Explore History, Politics & Economics
Whether you’re fascinated by the past, wishing to keep up to date with current affairs, or to develop a deeper understanding of democracy and capitalism, we have the course for you.
City Lit offers a wide range of history, politics and economics courses on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Our courses vary from skills-based courses on oral and family history projects, to the history of empire, the history of London and the study of global powers and international politics.
Gain critical thinking and analytical skills
Courses in the Humanities help you understand our world today, and the history that has informed the political, social and economic dynamics of modern times. Our courses, including short day courses, lectures and longer-term study over several weeks or whole terms, aim to inform you of the issues that interest and matter to you. Our courses also encourage the development of wider skills such as critical thinking and analysis, listening and discussion skills, and evidence-based interpretation.
Learn from expert tutors
Our tutors are experts in their fields and come from a range of backgrounds, and include academics, experienced educators, serving politicians, acclaimed authors and renowned guides.
Browse our range of courses below to choose your perfect option: both complete beginners and returning students are equally welcome.
- Mews, monuments and museumsCourse start date: Sun 1 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneThis circular walk explores the alleys lanes, squares and delightful mews houses and passes a disused tube station in the mainly in the Knightsbridge conservation area and contrasts with the grand museums, institutions and monuments built in South Kensington (Albertopolis) developed with profits of the Great Exhibition held in Hyde Park in 1851. Meets outside the main entrance to the V&A ends outside the Natural History Museum. Meets outside the main entrance to the V&A ends outside the Natural History Museum.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Further village London
Course start date: Wed 25 Jun 2025Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Hazel BakerJoin us for 4 guided walks around London's former villages - Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Southwark and Hampstead. Why did these areas grow up as villages and how did they become swallowed up by the city of London? - Streets of Horror, Streets of Hope: The East End, 1888Course start date: Tue 8 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah WiseBecause of the ‘Jack the Ripper’ killings, the late-Victorian East End can be read as a cityscape of poverty and fear. But there is another Whitechapel – a magnet for a variety of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who sought to grapple with the problems of the modern city and to create a better life.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Late Victorian Soho: From Sex and Shopping to Police & Radical PoliticsCourse start date: Tue 15 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah WiseThe West End was a heady mix of glamorous shopping emporia, political refugees from Europe, street-based and brothel-based prostitution, and the general public just enjoying a day or evening ‘Up West’. Join Dr. Sarah Wise to learn more on this 2 hour guided walk of Soho.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Walking Westminster's Political HistoryCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Richard WatkinsA course of walking tours in areas of Westminster to show aspects of the nation’s political development since the late 1600s Restoration era. Bringing out the drama of the epic events and charismatic characters which have influenced that development and how London has evolved in those areas we focus on.
First meeting place: Outside Westminster tube, Bridge Street.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00 - Discover North London through walksCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane BursteinDiscover the history of North London via guided walks. Great views, green spaces , places of worship, almshouses, plaques to famous people ,some lesser known museums, lots of hidden history and a couple of famous football stadiums will all feature..
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00 - London at Leisure: Three Great SquaresCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonToo often we rush around without looking, this course takes time to examine 3 of London’s most famous Squares in depth. A gentle walk allows us to explore these London landmarks at our leisure.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £58.00 - Modernist Hampstead Course start date: Sun 28 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneA tour considering the history of the city which is largely under our feet, we will discuss the tube and post office tunnels, water conduits, hidden rivers, and archaeological remains from burials and buildings found in the city. - The City of London: the Square MileCourse start date: Wed 8 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Hazel BakerExplore the City’s development from Roman and medieval times through to the Tudors and Stuarts. This course will consist of 8 guided walks starting with Roman London.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - In Scrooge's Footsteps: A Christmas Carol & Dickens WalkCourse start date: Tue 9 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonJoin us for a festive walk in the footsteps of Scrooge, looking at the locations and impact of Dickens’s most famous work. We will also examine how Dickens’s story has influenced our ideas of Christmas.
Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Lamplit HampsteadCourse start date: Mon 15 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneDiscover the mysterious atmosphere to Hampstead on a tour after-dark where the streets are lit by old-fashioned lamps. We will wind through the narrow back streets and catch glimpses of its fascinating history from the glow of lamps and lit buildings. This tour is particularly stunning over the Festive season where subtle Christmas lights add to the effect. We will end at the historic Holly Bush Tavern where we can warm up with a drink!
Tour starts outside Wagamama 58-62 Heath Street, NW3 1EN Ends Hampstead Tube Station.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Village LondonCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Hazel BakerLondon is made up of a series of villages, each with its own individual characteristics. Explore Spitalfields
Shoreditch, Finsbury, Clerkenwell, Islington, Soho, Fitzrovia and Mayfair on these 8 guided walks.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Art Deco London walkCourse start date: Thu 19 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane BursteinTravel back to the 1930s to explore the Art Deco style that influenced a variety of designs, from radios and cutlery to places related to travel, entertainment and commerce. In addition to looking at the architecture of the period, your guide will tell stories of life in London from the time these buildings were being erected.
Meeting outside St James’s Park tube station (Broadway exit) and finishing at the coach station. Meeting outside St James’s Park tube station (Broadway exit) and finishing at the coach station.
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