Courses to do around London
As one of the capital’s leading adult education institutions, we celebrate all things London and want to help you fall in love with this great city.
To really make the most of this incredible city, we have an array of walks, exhibitions and tours especially for you. Whether you want to know more about London’s galleries and iconic landmarks or discover London’s hidden secrets, join us this term to learn more about this fascinating city.
58 courses available
The City of London: the Square MileExplore the City’s development from Roman and medieval times through to the Tudors and Stuarts. This course will consist of 8 walks starting with Roman London.
Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00- Walking Westminster's Political HistoryA 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.Off Site
Tue 20 Oct 2026Richard WatkinsFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Sketching at Tate ModernExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from an exciting range of artworks in Tate modern.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00
- Sketching at Tate Britain
Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic artworks at Tate Britain.
MEETING PLACE: Manton Entrance ramp on Atterbury Street by the benches next to the CLOAKROOM on the lower floor.
Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Covent Garden, a magnet for artists and art practice
Discover Covent Garden when it was the centre for artists to live, socialise and practice their profession. From the development of the Piazza in the 1630s to the1730s when William Hogarth established St Martin’s Lane Academy. Many artists involved in this went on to be the founding members of the Royal Academy, which from the 1770s was housed at Somerset House.
Off Site
Mon 2 Nov 2026Marilyn GreeneFull fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Sketching at the British Museum
Exploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from an exciting range of objects and artifacts in The British Museum.
Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - The Cold War: Talk & Walk
Join us on a romp through post-War London tracing the way in which the Cold War played out on the streets, on the page and on the screen. This 1-day workshop will be structured as a morning talk and an afternoon walk after the lunch break. Tutor: professional guide Dr. Geoffrey Levett.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Sketching at the V&AExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from a fascinating range of objects and artifacts in The Victoria and Albert Museum.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00
- Lamp-lit HampsteadDiscover 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 - Contemporary art in LondonExplore and discuss contemporary art on show in London. Each week we’ll visit 1-2 commercial galleries or a public gallery and examine specific exhibitions of contemporary art across a range of media including painting, works on paper, photography, new media and sculpture.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00
- City of words: further adventuresLondon luxuriates in literary references. We follow the footsteps of the authors, poets and playwrights, and some of their creations, as we walk a brand new neighbourhood each week, exploring the literary connections.
London guide: Eleanor Jackson.Off Site
Thu 14 Jan 2027Eleanor JacksonFull fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - The art and culture of 18th century London
Explore Georgian painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts, and consider them within the context of the history and culture of the 18th century exploring museums, galleries and other places in London.
Off Site
Wed 20 Jan 2027Bryony Bartlett-RawlingsFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Streets of Horror, Streets of Hope: The East End 1888
Because 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.
Off Site
Wed 20 Jan 2027Sarah WiseFull fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - London's smaller galleries: Leighton HouseA Palace of Art built for the Olympian Giant of the Victorian art world but also a place to live and work. This short course provides a fascinating exploration of Leighton’s world.
Off Site
Mon 25 Jan 2027Julie BarlowFull fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Looking at contemporary artExplore and discuss contemporary art on show in London. Each week we’ll visit 1-2 commercial galleries or a public gallery and examine specific exhibitions of contemporary art across a range of media including painting, works on paper, photography, new media and sculpture.
Off Site
Fri 12 Feb 2027Chantal CondronFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00
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