Historian Louise Wilkinson talks about how the 1225 Magna Carta marked a turning point under Henry III, showing that it offered rights not only to powerful landowners but also to women, children and families, shaping ideas of fairness that still matter today.
This talk looks at how accessibility shapes creative work, with designers and artists showing that inclusive design brings people together and sparks new ideas.
Peter Copping talks about his journey from studying art and design in London to leading France’s oldest couture house, sharing insights into his inspiration, creative process, and plans for the fashion brand’s future.
Vlatko Vedral talks about clever ideas that challenge our ideas of space, time and gravity by looking at how quantum physics and general relativity link up.
Speakers from planning, design, and healthcare will share how better city design and local decision-making can help improve everyday health for Londoners.
Dr Manon Williams explains how naval staff were judged ‘unfit for service’, showing how doctors shaped decisions on pensions, care and support for retired seamen.
Hear Bridget share stories of the Foundling Hospital’s Court Room, its Rococo design and paintings by Hogarth and Gainsborough in a lively 20‑minute chat.
Wafa Ghnaim and Rachel Dedman chat about the story and meaning of Palestinian embroidery, linking family memories with dress history and its place today.
This talk looks at how Hecate grew from a local goddess into a powerful figure tied to magic, the moon, and even helping people connect with the divine.
The film follows residents of the Whittington Estate as they share life in Camden’s low‑rise terraces, built to bring families closer and foster a strong community.
Mike Pitts explains how the idea that Rapa Nui destroyed its own environment took hold, showing evidence that the islanders managed their land with care.
Richard shares striking stories showing how the past ownership of books can shape how we see them and expose the darker side of library work, touching on links to Nazi looting and colonial theft.
Christopher Woodward looks at how garden swimming pools between 1919 and 1939 became stylish symbols of progress, shaped by new tech, fashion and social change.
Rory Butcher explains how the Fencible Regiments, raised for home defence during the Wars of the French Revolution, shaped Britain’s military at a time of crisis.
Kuljeet Sibia leads a lively session where people map their feelings and memories onto London’s model, sharing how different groups experience the city and shape its spaces.
Art historian Michael Ohajuru talks about John Blanke, the Black trumpeter at the Tudor court, showing how his music shaped his place in British history.
Valérie Sadoun shares her journey in photographing iconic buildings and Wes Anderson’s film sets, highlighting the craft that shapes his striking worlds.
Visitors join curators to view rare Elizabethan and Jacobean building drawings by Thorpe, normally kept from public view, and hear the stories behind them.
Picasso’s paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints fill the space, with ‘The Three Dancers’ at the centre and new staging by Wu Tsang and Enrique Fuenteblanca.
Dr Jake Gasson explains how British troops in the First World War faced the strain of fighting in a multinational army across Greece and North Macedonia.
This talk looks at how AI has changed work since 1956, from early research ideas to the big shifts we see today, and how economists have explained it all.
