A Green Gem in the Heart of the City

The Barbican Wildlife Garden is one of three residents’ Gardens on the Barbican Estate in the City of London.  It lies within the Barbican and Golden Lane Estate Conservation Area and is classified as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

First laid out as an amenity Garden in the 1970s when the Estate was built, it became a Wildlife Garden in 1990 and since 2003 has been tended by a group of local residents, the Barbican Wildlife Group, with the help of City Gardeners.  It is dedicated to the encouragement of wildlife and biodiversity in the City of London, one of the most urban areas in the country.  To achieve this, planting in the Garden focusses towards habitat creation and providing food for wildlife.  All green waste is managed within the Garden and compost is produced on site.  In 2018, 2019 and 2020 the Garden was recognised as Outstanding in the Its Your Neighbourhood Category of London In Bloom.

To date, we have recorded more than 300 species of birds, mammals, amphibians and invertebrates in the Garden and research and data collection is ongoing. Species identified include the Lesser Stag Beetle and House Sparrow, both of which are listed in the City’s Biodiversity Action Plan as under severe threat in London.   All our sightings are reported to Greenspace Information for Greater London and also to the Garden Wildlife Watch Scheme sponsored by the British Trust for Ornithology.

Local residents garden every Wednesday between 10am and 12noon regardless of weather conditions.  If you would like to find out more about the Garden please use the buttons below to contact us, visit us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.