Things to do
CROYDON OLD PALACE: The Friends of Croydon Old Palace hold occasional guided tours in the building. Now used as a school, some parts of the former stately home date back to Norman times. The two-hour tour includes a stop for tea and cake in the Great Hall. Croydon Old Palace, £7, just turn up, 29 October-1 November (1.30pm)
VP RECORDS: The world's largest reggae record label, VP Records, celebrates its 40th anniversary with an exhibition charting its history. Follow the label's journey from its early championing of reggae and dancehall, to bringing Caribbean music into the international mainstream, with artists like Barrington Levy, Sean Paul and Yellowman. Jamaican High Commission (Kensington), free, just turn up, 29 October-1 November
BREAKING BARRIERS: Proud Gallery opens a new exhibition, telling the stories of refugees through objects linked with their experiences, such as swimming medals. It's the work of refugee charity Breaking Barriers, and features interviews with people helped by the organisation, alongside portraits of them. Proud Gallery (Embankment), free (donations welcome), just turn up, 29 October-2 November
WAR FOOTBALL: What happened to football during the second world war? The Museum of Enfield hosts a free talk about how the conflict affected the sport, what measures were taken to ensure it could still be played, and how it was used to keep morale up. Dugdale Centre (Enfield), free, book ahead, 1pm
EGYPTIAN SOCIETY: Professor Anna Marie Roos talks about the Egyptian Society, the first of its kind, which emerged during the 18th century. Although it's often portrayed as a drinking club, Roos argues that it was crucial in promoting the development of early archaeology and early modern antiquarianism. Ideal prep for the upcoming Tutankhamun exhibition. Wellcome Collection (Euston), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-6.30pm
HISTORY OF IRELAND: Coinciding with the current production of Translations, National Theatre hosts historian Alvin Jackson to offer an overview of the history of 19th century Ireland, when Friel's play is set, giving some context to the action on stage. National Theatre, £9/£6, book ahead, 6pm
ONE EAGLE PLACE: Hear architects Eric Parry and Richard Deacon discuss their collaboration on One Eagle Place, a building in St James's. The design incorporates a 25-metre sculptural cornice formed of 39 individual ceramic sculptures, and red and white speckled ceramic framed windows. The Building Centre (Fitzrovia), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
GAIKA: New music festival Roundhouse Rising comes to a close with a performance by Gaika. The British artist is joined by a 10-piece jazz ensemble for a blend of grime, dancehall and r&b music, and also unveils an audio-visual piece made in collaboration with Roundhouse young creatives. Roundhouse (Camden), £15, book ahead, 7pm
SAVE THE WORLD: Author and environmental campaigner Natalie Fee introduces her new book, How To Save The World For Free. Pick up tips for making small, completely free changes in your life to help the environment, from food and travel to politics and sex. Fee's talk is followed by a Q&A and book signing. Foyles (Charing Cross Road), £12.99/free without book, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
EINSTEIN ON THE RUN: Einstein expert Andrew Robinson tells the little-known story of the scientist’s time spent in a hut in rural England, hiding out from a rumoured Nazi assassination plot. Find out how he came to be on the run, why he ended up in England, and what he did while here (for a sneak peek, see our feature). Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
ZOMBIES: Author Robert Luckhurst discusses the cultural history of zombies, beyond the brain-eating, flesh-rotting trope we all know best. Find out how the idea originated in 1920s Haiti, and was later ingrained into Western society. Phoenix Arts Club, £12, book ahead, 7pm-9pm (sponsor)
ABSINTHE TASTING: Midweek absinthe? What could possibly go wrong? Sample your way through a selection of rare and exclusive serves of the Green Fairy, under the guidance of experts, and learn about its Belle Epoque roots. The Last Tuesday Society (Hackney), £21.91, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Cryptic puzzle.
P(BR) to FS.
To what am I referring? Answers to @HeckTube on Twitter. The first person to get it right wins an expired travelcard found on the street.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Laugh Your Nuts Off, a comedy night by KP Nuts, raising money for men's health charity Movember. It takes place on 12 November, and Omid Djalili headlines, joined by fellow comic Lee Peart, and footballing legend John Hartson who has fought testicular cancer himself. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- TfL to award Silvertown Tunnel contract.
- New campaign to prevent wet wipes clogging the city's sewers.
- One Londoner's mission to have a beer in every pub within the M25.
- Musician leaves 310-year-old, £250,000 violin on London train.
