ListingsUpdated Sat 5 Sep
Talks and readings in London this week
Talks, readings, lectures and Q and As. Many are free and most need booking a week ahead, which is the only reason people miss them.
Saturday
5 September-
Talks From £12
Planetarium show at the Royal Observatory
Until 4 Sep
The only planetarium in London, in a cone of bronze angled at the pole star, with a live astronomer rather than a recording. Shows run through the day and last about half an hour.
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Talks From £14
Highgate Cemetery: guided tour of the West side
Until 27 Sep
The West side is guided access only, twelve to a group, and the guides are the reason to go. Book ahead; the weekend slots fill a week out.
Sunday
6 September-
Talks Free
Little Venice to Camden canal walk
An hour and a half along the towpath past the zoo aviary and out at Camden Lock. Flat, free, and better on a Sunday morning before the market fills.
Saturday
12 September-
Pick Talks Free
Open House London: buildings open to the public
Until 20 Sep
Nine days, 621 listings and 143 places new this year: the Lloyd's Building for its fortieth birthday, the Zaha Hadid Foundation archive for the first time, the BT Tower, Broadcasting House
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Pick Talks Free
Open House: the Lloyd’s Building at forty
Until 20 Sep
Richard Rogers' inside-out building joins Open House for its fortieth birthday, and it is the ticket everyone wants. Booked slots only, released through the festival programme, and gone within hours of going up.
Thursday
15 October-
Talks Free
Bloomsbury Festival
Until 19 Oct
Five days of mostly free events in the squares, museums and university buildings around Russell Square. Science, music and architecture in roughly equal measure.
Friday
16 October-
Talks Free
Bloomsbury Festival
Until 19 Oct
Five days of mostly free events in the squares, museums and university buildings around Russell Square. Science, music and architecture in roughly equal measure.
Saturday
17 October-
Talks Free
Bloomsbury Festival
Until 19 Oct
Five days of mostly free events in the squares, museums and university buildings around Russell Square. Science, music and architecture in roughly equal measure.
Sunday
18 October-
Talks Free
Bloomsbury Festival
Until 19 Oct
Five days of mostly free events in the squares, museums and university buildings around Russell Square. Science, music and architecture in roughly equal measure.
Monday
19 October-
Talks Free
Bloomsbury Festival
Five days of mostly free events in the squares, museums and university buildings around Russell Square. Science, music and architecture in roughly equal measure.
Saturday
24 October-
Seasonal From £20
Halloween ghost tour at Highgate Cemetery
Until 1 Nov
Guided after dark on the West side, which is the overgrown Victorian half and is not otherwise open without a guide at any hour. Small groups and it sells out weeks ahead.
