Holborn

Photo of the Royal Courts of Justice in London — Photo by Dana on Unsplash

Holborn - the centre of London’s legal system - is a serious place populated by sensible people, even if they perhaps don’t look it as they flounce around in wigs and gowns.

Pedants will thank me for reminding you that it is traditionally pronounced ho-bn, though even some of the automatic announcements on the tube forget this.

Things to do

Photo of the sign outside the entrance — Photo by me, no talks on when I was there alas

Gresham College

Gresham College - founded in 1537 - offers free evening lectures on a variety of subjects led by world class experts.

All of their talks are uploaded to their YouTube channel so they can be enjoyed even if you’re not in London.

gresham.ac.uk

Photo of a stained glass window in the museum — Photo by me

Former home of Sir John Soane, a celebrated neo-classical architect. The house has been preserved as it was at the time of his death in 1837 and contains a spectacular collection of antiques, including Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress.

Free - some paid events

www.soane.org

Photo of the Royal College of Surgeons — Photo by me, the exhibits aren't very photogenic 😱

Hunterian Museum

Located in the Royal College of Surgeons, The Hunterian Museum shows off an extrodinary collection of medical specimens accumulated by John Hunter in the 18th Century.

Expect excruciating looking medical instruments, jars of preserved body parts (!), animal skeletons and a look at how modern surgery has advanced.

Free - pre-booking advised

hunterianmuseum.org

Speciality coffee

Photo of a flat white in a kind of blueish cup. — Photo by me.

Colonna and Smalls

An extremely upmarket and thus pricey shop at the northern end of Leather Lane.

They usually have a range of beans to choose from, and can do aeropress coffees. I went for a lighter roast and it was worth the price.

colonnacoffee.com

Photo of a flat white in a white cup. — Photo by me. 9/10, quite mild tasting.

Prufrock Coffee

Despite being hidden away behind the market stalls of Leather Lane Prufrock is always busy.

It is table service - not ideal if you’re in a rush but otherwise well worth visiting.

prufrockcoffee.com

Parks & Gardens

Lincoln's Inn Fields

If it didn’t make me sound like a property developer I’d be tempted to describe Lincoln’s Inn Fields as an oasis of calm in the city.

It is a popular spot with tennis players, dog walkers and hordes of somewhat tame crows.

On weekdays it is also a hit with people in suits who do laps while having intense business discussions on their phones.

cindex.camden.gov.uk