The Barbican - worth a visit?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

We live nowhere near London but have done the odd short weekend with kids. I'm looking to book a grown ups only trip soon so looking for alternatives to the museums/parks etc that we have done before.

I've always been fascinated by The Barbican. I work in an estate which has a similar brutalist style up in the North east and am into architecture at a novice level.

Can I book a tour of the Barbican? Is it as interesting as I anticipate? Are there coffee shops/bars to stop at as we wander round?

Basically - is it worth a visit?

There's restaurants and a theatre, library and art gallery. I don't know if you can book tours but definitely worth a visit. I have friends who live there. I love it but not sure I'd want to love there and

I've been on an organised tour of The Barbican - it's a fascinating story and well worth it.

There are various bars and restaurants on site

It is very interesting and you don't really need a tour tbh, you can just wander round. It's good for taking photos if that is your thing. It has a gift shop with books about brutalism too and several bars etc. There is also a lovely conservatory with lots of cacti which is open irregularly- best to check in advance. And an art gallery, films etc.
It is a short walk from the heart of the City, and then you can drop south to the river, St Paul's, Tate Modern etc- an easy place to combine with other things in London.

I've been on the organised tour of the Barbican and found it fascinating. I think I booked it through the Barbican website.
There's loads of coffee shops and pubs round the area.
You can also do a tour of the Barbican greenhouse if you're interested!

You can book an architecture tour, there are bars and restaurants, check out what's on at the art gallery, and maybe see a film. I love the Barbican too. On certain days (Sunday?) the conservatory is also open which is amazing.

The Barbican

I'm fascinated by the fact that so many of you are fascinated by it! I spent quite a lot of time there as a kid/teenager attending concerts and plays (not always by choice!) and always thought it was ugly and mazelike. I've only been back as an adult a couple of times but feel I should now go again and take a proper look.

Also, if you're into your history, Charterhouse is very close to the Barbican. They started doing tours a few years ago - it's a beautiful building with a riveting history.
thecharterhouse.org/

No

I'm fascinated by the fact that so many of you are fascinated by it!
Me too! It's somewhere that makes me feel really claustrophobic and anxious and low. Last time I was there was to buy a ticket for something I really wanted to see - which I then missed because the thought of going back there made me too miserable! It is an interesting place though.

Museum of London is part of the complex too which is really interesting, and often a bit overlooked. Also look in on St Bartholomew the Great for a different take on architecture - a fabulous bit of proper medieval gothicry.

While you're in the area, think about a walking tour of the city. I did a few with work and they were fascinating. There was one about the guilds, one about the history and we looked at some incredible tucked away very old buildings. Loads of options.

There's sculpture in the city that you can look what's up and wander around finding them. One year had a huge ai Wei Wei near my office!

If you go to the mayor art gallery place which is free and always empty, you can see old Roman walls and stuff in the ground, in the basement.

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/attractions-museums-entertainment/guildhall-galleries/guildhall-art-gallery/history

Have fun!

I had my graduation at The Barbican. I found it oppressive and dark. It was like a post apocalyptic underground bunker. It's not somewhere I've ever wanted to return.

There is a large, plant conservatory as part of the complex. If you are going anyways, its certainly worth a visit. Ponds, plants and a tropical feel. Ideally choose mid-week when not so busy though.

www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2021/event/visit-the-conservatory

I love it there. It's certainly not oppressive on the terrace by the lake

When I first moved to London years ago one of the very first flats I viewed was right next to the Barbican. It was horrible. The estate agent then took me to two others in the same area, just as bad

I was scared that this was London and I had made a huge mistake. Luckily I found a lovely place not too far from the City but miles away from the Barbican in terms of feel

Could never walk round that area again without remembering that fear of dread

I am sure the Barbican itself is lovely (it did have the first ever outing of Les Mis after all) but it is a very dreary area

Although if you do go OP the walk about 10 minutes east until you get to Broadgate and Spittalfields. Loads of places to eat ,drink and explore and from what I have heard from friends who are still there, Broadgate has had a massive facelift during lockdown

Interesting but an absolute maze. Ex, who occasionally had to work there, and I got hopelessly lost after a trip to its theatre on the way back to public transport.