Highgate has more than its fair share of locations if you’re looking for a pint, a bite to eat…or a historic ceremony involving antlers!
Originally a village outside of London, Highgate has long been a welcoming spot for travellers and visitors alike. Join us for this fascinating talk as we discover the history of some of its more interesting watering holes!
Hear from an expert on the history of the local pubs and hostelries and open your eyes to some of the more bizarre rituals such as the ‘Swearing of the Horns’. You’ll find out all about St Joseph’s Parish Centre, which has hosted everything from boxing matches to beauty contests and is still the cheapest pint in Highgate! And we chat to Kate Fugallo who ran the Lauderdale café with her husband Salvatore, from 1985 to 2014, helping take the organisation from one century into another! As she says, ‘we didn’t realise when we pitched up in 1985 it would turn out to be a major part of our lives and of our childrens’.
Take a step back in time at Lauderdale House’s annual Heritage Weekend. On Sunday 25 February we’re hosting a special Heritage Family Fun Day for children and families to explore the history of the house and the area.
Drop in for all kinds of fun and free activities between 11am and 4pm – activities are free and you don’t need to book in advance!
Discover the stories of the Victorian children who lived in the house on our interactive touchscreens.
Explore the House with our family trail (there will be a chocolate prize for the first 50 children to complete it!).
From 11.30am to 3.30pm, a craft session making Tudor ruffs and masks for a masquerade ball!
No unaccompanied children – bring your parent and carer so they can join in too!
Join us on a journey filled with airplanes, juggling, an inflatable swimming pool and a wild train ride that will take you beyond the stage!
A circus performance that explores the importance of playfulness, creativity and imagination. Shenanigans is an ode to the inner child.
Running time: 50 minutes
Suitable for ages 3+
Supported by the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland
Have a cuppa and settle in for an evening of delightful life drawing with our new 5 week evening course for new and experienced students alike.
Taught by Artist Clare Grossman, this 5 week course will comprise of 2 hour classes on Monday evenings. Students will receive structured tuition, with the opportunity to work to a set objective each week as well as the chance to work individually as they wish.
The class will feature a good variety of professional life models to keep the classes fresh and interesting.
Please bring your own mug for tea as well as drawing materials. Paper will be available to purchase in the class.
About Clare Grossman
Clare trained at Camberwell School of Art, attaining a Masters Degree in Fine Art Printmaking. Since then she has continued her practice from her own studio in North London and with various professional print studios.
Her art has been commissioned by numerous corporate and commercial companies and she exhibits regularly with galleries across the UK and abroad.
What You Need
Charcoal
Soft graphite pencils 2B to 8B
A box of colour chalk pastels (not oil pastels)
Black & White chalk pastels
Putty Rubber
2 Bull Dog clips (to clip paper to boards)
Some cash (coins) to pay for paper
The course runs in two batches:
Run 1 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 8th Jan, 15th Jan, 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb
Run 2 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar, 11th Mar, 18th Mar
Price: £125.00 for 5 sessions
To book yourself in, please follow the link:
https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/life-drawing-course
Come and join our Musical Theatre Choir! A fun, low pressured choir focusing on songs from musicals, and older pop songs. We rehearse on Thursday evenings, 8-9.30pm at Jackson’s Lane, opposite Highgate tube station.
Throughout the year, we will cover repertoire from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, to Les Mis, to Sondheim, to West Side Story, to Wicked, and everything in between. Older pop songs will include songs by the Carpenters, the Beatles, and many more.
Any standard welcome, and no need to read music as the songs will be taught line by line. The choir is run by Rachel Dussek, a singer, singing teacher, and choir leader who trained in classical singing and then in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Please get in touch by email or phone to book a taster session.
racheldussek@aol.com
£45 for a 5 week half term, working out as £9 per session. Dates for the full 10 week term are 11th Jan – 21st March (no session on Feb 15th due to half term).
Do you know what happens when female acrobats hit middle age? still hungry don’t know either, but they’re trying to figure it out.
Part circus show, part training session, part trip-down-memory lane, Show Pony takes a hard look at life onstage and the gut-wrenching moment when the stage no longer wants you.
Packed with love, laughter and lunacy, Show Pony is a joyful scream that challenges sexism and ageism, on and off stage.
Supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media within the program NEUSTART KULTUR
Have a cuppa and settle in for an evening of delightful life drawing with our new 5 week evening course for new and experienced students alike.
Taught by Artist Clare Grossman, this 5 week course will comprise of 2 hour classes on Monday evenings. Students will receive structured tuition, with the opportunity to work to a set objective each week as well as the chance to work individually as they wish.
The class will feature a good variety of professional life models to keep the classes fresh and interesting.
Please bring your own mug for tea as well as drawing materials. Paper will be available to purchase in the class.
About Clare Grossman
Clare trained at Camberwell School of Art, attaining a Masters Degree in Fine Art Printmaking. Since then she has continued her practice from her own studio in North London and with various professional print studios.
Her art has been commissioned by numerous corporate and commercial companies and she exhibits regularly with galleries across the UK and abroad.
What You Need
Charcoal
Soft graphite pencils 2B to 8B
A box of colour chalk pastels (not oil pastels)
Black & White chalk pastels
Putty Rubber
2 Bull Dog clips (to clip paper to boards)
Some cash (coins) to pay for paper
The course runs in two batches:
Run 1 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 8th Jan, 15th Jan, 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb
Run 2 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar, 11th Mar, 18th Mar
Price: £125.00 for 5 sessions
To book yourself in, please follow the link:
https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/life-drawing-course
Come and join our Musical Theatre Choir! A fun, low pressured choir focusing on songs from musicals, and older pop songs. We rehearse on Thursday evenings, 8-9.30pm at Jackson’s Lane, opposite Highgate tube station.
Throughout the year, we will cover repertoire from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, to Les Mis, to Sondheim, to West Side Story, to Wicked, and everything in between. Older pop songs will include songs by the Carpenters, the Beatles, and many more.
Any standard welcome, and no need to read music as the songs will be taught line by line. The choir is run by Rachel Dussek, a singer, singing teacher, and choir leader who trained in classical singing and then in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Please get in touch by email or phone to book a taster session.
racheldussek@aol.com
£45 for a 5 week half term, working out as £9 per session. Dates for the full 10 week term are 11th Jan – 21st March (no session on Feb 15th due to half term).
Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Will Lily conquer her fears?
Will she conquer her fright?
Will she conquer the ghouls in the dead of the night?
A thrilling, funny, and heart-warming story about an awesome girl called Lily who faces her fears and saves the day.
From the creators of One Duck Down (“A perfect show for kids” ★★★★★ Families Edinburgh) with music by Cat Gisby (Elle & the Pocket Belles), this adaptation of Arthur McBain’s book is full of spooks, songs, silliness, and most of all – monsters!
Faceplant Theatre is a family theatre company whose debut production One Duck Down won the Family Show of the Year 2018 award at that year’s VAULT Festival. It has since toured to venues including the Lyric Hammersmith, Pleasance Courtyard, New Wimbledon Theatre, Aylesbury Waterside, Greenwich Theatre, Turbine Theatre, GLive, Wardrobe Theatre, Canada Water Theatre, Streatham Space Project, and many more including schools and community venues.
Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Have a cuppa and settle in for an evening of delightful life drawing with our new 5 week evening course for new and experienced students alike.
Taught by Artist Clare Grossman, this 5 week course will comprise of 2 hour classes on Monday evenings. Students will receive structured tuition, with the opportunity to work to a set objective each week as well as the chance to work individually as they wish.
The class will feature a good variety of professional life models to keep the classes fresh and interesting.
Please bring your own mug for tea as well as drawing materials. Paper will be available to purchase in the class.
About Clare Grossman
Clare trained at Camberwell School of Art, attaining a Masters Degree in Fine Art Printmaking. Since then she has continued her practice from her own studio in North London and with various professional print studios.
Her art has been commissioned by numerous corporate and commercial companies and she exhibits regularly with galleries across the UK and abroad.
What You Need
Charcoal
Soft graphite pencils 2B to 8B
A box of colour chalk pastels (not oil pastels)
Black & White chalk pastels
Putty Rubber
2 Bull Dog clips (to clip paper to boards)
Some cash (coins) to pay for paper
The course runs in two batches:
Run 1 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 8th Jan, 15th Jan, 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb
Run 2 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar, 11th Mar, 18th Mar
Price: £125.00 for 5 sessions
To book yourself in, please follow the link:
https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/life-drawing-course
Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Inspired by the Cosmos Archeology project at EPFL, Space Junk tells the story of a space suit pushed out into space on an ephemeral orbit of the earth with a radio transmitter, known as SuitSat. A friendship is formed between a life-sized puppeteered space suit and a human, embodied by a dance and aerial artist.
With over 100 million pieces of space junk orbiting the planet, Space Junk is a tale of love, loss, new frontiers, the destructive power of human carelessness and our constructive capacity for hope and compassion.
Please be aware that this a work in progress performance.
In partnership with Jacksons Lane, Norwich Theatre and Exeter Phoenix.
Come and join our Musical Theatre Choir! A fun, low pressured choir focusing on songs from musicals, and older pop songs. We rehearse on Thursday evenings, 8-9.30pm at Jackson’s Lane, opposite Highgate tube station.
Throughout the year, we will cover repertoire from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, to Les Mis, to Sondheim, to West Side Story, to Wicked, and everything in between. Older pop songs will include songs by the Carpenters, the Beatles, and many more.
Any standard welcome, and no need to read music as the songs will be taught line by line. The choir is run by Rachel Dussek, a singer, singing teacher, and choir leader who trained in classical singing and then in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Please get in touch by email or phone to book a taster session.
racheldussek@aol.com
£45 for a 5 week half term, working out as £9 per session. Dates for the full 10 week term are 11th Jan – 21st March (no session on Feb 15th due to half term).
Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


