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  • 4/5 Ivy L. 6 months ago on Google • 548 reviews
    Need to reserve online in advance for a visit but it’s free. Good to have a walk if you don’t know where to go in London. Somes plants are withered and should have been taken better care, looks a bit sad TBH. But still a cute hidden gem in the city jungle.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danina L. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful garden for calming down for a few hours. Lots of different plants, very interesting. Bathrooms available. Drinks available. Outdoor space and food available. Book your tickets online in advance to have a guaranteed entry. Tickets are free ;)
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Connie 1 year ago on Google
    A really amazing place to visit in London and wasn’t packed with people on the Sunday I visited. It’s free entry but highly recommended you pre-book your time slot in advance to ensure you can go in, as obviously they limit numbers. The place is very peaceful and a large space to wander around. Visitors are unable to access/go up the middle concrete part unfortunately - according to the guide, that space is used for storage, but it’s still nice to take photos of the plants hanging off it. There is a fish pond of carp/koi at the back, and a small pool with terrapins that could be seen from the entrance of the Arid House on the first floor - however, to my disappointment the Arid House with all the cacti was locked, with no notice or information as to why. The Conservatory is located on the 3rd floor of the Barbican Centre - across the foyer from the gallery, which is also worth exploring.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tony L. 4 months ago on Google • 85 reviews
    I saw Ranjani Shettar's sculpture exhibition 'Cloud Songs on the Horizon' at the Barbican Conservatory, comprising of five large-scale suspended and handcrafted sculptures. I enjoyed my visit to the conservatory & it's a great place to visit for free, to see the pretty tropical plants in the giant greenhouse and take stunning photos. It is absolutely beautiful and provides a great location to relax and unwind amidst a jungle-like atmosphere in the heart of the City. I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful place!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zubair S. 7 months ago on Google • 219 reviews
    Amazing conservatory housed at the Barbican Centre. It’s a great place to come to and walk around on Sunday as we did. Note that you do need to book tickets prior to arriving. They are free but I suppose they need to control numbers and traffic. It’s closed for most of the week for maintenance reasons but opens to the public a couple of times a week. This can be on varying days so do check the website in advance. Lovely plants and benched area to relax and breath in the fresh air. My personal favourite section was the chilli area. So many variations of chillies. Has inspired me to start growing my own!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Hanna K. 1 month ago on Google • 3 reviews New
    Must be beautiful, but couldn't see for ourselves, since apparently it's ONLY OPEN ON SUNDAYS (we came on Saturday). Updated information on Google would be great, we weren't the only ones who had to leave disappointed. The area itself was still an interesting place to see, but we were pretty upset:(
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Poom S. 8 months ago on Google • 442 reviews
    What a great way to spend an hour of your day at this totally lovely conservatory. What a tremendous joy to walk amongst the plants. Highly recommended. I especially enjoyed the succulent /cactus space. Café and toilets are available.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sónia M. 1 year ago on Google • 253 reviews
    What a wonderful place in London for free! I was delighted to see such a beauty in the middle of the concrete. Very well looked after indoor garden with good variety of trees and plants, from tropical to succulents you can find a little bit of all species. You will be able to see small turtles and some fishes. It's free entry but you need to book in advance. If tickets sold out, check on the day after 9h30 as they normally release some slots. That was how we have got our tickets. A small bar and toilets are available onsite. Highly recommended place to spend a good few hours with a relaxing and calm atmosphere.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marichelle C. 2 years ago on Google
    A beautiful place to get some peace in the middle of the city! It has this wonderful feeling of plants retaking a post-apocalyptic scenario. It was very quiet when I visited, so there was plenty of time to enjoy it and take in the sights, but I imagine it could get a bit cramped if it’s very busy. Some of the walkways are narrow and if you accidentally come across someone going in the other direction then you either have to backtrack or squeeze past (if there is still a one-way system it wasn’t being enforced when I went). There are a fair few steps to go up and down, which gets you some lovely views, but it might be good to be aware of that if it might cause an issue for you. Overall though, I had a wonderful time, and it’s a great free activity to do!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Enrico 1 year ago on Google
    Outstanding! Unique! Glorious! This place both inspires me and relaxes me.. how nature is looked after and combined with the urban environment. Great place for pics and to know a bit more about plants.. we managed to get in for free with a reservation but I am not entirely sure if that’s the need all year round.. book in advance just in case!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bethany C. 8 months ago on Google
