Plymouth Athenaeum

23/03/2026

Did you know the Macartney Embassy (1792–1794) was the first official British diplomatic mission to China, led by George Macartney to the Qing dynasty's Qianlong Emperor.

Aiming to open trade, establish a permanent embassy, and ease restrictions in Canton, the mission failed to achieve its goals as the Emperor viewed the requests as contradictory to tradition and unnecessary.

Find out more in Dr HannahTheaker's lecture 'Our Great Qing: Revisiting the Macartney Embassy and China's Long 19th Century' on Thursday (March 26, 7.30pm).

Full details: https://our-great-qing-athenaeum.eventbrite.co.uk

18/03/2026

Our Spring lecture programme starts next Thursday (26 March, 7.30pm) when University of Plymouth's Dr Hannah Theaker discusses the Macartney Embassy and China's long 19th Century.

Find out more about this and the other talks here: https://plymouthathenaeum.eventbrite.com

19/02/2026

We're backing Plymouth's City of Culture 2029 bid.

19/02/2026

We were thrilled to get a mention on BBC Radio 4's In Our Time this morning when Prof Nicholas Roe from the School of English, University of St Andrews talked about Charles Brown, his lecture and display of 'Keatsiana' at the Plymouth Athenaeum.

Prof Roe gave a guest lecture on Charles Brown, John Keats and Plymouth at the Plymouth Athenaeum on 28 October 2016.

Over the years we have had a few members mentioned on In Our Time, including Charles Darwin, but this is the first time we have got a namecheck!

In Our Time is a brilliant programme and always worth listening to.

Here is a link to the programme:

How one of the great Romantic poets produced so much in his brilliant but short life.

16/02/2026

✨ COSY CREATIVES – Craft, Connect & Stay Warm! ✨

Looking for a relaxed, welcoming creative space in Plymouth?

Join Cosy Creatives, a supported making and upcycling group designed especially for neurodivergent and/or learning-disabled adults 💛

🧵 Hands-on crafting & sewing
🔥 Make cosy items to keep you and your home warmer
🌱 Learn simple ways to reduce energy use all year round
🤝 Friendly, supportive environment — no experience needed!

✅ FREE to attend thanks to funding from National Grid
📅 Running until the end of March — don’t miss out!

Whether you love being creative or just want to try something new, come along, meet new people, and create something practical and beautiful together.

📍 The Flat at the Athenaeum, Plymouth
🕒 Mondays | 3pm – 5pm

Spaces available — message us to find out more or book your place! 0764737620
Plymouth Octopus - POP

SSE in Dartington & the South West
Plymouth Play Scrapstore Plymouth Athenaeum Plymouth Energy Community

01/12/2025

Coming up at the Plymouth Athenaeum this Saturday...

The countdown begins.... Come and join us this Saturday 6th at the Plymouth Athenaeum for our Winter Celebration, stalls and live performance, refreshments and Steampunk Santa! Admission by donation at the door.
Klys Care Creative Curiosities SW

23/11/2025

Two interesting talks coming up on Tuesday and Thursday...

21/11/2025

We have got two fascinating talks coming up next week at the Plymouth Athenaeum.

A virtual photographic tour of Drake's Island on Tuesday, 25 November (12.30pm) and Literary Performances: Edward Kimber, the novel and natural knowledge in the 18th century on Thursday, 27 November (7.30pm).

Entry free.

More here: https://plymouthathenaeum.eventbrite.com

06/11/2025

Architect George Wightwick was inspired by Sir John Soane.

He is credited as the first architectural journalist.

His essay on Sir Christopher Wren won an Royal Institute of British Architects medal in 1858-9.

Find out more about his life and work on Thursday 13 November (7.30pm).

More here: https://romance-of-architecture.eventbrite.co.uk

03/11/2025

Join us on Tuesday (4 Nov, 12.30pm) lunchtime as we discover more about the history of Plymouth's former Royal Cinema as Save The Royal chair Karl Parsons discusses the campaign to keep it alive as a cultural home for all.

The history of Plymouth's former Royal Cinema and the campaign to save it from demolition and give it a sustainable future

30/10/2025

Fascinating free talk coming up at Plymouth Athenaeum this evening. All welcome...

Photojournalist, Sue Cunningham, and her writer husband, Patrick, have been recording life in Brazil since the 1980s.

They spent six months navigating along the 2,500km Xingu River. They listened to tales of struggles, hopes and shared dreams, making lifelong friends.

They won the Neville Schulman Award from the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) for the expedition, which is documented in their award-winning book Spirit of the Amazon.

Find out more in an illustrated talk on Thursday (October 30, 7.30pm): https://plymouthathenaeum.eventbrite.com