Garden Usage Guidelines and Dog Policy

The Garden is usually open to the public 12.30-3pm Monday to Friday via the Main Garden gate on Crown Office Row.

The Inner Temple Garden and other courtyards on the estate are for respectful enjoyment and quiet use. All users are expected to exercise consideration for nearby Chambers, Residents, and for other users.

Garden/Courtyards:

1. During the Garden’s public opening hours, alcohol, barbeques, and ball games are not permitted.

2. Visitors to the Garden and other courtyard areas on the estate are reminded to leave as they find and remove any litter, including cigarette butts. There are rubbish bins located under the cloisters in Church Court and outside Mitre Court.

3. Anyone considered by the Head Gardener or Porters to be causing a nuisance or making unreasonable use of the Garden or wider estate may be asked to leave.

4. Individuals wishing to use the Garden for exercise should consult with the Head Gardener in order that it does not cause undue wear to the lawn/Garden or disruption to others. Exercise classes require prior consent from the Head Gardener.

5. Users of games provided by the Garden (i.e. table tennis) are asked to keep noise to a courteous level and respect the planting.

6. Bikes are not to be taken onto the lawn and must be locked outside the Garden on racks provided on the estate. Bikes are left at the owner’s risk.

Dogs:

7. Only dogs belonging to Residents of Inner and Middle Temple, and Assistance Dogs are allowed into the Garden. The owners of other dogs will be asked to remove them from the Garden.

8. Dogs (except Assistance Dogs, see point 9) are not permitted in Hall, Library, at events/or in event spaces, or the Pegasus Bar (except on the Pegasus Bar outdoor terrace).

9. Assistance dogs are allowed in Pegasus Bar, Hall and the Treasury Building (this includes the Library and all other meeting and event spaces).

10. Dog fouling in the Garden and across the wider estate, including courtyard areas such as Hare Court, must be picked up immediately, bagged, and disposed of in the receptacles (see point 2.) provided.

11. Dogs must be kept out of flower borders, meadow, and long grass areas, both in the Garden and wider estate.

12. During public opening hours and private garden hires, dogs must be kept on a lead (or otherwise under control).

Fob-holders:

13. Benchers, Residents, Members, and Professional Tenants of Inner and Middle Temple, and Authorised Staff, may access the Garden using their fob 7 days a week / 24 hours a day, except during private hires (see below), or at times when the Garden is closed for safety reasons. Please refer to the Treasury Office or Porters if your fob needs to be programmed to give access.

14. For security reasons, a record will be kept of fob-holders. Fobs are personal to the registered fob-holder and must not be transferred. All fob-holders are reminded that they must check that the gate closes behind them. Restrictions may be imposed on any individual fob-holder who does not observe the Guidelines and Dog Policy.

15. Outside public opening hours, children of fob-holders may play ball games under adult supervision, provided they do so with due respect for the Garden and for other users.

16. Outside public opening hours, fob holders may use a small barbecue in consultation with the Head Gardener.

17. Fob-holders are expected to use good sense in regulating their own use of the Garden in ways that are consistent with the peaceful enjoyment of all. These Garden Guidelines do not attempt to legislate for all circumstances. Reasonable use of the Garden by fob-holders does not, for example, extend to holding Chambers events in the Garden without either prior agreement with the Treasury Office or a private hire being agreed with the Catering Department.

18. When the Head Gardener or Porter considers closure of the Garden (or part of the Garden) necessary for safety reasons, the Garden (or relevant part) will be closed to the public and all fob-holders until it is safe to reopen. Closures could be due to high winds or works taking place.

Private Garden hires:

19. During private hires of the Garden, fob holders are asked to respect the exclusivity expected by the hirer and the need for contractors to have unimpeded access when setting up for and clearing up after events.

20. At such times, fob holders are asked to refrain from picnicking and other activities on the lawn and main pathway and are asked to restrict their use of the Garden to the Broadwalk. Please access and egress the Garden through the gates at 11 KBW and Middle Temple Lane and remain on the Broadwalk and keep dogs on leads during these periods.

21. Private hires of the Garden are subject to contractual conditions of hire which are intended to minimise disturbance to those living and working around the Garden/estate. In the event of problems related to private hires please notify the Treasury Office or the Duty Porter.