A visit to the Barbican (or what I did at the weekend)

Once a week, I give you guys a list of where you could go to at the weekend and sometimes my family and I manage to do some of these things. This week, we popped into the Barbican specifically to catch Random International's Rain Room.

We had heard the queues were big and manged to get there for 11am when the piece opens however we only waited 50 mins before we got in. It really is very much a novelty thing but still fun and impressive. And the wait wasn't too bad when you have giant cups of hot chocolate (must remind the other half that a pint of liquid is not a good idea when you are waiting in a long queue)!

Surrounded by rain but still dry!

We were also lucky to be visiting when it was the Natural Circuits Barbican Weekender which had lots of free workshops and spectacles to watch or interact with. Many were aimed at all ages so there were lots of families around.

First up we had a go at the Lumacoustics Yrwall - a digital graffiti wall. Although the opportunity has come along for me to have a go at spraying a can, I have yet to take it up so this was my moment (although I disguised it as Boo-boo's thing). It was fun.

Boo-boo has a go at painting!

We had some lunch, fed the child and watch a dance perform (verdict:curious) and then headed to see the Black Country Atelier's 3-D printers. There were participants customising set shapes which would then be created in 3-D using the printers. It was all very Star Trek.

Ohh! 3-D printers!

We then popped down to a dance floor where our body movements were turned into patterns on the screen in front of us.

Making dance shapes for the wall.

And next up we went to have a look at the conservatory (the second largest in London). I do love a good greenhouse. Unfortunately we could only look around the one level as there was no way we could get the buggy up the stairs. Still we saw Koi carp, finches and lots of plants!

In the Conservatory! (not Triffids)

 And then..... I got tired and we went home...

...but what fun we had.

This event was just on for the weekend but the Rain Room is open til 3rd March 2012.

The conservatory opens on a Sunday between 11am to 5:30pm.

The Barbican has several exhibition spaces, a theatre, library and cinema. It really is a great space to visit and often host to weekend events for family activities. You can register with them to receive news of events.

To get there from Lambeth, hop on the 133 or 35 to Liverpool Street. It's a ten minute walk from there or you can catch a bus  (153 or 100) straight to the Barbican.

Lambeth - What's on for the family - November 3rd-4th 2012

Wow! Hasn't the year gone fast! November is here and Christmas just around the corner. Let see what the weekend has to offer.

SATURDAY (3rd November)

For those with kids under five, there's a fantastic day of art (called Tiny Tate) at the Tate Britain between 10am to 3pm. Hop on the buses 2, 185, 36, 436 and 88 or catch the tube to Pimlico.

Want a bit more art and happy to travel further? Then head to the Barbican to see Random International's Rain Room - an art installation where you control the rain! It is open between 11am - 8pm  and queues are big. So maybe one for a weekday visit!

Also visit the Lumacoustics' YrWall in the foyer  - a digital canvas which allows you to keep painting - fun for young and old!

And if you're up that way, check out the Museum of London for an event called Stories Retold which looks at how a story can go from a story to a book and back again. This is aimed at the over fives and is on at the following times: 1-1.30pm, 2-2.30pm & 3-3.30pm. The event is repeated on Sunday.

To get to the Barbican and the Museum of London, catch the 133 to Liverpool Street and catch the 153 or 100. Or take the tube to Barbican Station (which has lifts!)

If you want to keep it local, pop to the Imperial War Museum and make a poppy to put in their poppy field. This activity is on from 11am to 5pm in the Atrium til the 11th November. The 3, 344, 59 and 159 buses pass the museum.


And a quick reminder that this weekend is the last chance to take a tour around Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. More information here.

SUNDAY (4th November)

Head up to West Norwood for this month's Feast. Shop at the different markets and let the kids run off some steam at the front of St Luke's Church. The event runs from 10am to 4pm.

West Norwood Feast seen from St Luke's steps.

To get to West Norwood, you can catch buses 2, 68, 315 432 and 322.  The area is also served by the overground at West Norwood Station.

For those with babies in buggies, first Sundays of the month are the West Norwood Cemetary tours. Learn about the famous people buried here. Meet at 11am at the Cemetary gates. Donations welcome.

Learning about the history of West Norwood Cemetery.

Alternatively head out on the P4 bus to Forest Hill and take a visit to the Horniman Museum for a World of Stories at the Hands On Base. This starts at 11am and lasts for 45 minutes.

So lots of possibilities! Enjoy them! Happy weekend!