Things to do
DOLLS' HOUSE FESTIVAL: Kensington Dolls' House Festival brings dolls' house enthusiasts from all over the world together, along with makers who can recreate just about anything in miniature. The event is open to everyone, whether dedicated collectors or dolls' house amateurs looking to get started. Kensington Town Hall, £5-£16, book ahead, 10-11 May
LITTLE BANGKOK: For three days, Little Bangkok comes to Fitzrovia in the form of a street food market serving traditional Thai dishes. A real Thai tuk tuk pitches up on the terrace, along with lanterns and other traditional decorations, and dishes include Moo Ping (barbecued skewers), authentic Pad Thai Goong, and coconut ice cream. Greyhound Cafe (Fitzrovia), free entry, just turn up, 10-12 May
DULWICH FESTIVAL: Talks, tours, fairs and open art studios are just some of the events taking part for Dulwich Festival, which celebrates the cultural offerings of the local area. There's a lot to wade through on the programme, but our picks include a street art tour, a fair in Dulwich Park, and a talk about the area's pubs. Various Dulwich locations, 10-19 May
CROSSRAIL: Take a tour of the historic Charterhouse, focusing on the secrets that lie beneath it, from plague pits to Crossrail. Hear about the unearthing of a 14th century plague pit as a result of tunnelling for the Elizabeth line, and learn about other aspects of Crossrail's construction in the local area. The Charterhouse (Farringdon), £20, book ahead, 10.30am-12pm
TERRARIUMS: No garden? No problem. Create your own mini-garden at this terrarium workshop. Not only do you learn how to make a terrarium, and take home the finished product, you also get an insight into the unique ecosystem of a terrarium and how it survives and thrives. The Bargehouse (Oxo Tower), £45, book ahead, 11.15am-1.15pm
THIRD AFGHAN WAR: Lasting just weeks, the Third Afghan War in 1919 was one of history's shortest conflicts. Dr Alastair Massie discusses the battles of that war, which featured the introduction of weapons not used before. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
GREAT FIRE: No, not that Great Fire. Historian Neil Crossfield's talk focuses on the Cripplegate fire of November 1897, and the effect the destruction of a factory had on local people, with 4,000 workers forced into unemployment. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2.30pm-4pm
MURDER MYSTERY: Apsley House — otherwise known as Number 1 London — hosts an adults' murder mystery evening. It's set in the venue in 1832, at a meeting of the London Society, in which one of the guests is murdered shortly after arrival — it's down to you to suss out who's responsible. Age 15+. Apsley House (Hyde Park Corner), £20/£15, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
FUNNY WOMEN AWARDS: Catch the first of two evenings of heats for the Funny Women Awards, pitting London's most amusing ladies against each other in competition for the winning title. Katherine Ryan, Sara Pascoe and Bridget Christie are past participants, so expect a high standard. Hoxton Hall, from £8, book ahead, 7pm (heats continue tomorrow)
HOW ADVERTISING WORKS: Advertising and behaviour expert Rory Sutherland talks about why the most successful adverts work — they make you feel more than they make you think. Case studies from big brands are used to demonstrate why our sense of reason goes out the window when faced with certain ads. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
EVENING OF MAGIC: Prepare to be wowed at Wellcome Collection's late night opening, which promises magic, trickery, illusion, wonder and deception. Tying in with the current Smoke and Mirrors exhibition, the evening offers magic shows, cabaret, magic-themed cocktails, workshops, spoken word performances and more. Wellcome Collection (Euston), free, just turn up, 7pm-11pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Strange goings-on at Kentish Town station. TfL would apparently like us to surf down the handrails.
Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Monday night's comedy show, raising money for Women And Children First, a charity helping to support women, children, mothers and babies in the world’s poorest communities. Josh Widdicombe, Bec Hill and Kerry Godliman are just some of the comedians on the line-up. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- A first look at what the temporary House of Commons chamber will look like, when Parliament is evacuated for restorations.
- A new theatre is opening in King's Cross.
- A pollution campaign group wants black cabs older than 12 years banned from London's streets.
- The end of an era at Old Street and other stations.
