Barbican Arts Centre, London

Barbican Arts Centre is a huge performing arts centre in the City of London. With seven conference halls, two trade exhibition halls, three restaurants, a 1949-seat Barbican Hall, 1,166 seat Barbican Theatre, another 200-seat theatre, art galleries and three cinema screens, it is the largest performing arts centre in Europe.

Barbican Arts Centre, London
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barbican_Centre_London.jpg
Author: Man vyi


Barbican Arts Centre was built at a cost of £161 million and officiated by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 March, 1982. It was designed by the architectural firm of Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in the Brutalist style, which was popular in the 1970s and 80s, but drew both praise and criticism. It occupies a section of the City of London that was badly devastated during the Second World War.

The Barbican Arts Centre is home to the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and until 2002, the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Barbican Arts Centre has a library on the second floor. It is one of the five City of London public libraries and also one of the biggest in London.

Barbican Centre, London
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Barbican_Arts_Centre#mediaviewer/File:Barbican_Centre_view_southeast_from_Defoe_Place_01.jpg
Author: Chris McKenna


The Barbican Arts Centre is part of a redevelopment of the Barbican area that also includes residential and commercial buildings. The redevelopment began in the 1960s but was only completed over twenty years later. The name "Barbican" means the tower over a gate. Perhaps it is an attempt by the designers to remove pedestrian traffic from the streets. The result has been a partial success. Despite lines on the ground (which better designed complex would not have required) directing visitors to the theatres, finding one's way through the Barbican Arts Centre can often be a bit trying.

Visiting the Barbican Arts Centre

The main entrance to the Barbican Arts Centre is at Silk Street. You can get there by taking the London Underground Northern Line, Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line and Metropolitan Line to the Moorgate Tube Station.

List of Art & Entertainment Venues in London