Our pick of free things to do in London this week. Get earlier access to this article, delivered straight to your inbox for free every week, via our newsletter.
Free Magritte exhibition
Expect apples, pipes, bowler hats and cotton-cloud skies in This is Still Not a Pipe: The Afterlife of Magritte, a free exhibition at Gagosian Grosvenor Hill bristling with the strange/strangely beautiful art of the Belgian surrealist, plus works by over 40 artists inspired by him.
Until 12 December.
Step into London circa 1700
The Insurance Museum and Bank of England Museum team up for immersive exhibition After The Fire: Insurance, Finance and a rebuilt City. A large-scale street scene depicting London around 1700, and a detailed interior reconstruction of Edward Lloyd's Coffee House, take you back to a time when the Great Fire was still within living memory. Be immersed in an era when brick buildings were replacing timber ones, coffee houses were thriving networking hubs and making money was at the forefront of everyone's mind...
5 October-27 November.
24 Hour Party People
It's the 24th anniversary of 24 Hour Party People, and to celebrate, cinemas across London — namely the Castle (Hackney), the Chiswick Cinema, Genesis (Mile End), Phoenix (East Finchley), the Lexi (Kensal Rise), David Lean (Croydon), Lumiere (Romford) and the Castle (Sidcup) — are screening the film, which captures the rise of Factory Records and the birth of Manchester's world-famous Haçienda club. Book your free tickets.
5-6 October.
Free noodles on National Noodle Day
Tuesday is National Noodle Day, and it's being celebrated at the Covent Garden and Canary Wharf branches of Taiwanese noodle restaurant Kung Fu Mama.
The first 50 customers arriving at each venue between 3pm-4pm on the day can scan a QR code to receive a free portion of the eatery's signature 12-hour beef noodle dish. Chow down on meaty beef, slow-cooked and topped with the tingle of Szechuan pepper.
6 October.
Stunning landscapes
Polar and wildlife photographers Sue Flood OBE and Ian Dawson's new book, Midnight Sun, showcases stunning images of the landscapes, ice, and the people and wildlife of the planet's polar regions. Kensington's Royal Geographical Society hosts a free exhibition of some of the photos, offering an insight into life in these frozen worlds.
6-30 October (weekdays only).
Bayeux background story
You may have heard, the Bayeux Tapestry is currently on display at the British Museum... but all is not as it seems.
Tune in to the National Archives' free online talk on Tuesday to hear about what the Tapestry can tell us, and more importantly, what it isn't. Professor of Medieval History Tom Licence delves into the political angles being presented in the woven artwork, including which figures are shown, and which were purposely eliminated.
7 October. The National Archives also offers a free online lecture about John Blanke, the Black Tudor trumpeter who served at the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII, on Friday this week.
Hear from Londonist's art expert
Londonist's art critic Tabish Khan takes part in a panel discussion hosted by the Visual Artists Association delving into what it takes to build a thriving future for contemporary art.
He's joined by other experts including Evelīna Gorbačova (Head of Digital Development at FOLLOW.ART) and Daniela Bianco (Founder, The Blonde Art Dealer) to discuss the power of patronage and how meaningful support can shape artists' careers and influence cultural conversations. The event takes place at the Minster Building on Mincing Lane.
9 October.
Free walking tours
The annual London Local Guiding Day takes place this Saturday, when London's various guiding associations come together to put on free walks for the public. King's Cross, the City, Old Street, Hoxton, Waterloo and Westminster are among the areas you can tour this year, led by the able guides from organisations including Lambeth Guides, Hackney Guides and City of London guides.
The theme this year is 'Back to the Future', so expect plenty of fascinating tidbits on how yesterday’s London changed into the capital of tomorrow.
10 October.
A visual chronology of grime music
Head to V&A East on Saturday evening for a deep-dive into the visual history of the grime music genre, linked to current (paid) exhibition, The Music Is Black. Chantelle Fiddy (UD Music) hosts the event, which brings together Roony 'Risky Roadz' Keefe, Chad 'Ratty' Stennett (Lord of the Mics), Troy 'A Plus' Miller (Practice Hours, Eskimo Dance) and Tim & Barry (Just Jam, Don't Watch That TV) to talk about the footage that shaped grime, and material that has never been seen publicly. The discussion focuses on independent filming, clashes, freestyles and the media networks that circulated early recordings.
10 October.
Palace gardens open weekend
Hampton Court Palace holds one of its semi-regular open garden weekends, when you can get free entry to parts of the grounds which you'd normally have to pay to visit. Visit the Great Fountain Garden, the Kitchen Garden and the Pond Garden without paying a penny.
10-11 October. If that takes your fancy, check out our pick of autumnal walking routes in London.
Young refugees theatre performance
DreamArts Rep, a theatre company of young refugee artists, brings its nationally touring production to Marylebone Theatre for a free finale performance.
What We Do When We Can't Dance fuses theatre, film, original music and lyricism to tell a gripping coming-of-age tale about friendship, courage and the choices that shape who we become.
11 October.
Skiing in south-west London
It's Ski Sunday in Surbiton! What does that mean? Well... people — often in costumes — with blocks of ice strapped to their feet, wooden poles keeping them upright, and a frenzied crowd cheering them on. It's free to watch, or take part (just sign up on the day) and is one of those bizarre London events that's worth experiencing at least once.
11 October.
Amy Winehouse photography exhibition
Time's running out to view Amy Winehouse: In Focus, a free outdoor photography exhibition marking 20 years since the London singer's Back to Black album was released.
Candid photos of the 'Queen of Camden' are on display on benches in King's Cross including in Granary Square and the King's Boulevard, in the London borough she called home.
Until 15 October.
