Lincoln's Inn Fields, London

Once a site for public executions, this place witnessed the demise of many religious martyrs and individuals suspected of disloyalty to the Crown during the Tudor and Stuart eras. In the 1640s, when the developer William Newton sought to construct buildings on this location, residents, including students from Lincoln's Inn, compelled him to pledge that it would forever remain a public space. Thanks to this early protest, the area now hosts year-round tennis matches while providing lawyers with an open-air space to peruse their legal documents.

This expansive public area, the largest in London, is encircled by the offices and residences of barristers and is frequently used for morning strolls and al fresco lunch breaks. Visitors can enjoy ample green space for picnics or take a leisurely walk along its periphery to admire the numerous historic residences. While strolling, one can also observe various memorials.

Notably, the renowned architect Sir John Soane once resided in this vicinity, and his residence now serves as a museum dedicated to his life and work. An intricate drinking fountain from 1880 pays homage to Philip Twells, a Member of Parliament and Barrister at Law of Lincoln's Inn. Another sculpture and seating arrangement honor Margaret MacDonald, the spouse of the inaugural Labour Prime Minister.

A colossal memorial is devoted to the 2nd Viscount Hambleden, Frederick Danvers Smith, the founder of the WH Smith & Son booksellers company. Lastly, you'll come across a bust of John Hunter, an educator and surgeon renowned as the pioneer of modern surgery.