Where is it? #52…
December 1, 2012
The latest in the series in which we ask you to identify where in London this picture was taken and what it’s of. If you think you can identify this picture, leave a comment below. We’ll reveal the answer early next week. Good luck!
Well done to all those who identified this as Staple Inn in High Holborn. The last surviving of the buildings once known as the Inns of Chancery – medieval period schools which provided legal training, the current structure dates from about 1580 and is a rare survivor from before the Great Fire of London in 1666. As mentioned by Mike below, it had to be largely rebuilt after the hall was devastated by a flying bomb in August, 1944. Staple Inn is now home to the Institute of Actuaries (we’ll be taking a more in-depth look at the building and its history in an upcoming post).

December 1, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Its in Chancery Lane…Holborn.
December 1, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Almost certain it is Staple Inn and the obvious material it was made off is wood I suppose, but maybe not ….??
December 1, 2012 at 10:47 pm
London’s only National Trust pub (Southwark)?
December 2, 2012 at 11:05 am
Yes it’s Staple Inn, Holborn Bars…I used to buy my Maynards Wine Gums there in the 1980s.
And this shot reveals the black and white oak frontage and the lead windows that were uncovered, after so many years, in the 1930s I think.
December 2, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Staple Inn. Severely bomb damaged and restored. Nice old tobacconist there closed only about 18 months ago. One of the shops there now Vodaphone, sticks out like a dog’s testicle, unfortunately.
December 3, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Definitely Staple Inn