In this article, I present the Soho district in London, one of the liveliest in the British capital.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Soho
- What you can see in this neighborhood
- How to get there
- Practical information: opening hours, reservations
- What you can see in the area
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Soho, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Soho: article summary
Soho: London's trendiest district!
The neighborhood Soho is located in central London, in the the West End of the capital. It's a must-see when visiting London, both for its unique atmosphere and for the many activities it offers.
Here it is!
Introducing Soho
The Soho district is a trendy district of the capitalknown for its mix of cultures and countless boutiques.
Urbanization began in the late 17th century, but never succeeded in attracting a large number of visitors. London's wealthy. By contrast, immigrant communities - French, Italian, Greek, Russian and German - flocked here, and it quickly became the most international of neighborhoods.
But it's as sex district that it became famous. Indeed, with the opening of Hooper's Hotel, a brothel, at the end of the 18th century, it was to become a mecca for the sex industry with countless sex shops and prostitutes on all 4 corners.
It's only from 1980s that a major clean-up was carried out. Prostitution gradually disappeared and the neighborhood changed. It attracts rock stars, artists of all kinds and luxury businesses.
Today, it's visited for its architecture, unique atmosphere and iconic landmarks. It's also a popular neighborhood for the LGBT communityfor its lively bars and clubs in the evening!
Facts and anecdotes about the neighborhood
- The name Soho comes from an exclamation made by hunters in the 15th century. When a prey appeared, they would shout So Ho!
- French Huguenots arrived en masse in the 17th century, and the area became known as the French quarter from London
- It's up to Marquee Club in Soho that the Rolling Stones played their first paying concert
- It was in a small Soho apartment on Dean Street that Karl Marx wrote part of his book Visit Capital
- Visit first functional television was presented in the Soho district in January 1926
What to see and do in London's Soho district?
There's so much to do in Soho! It's a lively, bustling neighborhood, and day and night, you'll find plenty to keep you busy. Here are the must-sees!
Shopping!
Most people, when they think of Soho, think of the Shopping. And that's only to be expected, since there are so many possibilities in the area!
You can explore Carnaby StreetA trendy pedestrian street with cutting-edge boutiques. This is where you'll find the Liberty boutique and its incredible half-timbered Tudor façade!
To the west of the district, you'll find the street Regent Streetwhich is the capital's most famous shopping street. For a long time, it was home to all the most luxurious stores in London!
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
Further north Oxford Street that awaits you, with stores more accessible than those on Regent Street. It's a pleasant place to stroll, with its wide thoroughfares.
And if fashion isn't your thing, Soho is home to a number of independent record shops on Berwick Street. You'll find a wealth of rock, punk, reggae and other music from the 70s and 80s in particular. As for Berwick Street MarketIt's a paradise for book lovers, with its many independent bookshops.
Admire Piccadilly Circus
Visit Piccadilly Circus is one of London's most recognizable buildings. It's a nod to New York's Time Square, with its large illuminated panels and pretty Eros fountain in the middle.
Day or night, it's the meeting point for many Londoners and tourists, who cross it at breakneck speed!
Cherchez les Nez by Rick Buckley
In 1997, the artist Rick Buckley decided to hide nose-shaped sculptures all over Soho, in response to the installation of surveillance cameras. There were 7 scattered around the neighborhood, but some have been removed. See how many you can find!
Take a stroll through Soho Square
If you prefer calm to hustle and bustle, there's nothing like a stroll through Soho Square. A pleasant green space for a well-deserved break. There are cafés, the French Protestant church and plenty of benches where you can relax and observe London life, far from the hustle and bustle.
Attend a musical
Soho is home to some of the city's best-known theaters, including (in addition to Piccadilly Circus) the Prince Edward Theatre and the Palace Theatre. The perfect place to catch a musical or concert, such as on Broadway. It's not for nothing that Soho is often compared to this New York neighborhood!
Visit Chinatown!
For a change of scenery, you can cross the Soho Chinatown. A real trip to China, with its many restaurants, Asian supermarkets and Asian souvenir stores. Perfect for a change of scenery, especially at night when everything's lit up!
How do I get to Soho in London?
London's Soho district is located in the borough of the City of Westminsterright in the center. It is surrounded by Oxford Street (to the north), Regent Street (to the west), Charing Cross (to the east) and Shaftesbury Avenue (to the south).
It's easy to reach!
- Visit metroThe easiest way is to get off at one of the following stops: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square. The lines that serve Soho are the Northern Line, the Central Line, the Bakerloo line and the Victoria line
- Visit busTake one of the many bus routes that serve the area. These include buses 55, 73, 98, 390, N8, N25, N55, N73, N98 and N207.
Soho: opening hours and practical information
Here's what you need to know to make the most of your visit to Soho!
Opening hours
Soho is alive day and night, and you can visit at any time of day. If you want to enjoy the light installations and feel the frenzy of the place, prefer evening visits.
Practical information
Like Camden TownIt's a district apart in the city! Don't miss it, and plan ahead for around 3 hours for a friendly little tour.
What to see and do in the area?
There's so much to see in the Soho area! Here are a few suggestions to keep you busy in the area:
- Visit British Museumwith one of the world's richest collections of artefacts. It's Britain's most visited tourist site!
- Visit National Gallery with its vast collection of works from the 13th to the 19th century
- The neighbouring Covent Gardenfor its famous covered market!
- The capital's largest square: Trafalgar Squaresplendid with its statues and monuments
- Visit M&M's World London located in the center of Leicester Square, for those with a sweet tooth!
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special London guide!
Leave a Reply