Leisure at the Barbican

Explore the gardens, shops and sports facilities

Barbican Estate Sales Brochure - Page 24/35 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre

Leisure at the Barbican

The Barbican was designed as a neighbourhood - as well as places to live, it included places to eat, shop and relax. The idea was that residents should have everything on their doorstop, while still living close to their workplace.

Thomas More House: Sales Brochure - Page 1/12 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre

Gardens of the Barbican

The Barbican Estate was designed with green spaces throughout the site. This artist's impression of Thomas More House shows the gardens below, which are shared with all residents.

Thomas More House

Thomas More Garden is the largest of the Barbican gardens and includes a playground.

Greenery in the Barbican by James DeavinBarbican Centre

Barbican Planting

The gardens of the Barbican were intended to recreate the feeling of squares found around London.

Greenery in the Barbican by James DeavinBarbican Centre

Barbican Planting

After relaxing in the gardens, residents would have been able to take a short stroll to the local shops.

Barbican Estate Sales Brochure - Page 26/35 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre

Shopping arcades

The existing shops around the Barbican area, such as this one on Goswell Road, were featured as an attraction for prospective flat buyers

Barbican Estate Sales Brochure - Page 28/35 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre

Shopping arcade

And new shops were proposed for the Barbican site. Here is an artist's impression of the shopping arcade alongside Lauderdale Tower. Some of the shops are still open today, including a grocery shop and a hairdressers.

Barbican Estate Sales Brochure - Page 29/35 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre

Places to eat

The Barbican's architects also imagined restaurants being part of the site. There is no restaurant under Lauderdale Tower today, but there is still one pub by the lake and restaurants in the Centre.

Barbican Estate Sales Brochure - Page 24/35 by Corporation of London and Barbican Estate OfficeBarbican Centre

Shared sports facilities

The Barbican Estate was also advertised as being able to use the leisure centre and swimming pool situated on the neighbouring Golden Lane Estate.

The Barbican Centre (1980-03-18/1980-03-18) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre

Relaxing at the arts centre

The prospect of a world class arts centre on your doorstop would have been a draw for many people moving into the Estate in 1969. However, they would have to put up with the construction work for another thirteen years - as the Centre did not open until 1982.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Lose Yourself in the Barbican
An adventure through London’s icon of Brutalist architecture
View theme
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites