The Open Guide to London: the free London guide

The Barbican Centre is the The Corporation of London's main cultural venue. It sits in the middle of a maze of residential concrete - the whole estate (known collectively just as 'The Barbican') seemingly designed as one of those Brave New Worlds of culture and harmonious living. The tower blocks themselves soar about 40 stories above Aldersgate.

It has two cinemas, playing both arthouse and major releases, two theatres, a large hall, and a gallery (closed till April 2004). It's also home of the LSO.

If you go even remotely regularly, it's worth getting an annual Barbican card for �10, for which you get the guide sent every month, �1.50 off the cinema and 20% or so off a lot of the tickets.

Navigation is a little nightmarish, both to find the place and once inside. The steps and mazes and poor signposting within mirror those without.

• Tube: Barbican, Moorgate

From Barbican Station, the easiest way to find it is to leave by the street entrance, cross the road and head straight under the well-lit and often busy underpass. Once you get through the underpass, turn sharp right down Silk Street and the main entrance should open out in front of you.