Royal Courts of Justice
Royal Courts of Justice
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsGovernment Buildings
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
The Royal Courts of Justice are an attraction well worth a visit. Close enough to Parliament, the Temple and The City. With stunning Victorian architecture, a small costume exhibition. The courts were designed by George Edmund Street and took more than eight years to complete throughout the 1870s. The courts were opened in an official ceremony by Queen Victoria on December 4th, 1882.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Holborn
Inner London’s busiest streets crisscross quiet cobbled lanes for an effect that can be urbane or quaint – or an intriguing blend of both – depending on the particular corner you turn. Due to its especially convenient location, bustling Holborn hosts an excellent range of hotels, eateries, and shops to suit practically any taste or budget. With major attractions like the British Museum and Somerset House as well as popular areas such as Covent Garden and Soho all just a short walk away, Holborn is a smart base from which to explore London.
How to get there
- Temple • 5 min walk
- Chancery Lane • 6 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,406 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Spuddy58Giaveno, Italy84 contributionsExcellent TourMy friend and I really enjoyed our visit to the Royal Courts of Justice, the Inn’s of Court and the Old Bailey. What magnificent architecture. Our tour guide Tim was very informative and amusing. It was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours and we even managed to sit in on a session in an Appeal Hearing in one of the Courts. The weather was cold but sunny so the walk to Lincoln Inn and the Old Bailey was charming. We were given a list of all the cases to be heard in the courts at the Old Bailey in the afternoon but unfortunately did not attend any as we had other plans. This really was an excellent tour - thank you.Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten December 10, 2023
- therichastillStevenage, United Kingdom3,238 contributionsBeautiful BuildingsThe Royal Courts of Justice are located on the Strand close to the end where it becomes Fleet Street. It is a large set of buildings where many important decisions are made. The building has lots of ornate towers as well as arches and turrets. If you like nice architecture you will probably enjoy checking this out.Visited February 2024Traveled soloWritten February 24, 2024
- Dash437 contributionsExcellent tour with ex-journalistOur group of 4 enjoyed an excellent morning tour of the RCJ and Lincoln’s Inn from Tim Wood who is an ex-court reporter. He knows his stuff and entertained us with his personal stories. Very interesting and informative couple of hours. He also gave us a list of live cases in the Old Bailey which we could attend in the public gallery in the afternoon. We went on a Friday and only a few cases were running. The limitations on numbers meant we couldn’t wait but we’ll be back another time.Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 25, 2024
- Ann B2 contributionsRoyal Courts of JusticeAn excellent tour of the Royal Courts of Justice today. I am only sorry IÂ Â could not visit the old Bailey but IÂ had to get my train back home. It really was very interesting and most enjoyable. The Tour Guide, Joseph Woods, was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of information about the history of both the building and the cases held at the CourtVisited April 2024Traveled soloWritten April 27, 2024
- wps1500Cheltenham, United Kingdom8 contributionsWhat a findWhat a find. We had a great afternoon sat in the peaceful surroundings in the sunshine with a nice bottle of French rose and a few snacks. Couldn’t believe the price of the wine, £20 in the middle of London, what a find.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 4, 2024
- Margaret TChester, United Kingdom203 contributionsExcellent tourA very interesting tour by June and afterwards we went into two of the courts in session which was fascinating. They finish at 4.30 but we would have loved to have gone back the next day but couldn't. There is also a self guided tour if you don't want to book a tour. There are no lifts in the building . Airport style security on entry.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 18, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
331 reviews
Excellent
188
Very good
127
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Stephen W
Norwich, UK61 contributions
Feb 2020
No charge to get in and the building is an amazing trip back in time. No photo's allowed except on given days, which is a shame because there is lots that you want to remember. You can sit in on a trial but we just explored. Small cafe downstairs when you want to take a break and security staff are very polite and welcoming
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris B
116 contributions
Mar 2023
Unbelievable. Its just like the film you see on the TV news of the results of legal cases and to walk inside is like going inti an inner sanctum. Once inside you can wander around the many courts and if you are brave, you may enter the public gallery. Nice museum and terrific atmosphere. Don't miss it.
Written March 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann B
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
An excellent tour of the Royal Courts of Justice today. I am only sorry IÂ Â could not visit the old Bailey but IÂ had to get my train back home. It really was very interesting and most enjoyable.
The Tour Guide, Joseph Woods, was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of information about the history of both the building and the cases held at the Court
The Tour Guide, Joseph Woods, was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of information about the history of both the building and the cases held at the Court
Written April 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,238 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
The Royal Courts of Justice are located on the Strand close to the end where it becomes Fleet Street.
It is a large set of buildings where many important decisions are made.
The building has lots of ornate towers as well as arches and turrets. If you like nice architecture you will probably enjoy checking this out.
