The Barbican Conservatory

While actors tread the boards below, the Barbican Conservatory is an unexpected oasis that sits in stark contrast to the brutalist architecture of the Barbican estate.

The 23,000-square- foot conservatory is the second biggest in London. It surrounds the Barbican’s fly tower from which scenery is lowered into place for productions below. Planted between 1980 and 1981, it houses around 1,500 species of established plants and trees – many rare and endangered.

Tranquil pools accommodate koi, ghost, and grass carp from Japan and America, as well as other cold-water fish. A serene spot amid the bustle of the city.