Barbican Centre

London is one of the most celebrated cities in the world and a favourite European tourist destination. Like the legendary Phoenix, the Barbican rose from the ashes caused by bombing during the Second World War. The idea of the centre was born in the 1960s, an era of renewed optimism and fresh ideas, and an exciting time for the arts. New architectural styles were emerging, including the ‘brutalism’ that characterises the Barbican as a whole. The concept of the centre grew organically – for example, what was originally intended to be a small recital room evolved into the large Barbican Hall we have today. Every year millions of visitors from all around the world visit London and enjoys its magnificent tourist attractions.

One of the vibrancy of London is its variety of things to see and do in London. This British capital has many of London sightseeing options that range from the medieval castle to some of the modern London attractions. The Barbican has a history almost as old as London itself. It was first built by the Roman invaders to protect what was for them a new settlement by the river. It was also a home for actors. William Shakespeare lived here at the corner of Monkwell Street and Silver Street. Ben Johnson lived for a period in the Parish of St. Giles. Grub Street was perhaps the most famous of the Barbican streets, and it has remained in the popular imagination ever since it was described by Samuel Johnson as ‘much inhabited by writers of small histories, dictionaries and temporary poems.

This London gallery is a huge, multifaceted arts and entertainment centre. Described by the Queen as “one of the wonders of the modern world”, this multifaceted performance and arts venue forms one of the most important cultural sites in the capital. Open 363 days a year, this London gallery offers the most diverse program of any London venue. As well as being home to the London Symphony Orchestra, the giant Barbican Hall and the attractive local church of St Luke’s regularly attracts a host of international classical, jazz, rock, and world music stars. Two theatres offer a year-round program of some of the finest in international performing arts, while three cinemas boast a varied programme that balances mainstream films with high-profile specialist seasons. The redeveloped Barbican Art Gallery, several smaller exhibition spaces, two cinemas, shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, live music in the foyer, and a host of talks, signings, and events for children are also on offer in this flourishing creative arena. The creation of the Barbican centre was one of the most ambitious projects of the post-war period, “the city’s gift to the nation”. It eventually opened in 1982 after a long period of stagnation for the area. Towering above the £150 million arts centre are three 400-ft residential tower-blocks (once the tallest in Europe) now some of the most desirable properties in the city. The building itself is a labyrinth and finding your route from the station or car park is an adventure in itself. Staircases twist around each other, directing lost patrons into mysteriously empty mezzanines, where odd snatches of music are the only guide back to the main lobby. One of the pleasures of such a huge venue is to arrive early for whatever you plan to see and go exploring. The joy of coming across exhibitions, live music, or talks from a major arts celebrity in some odd corner of the building is a unique feature of this remarkable concentration of artistic talent. Look out for the separate entrance leading into the Museum of London, the largest city museum in the world. Don’t be put off by the mass of concrete, this is one of the most impressive and dynamic cultural sites in London. Enjoy these all best of the London tourist activities and make your London holidays a life time memory.
 
 
VISITORS INFORMATION:


Barbican Centre opening times:

Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 11.00pm
Sundays and Public Holidays 12.00pm - 11.00pm

TRAVEL:

Underground:
The nearest Underground station is Barbican, on the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines
Other Underground stations are Moorgate, St Paul's, Bank, Liverpool Street and Mansion House.  
 
Train

The nearest rail stations are Liverpool Street, Farringdon and Blackfriars. City  Thameslink services serve Barbican, Moorgate and Cannon Street.
 

Bus
     
Bus Route 153 stops outside the Barbican in Silk Street.
     
Other services: 8, 11, 23, 26, 35, 42, 43, 47, 48, 55, 56, 76,78, 100, 133, 141, 149, 172,  214, 242, 243, 271, 344 (7 days a week); 4, (Mon-Sat); 21, 25, 521 (Mon-Fri).

Car
     
The Barbican is clearly sign-posted and has four car parks.
Two are off Beech Street (westbound access only)
Two are off Silk Street near the main entrance.
Please allow plenty of time for your journey.
All car parks have a height restriction of 6'1".
If the Barbican car parks are full, alternative parking is available in Aldersgate Street.

Coach

Coaches may set down and collect passengers in Silk Street. Limited coach parking.
 
EVENTS:
     
BBC Symphony Orchestra & BBC Chorus: Copland, Shepherd, Anderson
Music:26 November 2010
Pricing: From £8.00
The programme include the works by Sean Shepherd: Wanderlust (European premiere);  Copland: Eight poems of Emily Dickinson; Julian Anderson: Heaven is Shy of Earth  (World premiere of completed work). A Pre-concert talk at 6PM.
     
BBC Symphony Orchestra and O Duo: 80th Birthday Concert
Music:  2 October 2010
Pricing: From £8.00
     
The BBC SO celebrates 80 years at the forefront of British music with a concert guaranteed to show it at its very best. Principal Guest Conductor David Robertson is  joined by virtuoso clarinettist Kari Kriikku and vibrant percussionists Owen Gunnell  and Oliver Cox - O Duo - for a brace of exciting new concertos, plus music by Wagner t hat featured in the BBC SO's very first concert and Stravinsky's masterpiece The Rite of  Spring. The programme include the works by Wagner: The Flying Dutchman - Overture; Kaija Saariaho: D'OM LE VRAI SENS for Clarinet and Orchestra (UK premiere); Stephen McNeff: ConcertO-Duo for Two Percussion (BBC/Borletti-Buitoni Trust co-commission: world premiere); Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring. A pre-concert talk at 6 PM.
     
London Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven
Music: 21 December 2010
     
Russian violinist Viktoria Mullova will perform the violin concertos of Beethoven with the Orchestra, as well as exploring the full range of LSO Discovery's work, inspiring talented students of all levels.
     
LSO Discovery Family Concert
Music: 13 June 2010 to 24 October 2010
From £800.00
 

The Surreal House at the Barbican
Exhibition: 10 June 2010 to 12 September 2010
     
The Surreal House explores the power and mystery of the house in our collective imagination. It is the first exhibition to throw light on the significance of surrealism for architecture. Bringing together over 150 works, the exhibition also reveals the profound influence surrealism has had on a host of contemporary artists, filmmakers and architects. In an ambitious installation by acclaimed architects Carmody Groarke the exhibition is designed to be experienced as an extraordinary surreal house in its own right.