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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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.7 attendees
Hyde Park - royalty, artistry and "indescribable filth"
The Italian Gardens Cafe, Kensington Gardens, Lancaster Gate entrance, London W2 3XA, London, GBHyde Park - royalty, artistry and "indescribable filth"
This walk is presented by Central London Humanists and led by Robert Hall. Humanists believe we have just one life to be lived rationally and well, with compassion for others.
This event is a guided walk of +/- 2.25 hours pointing out places of interest. We will be walking 4.5 Km / 2.75 miles or if not staying for refreshments 3.5 Km / 2.1 miles.
As befits a walk in winter there will be fewer stops than usual and will be walked at a moderate pace.
Having been taken into ownership by King Henry VIII and modified by royalty since then we'll discover why Hyde Park has been regarded as such a special place. In addition there will be references to artists and sculptors and architects; not forgetting reformers and landscapers. We'll view the beauty of this large open space almost in the centre of London.
Date: Saturday 10th January 2026
Time: 2 pm with a prompt departure at 2.15 pm
Place: Meet adjacent to The Italian Gardens Cafe in Hyde Park.
It is strongly suggested you find us using: https://what3words.com/tribal.plots.notion - or the What3Words app.
Lancaster Gate station (Central Line) is just across the road. Paddington station is walkable.
The nearest toilets are adjacent to the cafe. There will be a very brief toilet stop on the walk.
Finishes: About 4.00 pm at Queen Victoria Gate (for Lancaster Gate station) or join us for refreshments at Brewdog, Paddington Basin W2 1JX
The walk is led by Robert – 07981963681. He can be contacted for further information but please note he won’t be able to respond to messages or calls after the walk has started.
The formal bit:
These walks are not suitable for dogs, sorry.
CLH events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. The maximum group size is 40 people. If you have signed up but find you can't attend, please change your RSVP on Meetup (it’s very easy to do) as soon as possible so others can join.
You are responsible for your own actions and safety; there is no liability on the walk leader or CLH for anything that may happen on the walk.
You must be able to keep up with the walk leader at 4 Km/h (2.5 mph) for 5 Km (3 miles). It is participants' responsibility to safely cross roads.
Where appropriate, pedestrian controlled lights will be used and obeyed unless it is obvious that the whole group can cross safely.
When the group stops at a point of interest, please be mindful not to block pavements so members of the public can pass by safely.
Don’t forget this is the UK and it may rain at any time! The walk will go ahead whatever the weather unless conditions are dangerous so please bring clothing for all seasons.
A donation of £3 to Central London Humanists would be appreciated.
The majority of Central London Humanists events are free, but we welcome a £3 contribution per head. This helps towards the running and organising of events, as well as various admin expenses. If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to pay online, please click here.
We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed (most definitely including the walk leader!) do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.23 attendees
Space and Humanism in Fiction and Reality, with Dr Alfredo Carpineti
Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, London, GBAn illuminating and entertaining talk exploring the themes of space and humanism in literature and reality
Humans live for stories, and we love seeing ourselves reflected in them. After all, fiction is often used both as metaphor and mirror of our society.
Alfredo will talk about space and astronomy in the real universe and in the many imagined ones - and how that often overlaps with the expectation and representation of humanists.
Following the talk, after a refreshments interval, there will be a Q&A, and we invite people to suggest their favourite fictional representation of a humanist and/or scientists for a lively debate on how we see ourselves and how the world sees us.
Your Speaker
Dr Alfredo Carpineti (he/him):
is a queer Italian astrophysicist, science journalist, and social activist. He is the Senior Staff Writer & Space Correspondent for IFLScience where he has worked for 10 years, writing over 6,000 articles that have been read by millions. He is the author of the upcoming pop astronomy book Invisible Rainbows. He is the chair and founder of Pride in STEM, an award-nominated British charity dedicated to supporting and showcasing LGBTQIA+ in STEM and founder of the International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM.
Post event social
As after all our in-person talks at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, we will move on to a local pub for a post event social. So from 8:30 PM we will be going to the Queen's Head and Artichoke, 30-32 Albany St, London NW1 4EA.
Payment
We ask for a £5 donation to attend this talk, which can be paid on the door. (Or pay what you can afford.)
If you would prefer to make the £5 donation online or can't attend and would still like to support the event please click here.
Alternatively you can do a transfer using our account details: Central London Humanist Group, Sort code: 30-94-25, Account number: 19143068, Reference: Talk
Beacon
Please note this event will be recorded and we will take photos for publication on CLH media channels. If you do not wish to be featured in video or photographs please contact the CLH team in advance or make us aware at the event.
Resources and FAQs
…for members, supporters, and participants in CLH activities
See here for our knowledge base packed with important, useful information about the group, the organisers, and what we offer the community. See here for our code of conduct and complaints policy.
Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.20 attendees
Past events
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