stokebailey

Thanks, Ann. We'll give it one more try. The porters both times were amusingly gruff and stern, as if having dealt with our kind all too many times. (Honest, I was just trying to peek over his shoulder.)

annhig

try giving it another go, Stoke, but this time, phone/e-mail the number given on this website - although it's technically for members only, they always used to let in any members of the other inns, [like me] and, apparently, non-lawyers as well:

http://www.middletemplehall.org.uk/food-lunch.html

[yes, we abolished quills some time ago!]

make sure that you take a turn round the garden before you leave!

belted_galloway

We had been advised to visit Middle Temple Hall and Temple church prior to our London trip in February. After waiting patiently for 15 minutes in the pouring rain at the tiny door on Fleet Street, we were ushered in to what seemed like a different world. It was one of our travel finds of the past ten years.

I find the history of the area fascinating, always good to throw in a secret society, power, money, a Pope and a few bent lawyers.

annhig

After waiting patiently for 15 minutes in the pouring rain at the tiny door on Fleet Street,>>

??? - there should be no problem about getting into the Temple, either from Fleet street via middle Temple lane or one of the other gates, or from the southern end of middle Temple Lane, or from the west through the car park or the gate by Devereux Chambers. [used to be a good sandwich stall there!]

Getting into the Halls, as we have seen, takes a bit more effort.

<<we were ushered in to what seemed like a different world.>>

in my day [ ! ] the lamp-lighter came round and lit the gas lamps at dusk and put them out in the morning. the lack of electric lighting has made the temple very popular with makers of Dickens films and the like. however, otherwise what you have are basically a large number of very similar businesses all in competition with each other. it would be surprising if all were scrupulously honest. After all, like footballers, lawyers reflect the society they live in!

ChgoGal

bookmarking

belted_galloway

Didn't know about the other entrances. We were told to wait by a black door on Fleet Street which would open at 2pm, it promptly did.

Also loved Monument, our son had covered The Great Fire at school this year.

I lived in London for 5 years and these two passed me by. More interested in the Goose and Firkin at the time.

annhig

b_g - I was never aware of a gate that opened at 2pm - so you are one up on me!

I never got up the monument either, though I walked past it a few times. the early years of legal practice in london were terrific for getting to know the city. one day I'd be in Stratford [atte Bow, not upon Avon] the next in Islington, the third in Marylebone. I'm sure that there's loads that passed me by too - it is such a vast place!

annhig

travlbum/stoke

should you find yourself on Fleet Street, you might be interested also in this.

http://www.drjohnsonshouse.org/

i walked past it more times than I could count, but never went in. if you go, you might report back on what I missed.

PatrickLondon

>>http://www.drjohnsonshouse.org/

i walked past it more times than I could count, but never went in. if you go, you might report back on what I missed.<<

It's the standard collection of manuscripts, prints and furniture laying out the story of Johnson's life and work. No fancy re-creations with actors and the like (at least when I was there a couple of years ago), but I remember the attic laid out as it would have been with his assistants working away on the vast collection of paper slips that went to make up the Dictionary.

stokebailey

Thank you, Ann and Patrick. The attic alone sounds worth a visit. Probably opening windows wasn't allowed.