London

The Barbican's brutal architecture is almost as divisive as the South Bank's Hayward Gallery. A labyrinthine concrete giant, its array of spaces isn't easy to navigate, but a recent renovation has improved the FreeStage area in front of the main hall and the acoustics in the main hall. The centrepiece is the 1,949 seat Barbican Hall where large classical concerts take place as well as rock, folk and jazz gigs. At the core of the music roster, performing 90 concerts a year, is the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) under principal conductor Valery Gergiev. The BBC Symphony Orchestra also has a close association with the venue and the contemporary music programme is run by associate producers, Serious. The Barbican Centre boasts one of the most diverse cultural programmes in London with cutting-edge dance and theatre in the mammoth Barbican Theatre and its mini studio space, The Pit. The annual BITE season (Barbican International Theatre Events) cherry picks exciting theatre from around the globe presenting fresh (often sur-titled) plays from international companies such as Complicite and Cheek By Jowl. The Barbican Art Gallery hosts major international exhibitions and there's free art in the corridor-like Curve gallery, plus the best new film releases and seasons in the Barbican's three cinemas. Foodwise visitors are spoilt for choice with three quality restaurants to choose from: the laid-back Waterside Café, the higher-end Searcy's and the Balcony bistro.