1-4, Holborn Bars
1-4, HOLBORN BARS
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1246103
- Date first listed:
- 14-May-1974
- List Entry Name:
- 1-4, Holborn Bars
- Statutory Address:
- 1-4, HOLBORN BARS
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2006-08-28
- Reference:
- IOE01/16030/10
- Rights:
- © Mr Andrew More. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1246103
- Date first listed:
- 14-May-1974
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 01-Feb-1999
- List Entry Name:
- 1-4, Holborn Bars
- Statutory Address 1:
- 1-4, HOLBORN BARS
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- 1-4, HOLBORN BARS
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Greater London Authority
- District:
- City and County of the City of London (London Borough)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ 31158 81588
Details
TQ3181NW
627-0/1/10199
HOLBORN BARS (South side)
Nos.1-4 (Consecutive)
(Formerly Listed as: CAMDEN STAPLE INN, Holborn Bars Nos.1-4 (Consecutive))
14/05/74
GV
I
Four chambers with later shops. The rear of these buildings form Nos 4, 5 and 6 Staple Inn (qv). 1586 for Vincent Engham, Principal of the Inn. In 1886 Alfred Waterhouse removed post-medieval additions (a plastered front and sash windows of C18 date) in a restoration funded by the Prudential Assurance Company. The rear resurfaced in brick c1826. Interior and rear extensively reconstructed in 1939 in order to preserve the timber framing to the front wall; restorations c1950.
Close studded timber frame front elevation with brick rear under a tiled, gabled roof, C20 chimney stacks. Three storeys and attic. Symmetrical front of five gabled bays having overhanging jetties at floor levels. Entrance to Staple Inn in central bay. The central gable bay with original splayed oriel window of six lights and one light to either side over main entrance (first and second floors). Each flanking bay with eight or nine lights, the centres projecting (first and second floors). Eight lights to attics. Transom and mullion casement windows with square leaded panes. Carved bressumers at floor levels and carved bargeboards to gables.
At ground floor, entrance to Staple Inn, a carved stone arched gateway flanked by Jacobean pilasters with moulded impost-capitals, round arch with reeded archivolt, panelled soffit and pendant key-block. Double panelled doors with wicket in right-hand leaf. To left, early C19 shopfronts, much altered. No. 3 with projecting entablature; No. 4 entablature with inswept frieze and dentil cornice and Corinthian pilaster at right hand from former shop doorway. Interior with C19 mahogany and glass fittings.
Nos. 1 and 2 with 1930s "Tudor" double front with central entrance. Herringbone brick risers support plate glass Tudor arched windows with enriched carved frames and spandrels beneath strips of small panes; entrance arch with coats of arms in spandrels.
INTERIORS: not inspected.
HISTORY: with Nos. 337 and 338 High Holborn (qv), these building form a unique example in London of a C16 group of timber-framed houses.
Forms a group with the C18 styled buildings with addresses as follows: Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Staple Inn (qv), Nos. 4, 5 and 6 Staple Inn (qv), Nos. 7 and 8 Staple Inn (qv), and Nos. 9 and 10 Staple Inn (qv).
Formerly Listed in the LB of Camden. Since 1 April 1994 Staple Inn has been within the City of London.
Listing NGR: TQ 3115481587
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 454473
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 16-Jun-2026 at 23:34:31.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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