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Gray’s Inn has been home to lawyers since before 1388 AD and is today one of the four Inns of Court responsible for the education and training of barristers before and after their Call to the Bar. The Inn originally formed part of the Manor of Purpoole belonging to the de Grey family who probably leased the Manor House to a society of lawyers who housed in their ‘chambers’ apprentice lawyers. The students used the Hall of the Manor as an ‘Inn’ in which to dine and hold their legal debates and ‘moots’ which formed part of their training.
The sixteenth century was known as the “Golden Age” of the Inn, when Queen Elizabeth I herself was the Inn’s Patron. In this period the Inn was renowned for its “Shows” and there can be little doubt that William Shakespeare played in Gray’s Inn Hall, where his patron, Lord Southampton was also a member.
Tradition claims that the Great Screen was built from the timbers of the Nuestra Senora del Rosario, the flagship of the Andalucian Squadron of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Following its capture by the English it was broken up at Chatham and may have been the gift of Queen Elizabeth I or the Lord High Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Howard, a member of the Inn. Diagonal rope marks can be seen on the third pillar from the left. The screen was rescued from the Blitz in 1941 which destroyed the Hall roof. The stained glass within the Hall had luckily also been moved to safety earlier on during the Second World War and was thus preserved. Some of the exquisite stained-glass windows in the Hall date back to 1462. The South Oriel window contains the Coats of Arms of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and of Master the Prince of Wales.
Master Sir Winston Churchill and Mr Franklin Roosevelt (then Minister of Munitions and Assistant Secretary of the United States Navy, respectively) first met in 1918 at the high table within Gray’s Inn Hall.
The Gray’s Inn Venue offers members, tenants and the public the finest facilities and catering for meeting, conferencing, private event hire and weddings. Members of Gray’s Inn are entitled to a discount on the room hire for their events. For more information about our event space hire rates for members’ events please contact us to speak to our Grays Inn Venue Sales Team. If you are looking for information on Gray’s Inn event venue in London that members can attend, please see the events calendar on the Inn’s main website.
Searcys, one of the UK’s oldest event caterers, will be providing its catering services as a partner at The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn from January 2025.
The UK’s oldest British caterer, Searcys is the brainchild of one man: John Searcy, who founded the company in 1847. A creative and culinary force of nature, John began his illustrious career as the confectioner for the Duke of Northumberland, before taking his talents to London to establish the go-to events company in the capital.
In residence at unique historical venues across the UK including The Pump Room at the Roman Baths, The Gherkin, and St Pancras International, Searcys prides itself on offering a taste of indulgence, serving fresh, seasonal dishes that focus on sustainability, alongside extensive Champagne and wine lists, paired with world-class service and expert event catering.
The new menus are carefully curated by Searcys Executive Chef Richard Oxley, respectful of the purpose of each event and the anticipated audience from education events to Guest nights. They have been designed with Searcys belief and standard of ‘Food with Finesse’, a celebration of fresh British ingredients and reimagined classic dishes, delicious cakes, fresh sandwiches and salads, all with wellbeing as a key focus.
Searcys will showcase renowned suppliers and produce, like its signature Smoked Salmon from London Smoke and Cure, its own label English sparkling wine from Greyfriars Vineyard and Notes Coffee, roasted by a boutique company in East London.
“The Event was a success in no small part thanks to your professional and well orchestrated efforts. Our Team felt comfortable throughout. Your Team was professional, polite, courteous and on hand at all times. Your staff were superb. Brilliant.”
Gray’s Inn Venue and CH&Co looks to continually develop the wellness of the members, staff and their clientele. We are a signatory of the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance, reducing the environmental footprint of our outreach activities.
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The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
8 South Square, London
WC1R 5ET
