The Conservatory

Barbican Centre

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Vibrant indoor garden at Barbican Centre, ideal for corporate events and gatherings.
  • From £85
  • 150 Reception
  • Barbican or Moorgate
  • From £85
  • 150 Reception
  • Barbican or Moorgate
London's only tropical rainforest venue with over 1,500 plant species and tropical fish displays creates an unforgettable natural oasis in the heart of the city.
Will Swannell
Will Swannell

Venue Expert @ Hire Space

  • Overhead heating system
  • Goods lift access for equipment
  • Free Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Acoustic-friendly environment
  • Over 1,500 species of tropical plants and trees
  • Glass roof protection suitable for any weather
  • Tropical fish displays throughout the space
  • Coloured uplighters for atmospheric lighting
The Conservatory at the Barbican is one of the most unusual, unique, and memorable venues in London for corporate events. The space is a tropical rain forest, get networking among 2000 species of tropical plants and 100s of species of tropical fish. The Conservatory is protected by a large glass roof, it is suitable in any weather condition with space for up to 150 guests. The Conservatory hosted the first Sustainable Events Show in the UK. Use this oasis, tucked away in the concrete of the Barbican, to escape the humdrum of a normal event. Embrace the tropical utopia of the Conservatory.



Frequently asked questions

Evening venue hire (17:30-00:00) costs £7,800+VAT with a minimum catering spend of £3,000+VAT. The space accommodates 220 banquet, 180 dinner/dance, 450 reception, 180 seated buffet, or 350 fork buffet. All catering is provided by Searcys, the venue's exclusive catering partner.

The Conservatory & Garden Room can accommodate 220 guests for banquet style, 180 for dinner/dance, 450 for reception style, 180 for seated buffet, or 350 for fork buffet. The space is located on Level 3 and features flat flooring suitable for various configurations.

PA system and microphone are available for £111.00+VAT, and 55" LCD screens cost £175.00+VAT. The venue has free Wi-Fi included and goods lift access for equipment delivery. All AV equipment must be arranged through the venue.

The Conservatory is a tropical rainforest with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, plus hundreds of species of tropical fish, protected by a large glass roof. It currently hosts a site-specific art commission by Indian sculptor Ranjani Shettar. The venue offers coloured uplighters and overhead heating, and the tropical environment is suitable for acoustic music performances.

Evening hire runs from 17:30-00:00. The venue can accommodate earlier access for setup, but additional charges apply. Setup and breakdown times are included in the tenancy period, with recommendations of 1.5 hours for setup and 30 minutes for breakdown.

The Conservatory is suitable for events in any weather condition due to its large glass roof protection and overhead heating system. The tropical environment is maintained year-round, making it a reliable choice regardless of London weather.

An invoice must be paid prior to the event going ahead, and a signed contract is required before the event date. The venue requires both payment and contract completion as mandatory prerequisites for hosting any event.

The venue is suitable for acoustic music performances within the tropical setting. Given the presence of live tropical fish and plants, amplified music and entertainment must be arranged through the venue to ensure it's appropriate for the unique ecosystem environment.

All catering is provided exclusively by Searcys, the venue's in-house catering partner. External catering is not permitted. Searcys can create original menus and tailor decor to bring your event ideas to life, with particular expertise in theming for the unique tropical setting.

The venue experiences high demand with frequent bookings, as evidenced by multiple date conflicts in correspondence. Early booking is essential, and the venue sales team actively seeks alternative dates or venues when preferred dates are unavailable. Flexibility with dates significantly improves booking success.




More about Barbican Centre

Tropical Conservatory ‘hidden oasis’ in the heart of the City—highly distinctive Christmas party setting with curated catering and a dedicated post-dinner dance space option.



The Conservatory at Barbican Centre - Events

Capacity: Up to 150 guests (Reception)
Location: Barbican, London, City of London, EC2Y 8DS, London
Coordinates: 51.520092010498, -0.0923092737793922

Features

  • Wifi
  • Coloured uplighters
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Goods lift access
  • Over 1,500 species of plants and trees
  • Overhead heating
  • Real tropical forest
  • Suitable for acoustic music

Food & Drink

  • Professional Kitchen
  • Halal Catering

Space

  • Disabled Access
  • Outdoor Space
  • 94m² (1,012ft²)
  • Ceiling Height 15m (49ft)

Licenses

  • Licensed Until 11pm
  • Wedding License

Capacities

  • 100 Buffet
  • 72 Dining
  • 150 Reception
  • 120 Wedding

Venue Guide Prices

Events

Venue Hire Per Evening

PriceSchedule
£7,500 / Venue FeeEvery day, 09:00 - 17:00

Venue Hire Per Evening

PriceSchedule
£1,970 / Venue FeeEvery day, 09:00 - 17:00

Party packages

PriceSchedulePackage
£85 / Per PersonWednesdays, 09:00 - 17:00Summer in the City

Film and Photo

Venue Hire & Minimum Spend Per Morning

PriceSchedule
£3,000 / Venue Fee & Min SpendMondays to Fridays, 09:00 - 17:00

Venue Hire & Minimum Spend Per Afternoon

PriceSchedule
£3,000 / Venue Fee & Min SpendMondays to Fridays, 09:00 - 17:00

Venue Hire Per Evening

PriceSchedule
£7,500 / Venue FeeEvery day, 09:00 - 17:00

Weddings

Venue Hire Per Day

PriceSchedule
£199 / Venue FeeEvery day, 18:00 - 00:00

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the venue hire costs and minimum catering requirements for the Conservatory & Garden Room?

