Barbican Centre
Silk St, London, England
An icon of Brutalist architecture, the Barbican Center is where nature, music, art, and culture intersect. As well as being the largest multiarts venue in Europe, it's the official home of the London Symphony Orchestra, and its two art galleries host rotating exhibitions exploring fashion and contemporary art. It also boasts a library, a 2,000-seat concert hall, a theater, bars and restaurants, and a botanical garden.
The basics
The main gallery at the Barbican is always ticketed and tends to host four different exhibitions per year. The rotating exhibitions at The Curve Gallery on the ground floor are usually free. You must book tickets for theater and music performances and cinema screenings in advance. You’ll likely pass by the Barbican on Shakespeare-themed London walking tours, scooter tours of hidden gems, or tours that reveal the City of London’s secret green spaces.
Things to know before you go
The Barbican Center gift shop sells a curated selection of books, textiles, accessories, and art.
The entire complex is accessible to people using wheelchairs.
There’s Wi-Fi and restrooms on every floor of the Barbican Center.
The bars, cafés, and restaurants throughout the Barbican cater to various budgets.
How to get there
The easiest way to reach the Barbican Center is to take the Circle, Hammersmith & City, or Metropolitan lines to Barbican station, a few minutes away. You can also disembark at Liverpool Street—serviced by the Elizabeth, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines—it's a 10-minute walk away.
When to get there
The Barbican Center is open from morning until late night seven days a week, though attractions within the complex sometimes follow differing opening hours, such as cafés and the theater. The Barbican Library is not open on Sundays.
How to visit the Barbican Conservatory
On the fourth floor of the Barbican Center, you'll find the Barbican Conservatory, where lush green plants are juxtaposed with brutalist balconies. It's an incredible place for photographers, but you must book a free ticket well in advance; it opens for random periods. Check the website to see if you can secure a spot at this hidden gem in the heart of London.
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