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Visit the 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.

Home to exotic fish and over 1,500 species of tropical plants and trees, a visit to our Conservatory is a perfect way to enjoy a lazy day out with friends and family. 

Admission is free, no booking required.

The Conservatory will have a bar operating on the following dates:

22 Feb, 23 Feb, 29 Feb, 1 Mar, 7 Mar, 8 Mar. 

Tagged with: Tours & public spaces Conservatory Free

Entry is on a first come first served basis. 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

Sun 26 Jan 12–5pm
Sat 1 Feb 10am–7pm
Sun 2 Feb 11am–9pm
Sun 9 Feb 12–5pm
Sat 22 Feb 12–10pm
Sun 23 Feb 12–5pm
Sat 29 Feb 12–10pm
Sun 1 Mar 12–5pm
Sat 7 Mar 12–10pm
Sun 8 Mar 12–5pm
Sun 15 Mar 12–5pm
Sun 22 Mar 12–5pm
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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.

Photo of man playing piano

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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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 2,000 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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