Things to do
CROYDON PALACE: A rare chance to take a guided tour of Croydon Old Palace, a building which was home to the Archbishops of Canterbury for over five centuries. It now houses a girls' school, but opens to the public for fundraising purposes on certain days of the year. The tour includes tea and cake in the Great Hall. Croydon Old Palace, £7, just turn up, 1.45pm
SOYALISM: Vegans and veteran meat eaters are all invited to this screening of 2018 Italian documentary Soyalism, to get an insight into how our diets affect the environment. The film looks at the impact of the gargantuan pork industry in America and China, and the monoculture of soy farming dominating the Brazilian rainforest. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £5, book ahead, 4.45pm
TUDOR LONDON: The latest in Gresham College's series of special anniversary lectures looks at what the natural environment of Tudor London was really like. Some depictions show it as bucolic, green open space, whereas others suggest a squalid city full of fumes. Using contemporary maps, illustrations and writing, Professor Carolyn Roberts aims to give a true picture of Tudor London. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
QUEER LONDON: Bishopsgate Institute launches its 2019 season of Queer Tours of London — which shine a light on London’s rich LGBT history — by offering a look inside the Queer Tours Archive. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), free, book ahead, 6.30pm
BALD BLACK GIRL(S): Watch the premiere screening of Reign, an afrofuturistic-inspired short poetry film about a world where only bald black women exist. It's part of the wider Bald Black Girl(s) project, which centres on the narratives of black women who choose to shave their heads, and the screening is followed by poetry readings and a panel discussion. Free Word Centre (Clerkenwell), £10/£7/£2, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
LIVE MUSIC: Danish singer Mike Tramp — former frontman of rock band White Lion — performs live in Camden, following the recent release of his 11th solo album, Stray From The Flock. The Black Heart (Camden), £15, book ahead, 7pm
ABSINTHE TASTING: If you're going for a Wednesday night drink, you might as well go the whole hog and get stuck into an absinthe tasting. Find out about the history and rituals of the 'green fairy' and sample several varieties of the potent spirit. You didn't have much planned for Thursday, did you? The Last Tuesday Society (Hackney), £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
DANCE DATING: Ditch the normal speed dating and try Dance Dating instead. Throughout the course of the evening, learn simple and fun dance moves, then put them into practice with a variety of partners. There's a chance to chat with each person for two minutes afterwards. Exmouth Market, £20, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
GEORGE ELIOT: Celebrate the bi-centenary of the birth of novelist and poet George Eliot — real name Mary Ann Evans — at this evening of special performances. Poets Gill McEvoy, Katherine Gallagher and Margaret Eddershaw celebrate with readings and a dramatic poem about Eliot's life. Poetry Cafe (Covent Garden), £8/£5, just turn up, 7.30pm-10pm
MAGIC MEDICINE: 2018 documentary Magic Medicine takes an in-depth look at the first medical study of psychedelic drugs in 60 years, following three study volunteers who hope magic mushrooms might improve their quality of life. Watch the film, preceded by Rabiah Mali from The Herbal Blessing Clinic discussing the medical use of psychotropic herbs. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Did you follow along in 2017 when Geoff and Vicki visited every railway station in Great Britain? They're currently doing the same over in Ireland. Follow along on @allthestations, and look out for regular videos. Meanwhile, follow me on @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Head to Conway Hall tonight for Gynaecomedy, an evening of laughs raising money for gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal. Helen Lederer, Luisa Omielan and Shazia Mirza are among the performers on the line-up. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- A London-based Uber driver has been banned for saying he 'wouldn't take Jews'.
- A Southern train had to be evacuated after it caught fire at London Bridge station.
- The British Museum has purchased an Evening Standard cartoon portraying Theresa May as Munch's The Scream.
- Need a fancy dress party idea? How about going as an Oyster card.
