When it comes to spooky spots in London, somewhere like the Tower of London or one of Jack the Ripper’s local haunts may spring to mind. The Barbican is probably not at the top of your list. But it turns out that behind the famous highwalks, conservatory and arts programme, the Centre may be home to something more sinister…
This October, the Barbican is launching Ghost Tours, a new after-hours walk through the parts of the building most visitors never see. It follows the popular Barbican Architecture Tour, but swaps concrete and cantilevers for nearly two thousand years of history, exploring legends of Roman ruins, plague pits and staff ghost stories.
Over 75 minutes, you’ll move along the highwalks and down through the Barbican’s underground corridors to see what it’s like when the usual crowds are gone. Stops include the Library, the Pit theatre at the Centre’s deepest point, and finally the Library Stack Rooms. These are normally closed to the public and hold hundreds of books, some dating back to the 18th century. They’re also said to be so haunted that some staff refuse to go in on their own. The tours are led by the Barbican’s own guides, several of whom have spent years walking these corridors and have a ghost story or two of their own.
Tours run Wednesday to Sunday evenings until mid-December. Book for Halloween if you’re brave enough.
Key Information
Dates | Thurs 1st October – Sun 13th December 2026
Address | Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
For more information | barbican.org.uk
