Lincoln's Inn Fields a Historic Square Beside Hatton Garden

A short stroll from the Hatton Garden diamond quarter lies one of London's most historic open spaces, Lincoln's Inn Fields. The largest public square in the capital, it offers a green and characterful pause within easy reach of the jewellery shops, making it a natural companion to a visit to the quarter in the EC1N and WC2 area. For couples shopping for diamond rings in Hatton Garden, the square is an ideal place to walk, reflect and take in centuries of London history before or after browsing. This is a look at the square's rich past and how it connects to the diamond quarter nearby.

The Largest Public Square in London

Lincoln's Inn Fields is the largest public square in London, a generous expanse of lawns and plane trees laid out beside the legal district. Its scale and calm make it a welcome contrast to the busy streets of the surrounding area.

The square carries a rich and varied history. It was once the scene of public executions, including the beheading of Lord William Russell, son of the first Duke of Bedford, who was found guilty of involvement in the Rye House Plot to assassinate King Charles II.

That blend of grandeur and dark history is typical of central London, where centuries of events sit layered within a few hundred metres of the modern diamond ring trade in Hatton Garden.

History Museums and the Inns of Court

Lincoln's Inn itself is one of the four Inns of Court, the institutions that for centuries trained young apprentices in the law. The others are Gray's Inn, Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and together they form the historic heart of the English legal profession.

The Inn's long roll of famous members reads like a survey of British history, including Thomas More, Oliver Cromwell, Pitt the Younger, Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. Parts of the Inn, including the Stone Buildings, Old Buildings, the Chapel and Old Hall, were damaged by bombing in the Second World War and extensively repaired afterwards.

On the south side of the square sits the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons, which reopened in 2023 after a major redevelopment. Its remarkable collection is a vivid reminder of how far medical science has advanced.

Fun fact: Sir John Soane's Museum, on the north side of Lincoln's Inn Fields, preserves the architect's house exactly as he left it in 1837, crammed with antiquities, paintings and the sarcophagus of the Egyptian pharaoh Seti I.

Combining the Square With a Hatton Garden Visit

The square's position makes it perfect to pair with a jewellery trip. It lies only a short walk from the diamond quarter, so you can browse the showrooms and then unwind among the lawns, or take in the history first and shop afterwards.

That ease of access is part of the wider appeal of the area. Hatton Garden sits within a district full of green spaces, museums and landmarks, all within walking distance of the jewellery shops.

Whether you are choosing engagement rings or simply exploring, a visit to Lincoln's Inn Fields is an ideal way to spend time around a trip to the friendly retailers of London's diamond quarter. History and craftsmanship sit side by side here, just as they have for generations.