History of Holburn

The name Holborn is derived from a hamlet called Holebourne to the East which was established long before 1249, this name in turn taken from the river Fleet, now subterranean but once flowing parallel to where Kingsway now stands. In the days when Holborn was a green oasis, the Elizabethan herbalist John Gerard cultivated the land with much horticultural zeal. Here he was the first to catalogue over 1000 native species in a prose tome which is housed at the British museum.

Publishing was a major industry in the 17th century and the area prospered, also becoming notorious for prostitution. Years later Charles Dickens took up residence in the street - during his time there were many taverns; 22 inns are recorded in the 1860s. Over the coming years the area began to diversify and become recognisable as the modern street.

In the modern era High Holborn has become a centre for the legal and financial professions, next to entertainment venues.

The area is north of the traditional stamping ground for journalists in Fleet Street and lawyers in the Inner Temple and Middle Temple. The most northerly of the Inns of Court, Gray's Inn, is in Holborn as is Lincoln's Inn. It is also the location of Barnard's Inn, the current home of Gresham College, the first college in London. In the eighteenth century, Holborn was the location of the infamous Mother Clap's molly house.

Away from the major tourist attractions and theatre land, it remains a sought after Central London location with a good choice of flats. It is always walking distance from all the major Central London attractions. It is also best known for the highest concentration of law firms in the country.

Places of interest

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/holborn-london-feature-1689.html

• The Royal Courts Of Justice • Gray's Inn

Transport Links – Visit Transport for London for more information

Covent Garden – Piccadilly Line
Chancery Lane – Central Line
St Paul’s – Central Line
Holborn – Piccadilly & Central Lines

Local Authority

Westminster – http://www.westminster.gov.uk/

Council tax bands for 2007/2008

Please note you should always check the value of your property on the 1st April 1991 to ensure you are in the correct council tax band.

Council Tax band	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Property Values as of April 1991	Up to £40K	£40 to £52K	£52K to £68K	£68K to £88K	£88K to £120K	£120K to £160K	£160K to £320K	over £320K
Westminster LA	£454.54	£530.20	£605.94	£681.68	£833.16	£984.65	£1,136.13	£1,363.36

Average Rental and Sale prices for Holburn (WC1 & WC2)

	Postcode	Area	1 Bedrooms	2 Bedrooms	3 Bedrooms	Bigger
To Rent	WC1	Bloomsbury	£321 pw	£430 pw	£704 pw	£725 pw
	WC2	Covent Garden	£428 pw	£668 pw	£1,574 pw	£2,950 pw
For Sale	WC1	Bloomsbury	£437,000	£606,000	£912,000	£3,525,000
	WC2	Covent Garden	£613,000	£878,000	£2,029,000	–

School League tables – Click here for School League Tables

For Primary Schools in Westminster please click here
For Secondary Schools in Westminster please click here
For colleges in Westminster please click here

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