Take a sensory journey through history at Royston Pike talk

As part of the Royston Pike Lecture Series, residents are invited to join historian Dr William Tullett for ‘Sniff: A History of Smells’ at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre on Wednesday 7 October at 7:30pm. 

In this fascinating and interactive talk, Dr Tullett will guide audiences on a sensory journey through time, complete with scents to experience along the way. Exploring cultures and communities across the globe, he will reveal how smell has influenced daily life, identity, religion and social attitudes throughout history.

A Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of York, Dr Tullett is a leading expert on the history of smell. His latest book, ‘Sniff: A History of Smells’, draws on years of research into how people experienced and understood the world through their sense of smell. 

Whether it's the aroma of good food and perfume or the warning signs of fire, gas and decay, smell remains one of our most powerful and evocative senses. This engaging talk offers a unique opportunity to explore why the world smells the way it does and what scent can tell us about the past.

Book your ticket today and discover history through one of your most overlooked senses. 

The next lecture in the series, a double bill exploring the secrets of the Thames and Surrey waterways, will be held at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre on Thursday 12 November.