Place

Irhal top pick

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum is a museum in South Kensington. A cathedral-like museum of nature, dinosaurs, gems and earth science housed in one of London's grandest museum buildings. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Free and excellent for children, but queues can be long during school holidays.

City guideSouth Kensington

Natural History Museum, London. Source: Wikimedia Commons.Peter S, CC BY-SA 2.0

Why visit

The Natural History Museum in London is home to over 70 million life and earth science specimens that fit under five collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology. Some of the specimens at the museum were collected by Charles Darwin himself, so it’s a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the natural sciences. There are several workshop areas for children at the museum too; kids can learn how to build bird feeders, make their own mushroom ink, catch creepy crawlies and even go fossil hunting. Entry to the museum is free of charge (although some exhibitions may charge for entry) and offers much for visitors of all ages to learn from and enjoy.

What to see

Open every day 10.00-17.50

Plan your visit

By tube: within walking distance of South Kensington station on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines.

Good to know

By bus Routes 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414 and C1

Sources and updates

References used by Irhal's editors to verify this page.

Last editorial review: 2026-07-20

Nearby places

Verified places close enough to combine into the same route.

More places in London

Keep exploring London.

Explore all

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from Parliament Square, London

Westminster

Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth Tower

Top pickHistoric landmark

Like Westminster Abbey, Westminster Palace (or the Palace of Westminster) dates to the Anglo-Saxon period and the reign of Edward the Confessor. Around 1050, he built the original palace. In the century following the subsequent Norman Conquest, English governmental institutions began to move from the old Anglo-Saxon capital of Winchester to Westminster. In 1310, under Henry III, the administrative wing of the crown, the Chancery, moved to Westminster, cementing London’s status as capital of England. Over the centuries, the palace continued to be expanded and renovated.

Westminster

Westminster Abbey

Top pickRoyal church and UNESCO site

Sometime around 1045, Edward the Confessor began building Westminster Abbey as part of a new palace. A church had occupied the site for many years prior, but little is known about it. Westminster Abbey was consecrated in 1065, and the next year held the coronation ceremony for both Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon king, and William the Conqueror. The modern abbey began to take shape in 1245, under Henry III, as he expanded and renovated the church. The iconic towers were built in the Gothic revival style between 1722 and 1745.

Westminster

Buckingham Palace

Top pickRoyal residence

Buckingham Palace was built in 1705 as the London home for the Duke of Buckingham. Before that the site had been a mulberry garden planted by James I in a futile attempt to raise silkworms. In 1761, it was bought by George III for Queen Charlotte and in the 1820s it was transformed from “the Queen’s House” into a true royal palace. Queen Victoria moved in upon her accession in 1837 and it has been the official London residence of the monarchy ever since (replacing St. James Palace, still the ceremonial royal residence).

Trafalgar Square

The National Gallery

Top pickMajor museum

In the late eighteenth century, royal art collections across Europe were being nationalized and put on display for the public. The British were late to the party and calls for the establishment of a national art gallery went unfulfilled. The spectacular painting collection of former Prime Minister Robert Walpole wound up sold to Russia in 1777. Finally, in 1824, the National Gallery was established after the purchase of John Julius Angerstein’s art collection. For its first ten years, the operation was quite shabby – paintings were displayed in a small, dingy house in Westminster.

City of London

St Paul's Cathedral

Top pickCathedral landmark

The fifth and current iteration of St. Paul’s Cathedral was consecrated in 1708, but the diocese of St. Paul’s has been in existence since 604AD. After the Great Fire of 1666, the decision was made to rebuild the cathedral from scratch rather than trying to restore the severely damaged Gothic version. The new design, by architect Sir Christopher Wren, was a Greek cross in the Baroque Renaissance style. The cross pattern was anchored by a massive dome, inspired by the one at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The first mass was held in 1697, but the cathedral was not totally finished until 1711, and many of the roof statues were only added in the 1720s.

