What we’re about
Welcome to the London Cultureseekers Group!
If you're interested in exploring London's history & culture with other like minded people, then this is the only group you need to join! We are London's largest & most active cultural and history group!
We meetup 2-3 times a week to explore museums, art galleries, historical buildings, go on guided walks and attend history talks. We also have historic treasure hunts, visit the theatre, coffee evenings, social evenings, meals and attend classical music concerts. In the summer we also have day trips outside of the capital by train or coach to explore historical towns and the countryside.
The group is very friendly, we have members from 20 to 80 years old and across all backgrounds. The group has been running for over 16 years and is a great way to meet and make new friends. Plus after events we generally head to a local pub or cafe to chat.
You can either pay as you go at events or we do have an optional annual membership fee (details below).
Membership Fee
The group charges an optional annual membership fee of £13 per person.
Benefits of paying the membership fee and becoming a Full Member are:
- Discounted entry at 11 museums and galleries around London (You can view them here: https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/messages/boards/thread/53768500)
- 10% discount on any purchases at Foyles bookshops or from their website
- All treasure hunts we do will be FREE (normally £6 each)
- The 'Wren City Churches', 'Charlie Chaplin', 'Roman Wall', 'Have I Got Mews For You', ‘What’s in a Name’ and 'Shakespeare's London' Guided Walks will all be FREE (normally £6 each)
- All talks the group does will be FREE (normally £6 each)
- All Thames foreshore visits will be FREE (normally £6 each)
- Guided highlights tour around the Museum of London & Museum of London Docklands will be FREE (normally £6 each)
- All ‘London’s Lost Rivers’ hikes will be FREE (normally £6 each)
- All day trips by train out of London will be FREE (normally £6)
- All coach day trips out of London will be discounted by £6 per trip
- All the Blue Badge guided walks we do will be discounted by £2 per walk
- Entry to 20-30 paying museums & historical buildings that we visit across the year will be discounted by £2 each
Once you pay the membership fee, you will receive a membership card, go to (https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/dues) to pay online or you can pay cash at an event.
Events
Have a look at the events page: https://www.meetup.com/London_Cultureseekers/events/ to see what's coming up and where we have been. London Cultureseekers is a brilliant place to make friends in London whilst experiencing some of the very best areas of culture and history which the city has to offer. We keep costs low and the quality high and have a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 17,900 reviews!
Our events always go ahead, regardless of the weather. Feel free to email or text me if you have any questions or would like to suggest somewhere we can visit.
Click on the video clips below to view our day trips to Bath and walking the Seven Sisters:
https://youtu.be/WAXipRxXtnc
https://youtu.be/06scGec8CcY
RSVP'ing
Click on the 'Join Us' button below, enter your details and then RSVP Yes to any events that you would like to attend, it's that simple! All new events get sent out on Friday evenings, so keep a lookout then.
When you turn up for an event, look out for the red & blue 'London Cultureseekers Group' flag and then come over and say hello.
Please be aware of the groups rules, which you can read here: https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/messages/boards/thread/53768478
Hope to see you at an event soon!
Robert - 07905 901 834 (text only please) / general@cultureseekers.org
You can follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LondonCultureseekers/
Twitter: @Culture_Seekers
YouTube: Cultureseekers channel
The group blog: www.cultureseekers.blog
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 'Historic Westminster Treasure Hunt' - can you find the treasure?Jewel Tower, London
Come along on Sunday 24th September for a treasure hunt around historic Westminster!
About the area
The word 'Westminster' originates from the 11th century, the Collegiate Church of St Peter was named 'west minster' to distinguish it from the nearby east minster of St Paul's Cathedral. The label stuck and the church became known as Westminster Abbey whilst the surrounding land was named Westminster.Westminster is the seat of the government of England (and later the British government) for almost a thousand years. Westminster is also the location of the Palace of Westminster, which houses the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The area was originally an island called Thorney Island and at high tide the area around it used to regularly flood. The island was also covered in thorn bushes, hence the name. Eventually the area was embanked and the island became part of the mainland.
How it works
Come along at 1:30pm and you will be randomly divided into teams of 4 people (or you can choose your own team beforehand). For fairness, any London Guides or Blue Badge Tour Guides won't be allowed to take part.Then each team will be given 15-20 written clues which you have to find the answers for. It's up to your team to work together to find the answers. You can answer them in any order and you will be provided with a map of the area to help you. It's not a race, so you can take your time getting to know the area.
All the answers to the clues will be found on statues or blue plaques around Westminster.
The treasure hunts are a good way to get to know the history of an area whilst meeting and getting to know new people!
Prizes
The team to get the most correct answers and then return to base (a local pub) will win book vouchers for Waterstones bookshops of £10 per person.If more than one team gets the top score, there will be a tie break question back at the pub.
A £5 gift voucher per person will be given to each member of the team coming in second place and prizes will be given to each member of the team with the best team name.
Cost
Its £6 per person to take part (payable by cash on the day), apart from Full Members where it is free!To become a Full Member, go to: www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/dues
We will be marking the scores back at the pub at 4:30pm, so it should all be over by 4:45pm.
Look out for the red & blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign/flag. If you can't see us, please text. Photo here of where we are meeting.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Robert
07905 901 834 (prefer text)
On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.
Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing - https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/messages/boards/thread/53768478
- [ONLINE] Cultureseekers Midweek Coffee EveningLink visible for attendees
On Wednesday 27th September at 6:30pm, we will be having an online Midweek Coffee Evening!
It's a chance to keep in touch and chat with others in the group.
So nearer the time, pour yourself a coffee (or tea) and click on the link after you RSVP.
Hope to see you there!
Robert
07905 901 834 (prefer text)
Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing - https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/messages/boards/thread/53768478
- Day trip by coach - exploring Northamptonshire! (only £24 each)Coach bays on Tothill Street (nearest tube: St James's Park), London, AL£30.00
Come along on Saturday 30th September for a coach trip exploring Northamptonshire!
About the trip
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the east Midlands. Its quite rural, with lots of farmland and market towns. It also has lots of pretty little villages with stone cottages and thatched roofs.
Being in the Midlands, the area was where the Industrial Revolution started in the 19th century, so there is lots of remains from that period, along with the purpose built canals.
We will be visiting:
Fotheringhay
The village is most noted for being the site of Fotheringhay Castle which was razed in 1627. There is nothing left of the castle to be seen today other than the motte on which it was built that provides excellent views of the River Nene. Fotheringhay is also where Mary, Queen of Scots, was tried and beheaded in 1587.
Oundle
Oundle is a historic market town on the River Nene, brimming with old world charm and character. Famous for its Georgian streetscapes and impressive limestone buildings, with a range of independent shops and eateries.
Grafton Underwood
Grafton Underwood is a picturesque village with some 17th century thatched cottages and a stream running through it. It has a 13th century church and on the outskirts of the village was a WW2 American airbase.
The village was also used in Helen Fielding's 'Bridget Jones's' novels as her childhood home.
Higham Ferrers
The town of Higham Ferrers is one of the gems of Northamptonshire. It contains a number of historic buildings and has a scenic market place. Its most famous son, Henry Chichele became Archbishop of Canterbury and adviser to Henry V, in the 13th century.
I'll be giving you a mini tour around them, before leaving you to explore on your own.
Coach seating
- If you wish to reserve a seat on the coach in advance, after you pay please look at the seating plan in the photos here and then email me (general@cultureseekers.org) with the seat number/s you wish to reserve. Its first come first served.
- The seat you sit on when you board the coach is yours for the day. If you wish to change seats on the coach during the day, you will need to get permission from the individual who is seated there.
Cost
Cost is £24 per person for Full Members and £30 per person for everyone else.
After you RSVP:
- you will need to make payment (its not automatic), so either send a direct PayPal payment to: general@cultureseekers.org or if you email me via Meetup here and I will send you my bank details to make a bank transfer payment.
You have 3 days to make a payment (so by Mon 4th Sept, 7pm). If no payment is received within 3 days, your place will be offered to the first person on the waiting list.
Once you RSVP and then pay, I will confirm your place.
Go here to become a Full Member - www.meetup.com/London_Cultureseekers/dues/
Food & drink
Its up to you whether you wish to bring your own food and drink or purchase items in the places we visit.
If you can't see us on Tothill Street, please text.
Please note, we only wait for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time, so please be early or on time. The coach has to leave at a specific time.
Look out for the red and blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign.
Hope to see you there!
Robert
07905 901 834 (prefer text)
On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it. Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.
Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -
https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/messages/boards/thread/53768478
- Thames Foreshore Visit - Cannon Street (NOW FULL)Cannon Street Tube Station (outside the station), London, AL£6.00
THE EVENT IS NOW FULL, IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, PLEASE ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAITING LIST AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A PLACE BECOMES AVAILABLE.
Running through the heart of London; the River Thames has played a central role in the history of the city, and when the tide is low, the capital’s longest archaeological site is revealed.
Come along on Sunday 1st October to explore its history!
About the foreshore
I will be your guide as we will be going down to the Thames foreshore at low tide and walking along the foreshore, where we will have about 1h 30mins to have a look around for objects before the tide comes in.I will tell you more about foreshore, the industry in the area and will be on hand to identify and date objects you find. Most objects you can spot sitting on the foreshore after being washed in on the tide (its eyes only, we are not allowed to dig or scrape the foreshore surface).
You will find everything from bits of pottery, clay pipes, bottles, animal bones to ship items. Most of the things we find are from the Medieval to the Victorian period or you might be lucky and find something Roman or older.
Footwear
The foreshore is very stoney, but can be muddy in places, so please wear sensible shoes (preferably walking boots/shoes or wellington boots). Plastic gloves and bags will be provided.Payment
Full Members of the group will be free, everyone else the cost is £6 per person (payable in advance after you RSVP - either send a PayPal payment to me at: general@cultureseekers.org or email me via Meetup and I'll send you my bank details).To become a Full Member, go to: https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/dues/
We will be finished by about 10:45am.
Afterwards
After we will head to a local cafe for a chat over a drink.Please note, we only wait at the meeting point for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time, so please be on time or early.
If you can't see us outside the station, please text.
Look out for the red & blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign.
Hope to see you there!
Robert
07905 901 834 (prefer text)
On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it. Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.
Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -
https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/messages/boards/thread/53768478
![[ONLINE] Cultureseekers Midweek Coffee Evening cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/f/a/event_509100506.webp "[ONLINE] Cultureseekers Midweek Coffee Evening")