It is a large set of buildings where many important decisions are made.
The building has lots of ornate towers as well as arches and turrets. If you like nice architecture you will probably enjoy checking this out.
Written February 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HINA W
Islamabad, Pakistan7,358 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This regal building looks like a palace but no one’s ever dwelled here. It stands on Strand near the four remaining inns of Court. This is a building that is the home of the the High Court and Courts of Appeal of England and Wales. It is a beautiful Victorian Gothic building built out of grey stone. It was designed by George Edmund Street and inaugurated in 1882 by Queen Victoria. It contains more that a thousand rooms, many towers and several interesting statues. The law courts have a very opulent interior.
Written July 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spuddy58
Giaveno, Italy84 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
My friend and I really enjoyed our visit to the Royal Courts of Justice, the Inn’s of Court and the Old Bailey. What magnificent architecture. Our tour guide Tim was very informative and amusing. It was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours and we even managed to sit in on a session in an Appeal Hearing in one of the Courts.
The weather was cold but sunny so the walk to Lincoln Inn and the Old Bailey was charming. We were given a list of all the cases to be heard in the courts at the Old Bailey in the afternoon but unfortunately did not attend any as we had other plans.
This really was an excellent tour - thank you.
The weather was cold but sunny so the walk to Lincoln Inn and the Old Bailey was charming. We were given a list of all the cases to be heard in the courts at the Old Bailey in the afternoon but unfortunately did not attend any as we had other plans.
This really was an excellent tour - thank you.
Written December 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dash
Leeds, England, United Kingdom437 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Our group of 4 enjoyed an excellent morning tour of the RCJ and Lincoln’s Inn from Tim Wood who is an ex-court reporter. He knows his stuff and entertained us with his personal stories. Very interesting and informative couple of hours. He also gave us a list of live cases in the Old Bailey which we could attend in the public gallery in the afternoon. We went on a Friday and only a few cases were running. The limitations on numbers meant we couldn’t wait but we’ll be back another time.
Written March 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,145 contributions
Dec 2022
With two soon to be lawyers on the trip, my son and his fiancee, this was a timely place for us to see many of the times we were walking the city. Additionally, it is a beautiful structure that can be easily admired from the street. We did not see the interior but it is impressive from the exterior.
Written May 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret T
Chester, UK203 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
A very interesting tour by June and afterwards we went into two of the courts in session which was fascinating. They finish at 4.30 but we would have loved to have gone back the next day but couldn't. There is also a self guided tour if you don't want to book a tour. There are no lifts in the building . Airport style security on entry.
Written May 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wps1500
Cheltenham, UK8 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
What a find. We had a great afternoon sat in the peaceful surroundings in the sunshine with a nice bottle of French rose and a few snacks. Couldn’t believe the price of the wine, £20 in the middle of London, what a find.
Written May 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you able to sit in as a member of the public on a court hearing given COVID-19 constraints?
Written October 4, 2020
Can you take a self guided tour without booking (just walk in)
Written August 21, 2019
You can go into the foyer but that’s about it.
You join the guided tour in the main hallway, but you can stay behind at the end and wander. We went to the refectory for a sandwich and sat in the courtyard.
Written October 23, 2020
I’m visiting from the U.S., are there tours of the building?
Written April 3, 2018
"They now offer a unique half-day London Legal Walking Tours and I believe they offer tours through these companies: White Sky Tours Ltd, and delivered by the best Blue Badge Guides in London. The Royal Courts of Justice tour is entertaining, educational and exciting, and will last approximately between one hour to one hour and 15 minutes. Adult: £13.00.
If you have a problem booking a tour please contact us via email"
Information found on theroyalcourtsofjustice website
Sorry I can not provide any HTML content or else I would have provided the email and website link
Written December 6, 2018
Come si fa ad entrare nella corte di giustizia e che orari ci sono
Written September 20, 2016
Having read the excellent reviews I'm thinking of visiting here as opposed to The Old Bailey. Having previously visited the Old Bailey where we could not take any bag, phone ect in, I just wondered if it is the same here. Also are there cases being heard every weekday you can sit in on? Thanks.
Written March 6, 2016
You can take a phone in but there is airport style security. They have cases on Monday to Friday but they have very short terms- a bit like a private school so check online.
Written March 8, 2016
They own a sculpture of Lord Chief Justice Woolf by David Mach. Is it on view?
Written November 16, 2015
We certainly saw it on our tour ..... MOST impressive!
Written July 3, 2017
When is it possible to visit the building inside? Is it neccessary to get a ticket?
Written June 5, 2015
How many courtrooms are in the building?
Written February 13, 2015
In total there is over a 100 but that includes smaller rooms in the newer part of the court complex. There are around 20 'main' courts just off the main hall which are the most historic and impressive.
Written November 2, 2017
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