Shopping

The Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange in London was built in the 16th century to act as a centre of commerce for London. Today, after some extensive remodelling it serves a luxury shopping and restaurant destination. The courtyard is home to 30 different stores including Boodles, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Hermes and much more..

City guideRoyal Exchange, London EC3V 3LR

The Royal Exchange, London. Source: Irhal legacy editorial archive.Irhal legacy editorial archive

Overview & visitor information

If you don’t plan on spending anything, visit the Royal Exchange for its historical value either way. You’ll find towards the east entrance of the Royal Exchange Building are two statues of individuals who began their careers in that very building. The first is a statue of Julius Reuter who founded the Reuters news agency, and the second, a statue of George Peabody founder of the Peabody Trust.

The building survived the Blitz. It is definitely worth a visit.

Bank, City of London, EC3V 3LR

Store hours: 10am – 6pm

Restaurants: 8am – 11pm

Closest Tube Station: Bank

Muslim traveller information

Families: Limited

Information reviewed: 2026-06-30

Nearby places

Nearby places to explore when planning your route.

City guide

63 m

Bank of England Museum

Place to visit

The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the United Kingdom’s central.

134 m

Threadneedles Hotel

Top pickLuxury Hotels

A five-star boutique hotel in the City of London, useful for Bank, Leadenhall Market, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and business-district stays.

Photo unavailable179 m

The Ned

RecommendedLuxury Hotels

The Ned is a luxury lifestyle hotel in City of London. A former bank transformed into a large hotel and members' club with dramatic banking-hall interiors. For Irhal readers, the main value is location and practical comfort: Best for visitors who want the City, Shoreditch and east London nearby.

298 m

Leadenhall Market

RecommendedVictorian covered market

Leadenhall Market is a victorian covered market in City of London. A colourful covered arcade set among the financial district's towers, linked with old London commerce and modern film tourism. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Best on weekdays when the City is active.

Photo unavailable376 m

Koshari Street

Egyptian vegetarian/vegan-friendly

Koshari Street is a egyptian vegetarian/vegan-friendly halal-dining lead in Covent Garden. Useful for Muslim travellers because vegetarian dishes avoid meat-certification concerns.

386 m

Sky Garden

RecommendedFree viewpoint

Sky Garden is a free viewpoint in City of London. A landscaped public garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie building gives one of the best free high-level views in London. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Advance booking is recommended; dress code and security screening apply.

More shopping spots in London

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Photo unavailableKnightsbridge

Harrods

Top pickLuxury department store

Harrods is a luxury department store in Knightsbridge. London's best-known luxury department store is a destination in itself, with food halls, fashion, beauty, homeware and souvenir gifts. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Verify halal status at food counters and use nearby Knightsbridge/Hyde Park routes. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Photo unavailableOxford Street

Selfridges

Top pickLuxury department store

Selfridges is a luxury department store in Oxford Street. A flagship department store famous for fashion, beauty, accessories, homeware and major window displays. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Good for luxury and mainstream shopping in one building. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Photo unavailableRegent Street/Carnaby

Liberty London

Top pickHeritage department store

Liberty London is a heritage department store in Regent Street/Carnaby. A Tudor-revival building filled with fashion, fabrics, homeware, beauty and design-led gifts. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Excellent for distinctive souvenirs and British design. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Photo unavailablePiccadilly

Fortnum and Mason

Top pickLuxury food and gift store

Fortnum and Mason is a luxury food and gift store in Piccadilly. A historic store known for teas, hampers, biscuits and ceremonial gifting. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Check ingredients for halal suitability; ideal for non-meat gifts. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Photo unavailableMayfair

Bond Street and New Bond Street

Top pickLuxury shopping street

Bond Street and New Bond Street is a luxury shopping street in Mayfair. London's highest-end jewellery, fashion and watch boutiques cluster here. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Best for luxury travellers seeking global designer brands. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Photo unavailableCovent Garden

Covent Garden Market

Top pickModerate/upscale shopping district

Covent Garden Market is a moderate/upscale shopping district in Covent Garden. Boutiques, beauty stores, crafts, street performance and heritage arcades fill the old market area. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Excellent for atmosphere and casual browsing. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Photo unavailableWest End

