This autumn there is so much to do and enjoy in London and what better place to start planning your activity than with one of our member venues. Take part in a photography night-time shoot, learn new skills at an art workshop, talk or even join an artist's walking tour. Visit one of London's renowned museums and see an awe-inspiring exhibition or enjoy the latest events such as a public Ice-World festival including a chance to visit the UK's new polar research ship or relax with a yoga session amongst the dinosaurs. Alternatively if you need a creative space to meet or you are in the mood for Christmas early then why not pull on your skates or host a Christmas party before the rush – it’s never too early to feel festive!
Image credit: Artist Ayesha Gamiet* at work
Tiles, gardens and inspiring architecture
Expand your horizons and join the Leighton House Museum exciting programme of public events, from talks and seminars to practical, hands on workshops, study days and courses, recitals, film screenings, tastings, readings and festivals, there's something for everyone. Although the house remains closed until reopening in spring 2022, you can still join in virtually by taking part in the online programme and exploring the Leighton House YouTube content and web resources.
From illuminating Islamic tiles, to the Gardens of Paradise, and lives of the artists of the Holland Park Circle - explore this exciting programme of art workshops, talks and walks.
Saturday Art Studio: A Passion for Tiles. Saturday 16 October
FREE Artists Houses Walking Tours. Every Thursday and Sunday
Inspired by Gardens & Nature: Lecture Series. From 4 November
Breakfast Bites: The Holland Park Circle. From 19 November
For further information:
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/whats-on
*Ayesha Gamiet studied under Master Illuminator, Ayten Tiryaki in Istanbul over a period of 12 years, and gained her icaza (traditional apprenticeship) in 2018. An experienced teacher, Ayesha holds a PGCE and MEd in Art Education from the University of Cambridge, where she has helped to train new art teachers. She was commissioned by the Royal Library to illuminate manuscript pages gifted to HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles. Ayesha’s artwork is in the Royal Collection. She teaches and exhibits nationally and internationally.
Ayesha Gamiet has collaborated previously with Leighton House, leading two of the Inspired by Islamic Art series, moderating a third, and creating original art activities for the Time for Art creativity boxes.
Museum of the Order of St John
Free Family Activity - Thursday 28th October
This October half term, travel beneath the streets of Clerkenwell and explore the Norman Crypt of the Order of St John.
Search for medieval graffiti designed to protect the congregation from evil spirits before returning above ground to create your own witch bottle, a medieval talisman used in the past to ward off spells or cure disease.
To book please contact: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/museum-of-the-order-of-st-john-17360397033
This autumn why not choose a meeting room with Monet or Turner? Spring back into meetings with brushstrokes from Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond. Bursting with colour and imagination, it will inspire your guests as they enjoy with some of the National Gallery’s most celebrated paintings.
Other room options include the Gallen-Kallela's Meeting Room and the Turner Meeting Room. In addition, further rooms are available within the gallery for daytime hire including the 328 seat Lecture Theatre, Wilkins Boardroom and Trafalgar Room.
For further information and to request a copy of the galleries brand new ‘Daytime Meetings’ brochure email: venuehire@ng-london.org.uk
Image credit: © Trustees of NHM London
It’s going to be a packed Autumn at the Natural History Museum with plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opened on Friday 15 October 2021 and will immerse you in the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. Visitors must book a ticket in advance at www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy for guaranteed entry. Private views in the beautiful Wildlife Photographer of the Year gallery space are also now available to book as part of the Museum’s Venue Hire packages.
The Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum opens on Friday 22 October. Set against the backdrop of the Waterhouse building, the ice rink is one of the most magical places to be at this time of year. This will be its final year at the Museum after an incredible 16 years, so book online to avoid disappointment.
The popular Yoga at the Museum programme hosted in collaboration with East of Eden will also continue, with dates in November and December. Visitors can rise and shine with an invigorating yoga class followed by a live gong bath and exclusive access to the Dinosaur gallery in October, or Wildlife Photographer of the Year in November and December, while it is closed to the public.
Find out more about what’s on at the Natural History Museum by visiting nhm.ac.uk/whats-on
RIBA at 66 Portland Place is already in the festive spirit and is offering a free house cocktail or mocktail if you book an early Christmas celebration for your team in November! December is often one of the busiest months of the year in both our business and personal lives, so if you’re struggling to find a free day or evening in the company calendar for a Christmas get-together this could be the perfect option. And you needn’t be worried about organising a party at short notice as RIBA’s ‘Build Your Own’ Christmas party package – a subtle nod to its architectural roots – has been designed to simplify the planning process.
A range of pre-set food & beverage options at multiple price points are available to suit budget and taste, as well as a choice of stunning event spaces to suit your party size and requirements. You can then spend as much time on the personal touches and entertainment as you wish. Don’t let the madness of December mean you run out of time for a Christmas celebration with your team. Instead book it in now and get the festivities started early! Contact our team for more information: venues@riba.org
Image credit: ©Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum
Aircraft rolled out for Photography Night Shoot
The RAF Museum London has teamed up with Threshold Aero to offer an exclusive evening shoot with our fantastic collection of First World War Aircraft.
Two of our aircraft and a vehicle will be coming out of their Hangar to be photographed, like never before. Our Albatros, R.E.8. and Crossley Tender will sit proudly outside the Hangar doors of the Grahame White Factory for this unique photographic opportunity. The backdrop for your photographs will be the historic Hangar doors of the Hangar which dates to 1912.
