Culti-Vate Explores #011 Barbican Conservatory, London

by Culti-Vate

A few weeks ago on a spontaneous trip to London I visited the hidden jungle at the Barbican’s conservatory. With over 2,000 species of tropical plants the conservatory is a great opportunity to learn more about the world of tropical flora. Once you have entered the conservatory you are hit by the heat inside and are greeted by a series of brutalist concrete terraces that lead you around the corner to the rear, where an array of plants and trees dangle above you and cling to the building. You are invited to climb a set of stairs where you can explore the fantastic cacti room, which includes an abundance of cacti and succulents that have been growing there for over 20 years. Once up on the terraces you can look down and get a sense of the conservatory’s scale. I felt as though I was amongst the canopy of a rainforest-and all of this in a metropolis! I recommend a visit to this enchanting place, which is not only free but a great way to spend a lazy Sunday morning in relative peace and quiet.