Oxford Street

Top pickMainstream shopping street

Oxford Street is a mainstream shopping street in West End. A long retail corridor of department stores, high-street fashion and flagship shops. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Plan carefully because it is busy and pickpocket-prone. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Photo unavailableShepherd's Bush

Westfield London White City

Top pickLarge shopping centre

Westfield London White City is a large shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush. A major mall with luxury village, high-street brands, cinema and family facilities. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Useful for rainy days and families needing facilities. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Camden

Camden Market

Top pickAlternative market

Camden Market is a alternative market in Camden. Street fashion, music culture, souvenirs, global food and canal atmosphere define Camden. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Verify halal stalls; visit earlier in the day. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

Notting Hill

Portobello Road Market

Top pickAntiques and street market

Portobello Road Market is a antiques and street market in Notting Hill. Famous for antiques, vintage fashion and colourful Notting Hill streets. Muslim visitors should use it as part of a planned route: Saturday is the main day but also busiest. For shopping pages, keep opening hours, Sunday trading, prayer breaks and halal food nearby updated with live map links.

More places in London

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

Westminster

Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth Tower

Top pickHistoric landmark

Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth Tower is a historic landmark in Westminster. The riverside home of the UK Parliament is one of the most recognisable Gothic Revival buildings in the world, and Elizabeth Tower is the clock tower that holds Big Ben. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Best photographed from Westminster Bridge or the South Bank; combine with Westminster Abbey and St James's Park.

Westminster

Westminster Abbey

Top pickRoyal church and UNESCO site

Westminster Abbey is a royal church and unesco site in Westminster. This working abbey has hosted coronations, royal weddings, state funerals and memorials for writers, scientists and statesmen for nearly a millennium. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Modest dress is respectful; book timed entry and leave time for security checks.

Westminster

Buckingham Palace

Top pickRoyal residence

Buckingham Palace is a royal residence in Westminster. The official London residence of the monarch is famous for ceremonial state occasions and the Changing the Guard, while the State Rooms open seasonally. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Use the Victoria or Green Park approach and pair with nearby halal dining around Mayfair or Victoria.

Trafalgar Square

The National Gallery

Top pickMajor museum

The National Gallery is a major museum in Trafalgar Square. The collection traces European painting from the medieval period to the early 20th century and is one of London's best free cultural stops. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Useful in bad weather; check gallery late openings and prayer nearby around Soho or Mayfair.

City of London

St Paul's Cathedral

Top pickCathedral landmark

St Paul's Cathedral is a cathedral landmark in City of London. Sir Christopher Wren's domed cathedral became a symbol of London resilience and offers one of the city's great interior and skyline experiences. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Check visitor hours because worship and ticketed entry rules vary.

Tower Hill

Tower of London

Top pickFortress and royal history

Tower of London is a fortress and royal history in Tower Hill. The medieval fortress has served as palace, prison, armoury, treasury and home of the Crown Jewels. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Allow two to three hours and book ahead during holidays.

Tower Bridge

Top pickVictorian engineering landmark

Tower Bridge is a victorian engineering landmark in Tower Bridge. The bascule bridge combines Gothic-style towers with an elevated walkway and glass-floor viewing sections. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Photograph from both sides of the river, especially near sunset.

Bloomsbury

British Museum

Top pickWorld museum

British Museum is a world museum in Bloomsbury. The museum holds a vast collection covering ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Asia, Islamic art and global cultures. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: Free entry makes it essential, but visitors should plan rooms in advance to avoid fatigue.

South Kensington

Natural History Museum

Top pickMuseum

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.

South Kensington

Victoria and Albert Museum

Top pickDesign and art museum

Victoria and Albert Museum is a design and art museum in South Kensington. The V&A covers design, fashion, Islamic art, ceramics, textiles, sculpture and global decorative arts. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: The Jameel Gallery of Islamic art is especially valuable for Irhal readers.

More restaurants in London

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Photo unavailableWhitechapel

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.

Photo unavailableWhitechapel

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.

Photo unavailableWhitechapel

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.

Photo unavailableWhitechapel

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.

Photo unavailableWhitechapel

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.

Photo unavailableLeyton

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.

Photo unavailableWhitechapel

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.

Photo unavailableShadwell

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.

Photo unavailableWhitechapel

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.

Photo unavailableBrick Lane

Brick Lane Brasserie

RecommendedBangladeshi and Indian

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