Centred around a 17th-century green space, Holborn is a historic law district in central London. It’s home to the Royal Courts of Justice and several Inns of Court where barristers have traditionally trained and practised. In the surrounding streets are eclectic cafes and pubs serving the area’s lively student population.
Things to do in Holborn
One of England’s most famous architects is celebrated at Sir John Soane’s Museum, which exhibits his drawings and models, as well as antiquities he collected over the years. Housed within Sir John Soane’s former residence, the museum displays artworks by the Venetian painter Canaletto and the English artist J. M. W. Turner, together with drawings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi.
Sir John Soane’s Museum lies on the edge of Lincoln's Inn Fields, a public square that’s named after one of London’s four Inns of Court. It features sprawling lawns where locals like to come to read and relax, as well as tennis courts and a bandstand where concerts occasionally take place. Nearby is Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, which is renowned for its painted glass windows.
No visit to Holborn is complete without admiring the Royal Courts of Justice, which was designed by George Edmund Street in a Victorian Gothic Revival style. Join a guided tour to learn about the events that have taken place here while admiring the soaring arches and mosaic marble floor. One of the most significant artworks on display is a Henry Tanworth Wells painting, which depicts the opening of the building in 1882 by Queen Victoria.
Getting around Holborn
Holborn is around 15 minutes’ drive from Victoria Station and 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Underground services connect to Holborn station and buses travel throughout the district. Most of Holborn’s attractions can easily be explored on foot.