The Barbican Fireman and Milton Court

Discover a little known piece of the Barbican's history

Plan of Completed Phases by Chamberlin, Powell and BonBarbican Centre

Milton Court

The Barbican originally had a 'services building' to the North East, connected by bridges at highwalk level.

It was called Milton Court.

This diagram shows that the building of Milton Court was completed in 1965.

Public Services Building: West Elevation (1961) by Corporation of LondonBarbican Centre

Services

Milton Court contained a variety of services to keep the large Barbican Estate running: a fire station, a mortuary, and a Coroner’s Court. There was even a civil defence school, and an office of weights and measures.

Barbican Fireman's Badge by Photography by Max ColsonBarbican Centre

Fireman's Badge

This badge, probably worn on the fireman's helmet, is a relic of that period.

Public Services Building: Milton Court (1970) by Corporation of LondonBarbican Centre

1959 to 2008

Milton Court was designed in 1959 by Chamberlin Powell and Bon, and named after the poet John Milton (1608-74)

1959 to 2008

It was exempted from the listing of the rest of the buildings in 2001. In 2008, it was demolished.

Tap to explore

Guildhall School

Part of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama stands where the original Milton Court building was.

Barbican Sessions: Roderick Williams (2019/2019) by Barbican Centre and Roderick WilliamsBarbican Centre

Living on

The name lives on, though: the School's venue is called Milton Court. It  regularly hosts performances like this session by the baritone Roderick Williams.

Barbican Sessions: Timo-Veikko Valve (2018/2018) by Barbican Centre and Timo-Veikko ValveBarbican Centre

See the view from Milton Court today in this session recorded with Timo-Veikko Valve

Learn about other parts of the Barbican that have changed over the years.

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