hill House on Sunday

EID FESTIVAL: Everyone's welcome to the Mayor of London's Eid Festival, a free event in Trafalgar Square to mark the end of Ramadan. A line-up of live acts provide entertainment on stage, there are family activities to keep kids busy, and a variety of food and drink is available to purchase. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

SUMMER FAYRE: St John's Hospice hosts an annual summer fayre to raise money for its palliative care services. Local acts showcase their talents on stage, kids can go on funfair rides, and there are food, drink and craft stalls to get stuck into. St John's Wood Church Gardens, free (donations welcome), just turn up, 8-9 June

Sunday 9 June

Add to your wardrobe at Frock Me vintage fair

FARM SUNDAY: It's Open Farm Sunday, a national event which aims to get people more interested in farming and agriculture going on around them. The London events can be seen here, and include a sheep & wool fair at Spitalfields City Farm. Various locations, prices and times (many free), some require booking.

VINTAGE FAIR: Treat yourself to some new gladrags or just have a browse at the Frock Me vintage fair. 60 vintage fashion and textile dealers who really know their stuff sell items dating back as far as the 1900s. Chelsea Old Town Hall, £4, book ahead, 11am-5.30pm

THY KINGDOM COME: Trafalgar Square is the location for Thy Kingdom Come, a family festival and service organised by the Archbishop of Canterbury for Pentecost. The festival takes place from 12pm-4pm with live music, spoken word, craft activities and storytelling, followed by a Pentecost service of praise, worship and prayer. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

MUSIC FUN DAY: Water zorbs, fairground rides, face painting and food and drink stalls are all part of Strawberry Hill House's fun day, aimed at visitors of all ages, with a live music stage provides a backdrop to the day. Strawberry Hill House (Twickenham), suggested donation £4 adult/£1 child, just turn up, 12pm-7pm

Last Updated 07 June 2019