Lectures & Talks In London

Going to talks can broaden your horizons, encourage empathy and ultimately leave you a smarter, wiser and kinder human being than you were when you went in.

But we don’t want to lecture you.

Instead we’ll leave that to the many guest speakers, research professors, illustrious poets, artists, and social activists who regularly take to the stage in London to share their insights with the masses. Whatever you want to brush up on – whether it’s hearing about precognitive dreams, seeing how science fiction becomes science reality, or learning about ‘the world’s oldest profession’ (you know, in an academic sense), there’s a lecture, candlelit evening, or mind-broadening salon to suit you.

And so to buoy you forwards on your quest for intellectual enlightenment, we’ve picked out the best places that are putting on regular talks.

So without further ado…

V&A

Tucked away from the museum’s busier rooms is the V&A’s princely lecture hall, lined with some of history’s great thinkers (which, very shortly, will also include you). They offer free lunchtime lectures as well as ticketed evening talks, variously inspired by current exhibitions; prized objects; and even the process of collecting itself.

Details: Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL | What’s On | Listen to previous lectures here
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The London Art Salon

The London Art Salon like to frame things a little differently. Committed to breaking down barriers to art, they cut out any pretentiousness with accessible one-off lectures and tours around the best current exhibitions in London.

Details: Various locations | What’s On
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Nicer Tuesdays

A regular evening curated by It’s Nice That, during which four speakers from creative industries discuss their most seminal projects to date, and reveal the processes behind them in short, snappy presentations. They also sell out quicker than hotcakes, so subscribe to their mailing list to stay updated on ticket releases.

Details: Oval Space, 29–32 The Oval, E2 9DT | Last Tuesday of every month
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Fane

The people at Fane specialise in getting big name speakers (we’re talking Dame Judi Dench, Graham Norton, Margaret Atwood, etc.) and giving them some of the finest platforms in London to speak about their cause/life/new book/pet peeves/and so on.

Details: Various locations | What’s On
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How To Academy

Striking the tricky balance between talks that aren’t overly broad and vague, but aren’t university-level specific either, the How To Academy host lectures across London with a range of speakers. You can listen to in-depth discussions from historians, professors and researchers; learn business skills from some of the world’s most experienced consultants and coaches; and hear from famous figures from Rory Stewart to Al Gore.

Details: Across London | What’s On
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National Theatre

Get a peek behind the scenes at the National Theatre, where you can hear about out how theatre is made from the directors, actors, set designers and even wig-makers working on current productions.

Details: Upper Ground, SE1 8XX | What’s On
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National Gallery

The National Gallery is essentially moonlighting as an art school, with free lunchtime lectures on various paintings; longer lectures on broader themes; ‘Talk and Draw’ workshops, where you’ll hear from an expert on a particular painting before creating your own take on the piece; and their 10 minute talks, taking place every weekday at 4pm at a different painting in the gallery.

Details: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN | What’s On
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The British Museum

Curators, historians and archeologists take to the stand at the British Museum, where you can score everything from free gallery talks to Latin classes. There are regular free lectures linked to current exhibitions, as well as study days on weekends that combine talks, tours and screenings for an intensive introduction to some of the world’s most interesting places, people and eras.

Details: Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG | What’s On
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The School of Life

How to Make Love Last. How to Fail. The Meaning of Life. Just a couple of the breezy, light-hearted topics the School of Life are tackling with their near-daily lectures, hosted by speakers, philosophers, thinkers, creatives and psychologists drawn from around the world. Settle in for an evening class, all-day workshop or 5 day course – you know, depending on how dedicated you are to finding eternal serenity and stuff.

Details: 70 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB | What’s On
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The Last Tuesday Society

The Last Tuesday Society is not your average bar. And the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities is not your average museum. So the events held amongst the stuffed two-headed animals and voodoo dolls are just a touch unusual too; from absinthe tastings to taxidermy classes; and gothic storytelling to séances round the sarcophagus.

Details: 11 Mare Street, E8 4RP | What’s On
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The British Academy

Set in the grandiose surroundings of William Gladstone’s former mansion, the British Academy is a century-old society dedicated to tackling the big questions in the humanities and social sciences. Drop by for discussions on loneliness or the future of romance, while taking a peek at one of London’s most opulent buildings.

Details: 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH | What’s On
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Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy has been training and promoting artists since the reign of George III. Now, it’s promoting art appreciation, too, thanks to both the 15 minute mini-talks that take place around its galleries, and the more in-depth discussions covering both the history and future of art – not to mention the celebrated Lates; colourful parties filled with after-hours gallery openings, immersive performances and talks.

Details: Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD | What’s On
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University College London

UCL has over 100 different academic departments, which together make for an insanely varied calendar of both free talks and ticketed lectures, on topics as wide as artificial intelligence to Latin American street art. Held in the University’s own lecture rooms, it’s all the useful bits of uni (learning about what you want) without any of the bad bits (essays, exams, jägerbombs).

Details: Across the UCL Campus | What’s On
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Conway Hall

The Conway Hall Ethical Society has roots going as far back as 1793, and is now the only remaining ethical society in the UK.

Essentially, it’s there for moral support.

And it’s achieving this not only through courses, photography workshops, film screenings, free concerts, comedy nights and language classes, but also by lining up a roster of esteemed activists, writers and academics who speak on topics like the societal impact of big data and the technocracy, political extremism, and the significance of corridors.

Details: 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL | What’s On
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Gresham College

Gresham College has been hosting free lectures for Londoners for over four centuries, so it’s fair to say they’ve got the formula down. They host around 130 lectures throughout the year on topics across the arts and sciences, while the 2,000+ lectures that have been recorded there since the ’80s can be found on their website, too. Ideal for a classic evening of “How To Be A Shakespearean Atheist” ‘n’ chill.

Details: Barnard’s Inn Hall, EC1N 2HH | What’s On
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The Old Operating Theatre Museum

Mike Peel

Tucked away in a church attic, The Old Operating Theatre Museum was once the venue for surgery performed on female patients from the neighbouring St. Thomas hospital. Now, it’s home to film screenings, secret concerts, quirky historical talks and the occasional after-hours Victorian surgical demonstration.

Details: Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, 9a St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY | What’s On

Last Updated: 4th April 2022 | Main image: Royal Academy Lates

Thirst for knowledge still not quenched? Pay a visit to the most Unusual Museums in London