These listings cover lectures, screenings and other events that are open to anyone and do not require specialist knowledge. In some cases, it may be necessary to pre-book. For conferences and more academic events, see the Nature Network London calendar.

Monday

Spin Off, Dana Centre, 7-8.45pm. As the Tour de France approaches, cyclists and nutritionists discuss the unique demands placed on the human body by this taxing event.

Tuesday

Boots and balls: the science behind the World Cup, Royal Institution, 7-8.30pm. Timely lecture by Prof Steve Haake, Sheffield Hallam University.

Hunt for the Higgs Boson and the unknown: an update from CERN, Imperial College, SAF Building, 7-9pm. Professor Jordan Nash updates on the search for the Hiigs Boson at CERN. Tickets are £3 if you work or study at Imperial, £10 if not and probably free if you can show them a genuine Higgs particle on the door.

Genes and Behaviour: Assembling the Components for Animal Locomotion, Royal Society, 6pm. Prof K. VijayRaghavan, Director of the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, delivers a lecture on the latest biological research from India.

Wednesday

Evensong in Celebration of the Royal Society’s 350th Anniversary, St Paul’s Cathedral, 5pm. Godish pleasures courtesy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the cathedral choir, music from Elgar (written for the 250th anniversary) and a slightly out of place Martin Rees. All welcome to attend.

Thursday

Sir Hans Sloane: Local Hero and Pioneer Naturalist, Natural History Museum, 2.30pm (Attenborough Studio). Somewhat awkward time, but good to see some events programming for Sir Hans, whose specimens constituted part of the founding collection of the NHM. (He also invented drinking chocolate – no wonder they call him a local hero.)

The Telescope: A Satirical History, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 7-8.30pm. The history of the ’scope, told with a wry sense of humour by Richard Dunn.

Why England Lose, Royal Institution, 7-8.30pm. On the eve of the first game of the 2010 World Cup, economist Stefan Szymanski of the Cass Business School examines peculiarities of football from a statistical point of view. Tickets are £8.

Saturday/Sunday

Open Garden Squares Weekend, all over town. Annual day in which many of London’s private squares and gardens loosen their gates to let in us peasants. Not ostensibly scientific, but many botanical and medical gardens (including the Royal College of Physicians) become accessible.

Missed anything? Add other events in the comments.