Holborn

Meaning the ‘stream in the hollow’, Holborn is named after the River Fleet that originally flowed through the area. Modern day Holborn is split across Camden, City of London, and the City of Westminster regions of Central London. Historically, Holborn became heavily populated during the 17th century when publishing became the main industry for the region. There are still remnants of the old publishing industry in Fleet Street.

Holborn has been home to two of the four Inns of Court in London, Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn, since the 14th century, therefore unsurprisingly the area is characterised by lawyer’s offices and their employees going about very important business of one kind or another. Apart from the distinctly corporate feel, the busy thoroughfare that is Kingsway (particularly past 5pm) has pubs, bars and shops and leads to the more entertainment-led Covent Garden, while the narrow alleyways between the Inns are well worth a wander, however you probably won’t be able to access any of the buildings unless you arrange this beforehand.