Open House
On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September 2023, Lincoln’s Inn will once again open its doors to the public for Open House, an annual festival celebrating London’s architecture and design, run by Open City. Step inside to explore private locations made famous on film and TV as we demystify the world of a barrister.
Over the course of the weekend, visitors are invited to explore Lincoln’s Inn, one of the four historic Inns of Court, and a cornerstone of the Bar of England and Wales. Steeped in tradition but with an eye to the future, for more than 600 years the Inn has been a hub for barristers, judges and those pursuing a career at the Bar to meet, learn, educate and support. Our 11-acres estate is home to architecture dating from the 15th to the 21st century, a noteworthy collection of historic art, rare books and manuscripts, and is surrounded by peaceful gardens.
Drop in for free between 10 am and 3.30 pm to collect a map and explore the site at your own pace. Throughout the day, Inn staff will be providing talks, and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions or queries that you may have.
Once you step through the doors of the Inn, you will discover locations from the small and silver screen, including Netflix’s Anatomy of a Scandal and Wonder Woman 1984. Immerse yourself in history (such as the 400 year-old Chapel, consecrated by poet John Donne in 1623 or the Great Hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1845), admire a collection of art featuring works from the likes Hogarth, and wander through the oldest Library in London, recently made famous by Netflix hits You and The Sandman – among its collections it boasts a first edition of Thomas More’s Utopia, the second folio of Shakespeare’s Collected Works, and the first book known to be printed by a woman.
Attending the event
- The weekend is free to attend.
- No registration required – feel free to drop in
- Doors will open from 10 am to 3.30 pm
- Maps available on the day
- Industry-focused panels held by Lincoln’s Inn Members discussing the world of law, held in our state-of-the-art Ashworth Centre – no booking required
- Exhibitions on the Inn’s history, architecture and members
- As this will be a popular event, please be prepared to queue (there were over 1600 visitors last year)
- Travel and accessibility information
Whether you are a member of Lincoln’s Inn, a film buff, or if you’ve never been inside an Inn of Court and want to know more, this is a fantastic chance to bring along your friends and family and experience our historic estate. There is something for everyone at the Inn this Open House.