The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn is the oldest and largest of the four Inns of Court, with an estate spanning an impressive eleven acres and has been named one of Time Out's five must-see venues for this year's Open House Festival.

The exact origins of Lincoln’s Inn remain something of a mystery. What we do know is that its official records, the Black Books, date back to 1422, making them the oldest continuous records of any Inn.

Originally, the Inn rented its land from the Bishops of Chichester, who were granted the property in 1228—the date of the oldest document in our archive. In 1580, the Inn finally purchased the freehold, which then included the Old Hall, surrounding chambers, and a chapel.

Over the centuries, the estate expanded as finances allowed, gradually shaping the eleven-acre site you see today, with the most striking Great Hall opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845.

Remarkably spared during both world wars, the Inn did not lose any buildings and can now showcase a charming mix of architecture across the ages. The most recent addition includes the Ashworth Centre, a modern conference space, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth in 2018.

Drop-in and see for yourself on Saturday 13 September as we will open our doors to the public!