Free things to do in London this week.
Swing by London’s newest garden…
As of last week, the newest part of Regent’s Park is open to the public. The Queen Elizabeth II Gardens, a memorial to the late monarch, have taken over the former site of a plant nursery within the park. Species of plant which thrive in warmer, wetter climates sit among wandering paths and gravelly banks. It’ll be at its best in a few years when the fauna’s had a chance to settle and grow, but why not check it out in the meantime.
…or try your hand at ‘sky gardening’
Live in a flat or apartment with no garden? The National Trust is keen for your to get involved with its Sky Gardening Challenge; namely growing plants on a balcony, or even just a window box. Sign up and you’ll receive a free handbook/packet of seeds to get you on your way. Who knows, perhaps this will blossom into a life-long love for gardening.
View 2,000 exquisitely hand-crafted items
This week is your final chance to visit Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan, a free exhibition at Japan House (Kensington High Street), showcasing almost 2,000 exquisitely hand-crafted items to highlight the craftsmanship of modern Japan.
Works in clay, glass, wood, leather, metal and bamboo feature, each bearing a nod to tradition while incorporating modern methods, and the artist’s own flair.
Until 10 May.
Check out this free film festival
Herne Hill Free Film Festival continues over the next couple of weeks, with free screenings at various venues throughout the area. Programme highlights this week include a bank holiday Monday screening of comedy Best In Show (following on from the Brockwell Bark event nearby; details below); a programme of short films introduced by the makers on Wednesday; and a family showing of Zootropolis 2 on Sunday. Browse the full programme.
Until 22 May.
Drag your bag? Head to Dalston Superstore
Photographer and artist Matt Ford has selected some of his favourite larger-than-life queer portraits — including Ginger Spice obsessed Just May and ‘Caribbean Empress of Birmingham’ Black Peppa — to go on the walls of Dalston Superstore, for free exhibition Drag Me.
Until the end of July.
Check out Croydon’s creativity
Online publication Croydonist (no relation!) turns 10 years old, and to celebrate the milestone it’s hosting Concrete Creativity — an exhibition of the works of 35 artists who’ve featured on their social media headers over the past decade. It’s on at the Click Clock Art Gallery in Croydon’s Clocktower Café — grab a coffee/cake while you peruse.
4-29 May.
Celebrate May Day at a windmill
Head to Brixton Windmill on bank holiday Monday for Mayfest, a free-entry celebration of May Day featuring live music from local bands, a Jack in the Green parade, Morris and maypole dancing, plus nature and craft workshops, milling demonstrations and other entertainment.
4 May.
Bow wow your way over to the Brockwell Bark
It’s a canine takeover in Brockwell Park on bank holiday Monday, with dog show Brockwell Bark. Pooches can enter categories including Waggiest Tail, as well as a fancy dress competition. There’s a small charge (£5) to enter your dog, with profits going to the Blue Cross. Otherwise it’s free to head along and watch the action. We’re also promised “dog themed vegetable sculptures”, so make of that what you will.
4 May.
Watch a newly dropped doc for free
Our Land is a new feature documentary following the movement fighting for greater access to nature in England — and this Tuesday and Wednesday you can watch it for free in one of a number of London cinemas. Visit the Escapes homepage, type in your postcode and find a participating cinema near you.
5-6 May.
Catch a free lecture
As always, London’s replete with free talks and lectures. Here are our picks for the coming week:
R.S. THOMAS POETRY: Southwark Cathedral hosts an introduction to the work of R.S. Thomas, the 20th century priest and poet whose writing explores the intersections of modern faith and doubt. The Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley exams Thomas’ resistance to a mechanised worldview. 5 May
MUSIC AND DEATH: Professor Mieko Kanno presents a Gresham College lecture on how music mediates our relationships with the dead and how classical-music culture constructs the ‘afterlife’ of composers. Consider how recently departed and living composers are treated, and watch a short musical performance. 5 May
RETELLING THE ODYSSEY: Historian Erica Stevenson visits V&A South Kensington to lead a free lunchtime lecture exploring the enduring influence of Homer’s epic poem. Trace how the story of Odysseus has been reinvented through the ages in art, theatre and philosophy. 7 May
LANGUAGE AND AI: Find out what large language models can and cannot do, and why future progress in natural language processing may require hybrid systems that combine symbolic reasoning with neural recall, at The British Academy. 8 May
Watch a free concert on your lunch break
Treat your ears to one of two free concerts on offer on Friday lunchtime. Swing by LSO St Luke’s (Old Street) at 12.30pm for a relaxed concert, aimed at learning disabled and neurodiverse audiences, which will introduce you to orchestral instruments and chamber music with friendly introductions from the presenter.
Alternatively, if you’re near Covent Garden, head to the Royal Opera House at 1pm for one of the regular Live At Lunch concerts. Performers from the Royal Ballet and/or guest performers give a free dance show in the Paul Hamlyn Hall.
8 May.
Get yourself some free pasta
Pasta sauce brand Mutti brings its UK-wide promo tour to Battersea Power Station, where it’s handing out free pasta samples and thousands of jars of sauce.
Just turn up at the Mutti Street Kitchen to see Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo giving live cooking demonstrations, and claim your free portion of hot, freshly cooked pasta with Mutti pasta sauce with basil, made in front of you, as well as a free jar to take home. There’s also a game where you could win exclusive Mutti merchandise and products.
8-10 May.
Dive into the Dulwich Festival
Celebrating the history and culture of the local area, Dulwich Festival begins on Friday, and though many of the events require a paid ticket, some are free.
Join in Maypole dancing or try your hand at playing the organ on Saturday, and take part in a teddy bears’ picnic on Sunday. See details of these, and free events next week too, here.
8-17 May.
View a collection of Arsenal football shirts
The history of Arsenal F.C. is explored through a collection of the club’s shirts in free exhibition From Woolwich to the Emirates: 140 Years of Shirts. On display at Islington Council LDP Office, not far from Emirates Stadium, are historic football shirts that highlight the evolution of football kit design and memorable eras of the club, curated by London Jersey Gallery.
8-31 May.
Explore these palace gardens for free
Once again, Hampton Court Palace holds an Open Gardens Weekend, when you can visit parts of the grounds which usually require an entry ticket, without having to pay. Wander through areas including the Privy Garden, Kitchen Garden and the iconic Great Fountain Garden — though note that entry fees still apply for the maze, playground and the palace itself.
It’s the last Open Gardens Weekend at the palace before September, so a great chance to see it at its spring best.
9-10 May.
Have a chuckle at Punch & Judy
Covent Garden’s annual May Fayre & Puppet Festival takes place on Sunday, celebrating the anniversary of the first recorded sighting of Mr Punch, an early version of today’s Punch & Judy shows. The free event begins with a procession around the neighbourhood and a church service, after which the fayre takes place throughout the afternoon with live shows, puppeteering workshops, live music and maypole dancing, suitable for all ages.
10 May.
Show off your fanciest head piece
Got a favourite hat? Flaunt it at the London Hat Walk along the river on Sunday. Anyone’s welcome to join in — just turn up, don your finest headgear and take a leisurely amble from Tate Modern towards Tower Bridge. Professional milliners and hatters, plus vintage/retro enthusiasts, collectors, cosplayers, re-enactors, hobby crafters and novelty hat-wearers are among the participants.
Not much of a hat-wearer yourself? Trilby at the cleaners? Everyone’s welcome to turn up and watch the London Hat Walk at any point along the route, no titfer required.
10 May.
