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98% of recent visitors felt safe while at the Barbican. Here’s what you need to know ahead of your visit. Find out more

Visit the Conservatory

— ,Conservatory
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Photo of pathway with bridge surrounded by greenery and plants in the Barbican Conservatory
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Visit the second biggest Conservatory in London and explore our hidden tropical oasis.

For the first time, the Conservatory is open seven days a week.

As well as three ponds, the Conservatory houses more than 1,500 species of plants and trees. This includes a vibrant mix of species and ponds which are home to koi and ghost carp from Japan and America, with another pool providing a safe haven for terrapins.

So all visitors can enjoy the unique atmosphere of our Conservatory safely, we've removed seating and ask that you avoid activities like sketching, picnicking and photoshoots, and follow the one way system. We recommend you allow 20 minutes for your visit.

Admission is free. Tickets for the Conservatory are released one week in advance online. A limited number of day tickets are released for online booking from 9:30am each day.

If you're unable to attend, please contact [email protected] to return your free tickets. 

Tagged with: Tours & public spaces Conservatory Free

With the exception of guide dogs, dogs are not permitted inside the Conservatory. 

Please contact the Box Office on 0845 120 7500 with any access related enquiries.

Opening times

Mon-Fri 11am-7pm
Weekends 10am-7pm

In line with Government advice, we can only welcome visitors to the Centre in groups that consist of no more than two households (or support bubbles) to a maximum of six people. Different household/bubbles need to keep a 1+ metre distance between eachother, even if they’re visiting together.

Throughout the Centre as a whole, including the Lakeside Terrace, everyone will need to observe this new guidance on groups, not mixing or joining with other groups at any time.

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Watch

photo of marta lowcewicz laughing in the conservatory

Watch: Marta Lowcewicz, Head Gardener at the Barbican Conservatory

Head Gardener Marta reveals the secrets of this tropical oasis.

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Watch: Barbican Sessions- Felicita

In this Barbican Session, London-based electronic musician felicita performs Track 6 from the 2016 'a new family' EP in our Conservatory.

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New memberships will be extended, so you'll enjoy a full year of benefits when more of the Centre reopens.
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Conservatory facts

  • The Conservatory was designed by the Barbican’s architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, and surrounds the Barbican Theatre’s fly tower, from which scenery for productions taking place on the stage six stories below is lowered into place.
  • The roof is constructed of steel and glass and covers 23,000 square feet, providing cover for over 1600 cubic metres of soil, all of which was hand mixed to a specific requirement.
  • Two of the three pools accommodate koi, ghost, and grass carp from Japan and America, as well as other cold water fish such as roach, rudd, and tench, whilst the other smaller pool (located outside the Arid House) provides a safe haven for terrapins.
  • Planted between 1980 and 1981, and opened in 1984, the Conservatory now houses around 1,500 species of plants and trees, some of which are rare and endangered in their native habitat. The species are a vibrant mix of temperate and arid types ranging from areas as diverse as the rocky deserts and bushland of South Africa to the coastline of Brazil.
  • A varied assortment of the extraordinary flora from around the world includes the iconic tree fern, date palm, the Swiss cheese plant, and coffee and ginger plants all under one roof.
  • There is also an Arid House attached to the east side of the Conservatory with a large collection of cacti and succulents and an overwintering collection of cymbidiums (cool house orchids).
  • For those wanting to learn more about the history and hidden secrets of the Conservatory, a tour takes place on selected Sundays led by the Barbican’s resident gardeners. Book your place here.

Hire enquiries

The Conservatory is available to hire for events, conferences, photoshoots, weddings and more. 

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