Things to do
AUTUMN WALK: Children under five and their parents/carers are invited on an autumn activity walk in Richmond Park. Kick through the leaves, learn how animals prepare for autumn and winter, look out for hidden treasures. Richmond Park, free, just turn up, 10.30am-12pm
SPACE AFTERNOON: The Royal Geographical Society celebrates the support it receives from the Heritage Lottery Fund with a free afternoon focusing on space. Marking 50 years since the moon landing, the event is a chance to delve into the Society’s collections, including images documenting NASA’s Apollo missions. There’s also a talk from astronomy journalist Colin Stuart. Royal Geographical Society (Kensington Gore), free, book ahead, 3pm-5pm
GEORGE ELIOT: The life of author Mary Ann Evans — later known as George Eliot — is explored in a free Gresham College lecture. Learn about her difficult relationship with her family, her seeking of independence, and her intellectual and cultural life in London. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
CRICK CRACK CLUB: Jan Blake and Ben Haggarty of expert storytelling company Crick Crack Club host an evening of tales about rebel children. Boys and girls who make trouble are common in fairytales, but these yarns take a look at the darker side of the children's deeds, misdeeds and comeuppance. Age 14+. British Library, £13/£6.50, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
ALL THAT SCRATCH: Musical theatre podcast All That Scratch is recorded in front of a live audience. The hour-long show features several talented writers being interviewed and showcasing their latest work. The Other Palace (Victoria), £5, book ahead, 7pm
LONDON HISTORY: Author and newspaper columnist Simon Jenkins chats to historian Gillian Tindall about his book, A Short History of London. He covers how the capital was shaped into the city we know today, including the ongoing battle between money and power. Daunt Books (Marylebone), £10, book ahead, 7pm
INTRO TO THE UNIVERSE: Make sense of the universe, black holes, dark matter and the other intangible wonders of the cosmos at this introduction to the universe, by award-winning author and science journalist Dr Stuart Clark. He helps the audience see the universe in a series of steps, looking first at the planets, then at the stars, and finally at the wider universe, and also touches on how the universe began and how it might end. The Tokenhouse (Moorgate), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm (sponsor)
CHARITY COMEDY: Lou Sanders, Spencer Jones, Lucy Pearman and Joz Norris are among the comedians on the line-up at A Night To Movember, an evening of laughs raising money for men's mental health charity Movember. The Bill Murray (Islington), £10, book ahead, 8pm-10pm
DIRTY DANCING: Have the time of your life at Southbank Centre's Winter Pop-Up Cinema, where Dirty Dancing is screened tonight. Watch the classic 1987 film at the pop-up Circus Bar next to the river, where drinks and snacks are available to buy. Southbank Centre, £15, book ahead, 8pm
BREAKOUT CLUB: The Midi Music Company holds quarterly showcase evenings, giving its artists a chance to perform and get their names out there. Rap artist D-Kel introduces his new band, Los Bandidos, and hip hop songwriter Shunaji is also among tonight’s performers. The Midi Music Company (Deptford), free, book ahead, 8pm-midnight
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My Roundel of the Week is this delicious mosaic for Chingford station. The mosaics are pieced together by local communities under the guidance of Maud Milton and the Artyface mosaic group, then placed in stations with TfL's blessing. Find out more about this marvellous project here.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Saturday's film premiere screening of Simon's Mango Tree, organised by a group of NHS doctors and nurses who travel to Ghana twice a year to provide healthcare to people who wouldn't otherwise receive it. They also fundraise to provide teachers, classrooms and water in the area. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Delaying the Crossrail opening until 2021 may cost London £2 billion.
- The forgotten corners of old London.
- How one London street captures the divisions of Brexit.
- Dara Ó Briain discovers tiny village on Chiswick traffic island.
