Page "Gray's Inn" Paragraph 46

The Walks are the gardens within Gray's Inn, and have existed since at least 1597, when records show that Francis Bacon was to be paid £ 7 for " planting of trees in the walkes ".

Prior to this the area ( known as Green Court ) was used as a place to dump waste and rubble, since at the time the Inn was open to any Londoner.

In 1587 four Benchers were ordered by the Pension to " consider what charge a brick wall in the fields will draw unto And where the said wall shalbe fittest to be builded ", and work on such a wall was completed in 1598, which helped keep out the citizens of London.

In 1599 additional trees were planted in the Walks, and stairs up to the Walks were also added.

When Francis Bacon became treasurer in 1608 more improvements were made, since he no longer had to seek the approval of the Pension to make changes.

In September 1608 a gate was installed on the southern wall, and various gardeners were employed to maintain the Walks.

The gardens became commonly used as a place of relaxation, and James Howell wrote in 1621 that " I hold Inn Walks to be the pleasantest place about London, and that there you have the choicest society ".