LONDON WEEKEND BREAKS - Barbican Centre

The London Barbican Centre is the biggest arts and conference centre of its type in Europe. The Barbican is a purpose built centre that includes theatres, restaurants, bars, shops and conference/exhibition halls as well as being a home to several thousand Londoners who live in the complexes apartment blocks.

Known primarily for its performing arts, the Barbican Centre offers a mix of theatre, ballet, film and music (both modern and classical) making it the most versatile and diverse arts centre in the UK.

The complex was opened in 1982 and cost over 160,000,000 pounds Stirling and it has been in constant and critically acclaimed use ever since. It also offers a cultural zone to a district of London that was previously outside the city’s entertainment Mecca..

In detail

The main hall is base to the internationally respected London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Orchestra and, when combined with the theatre, three cinemas, the art gallery, a library, a number of multi purpose rooms and conference halls, it produces a unique collection of venues.

Three restaurants, plus bars and relaxation areas, complete the centres hospitality line up making it a truly impressive location.

Because of its diverse and ever changing line-up of performances, the Barbican Centre is always worth checking-out if you are planning a weekend break to London. It does however offer a special appeal to those interested in classical music and many of the films highlighted at the cinema are of a European origin, or sceptically classified as "high brow".

How to get there

The Barbican Centre can be reached very easily from both the Moorgate and Barbican tube stations. Most of the surrounding area is made up from apartment blocks and business accommodation and St Pauls cathedral is only a short walk away.