Sitting on the edge of the City of London is a large walled estate packed full of history and impressively grand buildings — and it offers tours.
This is Lincoln’s Inn, named after its first home in the City, which was leased from the Earl of Lincoln. In 1234, however, King Henry III banned legal schools from operating within the City itself, forcing them to relocate to its fringes.
Lincoln’s Inn settled into what had once been a bishop’s palace and has remained on the same site ever since, gradually expanding over the centuries. Despite being surrounded by modern offices, it still feels like a secluded enclave: fenced off, quietly hidden in plain sight, yet free to enter if you know where to look.
For those who want to go beyond the courtyards, guided tours provide access to the Inn’s interiors, including the historic chapel, the main grounds, the library, and the vast dining hall. Along the way, guides unravel the story of the Inns of Court, their customs and rituals, and how a distinctly Tudor-style building came to dominate the heart of the complex.
The tours of Lincoln’s Inn cost £20 per person, and usually take place on a Tuesday morning at 11am – although they have the occasional other days as well.
You can book a ticket from here.
The main entrance to Lincoln’s Inn estate is on the southeastern corner of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, a short walk from Holborn tube station.
The Huntarian Museum at Lincoln’s Inn Fields is also worth visiting while you’re in the area. It is free to visit.
(Note: the Sir John Soane Museum is closed on Tuesdays, so if you want to do both museums, you need to book a Lincolns Inn tour on a different day)
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