Tower Hill

Tower of London

Top pickFortress and royal history

For William the Conqueror, defeating the Anglo-Saxons and invading England was the easy part. The true challenge lied in consolidating his power and stabilizing the country. To that end, he built a series of fortifications. The grandest of them was London’s White Tower. Construction began in the 1070s and was completed in 1100. It was the most spectacular building in England, standing 28m tall and dominating the London skyline. Though it was intended to be a fortress, subsequent monarchs used it as their home, and it was expanded significantly in the following centuries. That practice ended when the Tudors took the throne. Henry VIII upgraded the fortification, but left the palace empty.

Tower Bridge

Top pickVictorian engineering landmark

For centuries, the only crossing of the Thames was the London Bridge. By the nineteenth century, several other crossings had been built, but they were all in the wealthier west London neighborhoods. The densely packed East End had no bridges, and a simple journey across the river could take hours. By 1876 the problem could no longer be ignored. A committee was formed and the design chosen belonged to the City Architect Sir Horace Jones, who coincidently was on the committee. The bridge was built between 1886 and 1894. Though some contemporary critics thought the bridge was tacky, it has since become one of London’s most iconic treasures.

Bloomsbury

British Museum

Top pickWorld museum

The founding of the British Museum can be traced back to one man. Sir Hans Sloane had a lucrative physician practice, serving three monarchs, and was a prodigious collector of rarities. When he died in 1753 at the ripe old age of 92, he left his collection to the British people (not wanting to see it broken up). The initial donation of 71,000 objects included 40,000 books, plant and animal specimens, and various antiquities. King George used the collection to establish the British Museum. It was followed in 1757 by the establishment of the British Library.

South Kensington

Victoria and Albert Museum

Top pickDesign and art museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum first opened in 1852 and moved to its current location in 1857. Queen Victoria herself officially opened the museum on June 22nd. From the beginning, the museum focused on more practical decorative items – metalwork, furniture, textiles, etc. It catered to ordinary working class citizens, reflected in its evening and nighttime opening hours (enabled by gas lighting). The collection quickly grew to feature items from around the world and throughout history.

Bankside

Tate Modern

Top pickModern art museum

ven though it was only established in 2000, the Tate Modern is the most visited museum of modern art in the world. The museum is located in the repurposed Bankside Power Station. This oil-fired power plant was built in the wake of World War II amid power shortages in London. Hastily built between 1947 and 1963, the design and placement were initially unpopular among Londoners, but after it closed in 1981, as oil prices rose and England’s electricity grid was simplified, developers’ plans to demolish the building were met with stiff resistance.

More restaurants in London

Keep exploring London.

Explore all

Whitechapel

Sahara Grill Whitechapel

Top pickSteaks, grills and burgers

Sahara Grill Whitechapel is a steaks, grills and burgers halal-dining lead in Whitechapel. A long-running East London halal favourite close to the East London Mosque and Whitechapel Road.

Whitechapel

Tayyabs

Top pickPakistani Punjabi

Tayyabs is a pakistani punjabi halal-dining lead in Whitechapel. A famous family-run restaurant known for seekh kebabs, lamb chops and lively service.

Whitechapel

Lahore Kebab House

Top pickPakistani Punjabi grill

Lahore Kebab House is a pakistani punjabi grill halal-dining lead in Whitechapel. An East End institution for karahi, kebabs and family-style South Asian dining.

Whitechapel

Needoo Grill

Top pickPakistani grill

Needoo Grill is a pakistani grill halal-dining lead in Whitechapel. A casual East End grill popular for quick Punjabi meals near the mosque corridor.

Whitechapel

Maedah Grill

Top pickMiddle Eastern and grill

Maedah Grill is a middle eastern and grill halal-dining lead in Whitechapel. A local Muslim-friendly dining option for grilled meats and family meals near East London Mosque.

Leyton

Saffron Kitchen

Top pickIndian/Pakistani and grill

Saffron Kitchen is a indian/pakistani and grill halal-dining lead in Leyton. A major Muslim-family dining venue in north-east London with strong halal-community recognition.

