Free things to do in London this week.
TUBE STRIKES: At time of writing, strike action is due to take place on the Tube this week, 21-22 and 23-24 April, with significant disruption expected. Full details here, with updates on the TfL website.
Be drawn in by the drawings of Paul Davis
If you're au fait with the increasingly complex art of sourcing inexpensive drinks in central London, you probably already know the Colony Room Green, a facsimile of the infamous Soho artists' club, recreated in a basement on Heddon Street, and where glasses of wine are still head-turningly affordable. Go there at the moment, and you can also enjoy God's Chamber and Other Drawings, a free exhibition by illustrator Paul Davis, a man with a wry satirical eye, and whose works include a super yacht with the motto 'Stop the Big Boats' stamped across it.
Until 2 May.
Relive the glorious year that was 1996
Barbican Music Library cranks the nostalgia dial up to 11, with 1996: 30 years on - The wildest year of Britain's wildest decade, a free exhibition recalling the glory days of Britpop, Euro 96 and all-night raves. See costumes worn by the Spice Girls and previously unseen Oasis memorabilia, and be transported back to more youthful days, or otherwise wish you could have been there in the first place. The fact it's curated by a former editor of the controversial S*n newspaper does make you wonder if they'll cover some of the more unsavoury things that went on behind the rose-tinted specs, too...
Until 19 September.
Explore Agatha Christie's London
Guildhall Library offers a free talk about author Agatha Christie on Monday afternoon, looking at the London locations where the grand dame of crime fiction lived and worked, and which appear in her stories. Tina Hodgkinson, author of Agatha Christie’s London: A Historical Guide to the Queen of Crime’s Capital gives the talk, and you can watch in person, or online via livestream.
20 April.
Celebrate the Vagina Museum's Fanniversary
The Vagina Museum in Bethnal Green celebrates its Fanniversary (see what they did there?) with a one-day hybrid conference exploring feminism, gender and justice in the modern world. The event brings together researchers, academics, performers and facilitators for panels, workshops and performances.
21 April.
Mark Earth Week with a walk through Smithfield
Join a guide for a free tour through Smithfield — soon to be home to the new London Museum — to mark Earth Week. The museum's artists-in-residence point out the hidden nature in the local area, from lost rivers and little-known greenery to the historic floral and faunal motifs cast into the Victorian architecture.
21 April.
Delve into the Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh
Suresh Singh, aka the Cockney Sikh, was born in 1962 in Spitalfields, and is the author of A Modest living: Memoirs of a Cockney Sikh, the candid, and sometimes surprising story, of his father, Joginder Singh, who came to London in 1949. Hear him discuss his family's experiences, in a free Guildhall Library talk on Tuesday afternoon.
21 April.
Hear about Indo-Caribbean experiences of the Windrush era
Meena Venkataramanan and Jeevan Kaur Sanghera are co-founders of the Indo-Caribbean Windrush Oral History Project, which aims to preserve this often overlooked part of history among modern British Indo-Caribbeans. On Tuesday evening, they give a free online talk, hosted by Royal Museums Greenwich, introducing the project, and the stories of the Indo-Caribbeans who immigrated to Britain during the Windrush era.
21 April.
Get involved in a river clean-up
Join the Friends of River Cray and charity Thames21 for a community action day at Waterside Gardens in Crayford on Friday. Help to remove litter and manage overhanging vegetation, with waders provided for those entering the water to clear the channel. You'll be helping to improve the river's biodiversity and reduce fly-tipping in the town centre.
24 April.
Tune into the sounds of a live brass band
Feeling bold as brass? London City Brass play a spring concert at St Mary-at-Hill in the City, with music from stage and screen, plus brass standards and classical tunes on the docket — all free to enjoy. You can, however, purchase a drink at the interval, and leave a donation if you wish.
24 April.
Attend the first Community Cuppa at this local theatre
Chickenshed Theatre in Southgate hosts its first Community Cuppa, a new event taking place in its cafe. The idea is to bring locals together in an inclusive space, while raising money for the theatre.
It's open to everyone from regular visitors to those passing through, and is a chance to connect over a drink, while supporting the theatre's work with children and young people. It's free to attend, though donations are encouraged.
