London’s Barbican Conservatory is an urban oasis. And a very unlikely find. Her glass ceilings sprout from among the area’s harsh Brutalist buildings, like a stubborn beauty among the beasts.

These beastly buildings of the Barbican Centre and Estate are dubbed as “Brutalist wonders” due to their post-war architectural style. Utilitarian and ugly as hell.

Yet, while aesthetically displeasing, they fail to stifle the allure of the glassy wonder within their midst.

Let’s turn our eyes upon Beauty.

The Barbican Conservatory is a wonderful place to take an unhurried wander around. It is typically only open on the weekends, but currently you can go any day of the week.

Now is the ideal time to visit as it will not be crowded.

Besides the major lull in the city’s tourism, the conservatory is also arranging visits so that a restricted number of folks enter within dedicated brackets of time.

It is simple to book a online reservation for free entry during one of their time slots.

If peaceful and pretty are the two boxes you want to check for an outing this month, then look no further. You don’t even need to be a major garden enthusiast to enjoy this spot!

A Leafy Spectacle

Are you conjuring up visions of lush green foliage spilling over walkways?

Or, exotic ferns and effervescent vines running up the walls in criss-crossed frenzy, vying for space like angry siblings?

While it’s not nearly as stunning as its Cornwall cousin, The Eden Project, you will certainly be impressed by the abundance of plants in the Barbican Conservatory.

According to the website, there are more than 1,500 species of plants and trees.

Immediately upon entry, you are greeted by an endless variety of mostly green foliage.

Occasionally, the leafy scheme is interrupted by bunches of familiar-looking flowers, producing a welcome pop of colour.

Your curiosity will certainly be piqued as some of the plants are rare species, native to countries such as Brazil, Guatemala and South Africa.

Chances are you’ve probably never run into some of these lovely gals before!

Indoor Ponds, a Must-Have Accessory

There are three ponds within the conservatory.

Neatly nestled within the plant jungle, the water adds a special touch to the ambiance.

The combination creates a visually stunning effect.

However, the beauty here does not lie strictly in appearances.

Be prepared to be charmed by the sound aesthetics.

Standing in the quiet of the conservatory, gentle music reaches your ears. The music of flowing water.

It is the serene companion that your mind instantly welcomes in, like a lullaby softly dancing alongside as you stroll through paradise.

But that’s not the last of its gifts. One other pleasant surprise awaits in the water.

Cue exotic fish.

Beautiful Japanese and American koi, ghost, and grass carp can be found gliding through the shallow waters.

Some are astonishingly large, and all wear a shiny skin ranging in colours – from a magnificent silver, to a bright orange, to dark grey. It’s tough to settle on a favourite look.

Our aquatic friends may have a splash of vanity too, based on how easily they seem to float into the focus of a camera lens.

But maybe that’s just my imagination. 

Catering To the Growing Appetites

Lastly, it would be remiss not to highlight that you can grab a light bite in the in-house cafe.

Soon after you enter the conservatory and ascend the stairs, you walk into the simple cafe area.

Why not stop for a few and enjoy a warm pastry with a cool refreshment? Or, have afternoon tea even – it is after all a leisurely visit.

And with that, your meander around the indoor garden is complete!

All-in-all, the Barbican Conservatory is well worth a short visit.

Leave the chaos behind and step into this unassuming fairytale space, if even fleetingly.