Things To Do Today In London: Tuesday 11 February 2020

Paint your own version of Snowy London

Things to do

SHE IS FIERCE: Babble Talks — a series of lectures aimed at parents and carers with young babies — hosts poetry author Ana Sampson. She talks about the female writers of the past who have been forgotten, or who didn’t get the recognition they deserved, including suffragettes, aristocrats and schoolgirls. George IV (Chiswick), £10, book ahead, 11am-12pm

THAMES TIDEWAY TUNNEL: Andy Mitchell CBE, Chief Executive Officer at Thames Tideway Tunnel, gives a talk outlining the engineering side of the project, from Bazalgette’s original Victorian sewers to new infrastructure which will take London into the 22nd century. Institution of Civil Engineers (Westminster), free, book ahead, 4.30pm-7.30pm

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION: Find out how conservationists aim to create a world where wildlife thrives, by targeting the source of the problem: humans. Hear from ZSL experts about how the charity takes an holistic approach to conservation all over the world, with specific examples of projects where working with local people has led to success. ZSL (Regent’s Park), free, just turn up, 6pm

Learn about Leighton’s travels in Spain at Leighton House Museum

LEIGHTON IN SPAIN: Leighton House Museum is named after Frederic Leighton, a 19th century British artist. Hear from art historian Dr Véronique Gerard Powell about Leighton’s travels to Spain, and the interest he developed in Spanish art and culture. Aldalucia, Cadíz, Granada and Seville all feature in his work. Leighton House Museum (Holland Park), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm- 8.30pm

HENRY VIII: The Tower of London continues the 500th anniversary celebrations of the Chapel Royal with a talk about King Henry VIII. Author, historian and broadcaster Tracy Borman discusses the men in King Henry’s life — including relatives, servants and rivals — who were responsible for shaping the notorious monarch. Tower of London, £20, book ahead, 7pm

DEEPA ANAPPARA: Author Deepa Anappara discusses her new book Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line. She chats to journalist and editor Sarah Shaffi about the story of three children setting out on a road-trip to investigate the disappearance of their classmates on the outskirts of an Indian city, as well as her writing process and the steps which led to the book’s publication. Followed by a Q&A session. Foyles Charing Cross Road, £4-£14.99, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

Hear about Crystal Palace’s railway history

CRYSTAL PALACE RAILWAYS: Anyone interested in local history is welcome at this talk about the past of the Crystal Palace railway, which served the famous glass building. Find out about the evolution of the low-level and high-level Crystal Palace stations, and how a prototype electric train was demonstrated on the Crystal Palace terrace. Crystal Palace Museum, £6.50, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm

CLITERATURE: The Vagina Museum’s book club, Cliterature, is back in session. This time, focus is on Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado, a short story collection merging horror, science fiction and fairytale. Vagina Museum (Camden Market), £3, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm

SNOWY LONDON: Have a go at painting your own version of Snowy London at Pop-Up Painting. Materials and guidance are provided, and you’re welcome to go as off-piste as you like with your creation. The Tabard (Chiswick), £27.99, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

London weather with Inclement Attlee

Our idiosyncratic weather forecaster returns, keeping you up to date on London’s skies.

A fair day across London, except for Peckham and parts of Camberwell, which will be covered in waterspouts. The average temperature will feel warmer if you use Centigrade rather than Fahrenheit.  

Contact Mr Attlee with any weather-related thoughts by emailing hello@londonist.com; subject line «For Mr Attlee».

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.

Angel tube station famously has the network’s longest escalator. But did you know it also has one of the widest platforms? The Northern line here originally had an island platform, as still seen at Clapham Common and Clapham North. However, in the 1990s, one side of the island platform was filled in, creating a double-width platform. Trains were diverted into a newly excavated section of running track. A similar reworking had already taken place at Euston, creating an extra-wide platform there too. See this previous article for more details.

Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

The Lamington Cake Project sees top London chefs, cooks and bakers put their own stamp on the iconic Australian lamington cake, to raise money for bushfire relief efforts. Take part in the online raffle or bid in the online auction before the end of the month to be in with a chance of winning one of these cakes. Find out more and place your bid.

What we’re reading

• Almost 7,000 street trees to be planted across London boroughs.
• The Constitution pub in Camden has closed down suddenly.
• Battersea Arts Centre launches as ‘relaxed’ venue to improve disabled access.
• Images of a 1971 proposal for a ‘mini ride’ system between South Bank and Oxford Circus.