A glance at leafy Lincoln’s Inn Fields and its surrounding space makes it almost laughable that back in the 17th century, the area was described as a “wild looking place of evil repute, and the scene of bloody execution”. Although the neighbourhood certainly has a gory past, it has gradually become one of the most appealing locations in London. Home to part of the London School of Economics, Royal College of Surgeons, and Lincoln’s Inn, this area is rich in intellectual and legal history. Lincoln’s Inn Fields itself is the largest public square in London, and the gorgeous architecture around it is currently made up predominately of commercial space. It is this blend of private and public space that makes it an oasis of recreation for student and career-types in one of London’s epicentres of activity.

Lincoln’s Inn Fields was originally known as Fickett’s Field, and in the Middle Ages was a key sight for executions. Several government and monarchy plotters were beheaded in the square; Anthony Babington, Robert Morton and Lord William Russell to name a few. Nonetheless, it has been a recreational area for scholars since 1422, when Lincoln’s Inn Society, the key historical legal institution and the area’s namesake, was founded in the locale. Its proximity to key sources of power in Britain meant that by the Victorian era, it was a highly prominent neighbourhood. Neoclassical architect, Sir John Soane built three houses on Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and in 1833 convinced parliament to pass legislation to preserve the iconic buildings exactly as he knew them. More recently, the public square drew attention in the 1980s as a ‘tent city’ when hundreds of homeless settled on the public space for sanctuary.

Sir John Soane, who lived at 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, was an avid collector, and even had the sarcophagus of Egyptian Pharaoh Seti I in his basement. He was also a bit of a prankster. Before his death and after procuring the preservation of his home, he stipulated that his bathtub lid be sealed until 1896. When the tub was ceremoniously opened, it was found to be filled with rubbish, including some false teeth.

The opening setting of Charles Dicken’s classic novel “Bleak House” is the Old Hall in Lincoln’s Inn. It goes like this; “London. Michaelmas Term lately over, and the Lord Chancellor sitting in Lincoln’s Inn Hall. Implacable November weather……Fog everywhere.”.

There’s also a memorial seat to Margaret Ethel MacDonald in the square, wife of first British Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, and activist for women workers. She, along with her husband and several children, lived at Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Due to the density of the area, Lincoln’s Inn Field is certainly currently short on residential space, as the majority is made up of commercial offices or academic buildings. Furthermore, what there is of housing in the neighbourhood does not come cheap. However, it is a well-loved spot for those who work around the area.

In an effort to combat the housing demand in the area, Lincoln Square, a 10-storey luxury residential development project on nearby Portugal Street, was developed and completed in late 2019. Starting prices were set at £1.2 million for one of the 230 apartments but prices have soared from then to now, with some apartments for over £2.9 million today. Additionally, the London School of Economics are currently developing new academic spaces of their own, with their £120 million Centre Building on Houghton Street completed, and Marshall Building on 44 Lincoln’s Inn Field expected to begin soon.