We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

Why not come and help Jacyntha celebrate her birthday (a few days early ... but so what!).  She really enjoys lunches here and finds them tasty and relaxing, and we do get a reasonable discount on the food (but not the drinks!).

The restaurant is very close to the bus stops that serve Kew Green.  The 65 runs from Kingston to Ealing Broadway (via Ham, Richmond station, and Kew Bridge) and bus 391 runs from from Fulham Broadway, Hammersmith, Chiswick, Kew Gardens station, to Richmond).    Kew Gardens station is also walkable, as is Kew Bridge station on the line from Clapham Junction and Putney. 

Liverpool Street dep 10.02, Stratford 10.09 arr Ingatestone 10.36, An offpeak return can cost up to £13.80. For an attractive walk of about eight miles mainly to the north of Ingatestone, lunching at the Viper, Mill Green. After lunch we follow the St Peter's Way, and besides passing a number of interesting churches, can expect to have tea at the historic Ingatestone Hall.

Leader: Paul Grove

HS2 have been carrying out remedial works to Adelaide Local Nature Reserve and the site has now re-opened.

Come and join us for some gentle conservation work in this lovely sunny mostly meadow nature reserve with woodland and two ponds. Refreshments, tools and training provided. We will be joined by members of the friends group - Adelaide Nature Reserve Association.

IVC members have been much involved in looking after this site over the years.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

The is a temporary replacement meeting place for a couple of months, instead of the previous Anerley Arms. We will be discussing what other locations may be suitable for our regular meetings on the first Thursday of the month.

This is a Wetherspoon establishment so there is a wide choice of reasonably priced food and drinks that can be enjoyed in a muzak-free atmosphere; Thursday night is curry night in this pub so you won't be eating alone. Look for the IVC name on one of the tables. We meet from 8.30pm, probably somewhere towards the back and possibly in one of the side-booths.

A tasty treat for foodies.

Join me at this unique dining experience.  D&D London have joined forces with the Singapore Tourism Board to host an exciting three night supper club series, from the 4th – 6th October, with top chefs from three Michelin starred establishment in Singapore.  Paired with  mixologists from the city-state (cocktails from The World’s 50 Best Bars).

Jason Tan, founder of Singapore’s renowned Corner House  restaurant and Sasha Wijidessa, mixologist from  Operation Dagger , which is 24 th  on the list of World’s Best bars, will be pairing their culinary magic at  Bluebird Restaurant  in Chelsea where I have booked a table for 6 at 6:45pm.

This is your opportunity to experience a Michelin starred dinner from one of Asia's finest restaurants.

You need to be a member of London IVC to join this event. See more of our events at

Kings Cross depart 10.11, Finsbury Park 10.16 arrive Huntingdon 11.12. The return fare is £18.50. For a walk of 9.5 miles passing through Mill Common on our way to the twin villages of Houghton and Wyton. After lunch at the Three Jolly Butchers, Wyton, we continue to Houghton Mill, the last working mill on the Great Ouse river. The route back to Huntingdon is via Houghton, Portholme meadows and the Godmanchester Nature Reserve, passing a number of interesting churches.

Leader: Simon Langston

This is a trial venue because the river area around Twickenham can be attractive, and there is no harm is change!

Twickenham is easily a

Drinks in a pub followed by a trip to the the Horniman Museum.  Sign into the website for more details.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

Blackfriars Thameslink dep 09.58, St Bancras International 10.07, West Hampstead Thameslink 10.15 arrive Radlett 10.32, but buy a return to St Albans [£5.90] whence we return. For a nine mile walk through the Hertfordshire countryside from Radlett to historic St Albans, lunching at the Gate at Bricketwood.

Leader: Roger Mackett

IVC volunteers have been working at Westbere Copse nature reserve for decades now and have made a major contribution to making this a lovely little nature oasis in urban West Hampstead. We meet there on the second Sunday of the month to carry out conservation work and nature surveys - birds and wild flowers.

Free snacks and drinks will be provided. Take a note of my mobile number in case you cannot find us.

