Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
4
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About
The Barbican Centre is the largest multi-arts centre in Europe, featuring art, film, music, theatre, dance and education all under one roof and under one creative direction. There's a great choice of eating and drinking at the Barbican, with something to please every taste.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighborhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- Barbican • 4 min walk
- Moorgate • 5 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,356 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia14,153 contributionsThe apotheosis of BrutalismThe Barbican Centre is a London Arts Centre which hosts a variety of art forms, including music and theatre. The Barbican is mainly known for its Brutalist architecture, which is essentially raw, gray concrete. Many people will be happy that Brutalism has gone out of fashion. The Barbican is easy to find, it's worth seeing, if only to say you've seen it.Visited January 2023Written March 19, 2023
- Gord07Cardiff, United Kingdom22 contributionsInteresting exhibition in an awful buildingWent to visit Alice Neel exhibition. Exhibition itself was well put together, but the Barbican Centre itself is horrible. Like a very poorly lit airport waiting lounge. Lack of signs to tell you where to go. Took ages finding the toilets and when we got there no hand dryers. Thought about getting something to eat in their kitchen cafe but was very stuffy so went to cafe and bought sandwich. Difficult to eat. Toughest bread I have ever come across. Difficult to pull apart with hands let alone try and eat.Visited April 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 8, 2023
- Paige H1 contributionBarbican Architecture TourWe went on the tour with our guide named Oliver and it was one of the most insightful tours I’ve done. Lots of great stories and snippets of history; definitely learnt a lot and we appreciated Oliver’s passion and knowledge! Highly recommendVisited April 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 10, 2023
- leilei00009Greece396 contributionsAmazing libraryThe Barbican Library is a lovely space for reading and hanging out. There is a new addition now, the so called jukebox with stories from people living on the estate or working at the Barbican. Really enjoyed the set up of choosing large disks to insert in the jukebox and listen to stories and see short videos of the background and stories related to it. Great idea! Staff are very helpful and knowledgeable and also very kind. A treat for the soul this library.Visited April 2023Written April 21, 2023
- TheFussyTeenagerManchester, United Kingdom738 contributionsA Strange LoopI love this theatre as the raking in the stalls is excellent. Even on the back row, my view was very good. I used Theatre Tokens online to buy my ticket. Before the show, I had a wander around their lovely gift shop.Visited July 2023Written July 10, 2023
- MikeFoBrighton, United Kingdom1,083 contributionsBrutalist construction with a fine arts centreA curious place, architecture is rather brutalist, but it does a pleasant water featured interior. The main reason to be here is the arts centre, which is very good. It can be eerily quiet when outside the arts centre, and not always obvious to find your way around.Visited July 2023Written July 16, 2023
- Linda REast Cowes, United Kingdom31 contributionsA must doMy daughter had her graduation here. To be honest I was prepared to dislike it, I love old building, an modern building leaves me cold. And this, being described as Brutalist put me off... But, it has a beauty of its own. The starkness is broken by the abundance of flowers growing from the balconies of the apartments. Everywhere are little gardens, tiny oasis of greenery. It is peaceful, it feels a million miles from the city, but is just a minute from it. Sadly the Conservatory was closed when we visited, but we peered though the windows of several levels to admire the mass of greenery. So pleased to have visted.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 27, 2023
- Holly4 contributionsBrilliant architecture tourThe Architecture Tour that I went on today was fantastic! Our guide was so knowledgeable, funny and interesting and the time just flew by. Lots of interesting facts and stories about the incredible architecture of this fascinating development. High recommended.Visited July 2023Traveled soloWritten July 28, 2023
- kappy26Boston, Massachusetts1,100 contributionsBarbican Centre London UKWe had a great time at the Barbican Centre. We went to my cousin Lucy's wedding reception on July 30th 2023. What a beautiful place in London with a pretty conservatory with beautiful plants and trees and a lot of greeneryVisited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 5, 2023
- Peter DLondon, United Kingdom18 contributionsTHE best place in LondonOne of the finest architectural wonders of the world. The Barbican is an incredible space. It is worth doing the architecture tour (daily) and also wondering around yourself getting lost in the incredible architecture inside and out. There will never be anything like this ever built again in the world. This has to be the highlight of any trip to London.Visited July 2023Traveled soloWritten August 6, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,638 reviews
Excellent
791
Very good
514
Average
197
Poor
80
Terrible
56
Norman
Nottinghamshire, UK4 contributions
Oct 2021
We went to see "Anything Goes" last night (3rd October) and I have to say that the show was excellent, in fact more than excellent. Unfortunately the show was completely ruined by a film camera on an extending pole placed right in from of our seats Circle (EE111 and EE12). This occurred on many occasions, even during the specular dance routines. The camera pole was extended to finish up right in front of us blocking our view on the stage. We were not informed of the filming of the show until we arrived at the theatre although we had paid full price for our tickets. The seats were picked specifically as we are still being very careful of COVID due to my wife's medical appointments. This was the reason we did not take up the offer of a seat move during the interval to the crowded down stair seats. In normal circumstance seats with restricted views are offered at a reduced price and notified in advance. The explanation of a late notification of filming from the filming company (Trafalgar) was not a suitable as the theatre had our email address due to on line booking. The front of house manager tried as best she could and even told us that the filming company (Trafalgar) had ensured the theatre management that the camera would not go above the hand rail, which would have been acceptable, but this was not the case. Very poor experience. must do better.
