Explore the history of London - Online Courses
From its Bronze Age beginnings to capital status, London has witnessed growth and destruction throughout its long history. Join us for lively classroom discussions and popular walks around the city and discover who and what has left their mark on the city.
Watch City Lit tutor Eleanor Jackson explore some of London's secret spaces:
Many of our courses are delivered online. For more information about our live online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
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From the 1880s to the 1930s: how the new East End was born
Course Date: Tue 13 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineIn an area branded 'the hell of poverty', libraries, theatres, art galleries and social housing were established. Workers went on strike and activists campaigned for better lives. Discover this history by taking virtual walks through six tumultuous decades of change.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £159.00Senior fee: £127.00Concession: £70.00 -
Discovering Victorian London: empire, enterprise and education
Course Date: Tue 13 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineVictorian London shaped today's city. Discover the lasting legacy of the Victorian age, uncover its secrets, and meet some of the characters who created one of the world's greatest cities.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £103.00Concession: £57.00 -
Village London
Course Date: Wed 14 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineLondon is made up of a series of villages, each with its own individual characteristics. Explore Shoreditch, Mayfair, Bermondsey, Notting Hill, Clerkenwell, Islington, Harrow on the Hill and Wapping, in eight talks.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £79.00Senior fee: £63.00Concession: £35.00 -
Stories of London
Course Date: Thu 15 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineExplore London’s rich history in this series of online talks. Each week we examine a different neighbourhood & era from the capital’s past. We look at its people, both rich and poor, & the events that shaped the city.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £99.00Senior fee: £79.00Concession: £44.00 -
Celebrating London
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineLondon knows how to throw a great party. This course celebrates London by looking at London’s celebrations throughout its history. From Coronations to Olympics, Carnival to Festivals, join us to celebrate some of London’s greatest moments.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £79.00Senior fee: £63.00Concession: £35.00 -
Unreal city: the history of London through literature from 1800 to today
Course Date: Tue 20 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineFiction writers are often the first to identify and analyse a social phenomenon. We will examine two centuries of London history through the eyes of novelists and poets, from William Blake to Zadie Smith.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £89.00Senior fee: £89.00Concession: £39.00 -
City of words - the 'trequel'
Course Date: Thu 22 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineLondon luxuriates in literary references. This course explores a new neighbourhood each week, looking at some of those authors, poets & playwrights, & their creations, who have celebrated & immortalised our city.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £119.00Senior fee: £95.00Concession: £52.00 -
Everyday life in London 1350-1500
Course Date: Fri 23 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineWhere and how did Londoners live? What did they eat and drink? What illnesses did they suffer from, how were they treated and how did they deal with sanitation? These and other questions will be addressed on this course.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £219.00Senior fee: £175.00Concession: £96.00 -
Sanctuary in the City: Public Art by refugees and immigrants
Course Date: Sat 24 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OnlineOn this virtual walk we walk right across the City from Aldgate to Moorgate we discover famous and not so famous public art: sculptural, reliefs and mosaics made by immigrants from 17th to 20th century including several works by refugees from Nazi Europe.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £9.00Senior fee: £9.00Concession: £9.00 -
Dickens' London
Course Date: Sat 24 Apr 2021
Location on this date: Online'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' Enjoy this introduction to Dickens' work and the London of his time.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £29.00Senior fee: £23.00Concession: £15.00 -
The old Jewish East End
Course Date: Mon 10 May 2021
Location on this date: OnlineToday the London Jewish community is associated with areas to the North West and North East of London but this tour explores the area where Jewish people settled from 1656 onwards. Travel virtually through the streets of the East End to reveal old synagogue buildings, a soup kitchen , markets, shops, businesses and homes associated with London’s Jewish community. We’ll hear about some of the personalities associated with the area from philanthropists to performers.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £29.00Senior fee: £23.00Concession: £13.00 -
Sweet Thames, Run Softly - A cultural exploration
Course Date: Wed 12 May 2021
Location on this date: OnlineThe Thames runs like a silver thread through London’s history. It has been a muse & inspiration for centuries. This course examines its impact on our city, how it’s enriched & influenced our lives, both upstream & down.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £99.00Senior fee: £79.00Concession: £44.00 -
Londinium (Roman London 47-457 CE)
Course Date: Sat 15 May 2021
Location on this date: OnlineA look at the spectacular rise and fall of Londinium from c. AD 47 to its abandonment in c. AD 457.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £29.00Senior fee: £23.00Concession: £15.00 -
Constable's Hampstead
Course Date: Sun 16 May 2021
Location on this date: OnlineThe artist John Constable rented properties in Hampstead with his family from 1819 until he made it his permanent home in 1827.This virtual walk looks at the Georgian and Regency Hampstead he knew and includes quotes from his letters and points out his favourite places he painted.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £9.00Senior fee: £9.00Concession: £9.00 -
Trains, drains and remains
Course Date: Sun 23 May 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: OnlineA virual 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £19.00Senior fee: £15.00Concession: £10.00
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