Barbican Centre
What Visitors Say
The Barbican Centre a personal view! I would like to share my personal experience at the Barbican Centre. I live in London, and my closest multicultural arts centre is Southbank, so, to be quite honest, I tend to go there more often. However, recently I have been visiting the Barbican Centre more frequently, in various ways, from visiting the conservatory, to attending concerts with my family, and taking part in guided tours through the Barbican Estate. We have experienced many different activities there. I was curious to know more about this interesting place in London because, quite honestly, I am not very fond of Brutalist architecture. I don’t naturally connect with its harsh lines and concrete buildings. Nevertheless, I was really interested in learning more about it. I must say that the guided tour is exceptional, very enlightening indeed. The centre offers an incredible variety of activities. We particularly enjoyed the concerts. I love the Conservatory, although I feel it really needs some attention, and as the guide mentioned, it will soon close for refurbishment, which I personally think is very much needed. It is a beautiful place, but it has the potential to be even better. Overall, our experience at the Barbican Centre has been outstanding. Thank you for giving us the chance to experience so much joy and culture. The Baker Family
What can I say! This brutalist masterpiece is pretty much my favourite place in London. So much to see. Great arts centre I love the art gallery and the library and the conservatory is well worth a visit but be sure to check out the opening times. Great place for a photo safari too!
The Barbican is a sprawling residential and commercial district built in a grand brutalist style, both imposing and strangely beautiful. Recognized by Queen Elizabeth II as a unique and important development, it’s truly surreal to walk around and explore its maze-like walkways and concrete grandeur. I admit, I visited while tracking down filming locations from the Star Wars series Andor (and it’s also home to the London Symphony Orchestra, known for performing the Star Wars soundtracks!). The history and design of development itself are fascinating. Highly recommended for fans of architecture, urban planning, and Star Wars alike!
World famous centre for the performing arts in the heart of London. Despite the scale of the Barbican Centre it maintains an air of casual and informal acceptance of all who take the time to visit and share in the joy of the performances on offer. The staff are as passionate as the visiting fans and are part of the overall experience.
Sinfonia of London Orchestra at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Sinfonia of London is an award-winning Symphony orchestra, directed by conductor John Wilson. Often described as a ‘super-orchestra’ (ArtsDesk), it brings together outstanding musicians from the UK and abroad, including principals and leaders from other orchestras, notable soloists and members of distinguished chamber groups. Location The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. Address Barbican Centre Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS Public transport The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
Highlights
Barbican Conservatory
A rainforest tucked in a theatre’s roofMore than 1,500 species soften the brutalist grid—ferns, palms and koi pooled among catwalks and concrete.
Level 3, above the theatre fly-tower (Sun & selected dates)
Lakeside Terrace
Water, brick and concrete in quiet choreographyRills and fountains stitch the estate to the arts centre; in summer, planters turn the podium into a garden square.
Level G, south side
Barbican Art Gallery & The Curve
Flagship shows + a 90-metre arcMuseum-scale exhibitions upstairs; downstairs a single sinuous gallery invites installations that unfold as you walk.
Level 3 (Gallery); Level G (Curve)
Concert Hall Warmth
Brutalism outside, teak and glow withinThe hall’s copper hues and timber baffles make a surprise: intimacy inside a megastructure.
Level -1 to Level 4, Hall
St Giles-without-Cripplegate
A medieval survivor in a modern fortressBombed area, intact church: Perpendicular Gothic stones set among tower blocks—London time travel in 30 steps.
Podium, east of the lake
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
The Barbican stands on the former Cripplegate ward—so heavily bombed in WWII that planners could design an entire raised city from scratch.
Its conservatory is London’s second-largest after Kew—built to cloak the theatre’s backstage fly-tower in greenery.
Queen Elizabeth II opened the centre in 1982 and called it “one of the wonders of the modern world.”
The estate and arts centre are knitted by ‘highwalks’—pedestrian routes one level up—so you can cross a big chunk of the City without touching a road.
Those rough vertical lines in the concrete are deliberate: bush-hammered finishes that catch light and give scale to the megastructure.
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