On Sundays I often find myself in need of a little peace and quiet and not wanting to waste the last day of the weekend at home I like to head out in search of a slice of tranquillity. Due to London’s not-too-tropical climate it’s not always the best idea to just settle down on a park bench for the day…

Once you’ve navigated the somewhat confusing walkways of the barbican estate you’ll find the conservatory located on the 3rd floor above the Barbican centre.

London’s second largest conservatory is home to some 2000 species of tropical plant life making it a surreal paradise in one of the most urban parts of London. This unexpected peaceful retreat is also home to a variety of quails and finches and a pond with huge Koi Karp that seem to epitomise the perfect Sunday floating around in this leafy hide-out. It’s the perfect place to sit and read a book or just soak up the scenery.