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caslass23
Wakefield, UK413 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We didn’t know about this place and came across it via someone sharing on TikTok and so glad we did. Are daughter is obsessed by plants. You have to book and they realise tickets at 9.30 on the day and we were lucky to get a slot at 2pm. We arrived a bit early so walked around the area which there plenty of cafes and also outside there a large pond with plants and fish. We were lucky to see a heron.
We walked around it was lovely and takes around 30-45 mins and is free.
We walked around it was lovely and takes around 30-45 mins and is free.
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cerys S
Reading, UK54 contributions
Aug 2020
We went to see the excellent 'Masculinities' exhibition. We loved the fact that there was no jostling due to limited numbers. The Conservatory was lovely too, and we ate a fresh lunch at the cafe. There is slight Covid hysteria with arrow stickers everywhere and staff over-eager to direct you - you can't just wander around - you must pick where you're going and not deviate!
Written August 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One_of_the_BOFs
Cheltenham, UK7,262 contributions
Jan 2020
It's a long time since we have been to the Barbican but as RSC members we decided to return there for their performance of 'Measure for Measure'. The venue proved to be a very good setting for a quality staging of this OK Shakespeare play.
As to the Centre itself, the 'brutalist' architecture looks less out of place today perhaps than when it was first built.
As to the Centre itself, the 'brutalist' architecture looks less out of place today perhaps than when it was first built.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah W
Peterborough, UK319 contributions
Oct 2021
Matinee performance at the theatre.
This is a lovely theatre with comfortable seats. For the performance we saw, seats in row F were £150 each A little pricey but an excellent view of the stage.
We also, before the show, had a sandwich and coffee at Benugos which was very nice but as you would expect as with this type of outlet, not value for money at £17.
The one thing that stood out about this venue was how helpful the staff were they scattered around the floors and easily identifiable.
This is a lovely theatre with comfortable seats. For the performance we saw, seats in row F were £150 each A little pricey but an excellent view of the stage.
We also, before the show, had a sandwich and coffee at Benugos which was very nice but as you would expect as with this type of outlet, not value for money at £17.
The one thing that stood out about this venue was how helpful the staff were they scattered around the floors and easily identifiable.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sista Jean
London, UK16 contributions
Mar 2022
This rating in no way reflects the joyous experience I had at the ‘Out and About’ exhibition and fascinating talk and presentation by a gentleman called Stefan Dickers. It was a real trip down memory lane and brought back so many wonderful memories of being on the gay scene for over 40 years. Very well put together and presented. I am so glad to have experienced it.
The issue arose after departing from ‘The Curve’ which is the area of the Barbican centre in which it took place. My friend and I thought it would be pleasant to sit outside in the sunshine and have a drink and a catch up. The prices of the beverages were astronomical and I was charged £6.50 for a 250ml can of a pink gin that had I purchased it in a local shop would cost no more than £1.69. Then there was the trek to get to the ladies washroom, where only 2 out 3 WC’s were in use and the queue was ridiculously long. If an establishment is charging almost £5 more for a 250ml can, they must be making a massive profit. This being the case, they could surely have afforded a plumber to ensure that all washroom facilities were in working order. Considering the amount of people present I think it’s totally unacceptable that they feel it’s ok to offer sub-standard facilities. Absolutely appalling and the management should be ashamed of themselves. I will think twice about going there again in the future.