    I had a lovely experience at the Barbican Conservatory looking at all the plants and spotting some tortoises 🐢 it was a very calming atmosphere and entry was an optional donation. You could buy drinks from inside and sit in the various seating areas and just relax! Highly recommend a visit
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alpa M. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful conservatory to visit! It's definitely a hidden gem that I'd recommend visiting if you get the chance too! Lots of fun / breath taking views hard to believe that it's in central London!!!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 stockeeey 1 year ago on Google
    One of my favourite places to hang out in London! It's widely accessible, many bike stands outside. An absolute gem with beautiful plants and art installations. The conservatory has 1000s of plants in it and is an highlight of the Barbican. The inner open area is also super beautiful and relaxing, with good food choices. We once watched the movie "The Artist" with an orchestra and it was amazing. Always love to come back!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charlotte F. 1 month ago on Google • 204 reviews New
    Visited on a Friday night with tickets for 18:30. Lots of people queued up to go inside as the doors opened but the wait wasn’t too long. Booked the tickets in advance (free entry and option for discounted barbican tote bag). Beautiful conservatory - would love to go more often. There is a bar inside
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kristina K. 2 years ago on Google
    Tickets are free just need to book it online in advance. Nice place to take some pictures and see plants. Unfortunately the cactus room was closed and the area didn't seem to be looked after very well. It was lots of yellow leaves on the plants and the floor with dry leaves too 🤔
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cain H. 2 years ago on Google
    A shame that people steal the flowers but otherwise this is a great place! So full of colour and animals, very humid inside which makes you think you’re entering another world and with its brutalist architecture it feels like that world is the abandoned Jurassic park. It’s free to go so you must see it!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mrs C. 2 years ago on Google
    Did not expect to see this great little place hidden away amongst all the grand buildings in the city!! Great place if you like plants of all kinds. Very peaceful. Not busy and fab for taking photos. One way system in place so no going back for another look at something you liked. Would definitely go back again at a different time of year to see other plants in bloom.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Amin & I. 8 months ago on Google
    This conversation is located in the mega structure of Barbican building. From the Silk street you need to enter through the main door. You go to the third floor by the lift. It was free to visit but you need to book your ticket online. Open on Sunday as well. Experience was good
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abha S. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a gem to find in the middle of concrete brutal Barbican. Covid restrictions in place means it's not crowded (I went around 2.25 and it was almost completely empty) and the one way system leads you nicely around the conservatory. It's impossible to leave not feeling relaxed. Just lovely 😍
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Airė V. 1 year ago on Google
    We could not get inside as it was private event, however, what we have seen through the window it looked absolutely stunning. I can not wait to get back and have a walk around. Loved the surrounding around too. As outside sitting area with restrourant and some ponds. Brilliant for a lunch or brunch. Better to check website for opening hours etc. As we trusted Google maps and could not get inside on a day.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 YT: Sabbath D. 2 years ago on Google
    Another hidden gem of London. Booked our space on the day (online before we left out), FREE to enter which is always a bonus but if you can donate something feel free. Took us about 20-25minutes to walk round and see everything, the fishes at the end of the tour/walk were the children's favourite part, they could of easily stayed another 15/20minutes watching, its very relaxing. Great venue to take pictures insta/artistic shots...this place really is a gem. Once finished check Barbican centre for exhibitions, cinema or alternatively go on a walk around the Barbican estate for those who love architecture. (We have added a few pictures from the conservatory and around the barbican estates)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 terry s. 8 months ago on Google • 149 reviews
    I cannot believe I had never been here. It’s such a beautiful place in London, especially if you like plants and greenery in genera. It’s a small area but the walk is relaxing and comforting. I will go back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 ashley b. 2 months ago on Google • 86 reviews New
    A hidden gem in the City. A sci-fi style jungle four floors up. The ponds and cactus room are very cool….and it’s free to visit but do book.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lorena Oberg (Lorena Oberg S. 3 weeks ago on Google • 220 reviews New
    I was impressed at the size of the conservatory as well as the variety of plants. Getting in is a nightmare because they have very limited days that it's open. Last year it was closed for MONTHS! I live locally and it was not easy Getting tickets. You need to book ahead of time. They do take in walk ins but there's a long queue whilst ticket holders just walk in. Make sure to check opening times on their website. Well worth seeing.