Evening venue hire (17:30-00:00) costs £7,800+VAT with a minimum catering spend of £3,000+VAT. The space accommodates 220 banquet, 180 dinner/dance, 450 reception, 180 seated buffet, or 350 fork buffet. All catering is provided by Searcys, the venue's exclusive catering partner.

What capacity limits apply to different event layouts in the Conservatory?

The Conservatory & Garden Room can accommodate 220 guests for banquet style, 180 for dinner/dance, 450 for reception style, 180 for seated buffet, or 350 for fork buffet. The space is located on Level 3 and features flat flooring suitable for various configurations.

What AV equipment is available and what are the additional costs?

PA system and microphone are available for £111.00+VAT, and 55" LCD screens cost £175.00+VAT. The venue has free Wi-Fi included and goods lift access for equipment delivery. All AV equipment must be arranged through the venue.

What makes the Conservatory unique and are there any restrictions on decorations?

The Conservatory is a tropical rainforest with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, plus hundreds of species of tropical fish, protected by a large glass roof. It currently hosts a site-specific art commission by Indian sculptor Ranjani Shettar. The venue offers coloured uplighters and overhead heating, and the tropical environment is suitable for acoustic music performances.

What are the standard event hours and can I access the venue earlier for setup?

Evening hire runs from 17:30-00:00. The venue can accommodate earlier access for setup, but additional charges apply. Setup and breakdown times are included in the tenancy period, with recommendations of 1.5 hours for setup and 30 minutes for breakdown.

Is the venue available year-round and what weather protection is provided?

The Conservatory is suitable for events in any weather condition due to its large glass roof protection and overhead heating system. The tropical environment is maintained year-round, making it a reliable choice regardless of London weather.

What payment terms and contract requirements apply to bookings?

An invoice must be paid prior to the event going ahead, and a signed contract is required before the event date. The venue requires both payment and contract completion as mandatory prerequisites for hosting any event.

Are there any restrictions on music or entertainment in the tropical environment?

The venue is suitable for acoustic music performances within the tropical setting. Given the presence of live tropical fish and plants, amplified music and entertainment must be arranged through the venue to ensure it's appropriate for the unique ecosystem environment.

What catering options are available and can I bring my own suppliers?

All catering is provided exclusively by Searcys, the venue's in-house catering partner. External catering is not permitted. Searcys can create original menus and tailor decor to bring your event ideas to life, with particular expertise in theming for the unique tropical setting.

How far in advance should I book and what happens if my preferred date is unavailable?

The venue experiences high demand with frequent bookings, as evidenced by multiple date conflicts in correspondence. Early booking is essential, and the venue sales team actively seeks alternative dates or venues when preferred dates are unavailable. Flexibility with dates significantly improves booking success.

Venue Photos

This venue has 15 professional photos:

Vibrant indoor garden at Barbican Centre, ideal for corporate events and gatherings.Vibrant indoor garden at Barbican Centre, perfect for unique events and gatherings.Lush indoor tropical plants at Barbican Centre's Conservatory for events and workshops.Vibrant Barbican Conservatory event space with lush greenery and dynamic lighting.Vibrant Barbican Conservatory event space with lush greenery and colorful lighting.The Conservatory - vduugzojegf.jpgThe Conservatory - ok3jnrgdnzs.JPGThe Conservatory - ka5cfm2jndp.jpgThe Conservatory - b1lkhsh4vqr.JPGThe Conservatory - k4qdmvdyqwk.JPG

...and 5 more photos available.

Amenities & Features

  • Over 1,500 species of tropical plants and trees
  • Glass roof protection suitable for any weather
  • Tropical fish displays throughout the space
  • Coloured uplighters for atmospheric lighting
  • Overhead heating system
  • Goods lift access for equipment
  • Free Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Acoustic-friendly environment

Event Types

Great for: London's only tropical rainforest venue with over 1,500 plant species and tropical fish displays creates an unforgettable natural oasis in the heart of the city.

Suitable for: Wedding Venues in Islington, Conference Venues in United Kingdom, Conference Venues in London, Conference Venues in London for 100 people, Conference Venues in Islington, Conference Venues in Islington for 100 people, Conference Venues in Clerkenwell, Conference Venues in Clerkenwell for 100 people, Conference Venues in Barbican, Conference Venues in Barbican for 100 people, Bars in London, Bars in London for 100 people, Bars in Barbican for 50 people, Party Venues in London, Party Venues in London for 100 people, Party Venues in Greater London, Party Venues in Islington, Party Venues in Islington for 100 people, Party Venues in Clerkenwell, Party Venues in Clerkenwell for 100 people, Party Venues in Barbican, Party Venues in Barbican for 100 people

Additional Information

✓ Prime Venue - Verified premium partner

Contact: Available through HireSpace booking platform

Website: https://www.hirespace.com/Spaces/London/107178/Barbican-Centre/The-Conservatory/Events