**THE ROYAL EXCHANGE**
As a Londoner, me and countless millions of others are guilty of taking for granted the many magnificent historic buildings that exist in our amazing capital city.
Where a tourist or visitor would probably stop and take note of a building, its architecture and its place in history – a Londoner would most likely just simply walk past or drive past it and not take a blind bit of notice or show any interest – far too busy needing to get somewhere quickly, to take note of what may surround them.
I for one, was guilty of such behaviour (some may call it ignorance) especially when working up ‘in the city’ – simply because I didn’t have ‘time’ as was far too busy concentrating on getting to and from work – negotiating the crowds on the streets and dodging the traffic.
Retirement, on the other hand, is a completely different kettle of fish, as (for most folk) it provides the opportunity and choice to get involved in stuff you never had the time to do before…..(and that’s exactly how my London Shoes evolved, unbelievably some 8yrs ago now!!)
One particular building that has always impressed me, especially when I was working up in the City in St.Swithens Lane – was the magnificent “Royal Exchange” that sits proudly alongside Lombard Street – Cornhill – Threadneedle Street at the Bank station junction.
Before doing this Shoes’ blog, I never really knew too much about the origins and the life of the historic Royal Exchange building and had certainly never stepped inside it – but my research and trek out to put this blog together, has certainly changed all that now.
The actual Royal Exchange, (as a ‘thing’), was formed in the 16th Century, by a ‘Thomas Gresham’ – and it was designed to be the centre of commerce for the City of London.
The site of the Royal Exchange was provided by the Worshipful Company of Mercers – and amazingly, they STILL jointly own the freehold, some 450+ years later. The original Royal Exchange building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth 1st – who granted it, its ‘Royal’ title.
Back at that time, the Royal Exchange was Britain’s very first commercial building.
The Royal Exchange was always looked upon as being the financial centre of Britain.
There have been 3 Royal Exchange buildings on the current site – the first 2 were destroyed by fire.
Initially, stockbrokers were not allowed to step foot inside the Royal Exchange building, as they were considered to be far too rude – and
that why Britain’s early banking system started off in nearby coffee houses, because that’s where the stockbrokers ended up going to, to conduct their business.
The present Royal Exchange building dates back to 1840, and was formally opened by Queen Victoria in 1844 – and it is as magnificent today as it was back then.
Corinthian columns – original ironworks – a grand entrance set of steps – and a central courtyard where the merchants and tradesmen would conduct their business – are all architectural features of this amazing landmark building.
Above the Exchange’s main entrance there is an arch that displays 17 figures representing London merchants. Below these 17 figures a Latin inscription says “Founded in the 13th year of Queen Elizabeth I and restored in the 8th of Queen Victoria”.
Outside the main entrance to the Royal Exchange stands a magnificent statue of The Duke of Wellington on horseback.
The Wellington statue was unveiled in 1844 on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo – and interestingly, the bronze used to build the statue, was sourced from French cannons captured during the Napoleonic Wars.
Also – outside the Exchange’s main entrance is a memorial statue commemorating London Troops who fought in WW1.
The Royal Exchange also has its own bell tower that consists of 15 bells that were made at the nearby Whitechapel Bell Factory in 1844.
Apparently, the bell mechanism can play “God Save the King” – “Rule Brittania” & “The Roast Beef of Old England” (whatever that is!!).
The current building was occupied for many years by the Lloyds Insurance group who were based there for over 100 years.
The front steps of the Royal Exchange were where Royal Proclamations would be read out to the public by a Town Crier – announcing ‘news’ such as the death of a monarch – or – the dissolution of Parliament – or – a new monarch.
By 1982 the poor old Royal Exchange building found itself in a serious state of disrepair – and its glass roof was almost ready to collapse and fall inwards.
At this time the ‘London International Financial Futures Exchange’ (LIFFE) were the main residents of the building and used the Royal Exchange courtyard as a trading floor.
In 2001 the buildings interior and courtyard and roof were completely redesigned and redeveloped. 2013 saw the Royal Exchange leased to Oxford Properties, a Canadia property company, who bought it as a retail centre for around £86.5m.
In Oct 2022 a company called Ardent UK acquired the retail sector.
