The ianVisits guide to March's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Wednesday 1st March
In a hundred and fifty billion years time, our Milky Way will be the only galaxy left in the observable universe.
1pm to 2pm
Barbican
From secret marriages, a lurking crocodile and London’s first bus route, to an underground river, a one-legged crossing-sweeper and the world’s first consulting detective, Marylebone has some strange tales to tell.
2pm to 3pm
City of London
Join Gustav Milne as he discusses his experiences and insights from his work on some of the foremost fire digs.
3pm to 4pm
Barbican
This lecture will describe the constraints of the physical space in No 10, and how the premiership evolved through four stages over the last 300 years.
6pm to 7pm
Regent Street
Free
This event explores and celebrates the journey to women’s ordination – examining the wider implications for women’s current and future roles within the Anglican Church and beyond.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
In this talk, academics and activists will come together around the issues of debt and austerity.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
More London events on Wednesday 1st March
Thursday 2nd March
Jason Lotay takes us on a mathematical journey across multiple dimensions, exploring their role in art, science and popular culture.
1:15pm to 1:55pm
The issue of Shaken Baby or Natural Cause will be examined, using a case study involving a bereaved parent,
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
Free
Gijs Rikken, associate at MVRDV, Rotterdam will present his innovative ideas on designing and building with glass.
6:30pm to 8pm
Euston
Free
David Nixon shows for the first time in the UK some of his past space projects carried out in the USA and Europe.
Starts at 6:30pm
Russell Square
Six speakers will unpack the identity of six styles that have dominated the period and clear away some of the fog. This week Post-Modernism with Tim Brittain-Catlin.
Starts at 6:30pm
Clerkenwell
Free
In this dialogue, two internationally recognized whale experts discuss the inner lives of whales.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Join historian and BBC broadcaster Michael Scott talking about his book Ancient Worlds: An Epic History of East and West.
Starts at 7pm
Hampstead
Author and designer Tristan Manco will be uncovering the history of street art,
7pm to 8:30pm
Covent Garden
A series of evening talks that uncovers the stories of Southwark and the cathedral at its heart.
7pm to 9pm
Explore writing and calligraphy ranging from the earliest known woman’s handwriting in Roman Britain to contemporary artworks which challenge textual meaning.
7pm to 8:30pm
Camden
Ivan will explain how staunches, lifts and locks are used in a variety of situations to move boats uphill.
Starts at 7:30pm
Islington
More London events on Thursday 2nd March
Friday 3rd March
This talk will shed light on one of the little-known deception operations of WW2.
11am to 12pm
Stanmore
Monthly opening of the private gardens within Lambeth Palace in the heart of London.
12pm to 3pm
Southwark
Mr Kengeter will examine these questions and their implications both for the foundations of economic theory, and for the structure of contemporary financial institutions
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
£15.00
In this 'introduction to astronomy' hear expert talks and top tips, before looking through telescopes to explore the night sky and gaze among the stars.
7pm to 9:30pm
Orpington
More London events on Friday 3rd March
Saturday 4th March
Learn to make simple coil baskets from grasses.
10am to 12pm
Paddington
Guided tour of Woodberry Wetlands, the new nature reserve opened by Sir David Attenborough in 2016
10:30am to 3pm
Blackheath
£4.00
Visit one of the Geffrye's 18th-century almshouses which has been fully restored to its original condition.
11am to 3pm
Bethnal Green
Monthly open day at one of London's more curious and delightful museums, devoted to the history of the sewing machine.
2pm to 5pm
Tooting
More London events on Saturday 4th March
Sunday 5th March
Step back in history and visit the terminus building of London's original international airport - in Croydon.
11am to 4pm
Croydon
More London events on Sunday 5th March
Monday 6th March
The story of Britain and the EU has been complicated, controversial and ultimately sad. Hear the story and bring your own tissues.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
More London events on Monday 6th March
Tuesday 7th March
Find out about their politics, and their interactions with feminist supporters.
