Four Red Telephone Boxes Behind the Royal Courts of Justice
Tucked away on Carey Street, behind London’s magnificent Royal Courts of Justice, stands an unusual sight: four traditional red telephone boxes lined up together against the Gothic architecture of the courthouse.
It’s a wonderfully photogenic little corner of London, particularly if you’re looking to capture those iconic red telephone boxes without the busy backdrop of a main road.
A short walk along Carey Street stands The Seven Stars, one of London’s historic pubs, making this little corner worth a stop for more than just the photograph.
A Historic Cluster in London’s Legal District
Long before mobile phones, public telephone boxes were an essential part of everyday communication. And Carey Street sits in the heart of London’s historic legal district, just behind the Royal Courts of Justice and a short walk from the newspaper offices that once dominated Fleet Street.
For journalists reporting on trials, legal clerks contacting chambers and others working around the courts, access to public telephones would have been particularly valuable.
Although the precise reason these four kiosks were installed together isn’t documented here, their location offers an intriguing glimpse into the days when a telephone call meant finding an available box on the street.
Why Were These Four Telephone Boxes Preserved?
As Britain’s traditional red telephone boxes began disappearing, historic examples were recognized as important features of the streetscape.
The four Carey Street kiosks were granted Grade II-listed status in 1986, protecting this distinctive group beside the Royal Courts of Justice.
And here’s another detail worth noticing when you visit: the four boxes aren’t actually identical.
The two larger kiosks on the outside are K2 models, while the two smaller ones in the middle are K6 models. Both were designed by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, representing two generations of Britain’s famous red telephone box.
Today, the entire group makes a wonderful little photographic discovery, hiding in plain sight behind one of London’s most impressive Victorian buildings.
Location: Carey Street, behind the Royal Courts of Justice, London WC2
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane
Keep Exploring London
London’s Red Telephone Boxes: The Story Behind a British Icon
The Seven Stars London: Is This Historic Legal Pub Worth a Visit?