Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 2-8 April 2018

By Kyra Hanson Last edited 80 months ago

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Last Updated 29 March 2018

Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 2-8 April 2018

All week

See this five-star show from Matthew Day Jackson.

RADIANCE: The vibrant colours and swirling patterns of internationally celebrated artist Zhuang Hong Yi are just the radiant start to spring we need. See his work, made from thousands of rice paper flowers, at this exhibition. The House of Fine Art, free, just turn up, until 8 April

MATTHEW DAY JACKSON: This superb multi-layered exhibition features reclining nudes made out of burnt trees which upend Western ideals of beauty, and Dutch flower paintings which reflect humanity's impact on the natural world. Hauser & Wirth (Mayfair), free, just turn up, until 28 April

COUNTER INVESTIGATIONS: Did an Israeli soldier murder a Palestinian teenager? Were students kidnapped by the Mexican police? Was enough done to help a sinking ship full of migrants? This hard-hitting exhibition detailing the truth-searching carried out by forensic architecture blew our minds. ICA (The Mall), £1, just turn up, until 6 May

SMALL PUMPKIN PAINTINGS: The artist that filled our Instagram feeds with a thousand spotty pumpkin pictures is back. These small pumpkin paintings from Yayoi Kusama have never been displayed before. Phones at the ready. Omer Tiroche Gallery (Mayfair), free, just turn up, until 1 June

Monday 2 April

STEAMING: Get a load of this steam powered engine, which has been around since 1888 and will be letting steam off at various times throughout the day (that's probably not the technical term). The Markfield Beam Engine and Museum (Tottenham), free (donations welcome), just turn up, noon-4.30pm

EASTER FUN: Try your hand at egg decorating, wander through the woodland trail and get your youngsters involved in the races outside the Hunting Lodge. The Easter Bunny hasn't hung up his ears just yet either. The View (Chingford), free entry (charge for some events), just turn up, 1pm-4pm

AT YOUR BEAT: Are you nursing an Easter egg food baby? Work it off at a free dance class courtesy of At Your Beat's open day. Choose from FitBEAT Reggaeton, StrutBEAT, VideoBEAT, BoxBEAT and much more. The Castle Centre (Elephant & Castle) and The White Space (Leicester Square), free, book ahead, 1pm-6pm

Tuesday 3 April

The Bank of England Museum invites younger visitors to explore the galleries, displays and corridors – with added Easter fun!

FRANKENSTEIN FESTIVAL: Can you believe it's been 200 years since Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was birthed? Step into Doctor Frankenstein’s shoes, create a creature and bring it to life using stop motion animation at these drop-in workshops, part of the Frankenstein Festival. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 10am-5pm, until 8 April

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA: Little ones can search for three mischievous chicks and a golden egg among the museum's exhibits and create Easter themed headbands, masks and finger puppets. Don't forget to claim your chocolate egg once you've completed the trail. Bank of England Museum (Bank), free, just turn up, 10am-4.30pm, until 13 April

YEAR OF REVOLUTIONS: 1968 was a year bookended by violence. In this illustrated talk, records specialist Mark Dunton takes you back to these tumultuous times which witnessed war, assassinations and revolutionary movements. The National Archives (Kew), £4-£5, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

PLAY WITH CLAY: Create your own balloons, streamers, kegs and soundsystems out of clay today. Why? Because it's World Party Day, obvs. Drink Shop & Do, King's Cross, free when you buy a drink, just turn up, 6pm

Wednesday 4 April  

Easter at the Ragged School Museum

ROTTEN JOBS FOR RAGGED CHILDREN: How would you have fared on the streets of Victorian East End? Find out at the Earn Your Keep Challenge, where you sign up to the Victorian Careers Service and immerse yourself in the working world of the Ragged School Children. Ragged School Museum (Mile End), free, just turn up, 10am-5pm, 4-5 April and 11-12 April

SUSPECT OBJECTS SUSPECT SUBJECTS: The victimisation of Muslims is the topic of this new exhibition, which makes use of advertising, installation, painting, sculpture and film to explore suspicion, memory and the experience of difference. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, until 29 April

Thursday 5 April

WILL GOMPERTZ'S ARTS CLUB: The BBC arts editor leads this engaging discussion on all things arty with a panel of comedians, journalists and writers. The Bill Murray (Angel), free, book ahead, 6.45pm-7.45pm

TUNNELS UNDER HOLBORN: Take a trip through the secret tunnels of subterranean London at this talk unearthing the city's earliest tube tunnels, ghost stations and folklore. Burgh House (Hampstead), £1, just turn up, 7.30pm-9pm

Friday 6 April

A still from Listening in the Dark, which you can see as part of this year's Jerwood FVU Awards © Maeve Brennan (2018)

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES: See two new artsy films which explore the increasingly tangled social and environmental realities of our present moment, as part of this year's Jerwood/ FVU Awards. Jerwood Space (Southwark), free, just turn up, until 30 June

FREE GIG: Hanya is a duo hailing from Brighton, and the Two Tribes are already making a name for themselves on the pub gig circuit despite not having released much music yet. Grab a pint and enjoy. The Victoria (Dalston), free, just turn up, 7.30pm-10pm

ANGEL COMEDY: This flagship night from the Angel Comedy Club always delivers the best laughs you'll find in London for free. The Camden Head (Islington), free, just turn up, 8pm-10pm

Saturday 7 April

LAMBETH AUTISM FAYRE: Leave your little one in one of these sensory play areas, and you might return home with a coding whiz. There are 20 stalls and activities to explore in the Engine Hall with a focus on robotics and VR. Imagination Lab (Lambeth), £3 (free for Lambeth residents), book ahead, 10am-5pm

EASTER AT THE MALL: If you're in Wood Green today, swing by The Mall for a spot of croquet, chocolate treats and children's face painting at this Alice in Wonderland Easter special. The Mall Wood Green, free, just turn up, noon-5pm

QUACKY RACES: Pick up a rubber duck, plonk it in the water and cheer it on at Morden Hall Park's silly quacky races. Morden Hall Park, Merton, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm, 7-8 April

YOUNG PLEASANCE EASTER WORKSHOP: Aspiring actors can join this weekend workshop, to brush up on physical theatre techniques and writing tips from those in the industry. Best of all, the whole weekend is free. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), free, book ahead, 10am-4pm, 7-8 April

Sunday 8 April

OUTER EDGE WALK: Give yourself a breather from the built up London you know and enjoy this siz-mile lovely loop around the outskirts. Starts at Elstree and Borehamwood station, free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

EDINBURGH PREVIEWS: Eleanor Morton and Joe Sutherland are releasing their Edinburgh Fringe shows into the wild today. Show your support or give your (constructive) feedback. The Albany, free, just turn up, 2pm-3pm

404