A Walk through Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Join us for this guided walk, as we confront the dark social history of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The population living and working in this part of London has always been diverse, and the contrast between the conspicuous wealthy and the poverty stricken has led to dramatic episodes during its long history. In our tour, we will visit landmark sites in Lincoln’s Inn Fields to provide a backdrop for historical accounts. We will visit the site of the Insolvent Debtor’s Court, designed by the renowned architect John Soane, to hear stories of the Court’s famous cases and consider the harsh injustice visited upon those in debt, including the writer Charles Dickens’ father. We will hear about how John Soane’s son, George was tried multiple times for debt in court. We will visit the house, now museum, of John Soane, which was designed to showcase his large personal collection. Accounts of the contrasting lives of John and George Soane, and the fascinating parallel events taking place in the two buildings – the House / Museum and the Debtor’s Court - will offer thought provoking insight into Lincoln's Inn Fields and its connections with the duality of affluence and indebtedness.