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.
- London at Leisure: Three Great Squares
Course start date: Tue 15 Sep 2026Location 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 - Looking at winter trees Course start date: Sat 19 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Letta JonesJoin Letta Jones for three tree identification walks in Regent’s Park. These walks will take place on Saturday mornings. We will explore common trees, focusing on bark, twigs, leaves, outline, seeds and fruits, with the aim of giving you the confidence to get to know what to look for when identifying trees. Duration: 3 sessions over 3 weeks
Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00 - Notting Hill: The Westway WalkCourse start date: Sat 19 Sep 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 £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Streets of Horror, Streets of Hope: The East End 1888 Course start date: Wed 23 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
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 £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - David Bowie's Soho Course start date: Thu 24 Sep 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 £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - The art and culture of 17th century London Course start date: Fri 25 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowDiscover the 17th century: a time of upheaval in Europe, intercontinental trade, religious schisms and a wide range of artistic styles. See its art, architecture and design in London’s galleries and museums.Full fee £289.00 Senior fee £231.00 Concession £188.00 - Introduction to the V&A Course start date: Mon 28 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julia MusgraveExplore the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum. We visit different galleries each week looking at the decorative arts, paintings and the transfer of design ideas across the centuries.Full fee £289.00 Senior fee £231.00 Concession £188.00 - A history of art in 100 objects Course start date: Tue 29 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayWhat is art history? How can better a better understanding of the subject help us to better connect with art made by fellow humans? Explore these big questions of historical significance, socio-cultural impact and artistic process by studying a history of art in some of London’s greatest museums.Full fee £749.00 Senior fee £599.00 Concession £487.00 - The history of Western art in 100 paintings Course start date: Thu 1 Oct 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julia MusgraveA chronological introduction to Western art from c.1250 to the present day, taught by looking at artworks in London’s galleries, and related materials.Full fee £749.00 Senior fee £599.00 Concession £487.00 - The City of London: the Square Mile Course start date: Wed 7 Oct 2026 (and 2 other dates)
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 £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Italian Renaissance art in London museums Course start date: Thu 8 Oct 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elisa StafferiniExplore the richness of Italian Renaissance art (1400-1600) in this six-session course, with visits to London’s collections, including the National Gallery, the V&A, the Wallace Collection, and the Courtauld Gallery. Alongside masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Titian, participants will encounter lesser-known works that illuminate everyday life, devotional practices, and the social and political world of the period. Direct engagement with these objects encourages reflection on their creation, meaning, and original context.
Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Wildlife photography: Red and Fallow Deer Course start date: Sat 10 Oct 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Rachel WeghThis is an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings, flora and fauna of London's green spaces that have roaming deer. You will learn and practise wildlife photography skills along the way. Suitable for all levels.
Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Walking Westminster's Political History Course start date: Tue 20 Oct 2026
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 £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - The Black Death and the Bodysnatchers: From St Paul's Cathedral to Charterhouse PrioryCourse start date: Wed 28 Oct 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 ‘Black Death’ and the London bodysnatching gangs gave the city two legendary terrors with which to contend.
Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Sketching at Tate Modern Course start date: Thu 29 Oct 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane MartinExploring 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
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