A night of fresh alternative comedy and circus theatre.
Bristol-based emerging artists bring two new experimental shows with a surreal twist on spectacle with comedy at its core:
Transcendental
Using trapeze and a comical amount of existentialism, Transcendental is a fever dream journey through the absurdity of being alive. A satirical deep dive into grotesque aspects of the human experience.
Hiding in Plain Sight
Using physical comedy and object manipulation to explore surveillance culture, Hiding in Plain Sight tackles juggling our virtual identities and our authentic selves.
Suitable for ages 12+
Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Brainfools is back at Jacksons Lane with a series of three scratch nights, where circus artists showcase works-in-progress to curious and adventurous audiences.
These nights provide a rare opportunity for performers to test new material, receive live feedback, and refine their pieces based on audience reactions. It’s a dynamic exchange between artists and spectators, fostering a collaborative and interactive atmosphere. Each themed night will feature six performers, unveiling a diverse range of talent and ideas.
Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Have a cuppa and settle in for an evening of delightful life drawing with our new 5 week evening course for new and experienced students alike.
Taught by Artist Clare Grossman, this 5 week course will comprise of 2 hour classes on Monday evenings. Students will receive structured tuition, with the opportunity to work to a set objective each week as well as the chance to work individually as they wish.
The class will feature a good variety of professional life models to keep the classes fresh and interesting.
Please bring your own mug for tea as well as drawing materials. Paper will be available to purchase in the class.
About Clare Grossman
Clare trained at Camberwell School of Art, attaining a Masters Degree in Fine Art Printmaking. Since then she has continued her practice from her own studio in North London and with various professional print studios.
Her art has been commissioned by numerous corporate and commercial companies and she exhibits regularly with galleries across the UK and abroad.
What You Need
Charcoal
Soft graphite pencils 2B to 8B
A box of colour chalk pastels (not oil pastels)
Black & White chalk pastels
Putty Rubber
2 Bull Dog clips (to clip paper to boards)
Some cash (coins) to pay for paper
The course runs in two batches:
Run 1 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 8th Jan, 15th Jan, 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb
Run 2 (Mondays 7pm-9pm): 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar, 11th Mar, 18th Mar
Price: £125.00 for 5 sessions
To book yourself in, please follow the link:
https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/life-drawing-course
Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Heckel’s Horse is the alias used by local artist Edgeworth Johnstone for a series of works based on collaborative paintings he made over the last ten years with Medway artist Billy Childish, 18 years his senior. Hence, Johnstone acting alone is Heckel’s Horse Jr. These beguiling works have their roots in primitive and symbolist art using colour and the language of dreams to great effect.
Open: Wednesday and Thursday: 13.00 – 17.00


