Walking past the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, you can't help but stop and stare. This massive Victorian Gothic Revival building commands attention with its imposing grey Portland stone facade and intricate architectural details that seem to tell stories of centuries of legal drama.

George Edmund Street designed this monumental courthouse in the 1870s, though he sadly died before seeing his masterpiece completed. The construction dragged on for over eight years, partly because the masons went on strike midway through the project. Parliament had to bring in workers from across Europe to finish the job, and Queen Victoria finally opened the courts in December 1882.

The scale is genuinely overwhelming. With around 1,000 rooms, 35 corridors, and 19 courtrooms, it's one of Europe's largest court complexes. The Great Central Hall alone stretches 238 feet long and soars 80 feet high – walking through it feels like entering a cathedral dedicated to justice rather than worship.

What makes this place fascinating beyond its architecture is that you can actually sit in on real court proceedings. Watching barristers in their traditional wigs argue cases in these grand Gothic surroundings gives you a glimpse into Britain's legal system that most tourists never experience. The contrast between the medieval-looking setting and modern legal proceedings creates an almost theatrical atmosphere.

The building houses both the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales, so the cases you might witness range from commercial disputes to major civil appeals. There's also a costume exhibit that explains the history behind those distinctive legal robes and wigs that seem so peculiar to outsiders.

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The courts are open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM, and you'll need about two hours to properly explore. At £20 for entry, it's considerably cheaper than many London attractions, yet it offers something genuinely different. While tourists flock to nearby attractions, the Royal Courts of Justice remains somewhat overlooked, which means you can explore this magnificent building without fighting crowds. The Gothic Revival details and historical significance make it worth including in any serious exploration of Westminster's architectural treasures.