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Barbican Centre - area guide 2018
Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock.com

Barbican area guide

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

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Things To Do Editors
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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

Barbican Centre

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

Barbican Conservatory

Barbican Conservatory

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

Postman’s Park

Postman’s Park

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

Restaurants in Barbican

Osteria

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

Pham Sushi

  • price 1 of 4

Good-value Japanese restaurant.

Bars in Barbican

Neo Barbican

Neo Barbican

Expansive bar offering cocktails, wine and snacks.

Pubs in Barbican

The perfect weekend in Barbican

Hotels in Barbican

Rookery

Rookery

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

A converted Georgian townhouse steeped in local history.

Andaz Hotel

Andaz Hotel

  • price 4 of 4

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