The Barbican
Local highlightOpen accessfree to visit at any reasonable time
Beech Gardens and the other green corners of the Barbican Estate are what’s left of Moor Fields, London’s first public park, dating back to 1607. What’s there now is a City of London Corporation planting scheme threaded through the brutalist walkways: raised beds, grasses and perennials chosen to cope with concrete and wind, plus a water feature and terrace overlooking the lake. It’s open to everyone, day or night, no ticket needed. The Barbican Centre’s Conservatory, a plant-filled hothouse above the concert hall, opens on selected days only.