Today (2025) the Royal Exchange old trading floor is full of luxury brand shops and restaurants – plus areas for private dining rooms – a mezzanine lounge – the Threadneedle Room conference/meeting room – bars & eating areas.
Having personally never ever set foot inside the Royal Exchange building before – and somewhat ignorantly not even knowing what was inside – my London Shoes thoroughly enjoyed the experience – and I even treated myself to a couple of tins of Earl Grey loose tea from the Fortnum & Mason store in the Exchange (Smokey Earl Grey and Countess Grey, if you must know!!).
So – a very enjoyable Shoes visit to a place that’s been in situ all my life and a building I’ve walked past thousands of times, but never actually looked into or appreciated its history and place in this world.
See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this Royal Exchange blog article
Exit 3 – of a total of 16 exits/entrances – at Bank tube station – and the one that leads you out to the site of magnificent The Royal Exchange building
The Royal Exchange, as seen when exiting Bank tube station. The actual Royal Exchange, as a foundation, was formed in the 16th Century, by a ‘Thomas Gresham’ – and it was designed to be the centre of commerce for the City of London.
The actual Royal Exchange, as a foundation, was formed in the 16th Century, by a ‘Thomas Gresham’ – and it was designed to be the centre of commerce for the City of London. The Royal Exchange was always looked upon as being the financial centre of Britain.
The design/layout of the trading floor of The Royal Exchange
The present building dates back to 1840, and was formally opened by Queen Victoria in 1844 – and it is as magnificent today as it was back then.
Me – alongside London’s historic The Royal Exchange building
There have been 3 Royal Exchange buildings on the current site – the first 2 were destroyed by fire.
The original Royal Exchange building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth 1st – who granted it, its ‘Royal’ title. Back at that time, the Royal Exchange was Britain’s very first commercial building.
Above the Exchange’s main entrance there is an arch that displays 17 figures representing London merchants. Below these 17 figures a Latin inscription says “Founded in the 13th year of Queen Elizabeth I and restored in the 8th of Queen Victoria”.
Outside the main entrance to the Royal Exchange stands a magnificent statue of The Duke of Wellington on horseback. The Wellington statue was unveiled in 1844 on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo – and interestingly, the bronze used to build the statue, was sourced from French cannons captured during the Napoleonic Wars.
Also – outside the Exchange’s main entrance is a memorial statue commemorating London Troops who fought in WW1.
Another view of the memorial statue outside The Royal exchange building, that commemorates London Troops who fought in WW1.
Another view of the memorial statue outside The Royal Exchange – that commemorates the London Troops who fought in WW1.
Me – alongside London’s historic The Royal Exchange building
The Royal Exchange even has its own Royal Appointment clock
This magnificent old Royal Exchange building has corinthian columns – original ironworks – a grand entrance set of steps – and a central courtyard where the merchants and tradesmen would conduct their business.
Me – alongside the War Memorial outside the main entrance to The Royal Exchange
The front steps of the Royal Exchange were where Royal Proclamations would be read out to the public by a Town Crier – announcing stuff like the death of a monarch – or – the dissolution of Parliament – or – a new monarch.
The ‘other’ end of the impressive Royal Exchange building – where all its outer structures are converted into retail outlets
The current building was occupied for many years by the Lloyds Insurance group who were based there for over 100 years.
The Royal Exchange also has its own bell tower that consists of 15 bells that were made at the nearby Whitechapel Bell Factory in 1844. Apparently, the bell mechanism can play “God Save the King” – “Rule Brittania” & “The Roast Beef of Old England” (whatever that is!!).
Me – at the back end of The Royal Exchange building – with its bell tower high on the roof to the right
An aerial view of The Royal Exchange – as it is today – bang in the middle of the City of London.
Directly alongside The Royal Exchange building – are a few interesting landmarks from old London town!! – this is one of the old wells/pumps that were scattered all across Victorian London
Another Victorian landmark outside the Royal Exchange is this old post box – with its “VR” Victoria Regina insignia (Regina is Latin for ‘Queen’)
Right next door to The Royal Exchange is an old ‘Police Call Posts’ – which were used in conjunction with the old Dr. Who’s TARDIS style Police Boxes – in situations where the pavements weren’t big or wide enough to accommodate a full sized Police Box
In 2001 the buildings interior and courtyard and roof were completely redesigned and redeveloped.
