Barbican Centre - area guide 2018
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Barbican area guide

Discover all the best things to do in and around Barbican, including the iconic brutalist arts centre

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If you thought the City of London was all suits and no soul, take a trip to Barbican, home of the fabulous Barbican Centre. A leading UK arts complex, it houses a cinema, art gallery, theatre, dedicated workshop and learning spaces, and its own glorious conservatory where you can take afternoon tea. Tourist footfall in Barbican is further boosted by the Museum of London, so there's buzz and bustle even at weekends, when City bigwigs are home putting their feet up and enjoying a well-earned G&T. The trendy bars and restaurants of Shoreditch are only a short walk away, so there's never any chance of being bored during a trip to the Barbican area.

RECOMMENDED: London by area

Things to do in Barbican

Barbican Centre
Cinemas

Barbican Centre

A leading London art complex, and a prime example of brutalist architecture. 

Barbican Conservatory
Attractions

Barbican Conservatory

Discover the brutalist arts centre’s secret, and super photogenic, green heart. 

Postman’s Park
Attractions

Postman’s Park

See the plaques dedicated to those who sacrificed their own lives to save others.

Restaurants in Barbican

Osteria
Restaurants

Osteria

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Can dinner in a conference centre ever be funky? The brains behind Osteria, an upmarket Italian restaurant in The Barbican certainly hope so. They’ve opted for...

Pham Sushi
Restaurants

Pham Sushi

  • price 1 of 4

Good-value Japanese restaurant.

Bars in Barbican

Neo Barbican
Bars and pubs

Neo Barbican

Expansive bar offering cocktails, wine and snacks.

Pubs in Barbican

Old Red Cow
Bars and pubs

Old Red Cow

  • 4 out of 5 stars

Pub grub and Sunday roasts.

The perfect weekend in Barbican

Visit: Barbican Centre
Cinemas

Visit: Barbican Centre

Visit Barbican Centre’s art gallery, cinema, theatre, concert hall and library.

Hotels in Barbican

Rookery
Hotels

Rookery

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

A converted Georgian townhouse steeped in local history.

Andaz Hotel
Hotels

Andaz Hotel

  • price 4 of 4

Stay here if you like down-to-earth, well-informed service and eco-friendliness.