
What we’re about
Welcome to Central London Humanists!
CLH provides a meeting place for humanists, the secular, and other non-religious people, particularly those who live or work in the central London area of the UK.
Every month we hold a talk/lecture and several social events. Our social activities include group socials, a book group, picnics, walks, museum & cultural visits and theatre trips.
If you're not religious, or doubting your faith or belief and like open-minded communities, and would like to meet like minded people, come along and join us!
As we don't have a membership fee, a donation of £3 is suggested at each meeting. This goes towards our running costs, partnership fees and charitable donations. If it's your first time, we don't expect a donation.
We are a partner group of Humanists UK.
We are an Associate Member of Humanists International.
We're also on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Some of our previous talks are available on YouTube.
Anyone who joins us on Meetup can participate fully in events. They can suggest events, participate in organising events and much more.
As we are such a large group, each year we hold an AGM and elect a committee to help manage the group. To be a voting member of Central London Humanists, or to be a member of the committee, you must be a paid up member of Humanists UK (to join go here).
Upcoming events
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CLH Book Group 📚 Indian Summer by Alex von Tunzelmann
Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London, GBNovember's Book: Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire by Alex von Tunzelmann
The stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947 liberated 400 million Indians from the British Empire. One of the defining moments of world history had been brought about by a tiny number of people, including Jawaharlal Nehru, the fiery prime minister-to-be; Gandhi, the mystical figure who enthralled a nation; and Louis and Edwina Mountbatten, the glamorous but unlikely couple who had been dispatched to get Britain out of India without delay. Within hours of the midnight chimes, however, the two new nations of India and Pakistan would descend into anarchy and terror.
INDIAN SUMMERdepicts the epic sweep of events that ripped apart the greatest empire the world has ever seen, and reveals the secrets of the most powerful players on the world stage: the Cold War conspiracies, the private deals, and the intense and clandestine love affair between the wife of the last viceroy and the first prime minister of free India. With wit, insight and a sharp eye for detail, Alex von Tunzelmann relates how a handful of people changed the world for ever.
The meeting starts at 7:15. At 7:30 pm we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so.
We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group.
While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions.
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£3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free!
If you prefer, you can pay online, by clicking here.
We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.13 attendees
CLH Festive Social
Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, London, GBCelebrate our shared human values with a night of compassion, community, and joy. Let's raise our glasses and our spirits for a better world! 🥂✨
🎄 Celebrate the Season with London Humanist Groups! 🎄
🍷 Raise a glass with purpose at our festive bar – enjoy good drinks, good company, and the spirit of giving.
🍕 Tuck into our seasonal buffet featuring pizza, cake, and festive treats to keep the celebrations flowing.
🤝 Reconnect and reflect with fellow members, friends, and guest speakers from our talks this past year – a perfect evening to catch up and share good cheer.
🎟️ Join the fun with our friendly raffle, light-hearted games, and plenty of conversation in great company.
✨ Dress festive, feel humanist, and come ready to celebrate another inspiring year of community, reason, and compassion.
❤️ A relaxed and joyful evening to close the year together – we can’t wait to see you there! ❤️
Guest speakers will include:
- Alex Williams (MC), Poet and Vice Chair, Watford Humanists
- Mark Agathangelou, Vice-Chair, Central London Humanists
- Clive Aruede, Founder & Co-Chair, Association of Black Humanists
- Nick Baldwin, Coordinator, LGBT Humanists
- Laura Iteman, Founder, Secular Sisters
- Alavari Jeevathol, Board member, Humanists International
- Jeremy Rodell, Chair, South West London Humanists & Humanist UK Dialogue Officer
- Micki & Iacopo, Volunteers, Faith to Faithless
Our speakers will share the highlights and success from 2025 and reasons for hope and resistance in 2026
📌 Venue: Old Diorama Arts Centre (map)
📆 Date: Thursday 4 December 2023
🎫 Tickets : £5per person - Spaces are limited
💝 All profits from this event will be donated to a chose charity
Agenda (subject to change):
6:30pm: Doors Open & Charity Bar & Music from
7:00pm: Guest Speakers
8:30pm: Raffle Draw
9:30pm: Post-event drinks at the Queens Head & Artichoke (map)
42 attendees
East London Humanists: 'One Life' Course. Starting Wed 7 Jan 2026 for six weeks
Devon House, Hermon Hill, Snaresbrook, E11 2AW, London, GBFrom our friends at East London Humanist Group, supported by CLH:
Popular introduction to Humanist perspectives and history, exploring life’s big questions through a non-religious lens.
(This post is just FYI, please use the link below to sign up for the course.)
Presented by East London Humanists in collaboration with Central London Humanists.
Six consecutive Wednesdays starting 7 Jan 2026. 19.00-21.00 including breaks. Optional visit afterwards to local pub.
Experienced team; interactive presentations; small group discussions with facilitators.
Pre-registration essential. Full details, including how to apply, HERE.
Full course: £30; £5 low income
Venue: A welcoming space, kindly provided free of charge by award-winning Compassionate Funerals, a supporter of Humanists UK. It comprises a large, comfortable reception area, with disabled access, and is often used to support community events. There are break-out rooms for small group discussions, toilet and kitchen facilities.6 attendees
Past events
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