
Gray's Inn, London
Gray's Inn is one of the Inns of Court – historic societies that educate and train barristers. In order to practice as a barrister in England and Wales, individuals must be affiliated with one of these inns, which also include Lincoln's Inn, the Inner Temple, and the Middle Temple. The governance of Gray's Inn is overseen by a council called "Pension", made up of the Masters of the Bench (or "benchers") and led by the Treasurer, who is elected for a one-year term. The Inn is renowned for its gardens, ("the "Walks"), which date back at least to 1597.
Law clerks and their apprentices have been present on the current site since at least 1370. Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, Gray's Inn expanded in size, reaching its peak during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The Inn served as the residence of many prominent barristers and politicians, including Francis Bacon, and even had Queen Elizabeth herself as a patron. Due to the efforts of its distinguished members, Gray's Inn became the largest of the four Inns in terms of membership, with over 200 barristers. During this era, the Inn hosted masques and revels, with Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors" believed to have had its initial performance in Gray's Inn Hall.
Charles Dickens briefly played with the idea of pursuing a legal career and, in May 1827, started working as a junior clerk of Ellis and Blackmore which had offices at Gray's Inn. Whilst here, he learned the Gurney system of shorthand in his spare time, a skill that later proved invaluable to him as a reporter and writer. Dickens remained at Gray's Inn until November 1828 when he transitioned to become a parliamentary reporter and subsequently penned "Sketches by Boz" (his journalistic pen name) and "The Pickwick Papers", the two works that propelled him to fame in 1836. He made reference to the Inn in several of his novels, including "David Copperfield" and the aforementioned "The Pickwick Papers".
Law clerks and their apprentices have been present on the current site since at least 1370. Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, Gray's Inn expanded in size, reaching its peak during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The Inn served as the residence of many prominent barristers and politicians, including Francis Bacon, and even had Queen Elizabeth herself as a patron. Due to the efforts of its distinguished members, Gray's Inn became the largest of the four Inns in terms of membership, with over 200 barristers. During this era, the Inn hosted masques and revels, with Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors" believed to have had its initial performance in Gray's Inn Hall.
Charles Dickens briefly played with the idea of pursuing a legal career and, in May 1827, started working as a junior clerk of Ellis and Blackmore which had offices at Gray's Inn. Whilst here, he learned the Gurney system of shorthand in his spare time, a skill that later proved invaluable to him as a reporter and writer. Dickens remained at Gray's Inn until November 1828 when he transitioned to become a parliamentary reporter and subsequently penned "Sketches by Boz" (his journalistic pen name) and "The Pickwick Papers", the two works that propelled him to fame in 1836. He made reference to the Inn in several of his novels, including "David Copperfield" and the aforementioned "The Pickwick Papers".
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Gray's Inn on Map






Sight Name: Gray's Inn
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
London's Historic Pubs Walk
If there’s any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
Bridges of London
Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
London Introduction Walking Tour
After the Roman invasion of 43 AD, the settlement of Londinium came into being. Things went well enough until 61 AD. Then Queen Boudica and her Iceni warriors arrived. They burned the town to ashes. They were not just rowdy tourists. Londinium had died but it rose again and it flourished until the Romans left in the 5th century.
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Jane Austen’s London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham’s elopement in “Pride & Prejudice.”
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Beatles London Walking Tour
Perhaps one of the most famed and influential bands of all time, whose music has transcended generations, The Beatles continues to be a source of entertainment many decades after the group was formed (1960) and split up (1970).
"The Fab Four" – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – all came from Liverpool, but London was indeed their home-base. As the... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
"The Fab Four" – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – all came from Liverpool, but London was indeed their home-base. As the... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour
A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market – currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers
Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...