2013 saw the Royal Exchange leased to Oxford Properties, a Canadia property company, who bought it as a retail centre for around £86.5m.
Me – outside one of the exits/entrances to the prestigious Royal Exchange building
Just one of the impressive entrances/exits to the old trading floor of The Royal Exchange
Another of the grand entrances/exits to The Royal Exchange
Today (2025) the Royal Exchange old trading floor is full of luxury brand shops and restaurants – plus areas for private dining rooms – a mezzanine lounge – the Threadneedle Room conference/meeting room – bars & eating areas.
Inside The Royal Exchange – as it is these days (2025)
Me – inside The Royal Exchange
Today (2025) the Royal Exchange old trading floor is full of luxury brand shops and restaurants – plus areas for private dining rooms – a mezzanine lounge – the Threadneedle Room conference/meeting room – bars & eating areas.
Views from inside the magnificent Royal Exchange building
Views from inside the magnificent Royal Exchange building
Me – inside the Royal Exchange – standing in the middle of its once trading floor
Views from inside the magnificent Royal Exchange building
Views from inside the amazing structure that is The Royal Exchange building
Me – inside the Royal Exchange – standing in the middle of its once trading floor
My fav store inside The Royal Exchange…..’Fortnum & Masons’
Located in Wilson Street – Shoreditch London EC2 – just a few mins walk from Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations – “The Flying Horse” is a 4 storey building that dates back to 1812
The pub building was re-developed in 1865 and again in 1985, but some of the buildings original Georgian and Victorian architectural/design features still remain.
Inside the ‘Flying Horse’ pub in Wilson Street – Shoreditch
A refreshing ‘cheeky’ beer – inside The Flying Horse pub in Shoreditch – just waiting to be consumed by a thirsty London Shoes.
Me – necking down a refreshing cheeky one in The Flying Horse – Wilson Street – Shoreditch – London EC2
I’m rather partial to the old Earl Grey tea leaves and so treated myself to a couple of tins from the Fortnum & Mason’ store in The Royal Exchange
Me – at home with my tin of ‘Countess Grey’ – tea that I purchased from the ‘Fortnum & Mason’ store inside The Royal Exchange.
I was still of the mind that The Royal Exchange was still the trading floor for The Stock Exchange as it had been when I worked in London, mind you that was eons ago!!
It looks like a very up-market shopping mall inside the building now, but at least it has not been left to fall into a neglected state as might have happened , but for me personally I loved learning about the monument that honours those that fought in WW1.
Nice one London Shoes.
That’s another place I’ve never been to, added to my future to do list Geoff. Very interesting and a nice bit of shopping at the same time 😀
another good read Geoff, I often walked through the RE on route from Liverpool St to St Swithin’s House.
Get you liking Earl Grey tea!
Very interesting thanks Geoff
Very interesting. I’ve walked past it quite a few times back in the last century, but it never even occurred to me to take a look inside. Thank you, Geoff!
It is a very impressive and historic building Brian – and although its purpose has changed somewhat, I think its great that money has been wisely invested to provide it with a brand new ‘life’ .
Glad you enjoyed the article Brian.
Take care
regards
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
Wow, what a blog! Loved the deep dive into The Royal Exchange – such a perfect blend of history, architecture, and modern luxury. Makes me want to visit and see it with a whole new appreciation!
What a fascinating read about The Royal Exchange! Its rich history and stunning architecture truly make it a gem in the heart of London. Loved learning how it evolved from a trading hub to a luxury destination. Looking forward to visiting soon!
Great article. I was once told years ago that on the unveiling of the Wellington statue, it was noticed that the stirrups were missing , and the person responsible was so embarrassed he took his own life. (Could be a totally false city tale). My 6th great grandfather had a shop on Cheapside in the 1750, just the other side of the Royal Exchange.
Great post, good to know a bit more about the history of the place. I spent many years working in Lloyds Bank Cornhill/ Lombard St building which is in the background in a number of your photos.
So interesting, as ever!
Excellent post! Great history. I will venture in next time I’m passing by. Earl Grey it is 🫖
Thank again wonderful bit of history i can never get enough of it cheers 🇨🇦