What we're reading
- What London's street signs can tell you about the city's history.
- As Stanfords relocated, it exposed the entirety of those map floors.
- The story of the River Tyburn.
- Meet London Fire Brigade's newest (adorable) recruit.
Things to do
HEARING THINGS: New play Hearing Things examines contemporary psychiatry from the points of view of patients, relatives and NHS staff, including Nicholas, a psychiatrist battling with the demands of his work. Omnibus Theatre (Clapham), £16/£13, book ahead, 8-27 January
OLD PALACE TOUR: Not many people realise that there are free tours of Somerset House on most Tuesdays. Find out about the history of the site before the current building existed, when it was a palace that housed three Catholic queens. Somerset House, free, book on the day from 10.30am (get there early to avoid disappointment), 12.45pm/2.15pm
NAVIGATING MATHS: Can maths tell you where you are? This Gresham College lecture looks at how mathematics has contributed to the development of GPS and satellite navigation systems. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
ELVIS IN CLAY: After an extended Christmas break, Drink, Shop & Do's doors are open again, and the King is in the building... sort of. Spend your evening fashioning an Elvis Presley likeness out of clay. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free when you buy a drink, just turn up, from 6pm
POSTCARDS FROM LONDON: Genesis Cinema hosts a screening of Postcards From London, a 2018 film about Jim, a man from Essex who moves to London in search of greater things, but ends up jobless, penniless and renting a cardboard box from a homeless man, before catching the eyes of a group of high-class male escorts. Followed by a Q&A with director Steve McClean. Genesis Cinema (Mile End), £5.50, book ahead, 6.30pm
A LIFE OF ADVENTURE: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was the first man ever to complete a single-handed, non-stop circumnavigation of the world. Now, 50 years on, he's in conversation with Hannah MacInnes, to tell the story of his life. Conway Hall (Holborn), £30-£45, book ahead, 6.45pm-8pm
POPBITCH QUIZ: Brush up on your gossip, music and trivia for the Popbitch quiz of the year — but you won't be relying on your knowledge alone as filthy arts and crafts challenges also feature. Swot up before you go by perusing the Popbitch archive. Smiths of Smithfield, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm
LIVE MUSIC: Multi-instrumentalist folk duo Shamblestone — AKA Joanna Stark and Elisabeth Flett — bring their blend of different musical styles and sparky live performances to north London. The Green Note (Camden), £8, book ahead, 8pm
GITS AND SHIGGLES: Shappi Khorsandi headlines tonight's Gits and Shiggles comedy night, ably supported by Rob Oldham, Rhys James and Masud Milas. The Half Moon (Putney), £8/£12, book ahead, 8pm
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for this evening with explorer and writer Levison Wood on 23 January. He discusses his 5,000 mile circumnavigation of the Arabian peninsula from Syria to Lebanon, and the event raises money for wildlife conservation charity Tusk. Find out more and book tickets.