Each aircraft will be lit up with professional LED lighting with Auto White Balance. This will give you the opportunity to capture shots of the aircraft in their museum setting, showcased like never before and without the public in your shots. Our small team of Living History volunteers will be posing for special shots that will make your photos come to life.
Other aircraft inside the Hangar will be lit with LED lighting and have the barriers removed (where possible) for shots in their museum setting, but without visiting public.
The Night Shoot will start at 5.30pm, following a short safety briefing to ensure that you get the most out of the experience. You can also book a hot meal in advance with your ticket. You can choose from a soft or alcoholic drink with your meal when you purchase your ticket. Hot food is only available when booked in advance and the food will be served between 4.00pm and 6.00pm
The event is suitable for all abilities, you don’t need to be a professional photographer to enjoy the event. A team from Threshold Aero will be on hand throughout the evening to provide assistance and guidance if required. Please read our full terms and conditions before booking, this event is highly dependent on weather conditions due to the delicate nature of the aircraft.
Date: 19 November / Time: 5.00pm to 9.00pm / Cost: £45 per person (over 16s only)
Click here to book
RCP London Events DDR packages autumn 2021
Fuel, not feed: this is the philosophy behind RCP London Events’ autumn DDR packages for all-day conferences.
The venue has observed how delegates who have breakfast, lunch and sugary snacks often feel sluggish and tired as the day goes on. This results in a drop in concentration levels, focus and engagements.
RCP London Events’ flexible DDR packages will ensure that your guests feel revitalised and engaged throughout the day.
1. Traditional DDR
The Traditional DDR Package includes three refreshments to fuel, energise and rejuvenate your delegates, and a bountiful hot fork buffet lunch prepared with the freshest local ingredients.
2. Lighter DDR
Similar to the Traditional DDR, this package provides a lighter, healthy lunch swap and comes with a delicious bento box or wellbeing lunch menu.
3. Flexible DDR
Finish your event earlier and swap your afternoon break refreshments with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink alternative.
4. Extended DDR
Looking for a way to treat your delegates before the event ends? Add a drinks and food reception to your package, and extend your event to 6pm to allow further networking.
For further details please contact: events@rcplondon.ac.uk
Three-Day Ice Worlds Festival at Royal Museums Greenwich Celebrates New Popular Research for Britain in London
The UK’s new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough will be visiting Greenwich 28-30 October 2021. The state-of-the-art ship, operated by British Antarctic Survey, will enable world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic for the next 25-30 years. It is the latest highlight in the UK’s long tradition of polar exploration and world leadership in polar science.
On the eve of the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, British Antarctic Survey is partnering with Royal Museums Greenwich to host a three-day public festival from 28-30 October. A dazzling showcase of environmental science, engineering and technology, Ice Worlds will enthral families and inspire current and next generation of scientists, technicians, engineers and citizens.
Highlights include:
28 – 30 October
• Live talks and virtual tours of the RRS Sir David Attenborough
• Ice Worlds – meet polar scientists and experts in the National Maritime Museum and learn what it’s like to work in the polar regions
• Explore what it really means to do extreme polar science and engineering
• Discover how robots unravel the mystery of the oceans - catch a glimpse of the infamous Boaty McBoatface
31 October
• RRS Sir David Attenborough departs Greenwich with flotilla (early morning). Live music on quayside
For further information: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/ice-worlds-rrs-sir-david-attenborough-greenwich
Opened this month at Sir John Soane’s Museum, Pablo Bronstein: Hell in its Heyday.
In a new body of work created especially for Sir John Soane’s Museum, contemporary artist Pablo Bronstein presents his unique, seductive and deeply ironic vision of hell.
From 6 Oct 2021 – 2 Jan 2022, a series of large-scale watercolours will take visitors on a tour of hell in a nostalgic and ironic representation of the last two centuries of progress. Imagined as a monumental city, visitors will be guided through concert halls, casinos, botanical gardens, car factories and oil rigs. A new film, featuring a group of diabolical antique dealers performing a masked ballet will also be shown.
Spanning drawing, film, watercolour, choreography and performance, Pablo Bronstein’s work explores themes of consumerism, Queer identity, and, prominently, architecture. In the exhibition, the first major museum show since 2009 to focus on Bronstein’s works on paper, visitors will see the accumulation of ornament, fragments and borrowed images in the Soane Museum echoed in the new works.
For further details: https://www.soane.org/exhibitions/pablo-bronstein-hell-its-heyday
World Rugby Museum hosts new ‘Proud to be a Steeler’ exhibition
‘Proud to be a Steeler’ celebrates the world’s first inclusive rugby club, the Kings Cross Steelers. From the club’s inception in November 1995 to the emergence of the international gay rugby scene, the exhibition shines a light on the club’s achievements to date. With a stiletto trophy and international silverware taking centre stage, this exhibition is not to be missed.
Close to celebrating their 26th birthday, the Steelers have had a rainbow-coloured career. Aside from being trailblazers in the rugby community, they’ve have overcome a multitude of hurdles to establish a successful and competitive club, regularly fielding multiple teams at weekend fixtures and championing diversity and inclusion on and off the field. Most recently, the club have found further fame through the critically-acclaimed film Steelers.
Embodying the sport’s core values of respect, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and enjoyment, the Steelers have a powerful and inspiring story to tell. Visit the World Rugby Museum to take a step back into sporting history, and to continue to learn more about the Kings Cross Steelers achievements to date.
For further information: https://worldrugbymuseum.com/explore/exhibitions#mini-exhibition-1