24 April.
Mark Earth Day at a National Portrait Gallery Late
Stay on at the National Portrait Gallery on Friday for its Earth Day Late, in collaboration with climate charity, Murmur. Hear the stories of changemakers and inspirational individuals whose stories are told through the Gallery's Collection. Events include a spoken word performance by young musician and poet Isaiah Hull; a screening of Oscar-nominated film Planetwalker, which tells the story of activist John Francis; and pop-up talks about figures including the late Jane Goodall.
24 April.
Get free entry to the Brunel Museum...
... although it's only for a select few. If your name happens to be Mark or Marc, you can visit Rotherhithe's Brunel Museum for free on Saturday, to celebrate the 275th birthday of Marc Brunel, the man who conceived the idea for the Thames Tunnel. Prebook your free ticket online, and take some ID along when you visit the museum.
25 April.
Celebrate King's Day at the Dutch Centre
King's Day (Koningsdag) is a Dutch national holiday falling on 27 April, marking the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, reigning monarch of the Netherlands. Naturally, London's Dutch Centre in the City hosts King's Day celebrations. It's free entry, with live music, a market, a friendly atmosphere and lots and lots of orange — dress appropriately!
25 April.
Visit artists in their studios
Bow Arts invites the public to peek behind usually-closed doors at the Royal Albert Wharf Open Studios in the Royal Docks on Saturday. Explore 40 different artist spaces and take part in free creative workshops and family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon.
25 April.
Cheer on London Marathon runners
The London Marathon swarms into town on Sunday, with thousands of runners tackling the 26.2 mile course between Greenwich/Blackheath and The Mall. Our London Marathon guide has everything you need to know about finding the best place along the route to watch and cheer the runners on.
Whatever you're up to this weekend, be aware of road closures and diversions throughout central London.
Claim a freebie for London Marathon runners
Tackling the course yourself? Hats off to you. By the time you turn that final corner outside Buckingham Palace you'll be in need of pick-me-up or two. These places are all offering freebies to runners this year:
- Salad bowl restaurant atis is giving out free slow-release energy bowls (available on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 April at all atis locations, one per person, show your medal to claim yours).
- Burger joint HBR in Eccleston Yards (Belgravia) is giving away 100 complimentary burgers on a first come first served basis to anyone flashing their London Marathon medal.
- Floozie Cookies in Covent Garden is giving away a free cookie and drink to anyone who flashes their medal on Marathon day.
- Basque cheesecake brand La Maritxu, located in Kingly Court, is giving away complimentary slices of Classic Basque Cheesecake to the first 100 runners who present their medal in-store.
- Soho pasta restaurant Pastaio offers Marathon medal holders a complimentary plate of pasta on the day of the race (excluding lobster linguine).
- Lush stores on Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Victoria and Paddington stations are giving away the new Ouchy magnesium massage balm and The Good Hour shower jelly to help runners recover — available on Sunday 26 April while stocks last, when you show your medal.
- Fremantle Bar and Kitchen in Royal Victoria Dock, is offering complimentary breakfast items with a hot drink, coffee or matcha to anyone who shows their medal. Shame it's so far from the finish line...
- Filipino bakery Cafe Mama and Sons in Kentish Town will give runners a free Miso Milk Chocolate Cookie — just show them your medal.
- City Cruises offers free Thames sightseeing cruises for Marathon runners on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 April — use code marathonfree to book online, or book in person at ticket offices (Westminster Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier), showing either your medal or your entry confirmation email to claim. Could be a rather lovely way to sit down for a couple of hours after an intense morning.
- Swing by Peloton's Covent Garden flagship on the Monday or Tuesday after the Marathon to get your name or time engraved onto your medal for free.
Riff your way through guitar history
Nigel Jones, resident guitarist of the Handel/Hendrix House Museum, leads a musical journey through the evolution of guitar style at V&A South Kensington. Blues to Bowie, Beatles to Britpop explores everything from early rhythm and blues to modern rock, across two afternoon sessions.
26 April.
And now for a £5 negroni... in Mayfair
You heard us correctly. Lilibet's on Bruton Street in Mayfair is best known as a maximalist seafood restaurant — all flouncy light fittings, polished marble countertops and high-end fish. But you can also just nip in for a post work/pre-dinner slurp, and not only does the bar serve a £5 negroni (that was the price of a negroni in Peckham about 10 years ago) it does so all day, every day. A neat little hack to have up your sleeve in this part of town — although if you end up sinking three of these babies, then ordering a fried crab thermidor, don't blame us.
