Exploring the stunning Barbican Conservatory (like a movie set!)

Written By Chris Shirley MA FRGS

Image credits: Hiatus.Design

The Barbican Conservatory in London is a hidden oasis nestled within the brutalist architecture of the Barbican Centre, one of the city's most renowned cultural landmarks. Opened in 1984, the conservatory occupies a space that was originally planned to be part of the Barbican Estate, a post-war residential complex built to revitalise an area heavily bombed during WWII. Initially designed as an apartment block, the space was repurposed into a conservatory as part of the Barbican Centre's mission to merge art, culture, and nature in a unique urban setting.

 

Today, it is the second-largest conservatory in London, after Kew Gardens, and features an impressive array of over 1,500 species of plants and trees from around the globe. Towering palms, banana trees, ferns, and various cacti and succulents fill the space, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding concrete structures. Visitors can also enjoy the tranquillity of a koi pond and spot tropical birds that call the conservatory home.

 

Over the years, the Barbican Conservatory has become a favourite location for weddings, private events, and photo shoots. It also hosts occasional exhibitions and creative workshops, making it a versatile space for both relaxation and inspiration.

 

Open to the public on select Sundays and bank holidays, the conservatory offers a peaceful retreat, where visitors can immerse themselves in nature just steps away from London’s busy streets. With its fascinating backstory and lush, tropical atmosphere, the Barbican Conservatory stands as a true urban escape.

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Chris Shirley MA FRGS

About the Author:

Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a strategic branding, design and communications company that works with clients all over the world.

He is a former Royal Marines Commando officer, former risk advisor to the BBC and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS).

Chris has travelled in over 60 countries, achieved his second Guinness World Record for an Atlantic Ocean rowing expedition, a Marathon des Sables finisher, and has worked with Hollywood actors, world–renowned musical artists and TV personalities.

https://www.hiatus.design
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Finding the Robert Burns (aka 'The Bard') statue in central London
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Marking the 100-year anniversary of Mallory and Irvine’s disappearance on the 1924 Everest expedition at the Royal Geographical Society (RGS)