Skip to content
Sunset

Golden Hour at the Barbican

Watch the sun dip below the horizon from the Barbican’s brutalist concrete terraces, then wind down with a drink in a historic pub.

Best time: 16:20About 150 min

Timeline

  1. 14:50

    The Jugged Hare

    Grab a pint and a snack at The Jugged Hare. This hunting-themed gastropub is just a two-minute walk from the Barbican Centre, making it the perfect pre-sunset stop to settle in.

  2. 15:35

    Barbican Centre

    Walk to the Barbican Centre. Spend the next hour wandering the Art Gallery or simply finding a quiet spot on the terraces. The architecture offers dramatic framing for the approaching evening.

  3. 16:20

    Barbican Centre

    Watch the sunset. The sun sets toward the SW around 16:20. Position yourself where you can see the sky darken over the city skyline.

  4. 16:50

    The Old Doctor Butler's Head

    End the evening with a drink at The Old Doctor Butler's Head. This historic pub, claiming origins from 1610, is a nine-minute walk away and offers a cozy atmosphere to reflect on the view.

Local tip

The Barbican Centre is a large complex. If you want the best unobstructed sunset views, head to the higher outdoor terraces rather than staying inside the galleries. The Jugged Hare can get busy, so arriving early helps secure a table.

Check before you go

  • The Jugged Hare is open Mo-We 11:00-23:00; Th-Sa 11:00-24:00; Su 11:00-22:30.
  • The Old Doctor Butler's Head is open Mo-Fr 11:00-23:00.

Worth knowing

  • The Old Doctor Butler's Head is open at 16:50 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to London (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Back to London