Free

Essential Information

Type Talks and tours
Location
Date and Times Sunday 6 October 2024 | 10.45am - 4pm
Prices Free

Come along for talks, tours and art workshops as we shine a light on Black artists and Black histories within the Queen's House.

Events are free and take place throughout the day on 6 October. There's no need to book, but capacities are limited for some events. Check the programme below for more details.

These events are part of Black History Month at Royal Museums Greenwich.

See the programme

Image
A sculpture of a man, showing only his head, shoulders and the front of his torso. Broken chains and shackles round his neck point to the man's history as a formerly enslaved person, who earned his freedom and later become an important figure in the abolitionist movement
Olaudah Equiano by Christy Symington

Art workshop: Equiano’s bust

10.45am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Queen's House Undercroft

Get inspired by Olaudah Equiano’s bust, an artwork made by the contemporary artist Christy Symington MRSS, and put your sketching skills into practice.

Talk: Olaudah Equiano

11am and 2.30pm, King’s Bedchamber 

During this free talk you'll learn about the life of Olaudah Equiano, a key figure in the fight to end the slave trade within the British Empire. 

Image
A painting of three people in a boat at sea
Ship of Fools by Kehinde Wiley

Talk: Kehinde Wiley and Ship of Fools 

11.30am and 3pm, King’s Bedchamber

This free talk will explore different aspects of Ship of Fools (pictured), a painting by the world-renowned visual artist Kehinde Wiley.

Image
Photo of a woman wearing a blue uniform gesturing to a large painting on a wall in a gold frame, depicting lots of people. A man stands on the right side of the image looking up at the painting

Queen’s House Treasures Tour

12.30am and 2.30pm, Undercroft, Free

We'll be running our classic Queen’s House Treasures Tour with some special treats. In addition to exploring the architecture and history of this ‘House of Delight’, our tour guide will point out artworks within the House that were made by Black artists or explore Black histories. 

At the end of the tour, visitors will also get exclusive access to the balcony with views towards Greenwich Park.

Capacity limited to 24 people: Wristbands can be collected from the Queen’s Admissions desk on the day. They will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the Queen’s House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps. Due to health and safety reasons, children under 12 cannot access the balcony.

What’s On

See more events at the Queen's House.

Family fun

Character Actors at the Queen's House

Meet historical characters connected to the Queen's House and take part in exciting performances
Sundays | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Free
Queen's House
Experiences

Talk & Drink: drinks on the balcony and a gallery favourite talk

Venture to the Queen's House and join a gallery favourite talk with drinks on the balcony
Sales now open for Sunday 26 October 2025 | Talk at 3.30pm
Adult: £16 (plus £3 booking fee per booking); Adult Members: £13
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Art and culture

Lunchtime Concerts at the Queen's House

Enjoy musical performances in the Queen's House given by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 
Select Wednesdays (see page for details) | 1pm-2pm
Free, drop in
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Evening concert at the Queen’s House with the London Chamber Soloists

Join us for a night of chamber music performed by the flute, harp and viola trio
Thursday 6 November 2025 | 7.30pm
Adult: £16, Adult Members: £14.40, Patrons: £14.40, Child: £8, Child Members: £7.20
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

The Queen's House Ice Rink

Discover the most beautiful outdoor ice skating location in London
21 November 2025 - 4 January 2026 | 10am-9pm
Free Entry
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Evening concert at the Queen’s House: Trinity Laban String Ensemble and the Holtág Quartet

Enjoy a night of chamber music in the former royal residence, performed by the Trinity Laban String Ensemble and the Holtág Quartet
Friday 21 November 2025 | 7.30pm-8.30pm
Adult: £16, Adult Members and Patrons: £14.40, Child: £8, Child Members: £7.20
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House

Meet Santa and journey to a magical wonderland. Pre-booking recommended
Selected dates from 22 November – 24 December 2025
General tickets: £27 per person, Member tickets: £24.30 per person, Under 1s: Free
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Unfit for Service

In this free lunchtime talk, historian Dr Manon Williams will explore how the Royal Navy treated sailors who were judged ‘unfit for service’ due to injury, illness, or old age
Wednesday 26 November 2025 | 1pm–1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Member events

Members' Experience: A Beginner’s Guide to Observing

Come along and begin your journey to observing the night sky on the historic Queen's House lawns
Wednesday 26 November 2025, Wednesday 21 January & Wednesday 25 March 2026 | 6.30pm-9pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House Relaxed Sessions

Meet Santa and journey to a magical wonderland in these quieter sessions, ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors and those with sensory sensitivities. Pre-booking recommended
Saturday 29 November at 4pm and Thursday 11 December at 5.15pm
Child and an accompanying adult: £25, Additional adult: £27, Additional child: £27 | Member child and accompanying adult: £22.50, Additional adult Member: £25, Additional child Member: £25
Queen's House
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Portraits in the Queen's House

Join guide John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of the portraits in the Queen's House
Friday 12 December 2025 | 2pm-3pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Christmas concert at the Queen's House

Join us for an evening of carols and songs, performed by local choir, Hithertones
Saturday 13 December 2025 | Performances at 6pm and 7.30pm
Adult: £18, Child: £8 | Adult Members: £15, Child Members: £5
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: The Price of Victory

In this free lunchtime talk, curator Fern Aldous will explore the economics and logistics that went into maintaining the Royal Navy’s ‘wooden walls’
Wednesday 7 January 2026 | 1pm–1.30pm
Free
Queen's House