A gentle photographically-oriented walk, with Rick Beresford, around this interesting bit of London’s architecture which is just as picturesque whether you are in sun or in rain!

Situated in an area which was badly bombed during World War II, the Barbican Centre was designed by Peter Chamberlin, Geoffry Powell and Christoph Bon of Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in the Brutalist style, and has a complex multi-level layout with numerous entrances. The Barbican Centre's design – a concrete ziggurat – has always been controversial and divides opinion. (Source: Wikipedia)

Arrangements:

3 pm - Ealing Broadway Station

Meet up just outside the entrance to catch a Central line train to St. Paul's

OR

4 pm - St. Paul's underground station.

If meeting at St. Paul's, meet at the exit on the south side of Cheapside, just next to Caffe Nero. From within the station, it's the exit for St. Paul's, the right hand exit as you come off the top of the escalators.

Please let Rick know if you will be attending and which you will be doing and also let him have your contact number.

The continuing Covid-19 restrictions have scuppered a couple of the original plans for this walk, namely the visit to the Roof Terrace at 1, New Change and finishing off the evening with a meal. The Roof Terrace is currently closed and likely to still be closed on July 1st, and the intended restaurant has no outside tables, so, with more than two households involved, we can't eat there. Nevertheless, we shall still visit 1, New Change just to check on the off chance that the roof terrace is open but also to indicate its location so those who are not familiar with it know where to find it for a future visit. We will then walk from there up to and around The Barbican Centre taking street and architectural photos on the way.

Regarding eating, which, given a mid-afternoon start, we will surely want to do, the options are limited. Our best bet is probably to just get pizzas from the Barbican Kitchen (up to 8 pm) and eat those outside by the pool and fountains in the Barbican Centre which is pleasant enough. There may be other alternatives at the Barbican Kitchen but their menu is fairly limited at the moment. If anyone wanted to bring sandwiches there would be nothing to stop them eating those by the pool.

Return will be from The Barbican station which is on the Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.