Come and join our Musical Theatre Choir! A fun, low pressured choir focusing on songs from musicals, and older pop songs. We rehearse on Thursday evenings, 8-9.30pm at Jackson’s Lane, opposite Highgate tube station.
Throughout the year, we will cover repertoire from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, to Les Mis, to Sondheim, to West Side Story, to Wicked, and everything in between. Older pop songs will include songs by the Carpenters, the Beatles, and many more.
Any standard welcome, and no need to read music as the songs will be taught line by line. The choir is run by Rachel Dussek, a singer, singing teacher, and choir leader who trained in classical singing and then in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Please get in touch by email or phone to book a taster session.
racheldussek@aol.com
£45 for a 5 week half term, working out as £9 per session. Dates for the full 10 week term are 11th Jan – 21st March (no session on Feb 15th due to half term).
Handmade in Highgate, the designer maker Spring Fair.
Now in its 8th year!
Handmade in Highgate are the designer/maker fairs held at the beautiful historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution (HLSI) in Highgate Village.
The fair’s focus is to feature and support the UK’s brightest and best designer/ maker talent.
As ever we have a wonderful, award winning line up, featuring artists and makers creating and selling work in all disciplines and price range.
Handmade In Highgate is open:
Friday 22 March: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 23 March: 10am – 6pm

