Lincoln's Inn

Lincoln's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London, the professional associations that anyone wishing to practise as a barrister in England and Wales must join. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. For visitors it is above all a quiet, green pocket next to the busy city, with brick courtyards, gardens and buildings that are centuries old.

Where is Lincoln's Inn and how do you get there?

The estate lies in Holborn, at the heart of legal London, just east of Lincoln's Inn Fields, the largest public square in the capital. The main gate opens onto that square. The nearest Underground stations are Holborn and Chancery Lane, and the British Museum and Covent Garden are only a short walk away.

What is the history of Lincoln's Inn?

The Inn's continuous records, known as the Black Books, go back to 1422, when the Bishop of Chichester let the site to Lincoln's Inn. Its exact origins remain unclear, but it is among the oldest legal societies in the country.

What is there to see?

• Old Hall – the older hall, dating from the late 15th century, where Charles Dickens set the opening of Bleak House.
• Great Hall – a Tudor Revival hall designed by Philip Hardwick and built in the 1840s when the old hall became too cramped. A large fresco by G.F. Watts covers the north wall; it took seven years to complete in place, between 1852 and 1859.
• Chapel – built in the 1620s, reportedly with input from Inigo Jones. It stands on an open undercroft, and its floor is paved with the gravestones of deceased members of the Inn.
• New Square – originally Serle's Court. Three grand terraces around an open gravelled area were built in the late 17th century by the barrister Henry Serle. In the 19th century the shrubs were pushed to the edges and lawn was laid across the whole square.
• Gardens – after the Great Hall was built, gardeners George Temple and his son reworked the grounds. The son planted the London plane trees in 1860, replacing earlier elms.

Can you visit Lincoln's Inn?

It is a working professional home, so normal rules for such places apply. The gardens and courtyards are sometimes open to visitors at set times, while interiors are usually seen on organised visits or during events such as Open House London. Check the official Lincoln's Inn website for current details before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lincoln's Inn a university? No. It is a professional association for barristers and students training for the bar. It runs a library, dining traditions and education programmes.

How long does a visit take? An hour is enough for a stroll through the courtyards and gardens. Allow more time if you enter the chapel or Great Hall.

What else is nearby? Lincoln's Inn Fields, with a large lawn for a rest, plus other landmarks of legal and historical London, including the other Inns of Court.

Who is it for? Architecture, legal history and literature fans, and anyone looking for calm in the middle of the city.