The four Inns of Court in central London - the Inner and Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and Gray's Inn - are as beautiful and historic as many of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, but far less crowded.

You can wander freely through the outdoor areas of the Inns of Court on weekdays, during business hours, and picnics are permitted on weekdays in the spacious gardens of Gray's Inn, called "the Walks”. This is a remarkable privilege since all four Inns of Court are still the main workplaces for large numbers of barristers.

The Inner Temple offers the added attraction of Temple Church (built c. 1200), one of five medieval round churches in England and as stunning architecturally as it is unusual.

Underground station: Chancery Lane, Temple; Bus No. 11

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There is a fantasic amount of interesting history around Shakespeare, brothels, bear bating pits and pubs along this stretch of river. I recently downloaded an audio guide for my mp3 player from a website at www.podguides.co.uk. Really good intersting walk recorded by a proper Blue Badge guide.

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