This afternoon we went to the Barbican. I won’t say much about it (there are plenty of references online) other than to say that it is residential but with public areas such as a cinema, concert hall, public library, exhibition spaces and cafe.

The architectural style is Brutalist and yet, while my intellect tells me that I should not like it, my emotions tell me that I have an affectionate regard for it.

The place is like a maze and finding one’s way around depends in the discreet but extensive signage.

A rock dove (that’s a street pigeon to the unsympathetic) drops in for lunch.

This is the hall of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers whose entrance is girt about by parts of the Barbican. We passed it on our way to the Museum of London.

The museum traces the history of London from prehistoric times to the present. There is so much to see that I cannot do more than show a few random images.

This happy face comes from a display called London Faces. It dates from the 1300s.

This is Gerard the Giant (c1670) who stood in a niche on the front of Gerard’s Hall in the City of London. According to legend, a giant had lived in the building.

This figure once stood outside a tobacconist’s shop.

One of my favourite sections is that containing mock-ups of Victorian shops and offices.

This is a bank manager’s office. As Christmas is approaching, there is a glass of wine and a mince pie on the desk.

This is a grocery store with a display of biscuits along the front of the counter and large canisters of tea on the shelves at the back.

We sat in the pub for a while but if course no one came to serve us!

On leaving the museum and heading for the bus stop, I took a final photo of the complex, this time after darkness had fallen and the lights were coming on.