Handmade in Highgate, the designer maker Spring Fair.
Now in its 8th year!
Handmade in Highgate are the designer/maker fairs held at the beautiful historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution (HLSI) in Highgate Village.
The fair’s focus is to feature and support the UK’s brightest and best designer/ maker talent.
As ever we have a wonderful, award winning line up, featuring artists and makers creating and selling work in all disciplines and price range.
Handmade In Highgate is open:
Friday 22 March: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 23 March: 10am – 6pm

Handmade in Highgate, the designer maker Spring Fair.
Now in its 8th year!
Handmade in Highgate are the designer/maker fairs held at the beautiful historic Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution (HLSI) in Highgate Village.
The fair’s focus is to feature and support the UK’s brightest and best designer/ maker talent.
As ever we have a wonderful, award winning line up, featuring artists and makers creating and selling work in all disciplines and price range.
Handmade In Highgate is open:
Friday 22 March: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 23 March: 10am – 6pm

Morgan & West are back with a massive magic show for kids (and their childish grown-ups), full of their trademark wit, whimsy, and wall-to-wall silliness.
Expect gawps, gasps, and guffaws in this relentlessly funny and fantastical magic filled extravaganza, guaranteed to delight those aged 5 and 105, and indeed everyone in between.
Suitable for ages 5+
Meet two best friends.
They love to play together.
One day, one of them says “I can’t today”.
Then a hole in the ground starts to appear.
Not Today is a vibrant, daring and heartwarming circus theatre show about unlikely friendship.
This performance will be the first work-in-progress sharing of Not Today. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated as it’ll inform the future creation and development of the show.
Suitable for ages 4-8

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30
20 Years Later Still Here! is an autobiographical show about two women’s wild joyride working in circus. Told with warmth, humour, and dizzying acrobatics, this show invites the audience to share the highs and lows of a life in show business. From the glitz and glamour to the countless hours of practice, the blood, the sweat and the tears.

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30

The President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Anthony Connolly along with two fellow members, Toby Wiggins and Andrew James, will be curating a unique exhibition that goes to the heart of their reasons for making their work. Sixty new and unseen paintings, drawings and sculptures will form a dynamic dialogue that explores overlapping themes including personal memories, history, landscape, religion and a shared belief in the need for authenticity of spirit to be at the heart of the creative process.
Gallery times: Wednesdays to Fridays 13:00-17:00,
Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 11:00-17:00,
Mondays & Tuesdays Closed
Private View: Friday 12 April 2024 18:00-20:30