Barbican is an area in central London which is most well known for the Barbican Estate and the Barbican Centre. It is bordered by the popular agencies of Islington and Bloomsbury.
The Barbican Estate is a residential area which contains the tallest residential towers in London. The estate was opened in 1969 and contains approximately 2,000 flats in 13 concrete tower blocks.
The complex, which was given Grade II listed status in 2001, covers a total of 40 acres.
It is in the estate that the largest performing arts centre in Europe, Barbican Centre, is located. As a venue it also hosts a variety of media events including concerts, film screenings, art exhibitions and theatre performances as well as housing other cultural amenities.
The area is served by Barbican tube station which was opened in 1865. The station, which is in zone 1, is on the Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. The tube provides links not only to tourist destinations and cultural areas of the city, but also to the offices of the central business district.
Places of interest: Barbican tube station, The Barbican Estate, The Barbican Arts Centre, Barbican Screen, Barbican Theatre, The Museum of London, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Barbican public library, Smithfield Market.