Get back into the City with Culture Mile
On this page you can find out about:
Let's work towards a COVID-safe Culture Mile together, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
The Barbican Centre is fully open.
Alongside in-person events, films, exhibitions and more, the Barbican will continue to broadcast live concerts and cinema on demand to your home.
The Museum of London is currently open, with reduced opening hours.
Explore a range of in-person and online events alongside their permanent collection and temporary displays.
The London Symphony Orchestra are hosting in-person events once again.
The LSO will also continue to broadcast events online via various streaming platforms.
With history dating back over 2,000 years, the City of London is unique in the capital.
The Our City Together project aims to bring to life this rich and diverse heritage in playful, inspiring, positive, yet thoughtful ways – showing how creativity and culture can boost wellbeing and bring people together.
Visit now to discover inspiring arts, culture, and London history.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors, and production artists in the heart of the City of London.
Guildhall School host regular free and ticketed events and recently announced its Autumn 2021 season.
Check out the full programme of in-person concerts, plays, opera, and jazz plus various online events.
Around the Corner is a series of 12 installations between Millennium Bridge and Barbican Station which you can follow on foot.
Museum of London family trails -
Walk this way! From hidden gems to beloved landmarks, follow one of these colourful itineraries and take a trip through the City.
Attractions in the Square Mile - take a look at what's currently open from Guildhall Art Gallery to Tower Bridge.
Here's what to expect if you're travelling for the first time in a while. You can find the latest government advice here.
Key interchanges are being cleaned throughout the day and there is an enhanced regime across the tube, trains, trams and buses to ensure surfaces, such as poles, handles and doors are clean.
The UK government has announced that face coverings are now required by lawin most indoor settings, including public transport, unless you are exempt. Please read the updated rules on face coverings, including a full list of when to wear when, before you travel.
New signs and information are in place to help you maintain social distancing where necessary. You may have to queue to enter stations or buses, especially on weekdays. Find out if your stations are among the busiest.
The City of London Corporation’s transport recovery plan is focused on providing the space needed to maintain social distancing on streets and to enable safe walking, cycling and the managed use of public transport. Temporary changes are being installed on streets in stages. Visit this webpage for full details.
Hundreds of hand sanitiser points are being provided around the City. Please also carry hand sanitiser with you and wash your hands before and after you travel.
Walking and cycling for essential journeys is encouraged over public transport, where possible. As part of the Streetspace programme there will be more street space for cycling and walking, footpaths have been widened and there are more cycle lanes.
The Museum of London Café
The Benugo entrance foyer café is open for snacks, drinks and light meals from 10am - 5pm Wednesday to Sunday.
The Barbican
The Barbican has plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus. Find out more here.
Open spaces for picnics
There are several quiet spots within Culture Mile for you to visit while there and enjoy a picnic. Try one of the City gardens, or any of the green spaces which can be found here. Advice for visiting parks and gardens can be found here. There are also some large pedestrianised squares, including Aldgate Square, Paternoster Square and Guildhall Yard.
Check the City of London website for daily updates on public toilets
Please see the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below regarding visiting the area for leisure purposes. The information below is correct at time of publishing, and will be updated regularly.
Most public transport in the City is operating a full service and TfL strongly recommend face coverings when travelling. You can also bring your own bike or hire a Santander bike (see below). A digital cycling map of London from TfL is available here.
You can use the Santander Bikes Finder to find out where bikes are available and can be docked. Please carry your own hand sanitiser to use before and after using the bikes.
Cycle parking is available at many on-street cycle parking racks. Free cycle parking can be found in off-street public car parks. More cycle parking spaces are available in NCP car parks. Explore this interactive map to find cycle parking.
Yes, most of the public transport in the City and across London is operating a full service. If you are using TfL services, please not that face coverings are strongly recommended. Ensure to read and follow safer travel guidance for passengers.
We also recommend that you check your route using TfL’s journey planner or the train operator’s website before travelling. If you are taking public transport, it may be useful to note off-peak times. These are any times that avoid the peak times of 6.30-9.30am and 4-7pm plus weekends.
The City of London Corporation’s transport recovery plan is designed to ensure the safety of residents, workers and visitors as people return to the area. The scheme is focused on providing the space needed to maintain social distancing on our streets and to enable safe walking, cycling and the managed use of public transport. Learn more about the recovery plan.
There are many gardens and hidden green spaces in the area, which can be found here. The gardens managed by the City of London Corporation (City gardens) are all open, while Church gardens are starting to reopen. Advice for visiting parks and gardens can be found here. The gardens of the Barbican Podium and the walkways surrounding it provide one of the largest public spaces in the City and is freely accessible to the public. There are also some large pedestrianised squares, including Aldgate Square, Paternoster Square and Guildhall Yard.
There are several quiet spots within Culture Mile, where you can take in some of the City’s unique heritage, often alongside some nature. Try one of the City gardens, or one of the pedestrianised squares mentioned above.
Most of the City’s restaurants and cafes are open for reservations as well as collection, takeaway or outdoor seating. It is likely that you will need to book in advance (online or by phone), so make sure you plan accordingly, even if it is on the day.
We recommend carrying enough water for your visit as drinking fountains are currently closed, and many refill spots may be closed or unable to refill due to safety guidance at this time.
Toilets are available at One New Change on Cheapside (lower ground floor). Check the City of London website for updates which public toilets are open in the area. You can also refer to Lockdown Loo, which has been crowdsourcing information on toilets available across the UK.