  • 5/5 sally s. 2 months ago on Google • 33 reviews New
    Great spot in the middle of the city - free (they ask for optional small donation of £3 which feels fair, if you’re able!) and beautiful installations there atm
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Katie F. 1 year ago on Google
    Such a great, unexpected location in London. It’s a great spot to take a bit of a break from the city hustle and bustle, and offers a great ‘overgrown/ apocalypse’ kind of atmosphere with plants growing everywhere. Definitely worth visiting the terrace as well!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Flame K. 1 year ago on Google
    It's rare to see great combination or urban and green, especially in the city of London. I am happy to see how the plants become one with the place itself. A good place for exploration but wish it could have been larger than I thought.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ankur B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great experience of visit this conservatory tiny but good to visit. Having hundreds of variety of Plants. Located on the third floor and you can also enjoy your favourite drink and food as well as do shopping on the ground floor. This place is not busy so you can easily explore it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Richard G. 2 years ago on Google
    Great time to pay the Barbican Conservatory a visit as Covid is restricting numbers, so far less crowded. Looks beautiful with the sun coming in through the glass roof. All the plants are in great shape and they contrast well against the concrete of the main building.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anastasia 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely Conservatory Very interesting to walk around the Barbican and look at all the architecture although not to my taste still very interesting
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charlotte 2 years ago on Google
    A lovely place to spend the afternoon in, reminded me very much of "The Last of Us". The best thing is it's free to get in, and there's also cute turtles here too, what more could ya want
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lottie W. 3 years ago on Google
    Great concrete jungle in the heart of London; I like bringing friends who visit here as I feel it’s a good hidden gem. I love this place and was so pleased to be able to visit again; now they’re open during the week; was able to book a good time slot. Social distancing measures in place with a one way system.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jo W. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely stunning. Been wanting to visit for a while and really enjoyed my time there when I finally got to go! Some lovely plants especially the cactus and a nice relaxing place to enjoy. Can get busy at lunch time!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Анна �. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) London's second largest greenhouse, admission is free, but only on Sundays, open at 11am. Within half an hour there are a lot of people, especially with children. But definitely worth a visit. The work schedule is best specified on the Barbican Center website. (Original) Вторая по величине в Лондоне оранжерея, посещение бесплатное, но только по воскресеньям, открываются в 11 утра. Уже через полчаса очень много людей, особенно с детьми. Но посетить определенно стоит. График работы лучше уточнять на сайте Барбикан центра.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 marc a. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazingly beautiful. A tropical garden inside London and for free. I guess if you're an expert in tropical plants you might be disappointed but for a layman it's a place to see. It's also the opportunity to visit the Barbican centre which has a lot of cultural events always going on and a very nice view.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew K. 3 years ago on Google
    Concrete jungle in the middle of London. A little bit of peace and quiet in a lovely, unusual location. Whilst we visited in uncertain times (the place was eerily quiet), it was a good find and a calming experience (the waterfalls and fish pond especially). If you want a different type of experience in an otherwise chaotic and busy city, this is the place for you!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jianpeng F. 3 years ago on Google
    An extraordinary inhouse tropical forest. Special experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lucy B. 3 years ago on Google
    So excited they have opened access to this garden over the week now as it's been on my list for ages! Lovely spot to have a walk around and see all the tropical plants - if you usually visit the currently closed glass houses in Kew then this is a great alternative
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Susanna Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Very peaceful place full of tropical plants 🤩🤩🤩
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Simon H. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely oasis in London. The Barbican is great anyway and while I’ve been coming for years for various events, I hadn’t previously visited the conservatory. I visited on a Wednesday afternoon and so it wasn’t very busy. It’s a really nice space with a variety of foliage. There’s also some lovely fountains and Koi Carp too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Harvey St J. 5 months ago on Google • 95 reviews
    Beautiful, calm and relaxing place. Would recommend. For plant lovers. Outside is nice too.

