If you didn’t know it was there, it can be a surprise to learn that London’s second-largest* glasshouse is in the Barbican centre. Wrapped around the huge fly tower for the theatre below, the glasshouse is also free for anyone to visit.
(c) Barbican
Normally only open at weekends, for the first time, the Conservatory is now open seven days a week throughout the summer months.
As well as three ponds, the Conservatory houses more than 1,500 species of plants and trees. This includes a vibrant mix of species ranging from the deserts of South Africa to the coastline of Brazil. The ponds are home to koi, ghost, and grass carp from Japan and America, with another pool providing a safe haven for terrapins.
The conservatory is now open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm and Weekends 10am-7pm.
Entry is free, but you need to book a timed ticket here.
So all visitors can visit safely, they’ve removed seating and ask that people avoid activities like sketching, picnicking and photoshoots and follow the one-way system they’ve installed.
They recommend you allow 20 minutes for your visit.
(c) Barbican
*The largest is in Kew Gardens.
Is there any particular reason why in normal times it’s only open at the weekends (and of course until recently only Sundays). Is it open to Barbican residents the rest of the week?
No, it’s not. The City of London Corporation keep it available during the week in order to be able to rent it out for weddings, corporate events, etc.