Whitechapel

Grounded London

Top pickCafe and brunch

Grounded London is a cafe and brunch halal-dining lead in Whitechapel. A Muslim-community cafe and brunch stop useful for breakfasts and lighter meals in Whitechapel.

Shadwell

Lahore One

RecommendedPakistani

Lahore One is a pakistani halal-dining lead in Shadwell. A traditional curry and grill stop serving the Shadwell and Whitechapel communities.

Whitechapel

The Grill Restaurant

RecommendedGrill and burgers

The Grill Restaurant is a grill and burgers halal-dining lead in Whitechapel. A casual halal grill option in the East End for families and late meals.

Brick Lane

Brick Lane Brasserie

RecommendedBangladeshi and Indian

Brick Lane Brasserie is a bangladeshi and indian halal-dining lead in Brick Lane.

More hotels in London

Keep exploring London.

Explore all

Strand/Covent Garden

The Savoy

Top pickLuxury Hotels

The Savoy is a luxury heritage hotel in Strand/Covent Garden. A legendary Thames-side hotel associated with theatreland, grand dining and Edwardian glamour. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Strong for first-time luxury travellers who want Covent Garden, the river and West End access.

Mayfair

Claridge's

Top pickLuxury Hotels

Claridge's is a luxury heritage hotel in Mayfair. One of London's classic grand hotels, known for Art Deco interiors, long royal/social history and polished service. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Ideal for Gulf and Muslim luxury travellers who value Mayfair privacy and shopping proximity.

Piccadilly/Mayfair

The Ritz London

Top pickLuxury Hotels

The Ritz London is a luxury heritage hotel in Piccadilly/Mayfair. A London symbol of Edwardian opulence facing Green Park, famous for service, afternoon tea and a ceremonial sense of arrival. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Useful for visitors who want Buckingham Palace, Regent Street and Bond Street close by.

Park Lane

The Dorchester

Top pickLuxury Hotels

The Dorchester is a luxury hotel in Park Lane. A Park Lane landmark with Hyde Park views and a long association with visiting dignitaries and celebrities. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Excellent for Mayfair shopping and private-driver itineraries.

London Bridge

Shangri-La The Shard

Top pickLuxury Hotels

Shangri-La The Shard is a luxury skyline hotel in London Bridge. Rooms high in The Shard create dramatic views over the Thames, City and Tower Bridge. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Best for a modern London experience with easy Borough Market and South Bank access.

Marylebone/Oxford Circus

The Langham London

Top pickLuxury Hotels

The Langham London is a luxury heritage hotel in Marylebone/Oxford Circus. A grand hotel near Regent Street with a long history of hospitality and elegant public rooms. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Good for shopping, Regent's Park Mosque access and West End theatre.

Holborn

Rosewood London

Top pickLuxury Hotels

Rosewood London is a luxury hotel in Holborn. Set around a grand courtyard in a Belle Epoque building, Rosewood feels more residential than many central hotels. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Strong for culture travellers near the British Museum and Covent Garden.

Knightsbridge

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Top pickLuxury Hotels

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a luxury hotel in Knightsbridge. A refined Hyde Park and Knightsbridge address linked to royal park views, Harrods and high-end dining. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Useful for family luxury stays and shopping-focused visitors.

Westminster/South Bank

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

Top pickExpensive Hotels

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is a large upscale hotel in Westminster/South Bank. A high-capacity hotel facing Westminster, useful for sightseeing groups and families. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Rooms and suites suit families, and the location reduces transport time.

Edgware Road/Paddington

Hilton London Metropole

Top pickExpensive Hotels

Hilton London Metropole is a large international hotel in Edgware Road/Paddington. A major conference and family hotel near Edgware Road halal dining and Paddington transport. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Practical for Muslim travellers because Edgware Road restaurants and Regent's Park Mosque are nearby.

Natural History Museum

City guideSouth Kensington

Why visit