Running along the A1, this small postcode covers the Museum of London and Barbican tube station. Clusters of buildings varying in architecture from Edwardian to brutalist to post-modern gather tightly around the central road, exemplifying the city’s eclectic character. As part of the City of London, this area is integral to the Capital’s economy, with many businesses making their headquarters here, whilst the Museum of London and the neighbouring Barbican Centre bring in millions of tourists every year.

This neighbourhood suffered significant damage during the Second World War, and as such underwent significant re-development in the post-war period of the 1960s and 1970s. Among these projects was the creation of the Barbican Complex, of which the Museum of London is a part. The Museum is the largest collection of urban history in the world, with over 6 million objects contained within it, which take visitors on a journey through the history of the city, from prehistoric times to modern times. It now accommodates over one million visitors every year. The brutalist architecture that makes up the whole Barbican complex can be divisive, but is generally appreciated for its innovative design and unique character. Containing theatres, schools, art galleries, and botanical gardens the Barbican has long been one of the city’s trendiest addresses. The only downside is the price. Parking spaces in this neighbourhood generally sell for over £50,000!

This neighbourhood area was once home to the legendary architect Christopher Wren. Born in 1632, Wren was fascinated with physics and engineering, and in 1664 was commissioned to design the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford and a chapel for Pembroke College in Cambridge, which began his career as an architect. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, Wren became a key figure in the restoration of the city, designing 51 new city churches including St Paul’s Cathedral, and later the Royal Observatory in Greenwich in 1675. He is now buried just outside of this neighbourhood, on the grounds of St. Paul’s. The inscription on his gravestone reads: “If you seek his memorial, look about you.”

This neighbourhood also features a hidden gem of a public park known as The Postman’s Park. It earned its name due to its popularity as a lunchtime spot for local workers in the General Post Office. Hidden between Aldersgate Street and King Edward Street, this park provides a calm respite from the hectic buzz of central London.

Nonetheless, The Barbican and Smithfield area is home to the highest concentration of residents within
the City of London. As such, this neighbourhood can get very busy and highly congested at peak times. However, calls to local businesses showed confidence in TFL’s ability to effectively deal with the problem. Residents hope that the opening of the new Elizabeth line at nearby Farringdon will alleviate some of this congestion.

Looking forward, The Museum of London plans to make a dramatic move to Smithfield market just around the corner, with the current site set to close its doors at the end of 2022. The project will cost a total of £250 million, of which the City of London Corporation is funding £180 million. The new site will grant the museum more space, allowing it to create more extensive displays of the many beautiful artefacts it has acquired over the years. The City of London also aims to promote this area as a vibrant office, retail, and cultural destination, which will be facilitated by the development of a high-quality pedestrian environment. This will include public spaces, pocket parks, and a range of seating as well as signposted routes to link the Museum of London to other nearby cultural sites.