Saved events

Accessibility

Accessible events

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You'll find a range of accessible events throughout our music, theatre and dance, film and art gallery programme.

The information below details the access provisions in each of the venues within the Barbican Centre, and our neighbouring Silk Street Theatre and Milton Court. 

If you have any questions about the accessibility of any of our venues or have any access requirements, please contact our Box Office for support by emailing [email protected] or call 020 7101 1188 (Mon - Sun 10am-4pm). Please register or log-in to the online ticket booking journey with your access requirements to view the access seats. 

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Join our Access Membership scheme to book accessible tickets and tell us about any access requirements. Plus, receive our dedicated access newsletter.

Access events

Accessing our venues

Cinema 1 at the Barbican

Cinema 1

There are two boxes at the rear of the auditorium each have space for one wheelchair user and a companion (minimum dimensions 1900mm wide x 1300mm - 1640mm deep). Please book early and ask for these seats. There is level access from The Pit floor foyer only to the two boxes. All other seats lead off stepped aisles.

Seats in the cinema auditorium have a width of approximately 47cm, and a depth of approximately 42cm, with non-moving arm rests. Rows A and B have a wider aisle space. If you need any information about other seating arrangements, please email [email protected], before your booking or visit, to discuss options. 

Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.

There is an induction loop in the auditorium which you can use by adjusting your hearing aid to the T setting. 

Cinema 2 & 3

Cinema 2 & 3

Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites.
 
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.

Seats in the cinema auditorium have a width of approximately 48cm, and a depth of approximately 46cm, with non-moving arm rests. Rows D and E have more space between rows. If you need any information about other seating arrangements, please email [email protected], before your booking or visit, to discuss options. 

Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.

There is an induction loop provided in each auditorium which you can use by adjusting your hearing aid to the T setting - for best reception we advise sitting near the walls or the front of the auditorium. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.

In Cinemas 2 & 3 we offer audio description for any screening, where it is available. Please check the film pages of our website or call the Box Office on 020 3855 4745 (Mon - Fri 1-4pm) or email [email protected] prior to your visit.

Photo of visitors in the Art Gallery

Art Gallery

Doors normally in open position during exhibition hours. Ticket desk is 98cm with a drop section of 76cm.The Art Gallery has two levels, linked by a flight of 24 stairs with an intermediate landing. A passenger operated lift (107 x 140 cm) connects the two floors. If you need assistance, staff will be happy to help. There is step-free access on each floor of the Art Gallery.

Assistance dogs are welcome. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the gallery staff during your visit.

Large-print exhibition information is available, please call the Art Gallery on 020 7382 2382 before your visit. We also provide magnifiers, gallery stools and self-propelling wheelchairs.

Photo through the doors of the Barbican theatre into the stalls

Theatre

Spaces for wheelchair users in the rear of the Stalls (four) with companion seats. Seats in the back row of the Stalls (T) may be suitable for people with limited mobility as there is step-free access. All other rows are accessed by means of steps.

Seats in the theatre auditorium have a width of approximately 46cm, and a depth of approximately 43cm, with non-moving arm rests. If you need any information about other seating arrangements, please email [email protected], before your booking or visit, to discuss options. 

Assistance dogs may be taken into the theatre – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.

For BSL and Captioned performances, some Stalls seats are reserved for people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. 

Headsets are available for audio-described performances and amplified sound and can be collected prior to performance at Stalls Left & Right entrances.

Photo of music performance and a full audience in the Barbican Hall

Hall

Spaces for wheelchair users in row U at the rear of the stalls (up to sixteen, depth of row 180cm) with fold-down companion seats. Some seats in row S of the stalls for people with very limited mobility.

Seats in the hall auditorium have a width of approximately 46cm, and a depth of approximately 43cm, with non-moving arm rests. If you need any information about other seating arrangements, please email [email protected], before your booking or visit, to discuss options. 

Assistance dogs may be taken into the concert hall where there are a limited number of suitable seats in row G of the stalls. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.

There is an induction loop in the concert hall. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.

Free large-print programmes are available for most of our concerts. Contact [email protected] at least a week beforehand, to prebook a large-print programmme.

Photo of the Barbican Pit theatre

The Pit

The Pit floor (level minus 2) can be reached via the main lifts – please note that only two of the four lifts go to this floor. There are signs next to the lifts showing which floors they service. There is step-free access from The Pit floor foyer to any front-row seat, all other seats lead off stepped aisles.

There are spaces for two wheelchair users in the front row (at stage level), with companion seats. Front row seats are also suitable for people with limited mobility.

Because space in the auditorium is limited, we recommend that you leave your dog to be cared for by a member of the foyer staff during the performance.

Amplified sound is provided through a headset for people who are hard of hearing.  Audio-described performances use a wireless network to relay through a headset a live description of the scenery, costumes, facial expressions and action. You can obtain a headset 30 minutes before the performance from the programme desk inside the Pit Theatre entrance.

You can request a large print programme by calling the Theatre on 020 7870 2500 before your visit.

Christmas in the Conservatory

Conservatory

The Conservatory is on the gallery floor (Level 3), reached via the main lifts. Automatic glass doors (120cm wide) lead outside from the gallery floor and continue down a ramp (1:12). The Conservatory is on your right, entered through double doors (135cm wide). The Sculpture Court is on your left, up three steps or via a ramp.

There is limited access for wheelchair users and people with restricted mobility due to steps in some areas.

Assistance dogs are welcome. 

Photo of the Barbican Members Lounge

Members' Lounge

The Members' Lounge can be accessed on the Balcony floor (Level 1), next to Bonfire restaurant. It can be reached via the main lifts from Level G. 

Milton Court Concert Hall

Milton Court has an Infra-Red system for those who are hearing impaired. All floors and venues in Milton Court are fully accessible, except for the cloakroom on Level -1 – staff will arrange your cloakroom items to be taken down for you upon request at the entrance. 

You can download the Guildhall School Access Guide on their website below. 

Visit Guildhall website

Silk Street Theatre

The Silk Street Theatre is accessible from Level G, via the doors next to Barbican Kitchen. In the Silk Street building, hearing loops are provided in the Music Hall and Theatre, with all venues suitable for wheelchair users.

Visit Guildhall website

Relaxed Screenings

Here's what you can expect from us when you come to see a Relaxed Screening in Cinema 3

Visual Stories

If you'd like to receive a Visual Story to help with your visit to the Gallery, Curve gallery, Cinema 3 or Pit Theatre, please enter your email below.

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