Visit The Mosque

A warm welcome

We welcome visitors from all backgrounds to Shah Jahan Mosque. Whether you are coming to pray, reflect, learn, or simply look around, you will find a friendly and respectful environment.

Each year, we welcome schools, community groups, and visitors from across the UK, drawn by the mosque’s history, architecture, and its place in British life, or a curiosity to learn more about the faith.

A place of heritage and community

Built in 1889, Shah Jahan Mosque is the UK’s first purpose-built mosque and the only Grade I listed mosque in the country. It continues to serve as both a place of worship and a centre for community life.
Alongside the historic mosque, the mosque grounds includes spaces for larger prayer gatherings, education, events, and community activities.
The peaceful garden at the historic mosque’s entrance offers a place for quiet reflection.

What to expect

You are welcome to visit the mosque grounds and at suitable times, the prayer spaces.
Guided tours and educational visits are available, giving you the chance to learn about Islam and Muslim life, explore the mosque’s history and architecture and ask questions in an open and relaxed setting.
We aim to make every visit positive, welcoming and informative

School and group visits

We welcome visits from schools, colleges, and community groups. These can include guided tours, talks, and opportunities for discussion.
Visits can be tailored to suit your group’s interests and learning goals.
Contact us

Plan your visit

Can I visit if I’m not Muslim?

Yes, everyone is welcome.

Do I need to book?

Individuals are usually welcome during open times
Groups and guided tours should be booked in advance.

When is the best time to visit?

Contact us if you would like a guided visit.
The mosque is busiest during Friday prayers around 12-3pm, the two Eid festivals, and during Ramadan (from sunset into the evening).

What should I wear?

Modest dress is required, please cover cover shoulders and legs, and loose clothing is recommended)
Shoes should be removed before entering prayer areas.
Women are kindly asked to wear a headscarf in prayer areas. Scarves are usually available on site.

How do I arrange a school or group visit?

Contact us to arrange a visit.

General public visits

The Shah Jahan Mosque , also known as the Woking Mosque Fund and Sir Salar Jung Memorial House , was built in 1889 by Dr. Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, an orientalist. It is the first purpose-built mosque in the United Kingdom and Northern Europe.

Situated on Oriental Road in Woking, just a short walk from the town centre and railway station, the site stands as a symbol of faith, unity, and cultural heritage for British Muslims.

Today, the Shah Jahan Mosque stands uniquely as the only Grade I listed mosque in the UK, as well as a registered charity. In 2017, the local community lovingly restored the mosque to its original elegance, making sure that its beauty and purpose are well preserved.

To foster spiritual and cultural activities, the mosque hosts gatherings, educational programmes, and interfaith visits.

Education is a key part of not just our belief but also Islamic history. We hold regular classes for both children and adults, aiming to help individuals deepen their knowledge of Islam and its values.

The mosque also welcomes guided tours for schools, colleges, and community groups. This provides everyone with opportunities to learn about Islamic faith, architecture, and British Muslim history.

In accordance with our faith, the mosque community actively participates in humanitarian efforts, regularly raising funds and collecting donations for victims of natural disasters all around the world.

Group visits

The original prayer hall has the capacity to accommodate around 60 worshippers, and continues to be used for daily prayers. However, as the congregation has grown, the mosque has expanded its facilities , reclaiming several buildings previously leased in the 1990s , in order to meet the needs of the local Muslim community.

The largest hall can hold up to 1,000 worshippers and is primarily used by men for Friday (Jumma) prayers, Taraweeh during Ramadan, Eid celebrations, and other major gatherings.
The middle hall is dedicated to female worshippers, with space for up to 600 individuals.
A third hall serves as a community centre, equipped with a kitchen and washrooms, available for weddings, events, and local activities. It also doubles as a sports hall on selected days each week.
Hall No 4, recently renovated and equipped to the highest standards is a multi purpose / multi event hall, accommodating approx 60 individuals. It is used for seminars, briefings, classes and private events,

The mosque also maintains a fully equipped Ghusl facility for the washing and preparation of the deceased. Two local funeral organisations work closely with the mosque to support families in arranging respectful funeral and burial services.
Adding to the serene surroundings, the BBC Southern Counties Radio partnered with the mosque in 2001 to create a beautiful Islamic-themed garden on the south side of the grounds. This tranquil garden now greets visitors as they enter, symbolizing our first and foremost belief of peace and a reminder of the mosque’s message of harmony and reflection.

School visits

The Shah Jahan Mosque welcomes guided tours for schools, colleges, and educational groups wishing to learn about the Islamic faith, traditional architecture, and British Muslim history. Located on Oriental Road in Woking, the site is a short walk from the town center and railway station, making it straightforward to arrange travel for student groups. As the first purpose-built mosque in the United Kingdom and Northern Europe, and currently the only Grade I listed mosque in the UK, the building provides students with a direct look at an important piece of national heritage.

During a visit, students can examine the building’s original 1889 architecture. Tours cover the history of the site’s founder, Dr. Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, and explain how the mosque functions today as a registered charity. In addition to seeing the prayer spaces, students learn about the daily educational programs, interfaith visits, and global humanitarian fundraising efforts managed by the congregation. Teachers can coordinate with the mosque administration to align the tour with specific curriculum requirements or religious education topics.

Naat & nasheeds gathering (once a month)

Naat & nasheeds gathering (once a month)

Naat & nasheeds gathering (once a month)

Naat & nasheeds gathering (once a month)

Naat & nasheeds gathering (once a month)

Naat & nasheeds gathering (once a month)