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.

Mistress Babbington character actor 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
Soprano Lizzie Holmes, DEBUT
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

DEBUT at the Queen's House

A night of enchanting classical music as part of DEBUT's acclaimed 'Secret Concerts' series
Thursday 19 June and Thursday 4 September 2025 | Performances at 6.45pm and 8.15pm
Adult: £30, Child: £25 (plus £3 booking fee) | Adult Member: £27, Child Member: £22
Queen's House
A woman looks at the painting of Elizabeth I known as the 'Armada Portrait', hanging in the Queen's House
Workshops | Art and culture

Artist Masterclass: Portraits Drawing Workshop

Want to surprise you dad this Father's Day? Develop your portrait skills together in this special guided workshop, led by artists Federico Baeza-Autillo and Sarah E Shaw
Select Fridays and Sundays during summer 2025 | Sales now open for Sunday 8 June | 10.15am-12pm
Adult: £20 (plus £3 booking fee per booking), Adult Member: £15.00
Queen's House
Queen's House Loggia
Experiences | Art and culture

Queen's House Classic Treasures Tour with drinks on the balcony

Head to Greenwich for a new refreshing and effervescent tour experience
Select Sundays during summer 2025 | Sales now open for 1 and 8 June | Tour at 3.30pm
Adult: £20 (plus £3 booking fee per booking); Adult Members: £15
Queen's House
The Sailor [Maurice Alan Easton] - Cropped
Talks and tours | Art and culture

The Queen's House Curator Tour: The Art of Naval Portraiture

Join Dr Katherine Gazzard, Curator of Art at Royal Museums Greenwich, for a unique tour of the Queen’s House, exploring the complex and often surprising history of naval portraiture
5 and 19 June 2025 | Tours start at 3.30pm
Adult: £5; Adult (includes a signed copy of the book): £20 | Adult Member: Free; Adult Member (includes a signed copy of the book): £18
Queen's House
A woman points out something of interest in a painting to a family group
Family fun

May half term at the Queen's House

Find free workshops, character encounters and creative activities for all ages inside Greenwich's historic villa
25 May - 1 June 2025 | See page for timings
Free
Queen's House
Trinity Laban Concert in the Queen's House Great Hall
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
An orchestra performs in the Great Hall of the Queen's House to a packed audience
Events and festivals | Art and culture

Trinity Laban Contemporary Music Group: The Daryl Runswick Competition Final

An evening championing new works by up-and-coming composers
Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 7.30pm
Adult: £15, Adult Members: £12, Child: £7.50, Child Members: £6
Queen's House
A woman gazes at portraits of historic figures. Three paintings are displayed in a gallery in front of her
Workshops | Member events

Members' Artist Masterclass: Portraits Drawing Workshop

Develop your portrait skills in this special guided workshop, led by artists Federico Baeza-Autillo and Sarah E Shaw
Friday 13 June 2025 | 10.15am-12.15pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
An image showing a market woman holding and selling a pineapple. She is next to a basket full of other fruits.
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: The Seeds of Survival

In this free lunchtime talk historian Akosua Paries-Osei will explore the empire-disrupting botanical knowledge of enslaved women
Wednesday 25 June 2025 | 1pm-1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
A branch of the bread fruit tree with fruit
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Breadfruit and the Creolising of Caribbean Foodways

In this free lunchtime talk historian Jade Lindo will explore the historical and cultural significance of breadfruit in the Caribbean
Wednesday 16 July 2025 | 1pm-1.30pm
Free
Queen's House