During 2017, the London Society will be running a series of talks, walks and tours with the theme of LONDON'S GREAT ESTATES. These will celebrate the best of the estates while aiming to understand their modus operandi and review what lessons they hold for the London of the future. Grosvenor, de Walden, Portman, Cadogan, Bedford - the estates of London - are key to the capital's special and distinctive character. Today modern estates such as Kings Cross, Broadgate and Village East London are also providing some of the benefits of their ancient peers: long-term thinking and investment, high quality placemaking, on-going maintenence and careful stewardship. The series starts with a introductory talk by London Society Chairman Peter Murray on 4 April (register here). This will look at the role of the Great Estates both in the past and today, and how they have set the character of much of London, and continue to influence development across the capital. Talks confirmed so far include:

• 6 June: Will Bax, Executive Director of Grosvenor's London estate
• 4 July: Hugh Seaborn, Chief Executive of Cadogan Estates
• 3 October: Michael Welbank MBE, Chief Commoner, City of London
• 23 November: Nick Searl, partner at Argent LLP

Other talks and walks are in the process of being planned and dates will be announced shortly. The Great Estates series is one of the four major series of events that the London Society has planned this year. Look out also for our talks and tours around the theme of LONDON ICONS, a series of walks, talks and a Saturday school on THE EVOLUTION OF LONDON ARCHITECTURE, and talks, tours and debates to do with the new London Plan: PLANNING FOR 10 MILLION LONDONERS. To receive information about tickets, make sure you're on our newsletter list. For discounts on all events and priority booking for walks and tours, join the Society.