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 (4+)
See all- CLH Book Group 📚 Bodies Under Siege by Sian NorrisRoyal Festival Hall, London
July's book: Bodies Under Siege: How the Far–Right Attack on Reproductive Rights Went Global by Sian Norris
Think today's anti-abortion ideas are rooted in religious prohibitions or arguments about where life begins? Wrong: today's anti-abortion movements is largely financed and planned by far-right extremists. Many of them are avowedly fascist and white supremacist, afraid of a "great replacement" of the world's white population by other races, who are working hard to reshape governments and policies across Europe, North America and around the world. Much of this far-right organizing and funding network, however, has been overlooked by today's feminist and left movements.
As investigative journalist Sian Norris uncovers here, it is through attacking abortion rights that fascist ideas from the dark web, incel chat boards, and fringe organizations comes to enter mainstream debate -- and to then shape governmental policy across Europe, from authoritarian regimes like Hungary's to liberal democracies like Britain. As Norris goes undercover at anti-abortion activist meetings, and pieces together the money trail linking American think tanks to far-right fascist groups, she maps out the pipeline by which fascism has become respectable across the Global North by taking away women's reproductive rights and autonomy.
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.
***
£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.
- Summer Picnic in Greenwich ParkGreenwich Park, London
There will be a picnic for Humanists from London or elsewhere to meet up and enjoy food, company and conversation.
Just bring your picnic! If you can also bring something to share with others that would be lovely but no requirement to do so. Don’t forget a blanket or chair to sit on if you need one.
We will be in the area of the Park near the Bandstand (pictured). So those that want too, can also stay to hear the Alan Clarke Swing Quartet concert which will run from 3-5pm.
Fingers crossed for good weather!FYI, the three words to use to find the Bandstand on what3words app are: flesh traps sang
See main pic of the Bandstand for a visual reference.
We kindly request a contribution of £3 for our events to help cover various admin costs - but first-timers are welcome to give us a free trial. If you prefer you can also pay online by clicking here.
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML71XMH66FX5E/checkout/ALWCDLQ3S7AVPLFZ62PZGXLUWe encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information at our events but ask people to keep their interactions cordial. Any views expressed are those of the individual sharing them and may not reflect those of CLH.
We look forward to seeing you!
- Canning Town – and a sliver of Silvertown!Pret Canning Town, London
Canning Town – and a sliver of Silvertown!
All are welcome on this guided walk which is presented by Central London Humanists. Humanists believe we have just one life to be lived rationally and well with compassion for others.
This is an amazing walk which shouldn’t be missed. How about possibly the world’s smallest museum; London’s only lighthouse; suffragettes and a great scientist; nature reserves and new builds; a dolphin on a bicycle; plus a taxi with a tree growing out of its roof. You have to see it to believe it!
A guided walk of + / -2 hours walking 3.75 Km / 2.25 miles.
Date: Saturday 9th August 2025
Time: 2 pm with a prompt departure at 2.15 pm.
Place: Pret, Unit C01, Hallsville Quarter E16 1QT near Canning Town station
Finishes: About 4.15 pm at Ibis Hotel, Canning Town
Donation to Central London Humanists: £3
Meet outside Pret on the corner of Silvertown Way and Minnie Baldock Street. From Canning Town station (Jubilee Line and DLR) turn right after ticket barriers heading for bus station. Pret is across the road slightly to left near Starbucks. It is strongly suggested you find us with https://what3words.com/hands.fonts.pizza - or the What3words app for this and all walks.
There are toilets at Pret and Starbucks etc.
We end for optional refreshments at the Ibis Hotel, 8 Silvertown Way, Canning Town E16 1ED near Canning Town station.
There are a number of steps on this walk although each flight of stairs has an accompanying lift. However not all of us will fit in the lifts so if you can walk up the stairs please do so.
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:
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 walk at 2.5 mph and able to walk for 2.5 miles. It is participants responsibility to keep up with the walk leader. 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 stopped at a point of interest please be mindful of not blocking pavements so that 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.
The majority of Central London Humanists events are free, but we welcome a £3 contribution. 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.
CLH events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. These walks are not suitable for dogs, sorry.
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.
- CLH Book Group 📚 The Unaccountability Machine by Dan DaviesRoyal Festival Hall, London
August's Book: The Unaccountability Machine: Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions - and How The World Lost its Mind by Dan Davies
'A corporation, or a government department isn't a conscious being, but it is an artificial intelligence. It has the capability to take decisions which are completely distinct from the intentions of any of the people who compose it. And under stressful conditions, it can go stark raving mad.'
When we avoid taking a decision, what happens to it? In The Unaccountability Machine, Dan Davies examines why markets, institutions and even governments systematically generate outcomes that everyone involved claims not to want. He casts new light on the writing of Stafford Beer, a legendary economist who argued in the 1950s that we should regard organisations as artificial intelligences, capable of taking decisions that are distinct from the intentions of their members.
Management cybernetics was Beer's science of applying self-regulation in organisational settings, but it was largely ignored - with the result being the political and economic crises that that we see today. With his signature blend of cynicism and journalistic rigour, Davies looks at what's gone wrong, and what might have been, had the world listened to Stafford Beer when it had the chance.
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.
***
£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.
