Description
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The collegiate legal institution of Gray's Inn was established some 700 years ago although many of the buildings on the site now date from post-war rebuilding following 1941 bomb damage. Gray's Inn Walks were first laid out formally in the C16th, later altered in the C18th. The gardens of Gray's Inn Square and South Square to the east of Field Court are both essentially C20th. Gray's Inn Square, 1930-31, has a central rectangular lawn with flower beds, scattered trees and an C18th sundial in the centre, moved here from the north end of Gray's Inn Walks in 1966. South Square, adjacent to Gray's Inn Hall, has an oval lawn with a statue of Francis Bacon by Frederick W Pomeroy, 1912, and a large mixed bed of shrubs and bedding known as the Treasurer's Bed.
The collegiate legal institution of Gray's Inn was established some 700 years ago although many of the buildings on the site now date from post-war rebuilding following 1941 bomb damage. Gray's Inn Walks were first laid out formally in the C16th, later altered in the C18th. The gardens of Gray's Inn Square and South Square to the east of Field Court are both essentially C20th. Gray's Inn Square, 1930-31, has a central rectangular lawn with flower beds, scattered trees and an C18th sundial in the centre, moved here from the north end of Gray's Inn Walks in 1966. South Square, adjacent to Gray's Inn Hall, has an oval lawn with a statue of Francis Bacon by Frederick W Pomeroy, 1912, and a large mixed bed of shrubs and bedding known as the Treasurer's Bed.
Practical Information
| Site location | Gray's Inn |
|---|---|
| Postcode | WC1 |
| What3Words | ///heats.critic.crest |
| Type of Site | Institutional Grounds |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | private but some public access |
| Public Transport | Tube: Chancery Lane (Central) |
| Research Updated | 1 February 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Site on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens, for Register Entry see https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court, along with The Honourable Societies of Lincoln's Inn, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple (q.q.v.). The collegiate legal institution of Gray's Inn was established some 700 years ago although many of the buildings on the site now date from post-war rebuilding following 1941 bomb damage, designed by Sir Edward Maufe. The Gray's Inn Walks and Gardens (q.v.) were first laid out in the C16th under the direction of Francis Bacon, but were altered from the C18th onwards. Gray's Inn Square and South Square are to the east of Field Court and the planting and layout of both is essentially C20th.
Gray's Inn Square to the north was laid out in 1930-31 and consists of a central rectangular lawn with scattered trees and yew trees in each corner. A path crosses the lawn from west to east and the sundial in the centre dates from the C18th, moved here from the north end of Gray's Inn Walks in 1966. Set in the lawn are a number of flower beds planted mainly with roses and lavender. South Square is to the south, adjacent to Gray's Inn Hall and has an oval lawn with a statue of Francis Bacon by Frederick W Pomeroy, 1912, in the east end. On the north side of the square the large mixed bed of shrubs and bedding is known as the Treasurer's Bed.
The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England was established in 1984 and was commonly called English Heritage. In April 2015 it split into 2 separate entities, Historic England (HE), which continues to champion and protect the historic environment, and the English Heritage Trust, whose role is to look after the 400+ historic sites and monuments owned by the state. HE manages the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) that includes over 400,000 items ranging from prehistoric monuments to office blocks, battlefields and parks, which benefit from legal protection.
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court, along with The Honourable Societies of Lincoln's Inn, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple (q.q.v.). The collegiate legal institution of Gray's Inn was established some 700 years ago although many of the buildings on the site now date from post-war rebuilding following 1941 bomb damage, designed by Sir Edward Maufe. The Gray's Inn Walks and Gardens (q.v.) were first laid out in the C16th under the direction of Francis Bacon, but were altered from the C18th onwards. Gray's Inn Square and South Square are to the east of Field Court and the planting and layout of both is essentially C20th.
Gray's Inn Square to the north was laid out in 1930-31 and consists of a central rectangular lawn with scattered trees and yew trees in each corner. A path crosses the lawn from west to east and the sundial in the centre dates from the C18th, moved here from the north end of Gray's Inn Walks in 1966. Set in the lawn are a number of flower beds planted mainly with roses and lavender. South Square is to the south, adjacent to Gray's Inn Hall and has an oval lawn with a statue of Francis Bacon by Frederick W Pomeroy, 1912, in the east end. On the north side of the square the large mixed bed of shrubs and bedding is known as the Treasurer's Bed.
