Old Bailey, Smithfield, Holborn, and the Inns of Court - 4 km Route
- Philip Carey
- Oct 13, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Route Overview
Start: St Paul's Station
Finish: Covent Garden Station
Distance: 4.0 km
Estimated Time: 20-35 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: Early morning weekends
Terrain: Mainly on-road, some crowded areas
Best For: Legal history, historic institutions, markets, museums, architectural heritage
Notable: Old Bailey, Smithfield Market, Inns of Court, legal history
Quick Links
Maps: Google Map | Strava Map
Video: High-Speed Route Preview
Virtual Tour: 360° Interactive Map
Previous Route: Borough Market, The Globe, Tate Modern & St Paul's – 2.1 km
The Experience
This exciting route takes you on a discovery tour of the places that link the City of London to Central London. Explore many of the City's historic institutions and icons—St Paul's Cathedral, the Old Bailey Law Courts, Smithfield's Meat Market, St Bartholomew's Hospital, the Museum of London, High Holborn, and the Inns of Court.
Rich in history, architecture, interesting streets, and stories to keep you motivated along the way, this route reveals the institutional heart of London—where law, medicine, faith, and commerce have shaped the capital for centuries.
From the grandeur of St Paul's to the medieval lanes around Smithfield, through the legal quarters where barristers still wear wigs and robes, this is a journey through the London that governs, heals, and judges.
Your Three Layers of Discovery
This self-guided route gives you everything you need to explore at your own pace, all in one place:
Familiarisation Guide – Core route information to get you started confidently
Sightseeing Guide – Points of interest, history, and 360° virtual tours to deepen your understanding
Connoisseur's Guide – Places to eat, drink, explore, plus 'add-on' routes
The Familiarisation Guide
Essential information to help you become familiar with the route before you arrive.
Maps
Use the Google and Strava maps below to stay on track. They show your location relative to the route, helping you explore confidently without getting lost.
Please note: These don't provide turn-by-turn directions—we want you present and alert, using your senses, not glued to your screen.
The Google map shows the main route in red
Both maps will open in a new tab.
High-Speed Route Preview (5:40)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. Watch this before you go to familiarise yourself visually with what's ahead.
What to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Stride:
The route is generally quiet but can become crowded at lunchtime and during rush hours. Early morning—especially weekends—offers the best experience when it's quiet, the light is at its best, and you have the whole day ahead of you.
When London Awakens:
In the early morning, the legal quarter feels timeless—cobbled courtyards, gas lamps, and centuries-old chambers. Smithfield Market is already bustling by dawn, a reminder that London never truly sleeps.
Inns of Court Access:
Grey's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Staple's Inn, and Inner Temple (also known as Middle Temple) often have restricted public access during certain times if you plan to explore these areas.
Smithfield Market:
Open for business Monday–Friday, typically from midnight or 01:00 until 07:00, though some traders may be open until mid-morning. Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays. Arrive by 07:00 to see the market at its busiest with the full range of products.
Museum of London:
Opening in 2026 in its new West Smithfield location.
Accessibility:
Mainly on-road. It can be crowded around St Paul's Cathedral, Farringdon, and Covent Garden.
Top Tip:
Have this guide and your chosen map (Google or Strava) available on your mobile for quick reference.
The Sightseeing Guide
Once you know the route, dive deeper into the stories and sights that make this stride special.
Key Sights Along the Way
St Paul's Cathedral
The Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey)
St Bartholomew's Hospital
The Museum of London (opening 2026)
Smithfield Market
The Inns of Court
The Royal Courts of Justice
The Aldwych
Covent Garden
Explore the gallery below for photos, history, and the stories behind each location.
Virtual Tour Guide
Step into the route before you stride it—or relive your experience afterwards. Click the map below to explore interactive 360° views at key locations along the way.
The virtual tour opens in a new tab with a map showing all 360° locations. Click any location icon to be transported to that spot.
The Connoisseur's Guide
Know the route well? Time to become a connoisseur. Discover the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the surrounding area.
Where to Eat & Drink
Key Dining Areas:
Covent Garden and Great Queen Street – Widest selection at the route's end
Farringdon – Excellent variety and character
South and West of St Paul's Cathedral – Quality options
Smithfield – Traditional market cafés and modern restaurants
Things to Do
Major Attractions:
St Paul's Cathedral – Must-visit architectural masterpiece
Barbican Centre – Brutalist architecture, open spaces, theatres, events
The Inns of Court – Heart of legal London (check access times)
Royal Courts of Justice
Grey's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
Staple's Inn
Inner and Middle Temple
Royal Opera House – World-class performances in Covent Garden
Transport Museum – London's transport history
Somerset House – Events, river views, galleries
Other things to explore:
Smithfield Market – Historic meat market atmosphere
St Bartholomew's Hospital – Historic medical institution
Museum of London (opening 2026) – London's story
Covent Garden – Street performers and market atmosphere
The Aldwych – Grand architecture
Route Extensions
Three extensions help you explore the institutional quarter more thoroughly:
Borough High Street and Market – 1.3 km
Loop back to explore more historic streets.
Blackfriars Loop Extension – 2.1 km
Riverside and historic Blackfriars area.
Guildhall & Watling Street Extension – 1.3 km
City's historic and dining heart.
Main route in red, extensions in blue. Detailed guides and videos coming soon.
FOLLOW ON ROUTES
Continue Your Journey:
Ready for the next stride? Try the Discover Central London - Southbank & Westminster – 5.7 km route.
