This area encapsulates the historic old law offices and generations-old businesses that line Chancery Lane, one of the most important and culturally distinct streets in central London. The neighbourhood makes up part of Britain’s legal heart and it’s easy to spot barristers scurrying up and down the street between Fleet Street and High Holborn. Whilst the area is most known for its legal-oriented character, the street also houses the Law Society of England and Wales, King’s College’s Maughan Library and even the London Silver Vaults.

The street was established in the 12th century by the Knights Templar who carved out the route as a passage from their old headquarters in Holborn to “New Temple”. The story of how this area became the legal centre of the country starts in the 13th century with the reign of King Henry III. In 1234, he closed all of the schools of law in the City. As a result, several Inns of Chancery sprung up around the area, which were colleges of lawyers. The prosperity that the young lawyers brought it also encouraged wig makers, strongbox makers, and book sellers to the area. By 1770 the locality was established as a definitively urban area, and in 1994 its historical buildings became protected as part of an area of conservation by the City of London.

Isaak Walton, named the iconic ‘father of angling’ for his world-famous book The Compleat Angler, used to work as a linen draper in Chancery Lane from 1627 to 1644. The Compleat Angler is one of the most frequently reprinted book in the English language.

It seems that Chancery Lane has a lot more to offer than meets the eye, right underneath its cobbled pavement. The street is home to the London Silver Vaults, one of the most intriguing spots in the city. They hold the largest retail collection of antique silver and the vaults are considered one of the most secure buildings in the world – they have over 5000 safes. That’s not all that’s hidden underground, there are also eight deep-level air raid shelters that were built during the Second World War. During the Cold War, it was converted to be a nuclear bunker with a games room and the country’s deepest licensed bar.

This is a very small and historic neighbourhood, and as a result it comes with its own distinct challenges. These revolve around capacity, connectivity and character. It is primary inhabited by employees who work in its offices, but also tourists who flock for its architectural beauty. This has put pressure on the transport links there, specifically traffic. However, its protection as a conservation area limits the types of solutions available to the issue. Nevertheless, Chancery Lane makes up a key element of the “historic core of London’ with its own distinct character worth preserving.

Because Chancery Lane is protected as a conservation area, significant development is unlikely to emerge in the near future. However, the local plan by City of London, the neighbourhood’s borough, have discussed proposals to increase residential housing to alleviate pressures on the transport around the area. Additionally, there are hopes to expand work spaces to focus on smaller businesses and more modern, open space offices. New developments in and around Chancery Lane already dot the landscape and many of the heritage buildings have been refurbished and brought back to life as homes and office space by willing investors.