Soho is a popular entertainment district with a rich and varied history comprising of a maze of streets and alleyways covering around 1 square mile bounded by Oxford Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road and Regent Street. The district was once known for being London’s vice although much has changed since then, yet thankfully it still retains its unique character and charm.
Colourful shops of Soho
Nowadays you will have pleasure in discovering the area has many angles to it consisting of television production, magazine publishing, trendy bars and restaurants, funky fashion, record shops and London’s gay scene. If this wasn’t enough to keep you busy, I’m sure London’s Red Light district with its numerous sex shops and strip clubs will do their best to fill that void.
If none of the above mentioned are of any interest, go and check out central London’s only surviving fruit and vegetable market. Now don’t be fooled in thinking that it only sells fruit and vegetables, you can also pick up flowers, bread, cheese, herbs, fish, fabrics, the list goes on.
Soho Square is a nice place to sit and relax, where you can enjoy the park and garden area at the centre which dates back to 1681. It was originally called King Square after Charles II, whose statue stands in the Square. If you’re into music you might know that Kirsty MacColl’s memorial bench is also situated in the Square.
Engraving on Kirsty MacColl's memorial bench
Over the years, Soho has developed into a stronghold for theatres, art galleries, nightclubs and live music venues. It has seen some famous people in its time, names such as Eric Clapton, Brian Jones and the Sex Pistols have all lived in the area.
Today, Soho is a popular entertainment destination for both locals and tourists with a vibrant arts and music scene, lavish London bars, clubs, cafes and pubs making it a rather difficult place not to enjoy.
I suggest keeping your map in your bag when you get to Soho because exploring the area without any sense of direction is exciting. Get yourself lost in the narrow streets and alleyways and let some adrenalin pump through your body; I’m sure you’ll have a good story or three to tell afterwards.
Nearest tube stations: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square
Nice site. I have never been to UK, and love to go, nice to read about SoHo, hear much about it.