Are you feeling fed up with the long dreary winter? Do you want to get away from it all and enjoy some culture? Maybe a stay in the city of London will help you beat those winter blues and recharge your batteries in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. You can enjoy the many events staged at the Barbican, as well as visiting the West End for shopping and theatre trips.

Independent travellers to London often do not realise how easy it is to rent a fully furnished apartment for a short break at the Barbican in London. Apartments nearby are available from periods of just 1 night upwards!

You can stay just 150 metres from the Barbican centre in a simple studio apartment with its own fully equipped kitchen and bathroom for well under a hundred pounds a night. Included in the price are linen, towels, broadband internet access, TV, HiFi, direct phone, in-room safe. You will have the flexibility of being able to prepare your own snacks and meals whilst enjoying your own private home from home in London.

The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts and conference venue and presents a huge range of art, music, theatre, dance and educational events. It is also home to the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra.

Offering an unparalleled programme of film festivals, the Barbican shows a whole host of movies from an eclectic mix of independent directors from around the world.

There are many superb concerts or events at the Barbican Centre. Leading musicians and soloists from all over the world in both classical and contemporary music perform regularly at the Barbican. In classical music, in recent times, world-famous artists such as Cecilia Bartoli, Simon Rattle, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Evgeny Kissin, Maxim Vengerov, Alfred Brendel, Bernard Haitink, Mstislav Rostropovich, Midori, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma have been enjoyed by visitors to the centre.

In contemporary music the best artists in jazz, country, folk, world, roots, rock, soul and contemporary classical music from around the world are proud to perform there.

The restaurants at the Barbican Centre are popular with visitors and serve an excellent selection of meals, both at lunchtime and in the evenings.

The Barbican is also the perfect location for business travellers to the City of London. Corporate executives on assignment in London enjoy living in the hub of the business and artistic centre of the city. Partners are often happy to come along and enjoy the arts, as well as having the opportunity to hop on the tube at nearby Barbican Station and travel in to the West End for shopping. Everyday life in London offers so much to the visitor with its pubs, olde English backstreets and amazing array of shops.

One of London's greatest landmarks within walking distance is the fabulous St Paul's Cathedral. You can climb to the top and enjoy magnificent birds eye views of one of the most amazing cities in the world.

If you are a lover of Shakespeare you can visit the remarkable Globe Theatre nearby at Southwark which also offers an impressive calendar of events throughout the year which include theatrical performances and lovely concerts.

You can stroll along to St Katherine's Dock and watch the fascinating comings and goings at the fabulous marina full of sailing boats whilst enjoying a meal in one of the many waterside restaurants.

Engineering enthusiasts love to visit Tower Bridge and watch as this fabulous old Victorian icon opens to allow tall ships to pass through on their way up the Thames. Again, you can enjoy stunning views along the river from its walkways. In recent years, it has become an impressive London venue and it is now even possible to get married on Tower Bridge!

Whatever your taste, a stay in the Barbican area of London will offer you excellent entertainment and sightseeing opportunities. As well as the arts and culture, you can enjoy fantastic shopping in Oxford Street and Regent Street with the West End just a short distance away on the tube.