Exclusive Legal London Tours

What Can I Expect

Witness justice in action on these Old Bailey tours! We are offering these tours on an exclusive basis for your group of up to five crime buffs. The Legal London tour visits the Royal Courts of Justice and the Old Bailey.

All Legal London tours start at the Law Courts (the Royal Courts of Justice buildings) on the Strand, home to both the High Court and Court of Appeal for England and Wales. Your host, who's fully versed in the world of criminality and law, will explain the role of these courts to you before leading you inside the building.

Court 4 is where the Lord Chief Justice sits and when it's in session it's normally open to the public. This tour of legal London includes time to witness an appeal trial as it's actually going on. Thoroughly fascinating stuff for anyone slightly curious about legal dealings in this country!

Then you'll walk behind the Law Courts to Lincoln's Inn Fields, where impressive buildings arranged around a pretty grassed square are the chambers of many of the country's top legal eagles. Your tour continues with a visit to the famed Old Bailey, which is about a half a mile stroll form the Royal Courts of Justice.

Once again your host will introduce you to the building and you'll be provided with a court listing for the day so you see what trials are in session, all ready for you to witness justice in the making.

The history of the Old Bailey is fascinating. The main domed building you see today dates from 1907, but there's been a court on this, what was Newgate Prison, for centuries. Indeed you might be surprised to hear that it wasn't all that long ago when the public floggings and hangings were finally abolished, in 1868.

With the golden Lady Justice sitting pretty atop the dome clutching her scales of justice in one hand and her sword of retribution in the other, visiting the Old Bailey (officially called the Central Criminal Court), is quite an eye-opener.

The wood panelled courts of the old building are notoriously cramped and uncomfortable. Former liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe on trial for conspiracy to murder in 1979 knew this, as he arrived at court with his own cushion!). With the newer extension, there are 18 courts spread across three floors.

Courts one and two are where the most serious murder and high security cases are heard, with the likes of Oscar Wilde, the Kray twins, Peter Sutcliffe and Ian Huntley appearing in the dock to face judge and jury. In fact, more murder trials are heard at the Old Bailey than any other court in the land.

All courts are open to the public, so these Old Bailey tours allow time to watch an afternoon court sitting. Will you be there at the moment a defendant is found guilty of their heinous crime? Will you hear the judge ordering them to be 'taken down' to start their punishment at her Majesty's pleasure? Book your private tour now for up five to lift the lid on London's legal world.

Availability

• Tours operate on weekdays throughout the year
• All dates and session times are subject to availability
• Tours start at 11am at The Royal Court of Justice on The Strand

Suitable For

• Minimum age 14
• Under 18s must be accompanied by a participating adult

Spectators

• Not suitable for spectators

Anything Else

• Access to the public galleries of the courts is subject to strict airport-style security guidelines
• Photograhy inside the building is not permitted