Gray's Inn

Gray’s Inn stands in the heart of London, where High Holborn meets Gray’s Inn Road. It is one of four professional bodies that train and admit barristers to practise in England and Wales. The Inn occupies a quiet precinct of barristers’ chambers, a library, a chapel and formal gardens known as the Walks. These gardens have existed since at least 1597 and remain a peaceful retreat beside the busy streets. The Inn is governed by a council called the Pension, led by a Treasurer who serves for one year. Since the 14th century lawyers and their apprentices have worked and lived on this site. The Inn reached its greatest size during the reign of Elizabeth I. Prominent members such as Francis Bacon, William Cecil and Gilbert Gerard helped it grow into the largest of the four Inns, with over 200 barristers recorded. Queen Elizabeth herself became its patron and attended entertainments mounted by the Inn. Masques and plays were performed for her, including a celebrated production of The Comedy of Errors by Shakespeare’s company. The Inn also hosted festivals at Candlemas, All Hallows Eve and Easter, when students took charge and appointed a Prince of Purpoole. Visitors enter a collegiate world of oak-panelled halls, libraries and barristers’ chambers. The Walks offer shaded walks among lawns and mature trees, unchanged since the 16th century. The Hall, where masques and trials once took place, still hosts legal dinners and ceremonies. A small chapel stands within the precinct, used for quiet reflection. The atmosphere is one of scholarly calm, a contrast to the bustle outside.