Image credit: The wub / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2016-09-18 ↗
Prince Henry’s Room and the Inner Temple Gatehouse
17 Fleet Street / Inner Temple · Temple → Fleet Street → Lincoln’s Inn · Jacobean timber building / legal London / hidden upper room
Story
At 17 Fleet Street stands a timber-fronted building from the early seventeenth century, an increasingly rare sight on this busy thoroughfare. Erected between 1610 and 1611, it served as a gateway to the Inner Temple. Above the archway is the room traditionally known as Prince Henry’s Room, named in association with Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of James I, during a period when the building was connected to celebrations involving the prince. While the room previously housed exhibitions and institutional uses, it is not currently a regular public attraction. For the visitor, the most accessible experience is the exterior: the distinctive timber framing, the projecting windows, the heraldic details, and the gateway itself, which forms a direct link from bustling Fleet Street to the quieter legal precinct of the Temple. The site also holds connections to historic taverns, including the Fountain, which was frequented by Samuel Pepys. This blend of taverns, legal tradition, royal associations, and Jacobean architecture captures the very essence of Fleet Street. Although you can only pass through the gate when access to the Inner Temple is permitted, pause on Fleet Street first and look up at this remarkable façade.
What to look for
Look for the distinctive timber framing, the projecting windows that extend from the façade, the carved heraldic shields, and the sharp contrast with the stone façades of neighbouring buildings.
Secret detail
The historic Prince Henry’s Room is situated directly above a gateway that still serves as a functional and active entrance into the Inner Temple, a private and traditional legal district.
Where exactly
Find No. 17 Fleet Street, just east of Temple Bar. The timber-framed building sits above the Inner Temple gateway.
Orientation
Stand slightly back or on the opposite side of the street for the best view of the upper storeys.
Why it matters
This building is a rare timber-framed Jacobean survivor of the Great Fire, revealing the character of pre-1666 Fleet Street. It acts as a physical gateway to the Inns of Court, illustrating the historical layering of public, legal, and royal life in central London.
Access & opening
Interior room is not normally open; special-event access may occur.
Exterior free.
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Exterior visible from public pavement; gateway route subject to Temple access arrangements.