- Where? Barbican, Silk St, City of London, London EC2Y 8DS
- How much? Free
- When? Join the waiting list to find out opening times & dates
- Book ahead? Yes (tickets are available daily at 9:30am)
- What? Indoor garden conservatory
- Dog friendly? No
- Corporate Hire? Yes
If you’re looking to experience one of the most unique spaces in London, you’ve come to the right place. At first glance, the brutalist architecture of the Barbican Centre might not be where you’d expect to find beauty, let alone a hidden green oasis thriving inside.
The Barbican is home to some of the most exciting art exhibitions year round, indie cinema screenings, conservatory workshops, and even flower arranging. Despite its harsh concrete exterior, it’s a capsule of creativity and vibrancy, and over the summer months, it even hosts one of the most underrated open air cinemas in the city. It’s one of those places where if you know, you know. An untapped gem in London that I absolutely adore. Even as I write this, I’m battling the urge to keep it untouched, mummified in its lowkey state, rather than giving away just how special it really is.
My only warning: this place is a maze, and getting around is nearly impossible. I highly recommend entering via the Silk Street entrance. Oh, and whatever you do, do not skip the gift shop or the café out front. Easily two of the best parts.
The Urban Jungle
I’ve visited the conservatory on two occasions now. Once during public open hours in the evening, when the bar and open air cinema were buzzing and crowds wandered through its concrete alleys, past hanging vines and over a pool of exotic fish. The second time, I was lucky enough to experience a private viewing as part of a corporate hire.
If you’re attending an open air cinema screening in the summer, the evening vibe is amazing, but I’d really recommend seeing the conservatory in all its daytime sparkle. There’s nothing like the soft green hues of sunlight filtering through the leaves or the way the central concrete reservation shifts from grey to gold.
Be sure to head up to the terrace for a panoramic view of the conservatory. My personal favourite spot is the hidden bench by the pond. All I want to do is grab a book and sit there all day. Can someone build me my own personal conservatory, please? What does a girl have to do!
Corporate Hire
If you’re considering the conservatory for a corporate hire, I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s a truly special venue, especially during the daytime, and you won’t find anything else like it in central London. Typically, for an indoor green space of this scale, you would have to venture further out to places like Kew Gardens or Wisley.
That said, cost and logistics are worth considering. Beyond the dry hire fee, additional costs popped up, like hiring the terrace to prevent sound bleed and paying for hard-wired internet. Since the terrace directly overlooks the main space, it was surprising that it wasn’t included. I’d recommend clarifying these details early and having open conversations with your event manager. If you need complete silence, be sure to request this in advance, as it was a challenge we faced on the day.
Thank you for reading Calendar Girl blog! For more unique London recommendations, garden spots, or corporate hire suggestions, be sure to subscribe below or check out my socials linked here:
Calendar Girl 
What’s the @ of the handsome guy in the pic?
LikeLike