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Free tour

The Royal Courts of Justice and Inns of Court Walking Tour.

4.71
Good(14)
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Languages: English
Guru: Keith
Registered on 16 October 2021
Guru Avatar Image
I am Keith, a former lawyer. Before I could qualify as a lawyer, I had to eat 36 dinners in one of the halls of the Inns of Court. I would like to show you the historic Medieval and Elizabethan halls and buildings of the Inns of Court which the Knights Templar first occupied and where for seven hundred years lawyers have lived, learned and practised. I will also explain why I had to eat 36 dinners.
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

You will hear how this small area of London almost by accident fostered the development of the English Common Law which spread around the world to the United States of America, India, Pakistan, Africa, Australia, and many more countries and was the originator of the world's system of common law.
    

People who changed the world worked, lived, entertained, and were educated in the Inns of Court, including: 

  • Eight of the signatories to the American Declaration of Independence.
  • Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan who owned over 200 bespoke (made-to-measure) suits and, as a barrister in London, was said to never wear the same silk tie twice.
  • Mahatma Gandhi who had to promise his mother that he would abstain from meat, alcohol, and women before he could enrol in Inner Temple.
  • Sir Francis Drake, a privateer, and the first Englishman to circumnavigate the World and who was then a leading light at the Inns of Court.
  • Sir William Blackstone who influenced common and criminal law in the United States and the British Commonwealth and stated that: “It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.” 


The oldest building on the tour is the Temple Church, built in 1162 AD and consecrated in 1185 AD, which was one of the bases of King John in the Magna Carta negotiations 
 
Over eight hundred years these medieval halls and buildings have witnessed many changes and we will look at some of the traditions, including eating dinners in the halls, which have endured to this day. 
  
I look forward to meeting you,
  
Keith 

 


Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:
I will be outside the entrance to Temple Underground Station standing in front of the MONOCLE kiosk.
1
Outside visit
Middle Temple Gates
Hear how for seven hundred years lawyers travelled from here in wherries (rowing boats) and then steam ferries to the law courts at Westminster.
2
Outside visit
1-4 Temple Gardens
Edward Middleton Barry the architect of Covent Garden (the Floral Hall and Royal Opera House) designed the building in the style of a French Chateau.
3
Outside visit
Middle Temple Hall
Built in 1573 and said to be "the most perfect" example of an Elizabethan building remaining in Central London. So much of English history revolves around this building.
Tour map

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour reviews

4.71
Good(14)
Generic
10
4
0
0
0
By category
Professionalism
4.86
Fun
4.43
Communication
4.57
Quality
4.71
Route
4.77

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group bookings.
Pets
Not suitable for bringing pets.

What should I know?

Minimum attendees
Does not require a minimum number of people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or card payment accepted.
The Royal Courts of Justice and Inns of Court Walking Tour.
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