The issue arose after departing from ‘The Curve’ which is the area of the Barbican centre in which it took place. My friend and I thought it would be pleasant to sit outside in the sunshine and have a drink and a catch up. The prices of the beverages were astronomical and I was charged £6.50 for a 250ml can of a pink gin that had I purchased it in a local shop would cost no more than £1.69. Then there was the trek to get to the ladies washroom, where only 2 out 3 WC’s were in use and the queue was ridiculously long. If an establishment is charging almost £5 more for a 250ml can, they must be making a massive profit. This being the case, they could surely have afforded a plumber to ensure that all washroom facilities were in working order. Considering the amount of people present I think it’s totally unacceptable that they feel it’s ok to offer sub-standard facilities. Absolutely appalling and the management should be ashamed of themselves. I will think twice about going there again in the future.
Written March 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jewess
London, UK93 contributions
Jul 2021
One of my fave places in London. I come here usually to wander around, see an exhibition, pop into the shops, to see a movie or to visit the conservatory... but this time I decided to join the Barbican architecture guided tour. That was only £15, but over 90 minutes, we were walked through the estate, showed and explained all the details about this amazing brutalism spot in London. Megan the guide was really lovely, very knowledgeable and shared many insightful details about all parts of the estate and the centre. I recommend that to every architecture lover!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy K
9 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
The barbican is a mediocre arts centre that is situated in the rogue state of the City of London.
Running through the centre is the UK's most expensive toll road. Drive by and get charged £130.00
Avoid this cash trap. If you have to go to the Barbican don't drive.
Running through the centre is the UK's most expensive toll road. Drive by and get charged £130.00
Avoid this cash trap. If you have to go to the Barbican don't drive.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelvin T
Heckington, UK52 contributions
Dec 2019
you really go to see the shows and not the venue itself, which is a sixties piece of architectural vandalism. it needs pulling down and re-building as does the entire area. The act was great and the acoustics excellent. its a well functioning venue but as ugly as sin.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samuel H
London, UK55 contributions
Oct 2019
What is not to love about the Barbican Centre. It truly is a communal space, from the theatre and library in the building, to the different arts exhibits and one of the most intriguing communal pond/garden spaces to be found anywhere in central London. It's also a stones throw from the London museum, and some of the more interesting estate communities that were built around the Barbican as well. Worth a visit for the gardens alone, but also the theatre.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elena T
1 contribution
A fine maggio passerò qualche giorno a Londra e alloggeró in questo quartiere. Quale metro si deve prendere per andare in centro?
What is the wheelchair access
Graham B
Raunds, UK636 contributions
Yes there is good wheelchair access.
Sara L
London, England, United Kingdom3 contributions
How is the view from the gallery at the barbican theatre?
I'm looking to buy some tickets but I'm in doubt about the view
TR6-KID
Newark-on-Trent, UK479 contributions
Pretty good, would go along with designman, also try and get front row seats if poss.
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Claim your listingBarbican Centre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Barbican Centre
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Barbican Centre:
- Shakespeare London Walking Tour (From $22.10)
- Hidden London E-Scooter Tour (From $54.61)
- Shakespeare and Shoreditch Promenade Walking Tour in London (From $19.50)
- Blake, Defoe & Street Poetry Workshop (From $78.01)
- Haunted Pubs of Old London Tour (From $91.01)
- Hotels near Barbican Centre:
- (0.12 mi) The Barbican Rooms
- (0.15 mi) The Montcalm At The Brewery London City
- (0.13 mi) The Tower Residences
- (0.13 mi) City Sleeper
- (0.13 mi) The Knight of Nottinghill
- Restaurants near Barbican Centre:
- (0.02 mi) Barbican Kitchen
- (0.02 mi) Barbican Bar and Grill
- (0.02 mi) Barbican Brasserie By Searcys
- (0.03 mi) Barbican Lounge
- (0.13 mi) German Doner Kebab - London - Holloway Road
- Attractions near Barbican Centre:
- (0.03 mi) Barbican Cinema 1
- (0.17 mi) The Blood And Tears Walk
- (0.08 mi) St. Giles Cripplegate
- (0.10 mi) The Jugged Hare
- (0.08 mi) Barbican Cinemas 2&3