Royal Exchange, London

Easily the most dashing and well-dressed member of the Bank of England鈥檚 extended architectural family is the Royal Exchange-a financial fashion icon since 1570, thanks to the deep pockets of one Thomas Gresham, the English merchant and financier who acted on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I. You can still spot his blingy family mascot-a golden grasshopper-lounging proudly on the rooftop.

Back in Gresham鈥檚 day, the word 鈥渟tock鈥� didn鈥檛 mean tech shares or hedge funds-it meant actual stuff. You know, barrels of fish, bolts of cloth, or perhaps a goat or two being loaded off ships from the Thames. But Londoners, being the enterprising folks they are, eventually swapped the livestock for little slips of paper-and thus, futures trading was born. The need for money changers and bankers quickly followed, and soon, the City鈥檚 financial district was buzzing louder than a trading floor on a caffeine binge.

The version of the Royal Exchange we see today-complete with its grand eight-column portico and steps tailor-made for posing with your sandwich-dates back to the 1840s and is actually the third rebuild after a couple of inconvenient fires. These days, instead of frantic traders, you鈥檒l find luxury boutiques and shops that gently remind you that your bank account isn鈥檛 quite in Gresham's territory.

Still, it's absolutely worth stepping inside to admire the inner courtyard: a classy affair with a tiled floor, a glowing glazed roof, and some impressive half-columns strutting their stuff in not one, but three classical styles (because one would be too basic). While you're there, treat yourself at Fortnum鈥檚 Bar and Restaurant, perched on the mezzanine like a cat with a credit card, where you can sip something fancy while soaking in frescoes that chart the City鈥檚 history-because who doesn鈥檛 love a side of art with their aperitif?

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Royal Exchange
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

City of London Walking Tour

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Beatles London Walking Tour

The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Jane Austen鈥檚 London

The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�

One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper, an unidentified serial killer who terrorized the British capital in 1888, became notorious for the series of brutal and gruesome murders that he carried out in the East End of London. The primary setting for the Jack the Ripper attacks was Whitechapel, at the time a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden district, known for its dark alleys and narrow streets.

The name "Jack the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles

London Introduction Walking Tour

London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let鈥檚 say, didn鈥檛 care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn鈥檛 one to stay down-it bounced back, flourished,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

Shakespeare's London Walking Tour

You might know him as 鈥渢he Bard,鈥� but to England, William Shakespeare is practically the patron saint of poetic plot twists. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and town official, and Mary Arden from a prosperous farming family, young William started life with ink in his veins and Latin on his mind. Grammar school likely gave him his first taste of rhetoric.... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour

Situated just below Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and South Kensington are two adjacent neighborhoods with grand Victorian homes and leafy garden squares. Home to London鈥檚 most expensive homes, Knightsbridge has some of the highest density of millionaires in the world. This is clearly reflected in the selection of stores & restaurants in the area, including the famous Harvey Nichols and Harrods... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...