  • 5/5 R B. 2 weeks ago on Google • 16 reviews New
    Nice space, great variety of plants. Such an interestingly visual place. Tickets are free if you prebooked. Would recommend a visit. There was an art installation when we visited, which added to the walk around the conservatory.

  • 5/5 Natalia F. 1 month ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    We really enjoyed, you need to book many days before, if you love nature this is the place where you'll be suronunded.

  • 5/5 Irene Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place and plants

  • 5/5 Jarrod N. 3 years ago on Google
    Great effort despite lockdown. Great to see something like this in central London.

  • 5/5 Edward M. 3 years ago on Google
    A real oasis in the city. One way system allows you to see all of it and it's free

  • 5/5 Simon D. 3 years ago on Google
    One of the largest conservatories in London it is a pleasant contrast to the massive "brutalist" style of architecture of this centre that contains almost 2000 flats. Entrance is free, but hours are limited and there is a one way system for walking through now to keep everyone safer. Fish and fauna abound.

  • 5/5 Adam T. 1 year ago on Google
    A lovely afternoon spent wondering around this free attraction and the surrounding areas is certainly time well spent. Don’t be fooled by the dated exterior either, the Barbican is just beautiful in its design and architecture

  • 4/5 Marlon P. 3 years ago on Google
    Never knew this place existed right in the heart of central London! Great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of exotic plants from around the world.

  • 5/5 Zoltan A. 3 years ago on Google
    Do it! If you can, just do it. A beautiful place, a great date, a nice walk, just don't touch the poisonous pink flowers.

  • 5/5 Claudio W. 11 months ago on Google
    Wonderful conservatory in the heart of the city! I was so surprised to see such a wonderful "jungle" inside the Barbican. Plants are really amazing and well kept and the experience is really worth it! They also do drinks and ice cream, that's handy given is super hot! It's free but remember to book in advance ;)

  • 5/5 evilken84 3 years ago on Google
    Relaxing small jungle in the middle of the city

  • 5/5 Adi Rothman B. 3 years ago on Google
    Fun to walk amongst plants in an indoor conservatory! I went during COVID and it was well mapped out to ensure you didn’t cross paths with anyone

  • 4/5 Kalliopi P. 3 years ago on Google
    I liked visiting the conservatory! 🌿🌱🍃🌵

  • 5/5 Ryma K. 3 years ago on Google
    Is it still open now??

  • 5/5 Jacob L. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful selection of plants well arranged!

  • 5/5 Travel E. 3 years ago on Google
    Perfect place to visit.a jungle in middle off the city.Amaizing.. Easy to book your visit, you need to go online. Totally recommended

  • 5/5 Paul M. 3 years ago on Google
    Uber cool as it was the film set for City of Gold in the 70’s Tripods TV series based on the John Wyndham books.

  • 4/5 Shahzaman G. 3 years ago on Google
    The concept is amazing but it didnt have the rainforest like feel that I was expecting, some of the plants were dying. That issue should be addressed, it would be shame to loose such plants. But learnt a lot and saw quiet a bit.

  • 5/5 Dominic L. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent place to visit - very striking, with the plants growing in and around the brutalist architecture. A hidden gem in London.

  • 5/5 Natasha G. 3 years ago on Google
    It's a small but cute conservatory. You can manage it in about 20 minutes. There is an outside area but is closed/not accessible. There is a one way system in place and you need to wear a mask. I visited on a very hot day and with a mask on it is a bit hard to breathe as it is hot inside. So keep that in mind when choosing the day to visit. The birds are relocated so you will see some butterflies and fish. Overall, it is an enjoyable experience.

  • 5/5 Camilla R. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing place. If coming to London, you definitely have to go there.

  • 1/5 Ondrej M. 4 years ago on Google
    Extremely disappointed!! Lazy and rude staff decided to close 30mins before official closing time. So many people tried to get inside unsuccessfully!!

  • 5/5 Matt T. 4 years ago on Google
    Stunning venue, helpful staff. Highly recommend visiting.

