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Charterlegal: Magna Carter & Legal London


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:

  • Seven 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.
 

THE WALKING TOUR

We gather outside the entrance to Temple Underground Station in front of the AMISON Kiosk.

1. Outside Visit
**Middle Temple Gates**
Learn how, for seven hundred years, lawyers traveled from here in wherries, rowing boats, and later steam ferries to the law courts at Westminster.

2. Outside Visit
**1-4 Temple Gardens**
Designed by Edward Middleton Barry, the architect of Covent Garden (including the Floral Hall and Royal Opera House), this building is styled as a French château.

3. Outside Visit
**Middle Temple Hall**
Built in 1573, this hall is considered "the most perfect" example of an Elizabethan building remaining in Central London. Much of English history is intertwined with this landmark.

4. Outside Visit
**Inner Temple Hall and Gardens**
Shakespeare's *Henry VI Part 1* suggests that the Wars of the Roses began with the choosing of red and white roses in Temple Gardens.

5. Outside Visit
**Temple Church**
Constructed in 1162 by the Knights Templar, this church appears in fiction as a setting in Dan Brown's *The Da Vinci Code* and played a role in the negotiations of the Magna Carta.

6. Inside Visit  
**The Royal Courts of Justice**
Opened in 1882 by Queen Victoria, this building was originally designed to accommodate 19 courts, but now houses around a hundred.

7. Outside Visit  
**Lincoln's Inn: Old Hall and Chapel**
This Inn has produced sixteen prime ministers. The Old Hall, built around 1490, was occasionally used as a Court of Chancery.

8. Outside Visit  
**Staple Inn**
A former Inn of Chancery, its front was constructed in 1586, showcasing the finest example of Tudor timber-frame architecture in Central London.

9. Outside Visit
**Gray's Inn**
This hall was built in 1560 and later reconstructed after sustaining bomb damage. In the square stands a statue of the Inn's most notable former member; hear his story and ponder whether he deserved the honor.

**Final Stop**
**Chancery Lane Underground Station**
At the end of the tour, this is the nearest underground station.

David(31 Reviews)

Jacksonville, FL, USA

Guided by Keith

|Traveled as couple - May 2025

I have been on quite a few walking tours (and several in London) ~ this was one of the very best I have enjoyed. Keith speaks from his experience as a barrister and was able to gain access to many places the casual tourist would not be aware of. His depth of knowledge was phenomenal yet his presentation was easy to follow and understand often stopping to ask if we had any questions. He peppered the walk with personal anecdotes garnered from his extensive experience in this field. Not only did he describe the current structure of the British court sustem but he gave the historical precedent. This is a tour not to be missed especially for those with an interest in the British legal system and how it directly influenced the court structure and legal sysyem of my country (USA).

Fiona May 21, 2021 Excellent and to be recommended

Tripadvisor review: The Inns of Court and Royal Courts of Justice Walking Tour

A massive amount of history in 2 1/2 hours with someone who really knows what they are

talking about. Keith has worked in law and it would have been great to start with knowing

more about him and his history as once we knew that it all fell into place.

April(1 Review)

London

Guided by Keith

|Traveled alone - May 2025

Keith was very professional in his approach and very knowledgable on the history of the inns of court and the legal system. I would never have found these hidden places if not for this tour. Even stopped at a fantastic hidden cafe with a beautiful garden. Keith was obviously passionate about his subject and emailed me after the tour to recommended a particular book which was very thoughtful. I would recommend this tour for those who have done the “usual stuff” and want something different. A real insight into our ancient system. We visited the royal courts of justice, where you can just walk right on in, to see how it still works today. A very informative afternoon. Highly recommended. Thank you Keith.

04/17/2025

Mamta, London

Keith is very knowledgeable and passionate about the history. His tour contained a lot of details which we found fascinating! Thank you for a wonderful tour of Temple/Staple/Lincoln/Grays Inns

Henrice

Guided by Keith

|Traveled alone - Jun 2025

This is a great thematic walk. I’ve walked numerous times along the embankment and the royal court of justice but had never seen the buildings behind them which are key to British legal history. The walk sheds insights into key moment in legal history while also showing some lovely gardens in London . I had idea there were so many gardens. I particularly enjoyed visiting the royal court . Keith is knowledgable and with pictures sheds light on the history of some of the buildings. I came away realising just how much London was destroyed in the war and how quick they rebuild it.