N.B. See also our Friday VIP Lawyer-guided Inns of Court Walk (March 28, April 4, April 11 and then from May 2 almost every Friday through late October). Full disclosure, it’s more expensive and has to be booked and pre-paid. That’s the downside. The upside is, yes, it’s always lawyer-guided and it’s a small, exclusive group (limited numbers). Ergo the VIP appellation.
“A lawyer is a learned gentleman who rescues your estate from your enemies and keeps it himself” Henry Brougham*
Short read:Magic casement into an olde worlde…
Shaughan read: “My favourite walk of all. Quiet gardens, a truly eclectic architectural rattle-bag and a glorious roll-call of British eccentrics: the Wits, the Windbags and Wayward Wigs. The cream of English intellect as it battles over Wives, Writs, Wills, Widows and Wrecks. Find out what happened when Tony met Cherie! Meet Rumpole! And as these are private grounds – a privilege to be able to show you round m’lud. And hear the verdict at the end in the High Court.” Thus spake Guide Shaughan.
Long read: The Inns of Court – habitat of the wigged and gowned English barrister – could pass for a collection of Oxford and Cambridge colleges right in the heart of London. They’re a warren of cloisters, courtyards, and passageways set amongst some of the best gardens in London.
So: ancient rites and customs, high drama, colourful characters, and matters of life and death amid delightful surroundings. It’s a rich confection, making this the prettiest and most historical of our central London walks. Welcome to London’s legal enclave.
INNS OF COURT TOUR – THE PRACTICALS
Legal & Illegal London – the Inns of Court takes place at 2 pm every Monday and at 11 am every Wednesday.
The meeting point is just outside the main exit of Holborn Tube.
Here’s a photo of the meeting point when you get to the top of the escalator at HolbornTube. The ticket barrier is straight ahead of you. Ten yards beyond the ticket barrier you can see a blue-green information kiosk and a red kiosk advertising a publication called The Week. And between them – just visible in the photograph – is a (soon to be extinct) pay telephone booth. Right there, between those two kiosks, is the meeting point.
The main exit is on Kingsway. Holborn Tube, which is on the corner of Kingsway and High Holborn, has two exits. The side exit goes out onto High Holborn. The main exit – the one you want – goes out onto Kingsway. The guide will be standing just outside the main exit, the Kingsway exit, holding up copies of the distinctive white London Walks leaflet. If you take the Tube to Holborn Tube Station go up the escalator, go through the ticket barrier and go straight ahead. You’ll come out onto Kingsway, right where you need to be to meet the guide.
On Mondays the walk is guided by Shaughan. On Wednesdays it’s guided by Karen or Molly.
The walk ends at or just over the way from the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, near Temple Tube.
Want a preview of the Inns of Court walk? Watch this little handheld video. It’ll give you a pretty good idea of the “like nowhere else” territory the walk explores – where it goes, the doors it opens, the secret little passageways and courtyards it threads its way through.
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“Best Tourism Experience in London” Gold Medal Winner, Visit London
“We selected the ‘Legal and Illegal’ walk to discover the four Inns of Court where Barristers have their chambers. Our guide was Angela, an actress. Her knowledge of the Inns of Court and their history was encyclopaedic. She made the tour utterly fascinating and she brought her theatrical training to bear. She needed no microphone as her delivery was clear, bright and concise and not without a good deal of humour. She was an absolute delight. The two hours tour flew past. I have in the past lived in London and worked not too far from where the walk was centred but never imagined such places existed and so close to the main thoroughfares that cross the City. I will certainly be trying more of these walks in the future, but for the sheer joy of Angela’s wonderful tour you really must do this one.” Silverdale15 Stockport, United Kingdom
“Did this walk with Angela on Friday. So interesting and got to see a most beautiful part of London you would otherwise miss. Angela was great and told us so much. We certainly got to know what she thought of the present government (not much!). But that’s good. Better than being dull. Will certainly do another walk sometime and would highly recommend this walk. Joan T. Wigg Bingley, United Kingdom 24 Feb. 2020
*Barrister and statesman Henry Brougham (1778 – 1868) was a member of Lincoln’s Inn. Elected to Parliament in 1810, he became Lord High Chancellor and played a prominent role in passing the 1832 Reform Act and the Slavery Abolition Act. One of the chief advisers to Queen Caroline of Brunswick, the estranged wife of George, Prince of Wales, the Prince Regent and future George IV, it was suggested to Brougham that he hold back in his vigorous defense of the Princess for the sake of the country. (Her opponents wanted her stripped of her Royal title on the grounds of adultery.) Brougham responded with a now-famous speech in the House of Lords
An advocate, in the discharge of his duty, knows but one person in all the world, and that person is his client. To save that client by all means and expedients, and at all hazards and costs to other persons, and amongst them, to himself, is his first and only duty; and in performing this duty he must not regard the alarm, the torments, the destruction which he may bring upon others. Separating the duty of a patriot from that of an advocate, he must go on reckless of consequences, though it should be his unhappy fate to involve his country in confusion.
The speech has since become legendary among defence lawyers for the principle of zealously advocating for one’s client.
