BARBICAN ULTIMATE GUIDE
Open: Every day: 9:30AM to 11:00PM
Time Needed: 2.5 hours
Price: £10 - £115
Any tourist on a free walking tour around the City of London might be astonished by the colossal scale of The Barbican Centre. But don't let its exterior fool you—inside this massive building lies a treasure trove for art, music, and theatre enthusiasts, not to mention a hidden oasis in the heart of London.
As a cultural hub, the Barbican Centre boasts theatres, a concert and music hall, three cinemas, an art gallery, and exhibition centres. This sprawling venue covers every artistic genre and is the largest of its kind in the UK.
The Barbican is renowned worldwide for hosting a variety of festivals throughout the year. From theatre and musical performances, film talks, and salsa music shows, to art exhibitions, special film screenings for schools, and even poetry programmes, there's always something exciting happening here. Additionally, the Barbican is home to the London Symphony Orchestra, one of the top five orchestras in the world.
Its stunning gardens remain one of London’s best-kept secrets. Featuring a central water fountain, 2,000 different species of tropical plants and trees, and exotic fish, quails, and finches, these gardens offer a tranquil escape in the midst of the bustling city.
Barbican Highlights
Besides watching a performance, film, or art exhibition, visitors also venture to the Barbican to enjoy classical music concerts performed by some of the world's most renowned orchestras or to relax and enjoy the view at the beautiful Lakeside Terrace.
There are many free activities available at the Barbican as well. With constant events at the library, art exhibitions, and special events, there’s always something happening.
If you're interested in learning more about the Barbican’s unique architectural design, Architecture Tours depart regularly. These 90-minute explorations, led by Barbican guides, offer insights into the construction and design of the building and its surroundings. Afterward, you can stay and enjoy some post-tour refreshments at the Barbican Kitchen.
Additionally, you might be lucky enough to catch a Conservatory Tour, led by the Barbican’s resident garden experts. These special tours are usually associated with an exhibition or event at the Barbican.
Special Tips
For the most picturesque views surrounding the Barbican, take a stroll around the Wood Street/Fore Street entrance and snap some photos of the little church on the grounds. You can join a free tour around the area to explore this quaint part of London.
If you plan on having a bite to eat at the café, you can take your food outside and sit in the sun at the Lakeside Terrace.
If you want to avoid the busy crowds and still enjoy the scenery surrounding the Barbican, try to visit mid-week when it's not so busy.
Getting There
Address: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS, United Kingdom.
By Tube: If you are travelling by tube, the nearest stations are Barbican (five minutes walk), St Paul's (13 minutes walk) and Moorgate (ten minutes walk).
By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, route 153 runs along Chiswell Street directly past the Barbican.
By train: If you are travelling by train, the nearest stations are Liverpool Street (11 minutes walk) and Farringdon (14 minutes walk).
By express: If you are travelling by express, there is a hop-on hop-off point located on Silk Street.
By car: If you are travelling by car, the Barbican has car parks located on Beech Street and Silk Street.
Visiting the Barbican
No matter what time of the year or day of the week you visit, there’s bound to be some kind of performance, show, or exhibit happening at the Barbican.
To find out more information about the many events, performances and concerts being held at the Barbican, check the venue’s “Event Calendar” on their official website. If you want to watch a London Symphony Orchestra performance, you can see their upcoming performances on the “Events Calendar” section of the LSO official website.
If you want to enjoy a meal inside the Barbican, there are a handful of different restaurants inside the venue which offer everything from pizzas, burgers, craft beers, milkshakes, Italian wines and much more. Visitors are also welcome to go inside the Barbican and have a coffee or a meal with friends or family, or even just to sit on one of the sofas and use the free WiFi on a quiet afternoon.
Ticket prices and Opening hours
The Barbican is open from:
- 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Everyday
- 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Bank holidays
Ticket prices vary depending on what type of show, performance or event you want to attend. If you want to see a theatre performance, tickets can cost anywhere from £10 (for far-away seats at lesser-known shows) to as high as £115 (for better seats at bigger shows).
If you’re on a budget but still want to attend an event at the Barbican, the venue hosts many film events which cost around £6 - £13 (plus a £1.50 booking fee online), and some of the many exhibitions are often free as well.
If you want to watch a show/performance/exhibit etc. at the Barbican, you will need to book well in advance because the majority of events sell out fast. Not only that, tickets can be much cheaper if you purchase them beforehand as well.
For anyone wishing to go on a Architecture Tour of the Barbican, tickets cost:
- £15 for adults
- £12 for seniors, students, unwaged and children under the ages of 16
To begin your tour, meet at the Advance Ticket Desk on level G.
If you are interested in visiting the Barbican Centre, you might want to check out the many free tours in London available.
