Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 19-25 February 2018

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Last Updated 17 February 2018

Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 19-25 February 2018

All week

The collection of stories told in A Mile in My Shoes brings together a diversity of voices not normally heard in relation to migration.

A MILE IN MY SHOES: Literally step into the shoes of migrants taken from this giant shoe box in south London, and listen to their stories through headphones as you wander (or stumble). Migration Museum (Lambeth), free, just turn up, until 25 February

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS: Containing fascinating insights into the area's long history as a port, alongside modern-day developments and some brilliant full-size replicas, if you haven't visited yet, you should check out this video of our visit and make a date of it this week. Museum of London Docklands, free, just turn up, ongoing

MOATED MANOR HOUSE: London's only moated manor house is well worth a trip if you're looking for a way to get out of the city. The site has recently reopened following major restoration. A Heritage Lottery Fund grant has worked wonders, bringing these historic buildings back from the brink. Headstone Manor, North Harrow, free, just turn up, ongoing

FREE ART: Some of the hottest exhibitions on at the moment — from huge animal sculptures to ethereal lamps — are free to see. Check out our run down of the best art exhibitions in London right now.

Monday 19 February

BONES TO BYTES: As Chinese New Year celebrations get underway, it seems an apt time to delve into the library's Chinese collections, which number more than 120,000 items. Luckily, lead curator, Sara Chiesura has squeezed her fave bits into an hour. British Library, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

THE PECKHAM COAL LINE: Hear about how to grow a new urban park from the Peckham Coal Line Committee, a community of locals hoping to turn disused rail coal sidings into an elevated urban park. Hey, if New York can do it why not London? Kew Gardens, £2.50, book ahead, 6pm

Tuesday 20 February

Why is the World Such a Mess? (The clue might be in the picture).

WHY IS THE WORLD SUCH A MESS?: Us humans aren't afraid of bigging ourselves up but if we're so fabulous, why is the world such a mess? That's the premise of this talk from Alister McGrath, Gresham, professor of divinity, which is a real subject and not just in Harry Potter. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

UTILITY FASHION: Spend the afternoon exploring the austerity fashion of the 1940s and 1950s (and store up tips if you're feeling thrifty). London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

BIG IDEAS: How about that elusive promotion or dream job you’re trying to find or get that just seems out of grasp. Trouble in or trying to get into a relationship? Apparently, it's not because someone pipped you to the post or you're undatable, it's because you haven't been "representing or modelling" your problem correctly. Find out more at this Big Ides talk, part of a series of free lectures. City & Islington College, free, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm

Wednesday 21 February

Changing Dialogue explores how creative practice can kick-start a conversation and holds the potential to change and challenge.

WICK WEDNESDAYS: Hackney Wick's creative community has joined forces to bring visitors a day of exhibitions, offers and general good times. See art (including a new show from Gavin Turk and a photo exhibition of Hackney in the 1970s and 1980s), go to a canal-side jazz jam at sustainable venue Grow or play Drag Queen Bingo at Bar 90, which is also offering 2-4-1 burgers. Various venues, free, just turn up, all day, every third Wednesday

THE PICTURE STORE: Punk fans and obsessive gig-goers get yourself to this exhibition of live music photography featuring everyone from Metallica to Skepta. Maybe you'll even spot yourself in the crowd. For Fuk Sake, Dalston, free, just turn up, 5pm-late, until 23 February

GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC: See how 50 talented Guildhall students and 200 east London community members respond to the Barbican’s 2018 season, The Art Of Change through workshops and concerts. The Broadway, Barking free, book ahead, 6pm

THE FUTURE OF SURVEILLANCE: It's hard to look up in London without spotting the beady eye of a surveillance camera. Find out what the future holds for mass surveillance and put your questions to the panel at this Question Time-themed event. London School of Economics, free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

Thursday 22 February

Sleep is an enormous part of our lives. This talk asks why do we do it? And why do we sometimes struggle to do so?

LUNCH HOUR LECTURE: Yawning through your lunch break? Maybe a better understanding of sleep will help you drop off. This talk combines science with literary and cultural history to understand the strange land of nod. Darwin Lecture Theatre, free, book ahead, 1.10pm-1.55pm

THE REDUCTION PRINT: Learn about the Chinese method of print reduction using Japanese woodblocks to produce the wonderful images you can see in the accompanying week-long exhibition. Coningsby Gallery, free, RSVP, 6.30pm-7.30pm

BLANK: Young actors tells the many stories of women and children affected by the criminal justice system after their spouses and parents are locked up. This performance is part of NT Connections Festival. Chickenshed Theatre, £5, book ahead, 6pm and 8pm, until 24 February

THE COMMONWEALTH FASHION EXCHANGE: Get a feel for the high-end fashion coming out of all 52 Commonwealth member countries at this two week pop-up. Australia House, free, just turn up, noon-7pm, until 6 March

Friday 23 February

TEA TIME MARKET: Do you love a cuppa? Search out your fave tea leaves and pick up a new teapot alongside books and decorative items inspired by the humble brew at this tea market. China Exchange, free, just turn up, noon-6pm

RIVERBLUE: Ever wonder who sewed your clothes together? Find out the sometimes terrible circumstances under which your wardrobe is stitched at this screening of RiverBlue, as part of LSE Festival. LSE, Wolfson Theatre, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Saturday 24 February

The timeline for the craft swish is: 2.30-3: Turn up and drop off your goods 3-3.30: Relax and have a cup of tea and a piece of cake, while the team sorts the materials 3.30-3.45: Browse what is on offer 3.45: Swish!

DON'T MOVE, IMPROVE: Stuck in a home-improvements rut? Bring your interior design woes to these free design surgeries and your home will be looking tip top in no time. NLA, The Building Centre, free, book ahead, 10am-4pm

WELSH HARP CLEAN UP: Practice what you preach and help rid this north-west reservoir of rubbish. Cool Oak Lane Bridge, free, just turn up, 11am-2pm

WONDROUS WELFARE: Things were looking up for kids in the twentieth century as the welfare system came into force and children's rights campaigns took off. At this workshop, kids can make up their own demands and make a campaign poster with collage and stencils. Library Gallery, LSE Library, Holborn, free, just turn up, noon-4pm

FAMILY DAY: Take kids along to this family day where they can create gelatin prints using the plants and leaves that so inspired William Morris. (Vegans relax, the gelatin is veggie friendly). William Morris Gallery, free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

CRAFT SWISH: We've all got non-starter craft projects lying in the back of our cupboards. Dust them off and swap them for something you'll complete at this craft swish fair. Christ Church Turnham Green, £5, book ahead, 2.30pm-3.45pm

LANTERN MAKING: Try your hand at lantern making, settle down for storytelling and even have a go at learning Mandarin at this Chinese New Year celebration. Balham Library, free, just turn up, 2pm-3pm

Sunday 25 February

BERMONDZINES: Get your hands on zines, comics, fun illustrations and books from indie publishers at this zine fair for DSFL members and guests. DIY Space for London, £2, book ahead, 2pm-7pm