  • 5/5 Vorrin T. 4 years ago on Google
    Literally, the best place in London

  • 5/5 Tricia L. 2 years ago on Google
    Concrete jungle in a literal sense! Added it to one of my favourite spots in London. Very tranquil and serene with a variety of foliage and flowers. Their conservatory was clean and well equipped, staff were very lovely and helpful. The koi pond's water flow made for a great and relaxing sound. It was a bit tricky on trying to navigate the entrance points coming from the Barbican Centre thing but overall a lovely stay. Will definitely come back again.

  • 4/5 Simon M. 2 years ago on Google
    If you are at all interested in tropical gardening (I run the Facebook group Tropical Style Gardening UK) then it's more than worth 30 minutes of your time, it's free! I did think some plants were looking a bit shabby and tired and it needs filling out in places but still really enjoyed it

  • 5/5 Mary P. 3 years ago on Google
    Neautiful

  • 5/5 nina e. 3 years ago on Google
    A beautiful oasis in the middle of the city

  • 5/5 shilpa g. 3 years ago on Google
    Reminded me of Asia. Beautiful and so calming

  • 4/5 Ibiyemi David O. 3 years ago on Google
    I'm sure would have been even better without the restrictions of lockdown in place. Its still well worth the visit.

  • 5/5 Matthew Richard D. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful

  • 5/5 Casian F. D. 4 years ago on Google
    A green paradise. Really impressive. Make sure to check when it's opened, it is only opened in certain weekend days!

  • 5/5 Isabella Villalobos R. 2 years ago on Google
    Very nice, entry is free but you need to book your free entry in advance

  • 5/5 Roberta P. 2 years ago on Google
    The conservatory is absolutely fantastic and perfect if you are looking for a full immersion's experience surrounded by nature.

  • 5/5 Matthew L. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful Sunday Vibes

  • 5/5 Riccardo M. 3 years ago on Google
    The Conservatory is super nice, I love all those beautiful plants! And the staff was super nice and helpful, giving us direction on where to go to enter and exit the Barbican.

  • 5/5 Laurence B. 2 years ago on Google
    A delightful sub tropical paradise situated on top of the Barbican centre featuring an impressive array of rare plants and flowers, Cyclades,orchids and hanging vines are a few of the wonders I saw, despite living nearby for many decades, this was my first time in the conservatory accompanied by my friend from the suburbs on an impromptu flying visit to the city of London, we sat for a while to absorb the tranquility and peace of the place before wandering through the pleasant meandering pathways, a sheer delight was the florescent green ponds and it's pretty little bridge leading to bark strewn steps down to a bench ideally situated to enjoy this quiet little haven, a must find to revisit on the days it is open, we our planning another trip soon to enjoy a quiet afternoon in paradise.

  • 5/5 Ro A. 3 years ago on Google
    You don't need to much time to see it and it was very quiet in August and all restaurants closed

  • 4/5 Melissa Erickson O. 3 years ago on Google
    You need to pre-book to visit and access though well signed is still very confusing. It is worth the trip to see the interested architecture, but it is just a 20-30 minute activity.

  • 5/5 Sharon B. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful conservatory . Lots of beautiful plants and tranquil area to sit and soak up the ambiance . Only drawback the Barbican itself is a maze and was difficult to find but once there thoroughly enjoyed it.

  • 5/5 Pinar 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful garden, free entrance! Not too busy place. You can enjoy your time! Great weekend activity.

  • 4/5 Robert S. 3 years ago on Google
    Really good. Worth booking this one.

  • 4/5 Cassandra 3 years ago on Google
    Good short experience.

  • 5/5 Zayneea 2 months ago on Google • 1 review New
    The Barbican Conservatory is currently hosting an exhibition of Sculptures by Ranjani Shettar amongst all the plants. It is so beautiful. Completely Free too. Just that need to book the tickets in advance. I went with my sister and her kids and for us to get the tickets we had to book ours a month in advance. When I went around by myself it took about 15 minutes to go all the way around. When I went around with the family spent a lot longer doing so. Thoroughly recommend booking a free ticket, and enjoying the greenery amongst the concrete. (This review is for the time I visited the Barbican Conservatory on Sunday, 31st December, 2023.)


Call +44 20 7870 2500 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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