1:15pm to 1:55pm
On 13th of December 1600 Thomas Clifton was on his way to school in the City of London. He never made it.
2pm to 3pm
City of London
An evening in the Sir John Soane's Museum with the rooms lit by candles.
6pm to 9pm
To mark the anniversary of the Russian Revolution, the dilemmas of modern empire and monarchy will be discussed, firstly in general terms and then specifically in terms of Russia.
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
Combining architecture, engineering and biology, a panel of academics and architects will discuss how microorganisms are changing the way we think about sustainability and the fabric of our cities.
Starts at 6:30pm
Euston
More London events on Tuesday 7th March
Wednesday 8th March
Is it time to develop a new argument as to why we should care about our historic environment?
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
More London events on Wednesday 8th March
Thursday 9th March
This exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the evolution of an industry which currently brings over £20.1bn to the UK economy.
10am to 5pm
Whitechapel
Nazism was not a Christian movement in any meaningful sense but German Protestants of the 1920s and 1930s shared many Nazi assumptions and voted disproportionately for the Nazi party, partly in the hope that they might use it for their own ends.
1pm to 2pm
Barbican
Dr Horan will discuss swearing practices in different languages, and whether we could teach the art of swearing.
1:15pm to 1:55pm
Historian Dr Elizabeth Williams will discuss the research that went into her book, The Politics of Race in Britain and South Africa
2pm to 3:30pm
Richmond
Panellists will reflect on their own personal experiences and also highlight some of the challenges facing women in the police today.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
Panellists highlight some of the challenges facing women in the police today.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
The book launch will include a talk by Professor Stone, followed by a reception with light refreshments.
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
In this talk Professor Barrow Green will discuss the war-time activities of a variety of British mathematicians and examine the impact of the War on their careers as well as on mathematics itself.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
More London events on Thursday 9th March
Friday 10th March
£5.00
This panel discussion explores the ways in which female artists from the late 1960s to the present day have demanded space for the female voice and body, creating new forms and dialogues, and changing the traditional structures of the art world.
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
This exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the evolution of an industry which currently brings over £20.1bn to the UK economy.
10am to 5pm
Whitechapel
Victoria Coach Station will open its doors to visitors this weekend in celebration of its 85th anniversary.
11am to 5pm
Sloane Square
£22.00
This will be a chance to watch a simulated operation performed by a surgical robot.
7pm to 8:30pm
South Kensington
More London events on Friday 10th March
Saturday 11th March
This exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the evolution of an industry which currently brings over £20.1bn to the UK economy.
10am to 5pm
Whitechapel
Victoria Coach Station will open its doors to visitors this weekend in celebration of its 85th anniversary.
10am to 5pm
Sloane Square
These tours have been created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Johnston typeface.
Starts at 11am
Acton
Special openings of Barnet Physic Well, giving everyone free access to this little known part of Barnet's heritage.
2pm to 4pm
Arkley
More London events on Saturday 11th March
Sunday 12th March
A day helping to open up and improve the habitats in and around the pond at The Grove nature reserve in Hillingdon.
9:45am to 1pm
This exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the evolution of an industry which currently brings over £20.1bn to the UK economy.
10am to 5pm
Whitechapel
Victoria Coach Station will open its doors to visitors this weekend in celebration of its 85th anniversary.
10am to 4pm
Sloane Square
Follow the River Thames as it flows alongside the City of London from Blackfriars to Tower Bridge
11am to 12:30pm
City of London
Discover the amazing amphibians that abound in the undergrowth of Birdbrook Nature Reserve
11am to 2pm
Blackheath
More London events on Sunday 12th March
Monday 13th March
Shami Chakrabarti discusses her position as Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales with questions from the audience and online.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
More London events on Monday 13th March
Tuesday 14th March
This talk by Robert Stephenson describes the treatment of royal bodies and the evolution of royal mourning in England down the centuries.
