Six excellent things to do for spontaneous north Londoners

Nearest station: Highbury & Islington, Tube and Overground

Italian artist Antonio Calderara is best known for his figurative and abstract paintings that delicately balance light and texture. This expansive exhibition moves through the artist’s early expressive figurative style, through to his adoption of atmospheric effects and geometric forms. And when you’re done admiring it all? We highly recommend having a wander through the free permanent collection, as the Estorick Collection is Britain’s only museum devoted to modern Italian art.
Estorick Collection of Italian Art, N1 2AN. Now until Dec 22, 2024. Wednesday-Sunday. £7.50.
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Nearest Tube: Euston Square

Whether you work in an office, a shop, a kitchen, a house or somewhere else entirely, you’ll probably agree that labour takes its toll. Zeroing in on physical work specifically, which is often so undervalued in our society, these effects are exactly what ‘Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights’, a brand new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection in Euston, explores. With three areas of focus – The Plantation, The Street and The Domestic Space – this free show contains more than 100 objects from the Wellcome’s archive, plus artworks by Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid and groundbreakers Forensic Architecture.
183 Euston Rd, NW1 2BE. Sep 19-Apr 27, 2025. Fri-Wed, 10am-6pm; Thu, 10am-8pm. Free.
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Nearest station: Hampstead Heath Overground

If you’re a north Londoner, it’s easy to take glorious Hampstead Heath – with its lush woodland, sweeping hills and stunning views – for granted. This autumn, make the most of this precious space with nature-focussed events. Choose from forest bathing (free), nature journaling workshop (£5) and more.
Various locations in Hampstead Heath. Various dates, times and prices. 
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Nearest Tube: Camden Town

If you fancy a guaranteed laugh, may we recommend a Friday night at the Camden Head? Angel Comedy Fridays at this north London comedy hotspot are run by expert curators and these shows – taking place between 7.30 and 9.30pm – are a great way to see a combination of established names and new comic talent. The events are free and unticketed so you might need to turn up a little early, but trust us, it’s worth it.
The Camden Head, 2 Camden Walk, N1 8DY. Every Fri, 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Free.
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Nearest Overground: Bruce Grove

Did you know that you can see a slice of Tudor life in Tottenham? Bruce Castle Museum is a Grade I-listed, sixteenth-century manor house. It’s beautifully preserved, open to the public and set in 20 acres of verdant greenery. The building houses artefacts from throughout the area’s evolution, including seventeenth-century artworks and the ‘Spurs Clock’, an enormous and beautiful grandfather clock once given to Tottenham. Plus, younger visitors are encouraged to dress up as they step back in time to experience history first-hand. 
Lordship Lane, N17 8NU. Wed-Sun, 1-5pm. Free.
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Nearest Tube: Golders Green

There are all types of fascinating animals to see in north London, as long as you know where to look! Head to the perfectly sized Golders Hill Park Zoo to take a look at ring-tailed lemurs, Scottish wildcats, kookaburras and many more. Small enough to take around an hour, it was established in 1905 and is perfect for a weekend walk and catching some autumnal sunshine.

Golders Hill Park, North End Way, NW3 7UL. Open daily from  7.30am to 6pm or 7pm. Free.
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