A high quality three course dinner with wine tasting at the Civil Service Club. For around £25-30 we will enjoy a fine dining quality three course meal prepared in their excellent kitchens. The food here really is very good. The meal is accompanied by a tutored tasting of around 10 fine wines. The theme this month is wines of South Africa.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

Our regular monthly visit to the Moon and Stars in Penge High Street. This is a Wetherspoon establishment so there is a wide choice of reasonably priced food and drinks that can be enjoyed in a muzak-free atmosphere; Thursday night is curry night in this pub so you won't be eating alone. Look for the IVC name on one of the tables.

We meet from 8.30pm, probably somewhere towards the back and possibly in one of the side-booths. New (and gregarious!) members are especially welcome.

A return tour of some of Blackheath's fabulous pubs. All accessible from Blackheath Station. To include The Railway, The Princess of Wales and The Hare & Billet.

7.00-800pm The Railway:16 Blackheath Village, Blackheath SE3 9LE Vey close to Blackheath station. "Combining the best in British pub hospitality with individuality, character and quirky charm, The Railway lies at the heart of thriving Blackheath Village, just a short stroll from the picturesque heath itself."

8.15pm - 9.15pm The Hare & Billett: 1a Hare & Billett Rd, Blackheath, SE3 0QJ. "A place to enjoy all the things that are great about a real pub, conversation, food & drink and above all the atmosphere. We're Blackheath's favourite pub with a modern feel, subtle & comfortable furnishings helping us create a very warm welcome for friends, families & dogs alike. Winner of ‘Time Out’ Love London Awards for best pub in Blackheath 2016. We look forward to welcoming you."

9.30pm - 10.30pm The Princess of Wales: 1a Montpeier Rd, Blackheath, SE3 0RL. "Perched on the edge of Blackheath, The Princess of Wales is an iconic London pub, ahead of the game in providing the perfect setting for a truly memorable drinking and dining experience."

An Open Mic over a pub near Waterloo Station with our own bar, The London IVC Open Mics draw a wide audience and have a more eclectic range than most - beside several music genres previous events have seen spoken word, comedy and an illusionist take the stage. We now always start with a featured band.Good menu available in the main bar downstairs.

Waterloo depart 09.02, Clapham Junction 09.11, Wimbledon 09.18 arrive Boxhill & Westhumble 09.50. An offpeak return costs £12.30. [It is also possible to catch a train from Victoria, but check train times online beforehand].

Join Margaret for a 13/14 mile circular walk from Boxhill & Westhumble in the Surrey hills. Pub stop for lunch probably at Wootton.

Leader: Margaret Romanski

Executive Committee Meeting at The Royal Oak, 44 Tabard Street, London SE1 4JU from 6.30 pm.

Reading is primarily a personal pleasure but if you would like to share your love of books with some like-minded people why not join us in our reading group?

Our book this month is The Strawberry Tree by Ruth Rendell

We will also decide on what to read for December.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

A bird watching weekend on the Norfolk coast based in Cromer and visiting nearby first class nature reserves.

Those of you who know me will know I don't usually do or care for 'chain' restaurants, but I have over the years found Masala Zone (which has 7 London branches) to be a happy exception, the food recently sampled on many occasions at a more than one of their branches being way above the average High Street Indian's standards in quality, preparation and cooking. The best way to experience their cooking on ones initial visits is to have one of their "Thalis" which consist of a selection of around 5 Curries with accompaniments, each component commendably tasting quite distinct from each other and all dishes I have so far sampled here have tasted freshly and expertly cooked. Prices are a touch higher than the High Street average, but in my view, worth it! Thalis costing between £15 and £18 and  an la carte selection a little more. Average cost of a full meal with drinks, dessert and service being somewhere around £35.

Waterloo dep 10.07, Clapham Junction 10.16 arr Haslemere 11.18. A day return costs £22.50. For a 7 mile walk through mainly wooded heathlands to and from the spectacular Devil's Punchbowl near Hindhead, lunching at the National Trust cafe or nearby hotel.

Leader: Damaris Steele

A leading Open Mic in Camden Town.

A high quality wine tasting at the Civil Service Club. For around £18-25 we will enjoy a fine wines from Chile.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

Allen hosts this regular monthly social evening of the North London Meet Your Neighbours group in this comfortable Highgate pub which features real ales, good wines and excellent food.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

Another chance to try your hand at some nature survey work. We will explore the reserve for birds and plants.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

The 2018 Annual General Meeting of London Intervarsity Club, a not-for-profit social and leisure activities pub run by members for members.  