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, The Inns of Court it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the The Inns of Court walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
We just had the Inns of Court walk with Simon. We’ve done dozens before, and this was one of the best. He was entertaining and knowledgeable. He include everyone in the experience and answered all our questions. First rate all the way. Five enthusiastic stars.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mark S –
This was our third walk with Richard III. Serendipity. The walk itself is very interesting and the Inns themselves are quite beautiful. But as the website says, it is all with the guiding. Richard is superb & a joy to be with. We feel quite fortunate to have toured with him.
Rated 5 out of 5
Edward Beazley –
Simon showed us around the inns of court yesterday and did a great job. He presented the history of the legal profession in London while showing us a lot of details around the inns of court that we would have missed if we had wandered on our own. He also has a wonderful sense of humor which makes the history lesson quite memorable. This is a well-organized walk and Simon is a peerless guide.
Rated 5 out of 5
Joel Armstrong –
Simon was absolutely amazing . We went on 2 tours with Simon (Inns of the Court and Oxford), and he made our trip to London. We saw and learned things that were totally fascinating!!
Bravo Simon and Bravo London Walks
Rated 5 out of 5
Christine –
I have just finished this walk, led by Simon, and I have to say it was probably the best London Walk I have ever done!! We packed in so much history in such a short time and Simon’s vast knowledge and entertaining manner absolutely made the day! Thank you very much Simon!
Rated 4 out of 5
Susan –
A fascinating area of London with so much history and importance to our world. Shaughan was knowledgeable about the area and very engaging. Wonderful balance of the big picture and the small details.
Rated 5 out of 5
Susan –
One of the best walking tours I’ve done. The guide was amazing (Shaughan). He gave some really great stories related to individuals who lived or performed in roles which changed many people’s lives. So insightful and so entertaining. Thank you
Rated 5 out of 5
John –
Great tour and great tour guide.
Shaughan the tour guide was very knowledgeable, very entertaining and had a great manner.
Learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Michael –
In the absence of the designated guide my tour today was conducted by Simon.
He was superb!
As a solicitor of nearly 50 year’s experience I thought I would be familiar with much of the tour but the insights that Simon have opened up a whole new world to me.
He was knowledgeable, interesting, witty and very personable and it was one of the best tours I have taken anywhere.
His enthusiasm was infectious and as I am on the cusp of retirement I am contemplating applying to join London Walks as a guide.
Well done Simon
A memorable afternoon!
Rated 5 out of 5
Peter Lawless –
Enjoyable and informative , Away from the hustle and bustle of London the Inns of Court are a veritable oasis of peace and quiet. Molly was a very good guide very knowledgeable about the history of this part of London.
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Burke & Carol –
We just had the Inns of Court walk with Simon. We’ve done dozens before, and this was one of the best. He was entertaining and knowledgeable. He include everyone in the experience and answered all our questions. First rate all the way. Five enthusiastic stars.
Mark S –
This was our third walk with Richard III. Serendipity. The walk itself is very interesting and the Inns themselves are quite beautiful. But as the website says, it is all with the guiding. Richard is superb & a joy to be with. We feel quite fortunate to have toured with him.
Edward Beazley –
Simon showed us around the inns of court yesterday and did a great job. He presented the history of the legal profession in London while showing us a lot of details around the inns of court that we would have missed if we had wandered on our own. He also has a wonderful sense of humor which makes the history lesson quite memorable. This is a well-organized walk and Simon is a peerless guide.
Joel Armstrong –
Simon was absolutely amazing . We went on 2 tours with Simon (Inns of the Court and Oxford), and he made our trip to London. We saw and learned things that were totally fascinating!!
Bravo Simon and Bravo London Walks
Christine –
I have just finished this walk, led by Simon, and I have to say it was probably the best London Walk I have ever done!! We packed in so much history in such a short time and Simon’s vast knowledge and entertaining manner absolutely made the day! Thank you very much Simon!
Susan –
A fascinating area of London with so much history and importance to our world. Shaughan was knowledgeable about the area and very engaging. Wonderful balance of the big picture and the small details.
Susan –
One of the best walking tours I’ve done. The guide was amazing (Shaughan). He gave some really great stories related to individuals who lived or performed in roles which changed many people’s lives. So insightful and so entertaining. Thank you
John –
Great tour and great tour guide.
Shaughan the tour guide was very knowledgeable, very entertaining and had a great manner.
Learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Michael –
In the absence of the designated guide my tour today was conducted by Simon.
He was superb!
As a solicitor of nearly 50 year’s experience I thought I would be familiar with much of the tour but the insights that Simon have opened up a whole new world to me.
He was knowledgeable, interesting, witty and very personable and it was one of the best tours I have taken anywhere.
His enthusiasm was infectious and as I am on the cusp of retirement I am contemplating applying to join London Walks as a guide.
Well done Simon
A memorable afternoon!
Peter Lawless –
Enjoyable and informative , Away from the hustle and bustle of London the Inns of Court are a veritable oasis of peace and quiet. Molly was a very good guide very knowledgeable about the history of this part of London.