Explore Culture, History & Humanities Courses
Explore our extraordinary range of Humanities courses and lectures. We offer both introductory and specialist in-depth courses to suit all levels of interest and experience, from one-off courses in History, Politics, and Economics to in-depth courses in Art History, Film Studies, Literature, and Science and Nature.
Our tutors are experts in their fields and experienced educators; many have published, teach in universities or share their expertise in the media. Tutors share their knowledge and passion through presentations, readings, interactive discussion and exercises, analysis, and other activities.
Many students return to take more courses, telling us they enjoy being part of our City Lit Learning community.
Our popular courses often sell out quickly, so we invite you to browse and book your place now.
- The art of collecting in the Renaissance: the Studiolo
Course start date: Fri 15 May 2026 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Bryony Bartlett-RawlingsExplore early collecting practices of the Renaissance studiolo. See the different objects collected from illuminated books, antique coins and gems to bronze medals by Pisanello and paintings by Giotto, Bellini and Jan van Eyck. Looking at early collections including those of Piero and Lorenzo de’ Medici and Isabella d’Este, trace how objects were displayed and used in the studiolo.
Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - A day at the V&A: an introduction to the collections Course start date: Mon 18 May 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresSpend a fascinating day at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum exploring a range of galleries. We shall be looking at the decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and design from across the world and across the centuries in this remarkable museum.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - Victorian Soho: Sex and Shopping, Anarchy and TourismCourse start date: Wed 20 May 2026
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 £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - The Black Death and the Bodysnatchers: From St Paul's Cathedral to Charterhouse PrioryCourse start date: Wed 27 May 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah WiseOn this 2-hour walk, we will stop off at several historic locations to consider about two very dark periods of London’s medical history. Separated by hundreds of years, but occupying the same sites, the deadly ‘BlackDeath’ and the London bodysnatching gangs gave the city two legendary terrors with which to contend.
Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Late Medieval Panel Paintings in London Galleries Course start date: Mon 1 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Helen DejeanThis two-week course explores pre-modern paintings and works of art before the ‘era of art’ in three London collections. Week one focuses on late medieval Italian panel paintings (c.1260-1370) at the National Gallery (Sainsbury Wing) and the Courtauld Gallery. The following week examines Byzantine objects in relation to selected medieval European and Islamic works of art at the V&A.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Constable and the British landscape tradition Course start date: Tue 2 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneDiscover the development of the British Landscape tradition from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Victoria and Albert Museum has the largest collection of John Constable sketches in the world, and we will discuss the works on display in detail and compare with works by J.W.M Turner and other artists on display.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Crime and punishment in Old LondonCourse start date: Mon 8 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane BursteinTake a guided walk through the old City and its borders taking in beheadings and brutality at the Tower, tales of cutpurses and con men, the rise of prisons and the ghastly punishments that were meted out to wrongdoers. We go on a journey to Newgate Gaol, the Bridewell Prison and the places of execution including the notorious Tyburn Tree to hear tales of brutality, escapes and the bloodthirsty crowds who watched executions. Our tour includes London’s atmospheric legal quarter taking in the Old Bailey, The Royal Courts of Justice and the Inns of Court to discover how London’s legal system developed .
Meet outside St Paul’s Cathedral by the Statue of Queen Anne.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Introduction to Tate Britain Course start date: Thu 11 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Chantal CondronEach week, we'll explore a different aspect of the permanent collection at Tate Britain, looking at artworks from the 16th to the 21st centuries. This course is gallery based.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Palaces, Parks and ParadesCourse start date: Mon 15 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneWalking from East Finchley to Muswell Hill we discuss the developments of the areas, from trains and shopping parades to people's palaces.
Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - A day at the Tate Britain Course start date: Tue 16 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Chantal CondronSpend a day at Tate Britain to discover (or re-discover) a selection of works from the permanent collection. We’ll explore a range of historical to contemporary artworks to discuss how the story of art in Britain is reflected in the gallery. This course is gallery based.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Sanctuary in the city – public art by refugees and immigrants in the city Course start date: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneCome on a virtual tour of public art through the City of London created by Refugees and Immigrants. We will explore artworks such as the 17th century carvings on the Monument and a Victorian plaques relocated on to the post Modern Number One Poultry by economic immigrants to the country as well as looking at mainly works by 20th century artists from refugee backgrounds who were either commissioned to make art works for site specific places or their works have been bought or moved to their locations.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Notting Hill: The Westway WalkCourse start date: Sat 20 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Aidan McManusBeneath the gentrification of North Kensington and the image portrayed in the films of Hugh Grant lies a much more interesting story; the areas vibrant past beats any kind of fiction. Join professional guide Aiden for this two-hour walk to learn more.
Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Celebrating London’s Caribbean communities – Brixton Heritage walkCourse start date: Sat 20 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: A. SThis walking tour is based in Brixton (Starting point: Brixton Tube Station), which was once considered the cultural capital of Britain’s Caribbean population. This walking tour is intended as an immersive experience to commemorate the longstanding presence, experiences and cultures of Caribbean people in London. We will visit monuments and sites that relate to Caribbean contributions to the World Wars, anti-racist struggles, Black journalism, music, food and more.
Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Study day: Titian and colour Course start date: Sun 21 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Carlo CorsatoSpend a day at the National Gallery exploring Titian's revolutionary approach to colour. Discover how this Venetian master transformed Renaissance painting through his bold use of colorito, comparing his techniques with rivals Tintoretto, Veronese and Bassano, then explore his powerful mythological works for Philip II.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - David Bowie’s Soho Course start date: Sat 27 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Aidan McManusThis tour visits sites around Soho that shaped and formed David Bowie in the 1960s/70s and enabled him to become the superstar he was, including the location of Album covers and recording studios.
Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00
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