2pm to 3pm
City of London
Sydenham Hill Wood Conservation Project Officer Daniel Greenwood will be giving an illustrative talk at Dulwich Library about the trees of the local area and their importance to both people and wildlife.
2pm to 3:30pm
East Dulwich
Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive of Stonewall, will reflect on Stonewall’s history, the progress made and the work still to be done regarding equality for LGBT people with an emphasis on women.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Holborn
This talk will examine the different ways war impacts communities and how citizens’ media can counter these impacts.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Hear curators, critics and architects debate the appropriateness of the two schemes, making the case for their favourite style.
7pm to 8:30pm
Regent Street
More London events on Tuesday 14th March
Wednesday 15th March
Dr Bettany Hughes will talk about her epic new biography, taking us on a dazzling historical journey through the many incarnations of one of the world’s greatest cities.
2pm to 3pm
Richmond
More London events on Wednesday 15th March
Thursday 16th March
Free
A panel considers a radical proposal to rethink the distinction between scientist and citizen.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
A special screening of the film London Overground, retracing London writer Iain Sinclair’s journey.
7pm to 9pm
Covent Garden
A talk by historian Neil Bright about his publication Southwark in the Blitz.
7pm to 9pm
More London events on Thursday 16th March
Friday 17th March
Simon Schama discusses the remarkable prints presented in the exhibition and the astonishing cultural, artistic and political trajectory they chart.
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
More London events on Friday 17th March
Saturday 18th March
A monthly classic car show/meet in central London.
12pm to 4pm
Southwark
£5.00
An archaeologist answers your questions on any subject as honestly as possible. Could be rude, probably crude, definitely not what you might expect.
3pm to 4pm
Shoreditch
An evening on the roof of Brunel's famous Thames tunnel shaft with music and drinks.
5:30pm to 10:30pm
Rotherhithe
More London events on Saturday 18th March
Sunday 19th March
An opportunity to visit an impressive art deco building in the heart of Wood Green,
2:30pm to 3:30pm
Wood Green
More London events on Sunday 19th March
Monday 20th March
In this talk, Constella OperaBallet will give an introduction and overview of the project, including information about Sir Martin Gilbert's work.
6:30pm to 8pm
Russell Square
More London events on Monday 20th March
Tuesday 21st March
Find out about the intriguing custom of burying objects in houses.
6pm to 8:30pm
Clerkenwell
Find out more about the history of the Bank of England and the production of its banknotes, from Curator Jennifer Adam.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
In 2007, a team of doctors and scientists ascended to the roof of the world to understand more about how we adapt to high altitude - and why some of us adapt better than others.
6pm to 7pm
Barbican
Christian Hilber explains how Britain’s planning system and tax policy cause the country’s housing crisis and contribute to rising inequality. He will explore how we can do better.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Why do we consume 35% more food when eating with one more person, and 75% more when with three?
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
As the UK prepares to leave the EU and we witness varieties of euroscepticism across Europe, was the original conception of European integration misconceived from the start?
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Hear from the key figures involved in two significant architectural schemes of the 20th century.
7pm to 8:30pm
Regent Street
More London events on Tuesday 21st March
Wednesday 22nd March
If machines can save us time and open up new types of roles, then surely we should embrace the change?
6:30pm to 8pm
St James
Ambassador Daniel Mulhall will discuss Britain's impending exit from the EU and its implications for the Republic of Ireland.
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
Greenwich Historical Society presents an illustrated talk about the intrepid parachutist Robert Cocking.
7:30pm to 9pm
Greenwich
More London events on Wednesday 22nd March
Thursday 23rd March
The lecture will cover the history of the western world as seen through the complex ecosystems of sourdough cultures replaced with monocultures of fast, commercial, and comparatively tasteless yeast.
6pm to 7pm
Examine the properties of graphene, self-healing concrete and fibre-reinforced concrete.