Anyone interested in our Club is welcome to attend our AGM to find out more about us.  Please contact admin@londonIVC.com for an invitation.  

Further information about the Club and our events can be found at http://www.londonivc.com.

Trial membership is only £5!

A high quality three course dinner with wine tasting at the Civil Service Club. For around £25-30 we will enjoy a fine dining quality three course meal prepared in their excellent kitchens. The food here really is very good. The meal is accompanied by a tutored tasting of around 10 fine wines. The theme this month is De Bortoli wines from Yarra Valley, Australia.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

Walking/Sightseeing Holiday in Madeira Thursday 22nd November to Sunday 2nd December 2018 (provisional dates).  You can come for all or part of the time.

We will be based in Madeira's Capital Funchal close to the old town where there are a large number of tourist attractions.  The weather in Madeira is good all year round so bring your swimwear as well as your walking boots. 

Most walking will be on the Levadas (irrigation channels) which provide easy level walking.  Walking is optional - if particpants prefer to do other things this is completely up to them.  This will be a very relaxed holiday.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre all to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with the IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners are welcome. From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway

the “York” weekend

A Birmingham IVC event

Friday 30th Nov to Monday 3rd Dec 2018

Rich in ancient history, York is the perfect holiday destination. Delve into the city's vibrant café culture, take time out to enjoy some of the country's most talented street entertainers or simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river. Visitors to York can enjoy hundreds of attractions, museums, historic buildings, tours, shops, restaurants and bars within the compact walled city.

We are staying at the “Stableside Centre”, offering 4star hostel accommodation, it’s where the jockeys sleep! Beds are short and you should weigh less than 8½ stones. Each room has a wash basin and private toilet with shared shower facilities available. Each room also now has a television and free Wi-Fi. The centre as plenty of free parking.

The city centre is a short distance down the Tadcaster Road.

During the weekend we will have the help of York IVC who will act as host.

We have the big pool at the Porchester Centre to ourselves from 20.15 until 21.00.  There is no need to book in advance.  Just turn up and tell the pool staff you are with IVC Swimming Club.  You pay our treasurer afterwards.  Beginners welcome.  From 8.30 there is an informal game of water polo in the deep end - for the energetic.  Cost is £6.

Afterwards we meet at The Leinster Arms, Leinster Terrace W2 3EU.

Underground: Royal Oak, Bayswater, Queensway.

For details of this event - please contact the group

Iskele is a wonderful large and bustling Turkish restaurant that has for some years been a favourite of mine,  just around 7 minutes walk from Old Street tube station, serving some really delicious and authentic food for quite reasonable prices. The Meze dishes, the Grills and the the various 'hotpot' dishes all being thoroughly recommended. Turkish house wines are good too and a full meal with drinks can be had for around £30-£35 inclusive.

An invitation to join Birmingham IVC for it’s 2019 New Year Weekend Celebration at:

Alvaston Hall Hotel, A grand country house, in the glorious Cheshire countryside.

Friday 4th to Monday 7th January 2019

A Grade II listed Victorian property, Alvaston Hall is a half-timbered country house that’s the perfect place to relax, or use as a base for exploring the local area. Located just five minutes from the Cheshire riverside town of Nantwich, this wonderful hotel delivers a memorable experience with its well-kept gardens and impressive historical features. As soon as you arrive at Alvaston Hall, you’ll see why the hotel’s a recent recipient of four stars awarded by the AA and a gold medal by Britain in Bloom. A variety of well-equipped bedrooms are available, some with spacious patios and balconies. Facilities include a 9-hole golf course, spa and beauty treatments, and a great range of entertainment, including an impressive cabaret restaurant.

Near our hotel is Nantwich a medieval market town with a modern edge.
Situated on the banks of the River Weaver, Nantwich is famous for the medieval timbered buildings dotted around the town. Stroll through the atmospheric streets and visit bijoux boutiques, antiques dealers and contemporary craft shops.

Loads of things to do in the area, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Anderton Boat Lift, Chester, Reclaimed World and Arley Hall and Gardens to name but a few.

SAVE THE DATES for this hoilday of a lifetime to Japan to experience the Hanami(Cherry blossom), cuisine, culture, wild life and scenery.