The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England was established in 1984 and was commonly called English Heritage. In April 2015 it split into 2 separate entities, Historic England (HE), which continues to champion and protect the historic environment, and the English Heritage Trust, whose role is to look after the 400+ historic sites and monuments owned by the state. HE manages the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) that includes over 400,000 items ranging from prehistoric monuments to office blocks, battlefields and parks, which benefit from legal protection.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ309818 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Hon. Society of Gray's Inn |
| Site Management | Hon. Society of Gray's Inn |
| Dates | C16th; C18th; C20th |
| Listed Structures | LBI: The Hall, South Square. LBII*: Nos. 12, 13, 14 Gray's Inn Sq, Gatehouse & attached railings fronting Gray's Inn Rd; No. 1 & attached railings; Nos. 6, 7 & 8 & attached railings. LBII: Chapel, Pump and Sundial in Gray's Inn Square; No. 1 South Square, statue of Francis Bacon. Raymond Building 1-6 & attached railings; Verulam Buildings: Nos. 1-5 & attached railings, Lodge north-east corner and railings & gates to south. |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | Yes |
| NHLE grade | Grade II* |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Bloomsbury |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Special Character: Central London Area |
| Other LA Designation | Private Open Space. London Squares Preservation Act of 1931. Rail Safeguarding Area. Strategic View Corridor |
Gallery
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The collegiate legal institution of Gray's Inn was established some 700 years ago although many of the buildings on the site now date from post-war rebuilding following 1941 bomb damage. In the mid-C16th Gray's Inn consisted of a single court with walled garden to the north, known as Green Court. Surrounded by barristers' chambers and offices, the gardens, also known as Gray's Inn Walks, were first laid out in 1606 under the direction of Francis Bacon, but were altered from the C18th onward. The main feature is a broad gravelled path between an avenue of mature plane trees, with ornamental trees and shrubs behind; at the end are Indian bean trees grown from slips brought back by Sir Walter Raleigh and planted by Bacon.
The collegiate legal institution of Gray's Inn was established some 700 years ago although many of the buildings on the site now date from post-war rebuilding following 1941 bomb damage. In the mid-C16th Gray's Inn consisted of a single court with walled garden to the north, known as Green Court. Surrounded by barristers' chambers and offices, the gardens, also known as Gray's Inn Walks, were first laid out in 1606 under the direction of Francis Bacon, but were altered from the C18th onward. The main feature is a broad gravelled path between an avenue of mature plane trees, with ornamental trees and shrubs behind; at the end are Indian bean trees grown from slips brought back by Sir Walter Raleigh and planted by Bacon.
A place for trading in the C13th and C14th, Staple Inn was used by the legal profession from c.1415 until c.1884, and since 1887 has been the home of the Institute of Actuaries. A 'Staple Hall' is recorded here from at least 1292 and it may date from even earlier. Parts of the surviving buildings date from the late C16th when Staple Inn was enlarged, including the half-timbered Elizabethan range facing onto Holborn with an arch leading to the internal Courtyard. The Garden south of the Hall has existed here since the late C16th and today has fountain, flower beds, trees and shrubs. The Courtyard is paved and has a number of mature plane trees, seats and lamp posts; its well and pump provided the water supply to the Inn until the 1930s.
Today there are two paved courtyards here but the central courtyard was once the garden of Barnard's Inn, one of the Inns of Chancery associated with Gray's Inn. The late C14th Hall survives, which in 1454 was tenanted by Lionel Barnard, hence the name, and the premises were used by law students. The freehold was purchased by the Mercers' Company in 1892 for use as the Mercers' School, which it remained until 1959. Since 1991 it has been the base for Gresham College, established in 1597 by Sir Thomas Gresham whose house in Bishopsgate was the first venue for free public lectures. On his death, Gresham left his estate and control of his benefaction to the City of London Corporation and the Mercers' Company.