6:30pm to 8pm
Euston
More London events on Thursday 23rd March
Friday 24th March
Two panelists reflect on social and racial divisions in America, both current and historical.
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
More London events on Friday 24th March
Saturday 25th March
Over 40 hand-picked layouts from around the globe on display, for all railway enthusiasts
10am to 5pm
Wood Green
£6.00
A number of actors mostly from the world of sci-fi in an autograph signing and talks marathon.
10am to 5pm
Vauxhall Bridge
Guided tours of the London Transport museum's archive of posters and artwork.
Starts at 11am
Acton
Guided tours of the last surviving windmill in inner London
2pm to 5pm
Brixton
Dr Rosemary Golding of The Open University examines the uses of music in asylums at this time.
2pm to 3pm
Beckenham
Come to Burgess Park and learn to use citizen science to assess light pollution, take a good look at the sky and a nature walk to experience the sounds and sensations of wildlife at night.
8pm to 10pm
Camberwell
More London events on Saturday 25th March
Sunday 26th March
Over 40 hand-picked layouts from around the globe on display, for all railway enthusiasts
10am to 4:30pm
Wood Green
A rare Open Day at Kilmorey Mausoleum, one of Richmond's most historic yet lesser known buildings.
12pm to 3pm
Twickenham
Guided tours of the last surviving windmill in inner London
2pm to 5pm
Brixton
Join the book authors as they bring you their favourite architectural treasures in Whitechapel from social housing to contemporary steel and glass.
2:30pm to 3:45pm
Camden
More London events on Sunday 26th March
Monday 27th March
Curator Julia Farley, British Museum, explores the politics of the Roman conquest of Britain.
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
A talk about the original 'ghetto' - coined in Venice in 1516.
6:30pm to 8pm
Euston
£12.00
Video games: a series of talks exploring the relationship between video games, history, politics and art.
Starts at 7pm
Barbican
More London events on Monday 27th March
Tuesday 28th March
Free
Dr Joanna B. Michlic examines the situation of Jewish child survivors in Poland in the early postwar period.
6pm to 8pm
Russell Square
Dr Richard Scott of Great Ormond Street Hospital explores the medical and ethical challenges facing the NHS as it begins to use genomes.
6pm to 8pm
Camden
Is digital technology damaging children and hindering their development, or is it providing them with exciting new opportunities for education and enriching their lives?
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
RIBA invites you to an evening of talks, events, performance, film and music.
7pm to 8:30pm
Regent Street
More London events on Tuesday 28th March
Wednesday 29th March
The talk will examine the design considerations and challenges of the introduction of daylight into museums,
2pm to 5pm
St James
Free
Late night opening for adults only at the Science Museum with debates, drinks and demonstrations.
6:45pm to 10pm
South Kensington
An evening of feminist political analysis, and an unforgiving look at the world of British politics from two women at the centre of it.
7pm to 10pm
Tottenham Court Road
More London events on Wednesday 29th March
Thursday 30th March
An afternoon of talks focusing on women in the First World War.
1pm to 4pm
Richmond
A late view of our new exhibition Books: Used and Abused, at which David Pearson, author of Books as History, will build on the exhibition to explore this theme.
6pm to 8pm
City of London
The interviewer is Philip Cowley, Professor of Politics at QMUL and Director of the Mile End Institute.
6:30pm to 8pm
Whitechapel
Former scientist and editor-at-large of Londonist Matt Brown picks apart some of the best known 'facts' about science, drawing on his forthcoming book Everything You Know About Science is Wrong.
Starts at 7:45pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Thursday 30th March
Friday 31st March
Life has to eat. This month, come and explore feasting in nature in a range of different forms.
6pm to 10pm
South Kensington
An evening conversation on weddings, vintage dresses and wartime East London, with the book launch of 'The Wedding Girls'.
Starts at 6:30pm
Barbican
Watch the two cult sci-fi movies on a large IMAX screen.
7pm to 11pm
South Kensington
