Soho District Guide in London

A trip to London planned? So don’t miss visiting Soho, the incontournable vibrant and vibrant neighbourhood of the English capital.

Visiting Soho is visiting the busiest and most central district of London. Here, clubs, theatres and restaurants mix in some of the most emblematic places in the city, such as Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street or Trafalgar Square. Nightlife there is intense, omnipresent tourists, and good addresses – shopping cultural or culinary – overflowing. One thing is sure, you will certainly not be bored if you will visit Soho.

You will soon discover the city-world ? You are told everything you need to know to visit Soho, without losing a crumb.

Soho district in a few words

Ancient hunting and farmland, it is only after the Great fire from London in 1666 that Soho was slowly urbanizing. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the district attracted mainly European immigrants, and in particular French Huguenots.

In addition, Soho is known to be a Hot neighborhood . Indeed, until the 1970s, the neighborhood has a very bad reputation. It is full of sex-shops, erotic cinemas, illegal bars, brothels and prostitutes sticking in front of their doors. All this sex trade is getting shorter in the 1980s, after a large measure of repression.

Subsequently, the neighbourhood became the benchmark of intellectuals, artists and writers. It is also for certain, the cradle of the britpop . Today, Soho is also known to be the gay London neighborhood. In short, this neighborhood in the sulphurous past has become a must in London. Ideally located in the hyper-centre and very frequented, it is truly the heart of the capital.

What to see and what to do in Soho?

Visiting Soho is visiting the city’s most central and lively neighborhood, day and night. You will be near the main activities and attractions to see or to do in London. So here's all you shouldn't miss.

Picadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street and Carnaby Street

These are the must-see streets if you are going to visit Soho.

• Picadilly Circus, it’s a bit the London Time Square, a reduced version. This famous crossroads where Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue and Haymarket meet, is fitted with light advertising panels, illuminated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the centre you can see the fountain Shaftesbury Memorial, overcome by the statue of Eros, the God of love.
• Famous for addicted shopping, Regent Street is known worldwide for its high-end boutiques. Oxford Street, for her part, is more affordable and has been elected the preferred shopping street of Londoners. Primark, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Dorothy Perkins...
• If you are going to visit Soho, know that Carnaby Street is LA trendy street and bobo from London. Here you will discover the latest fashionable articles of the greatest creators, and cross an urban and trendy youth. Behind its arch, you will find a multitude of restaurants with flavors from all over the world, and other cafés, bars and pubs.

Chinatown

In fact, Chinatown is not in Soho, but the edge. So if you’re visiting Soho, don’t hesitate to go for a ride! You can’t miss the entrance, identical to all Chinese neighborhoods in the cities of the world, with its red lanterns.

Traditional decoration, Chinese restaurants, souvenir shops... From what to feel completely overwhelmed for a moment. If you come during the Chinese New Year, you will be even more!

The Photographer’s Gallery

This art gallery dedicated to photography, recognized worldwide, is not to be missed if you will visit Soho. Close to Oxford Circus Station, enter this building at the edge of a New York workshop. You will discover great names of the photo, but also talents to become!

Berwick Street Market

The Berwick Street market is one of London’s oldest markets. Dating from 1778, it is today a must-see for gourmet purposes, looking for good products.

It's open. every Saturday from 8am to 6pm.

Liberty

The iconic London store at the Tudor facade, easily recognizable (and very photogenic) is to be visited in Soho. By entering this place, you will discover the charm so british pure.

On five levels, you have an incredible selection of beauty, fashion, accessories and design products, and of course the famous Liberty floral fabrics. If you are going to visit Soho, and you are sensitive to the English refinement, you will not be disappointed!

The theatres of the West End

The West End from London, it’s a little Broadway de New York . You will find an incredible amount of theatres offering a variety of shows or musicals of all kinds.

The West End does not really have delimitation, and brings together several neighbourhoods, including Soho. With regard to the most mythical theatres, you can find Piccadilly Theatre, Prince Edward Theatre, Palace Theatre, or the London Palladium.

Other must-see sites near Soho

Due to its central location, Soho is just a step away from many other must-see attractions in London. Some will say that they are part of the Soho district, other not. Anyway, they're really close.

• So don't miss going to the mythical places Trafalgar Square or Leicester Square.
• Go to the National Gallery or/and the National Portrait Gallery, its neighbour.

Guided visits to Soho

Would you like to visit Soho in a different way? Then choose a guided tour of the neighborhood, from the simplest to the most original.

Walking tour of Soho district

Ideal to immerse yourself at the best of the neighborhood, you have the opportunity to choose a guided tour of Soho on foot. During more than 2 hours , a guide will make you discover the emblematic places of the neighborhood like Picadilly, Carnaby Street or Chinatown, with as a bonus the stories captivating on the history of Soho.

For prices, visits start at 14€ and can go up to 60€ for the most complete.

Discovery of Soho pubs

Soho's quarter is definitely London's neighborhood where to go. It's full of bars and lively pubs. So why not join culture to fun and test a tour of the most popular pubs, accompanied by an expert guide in this field? A different way to discover this neighborhood and test different traditional beers, including the Londoners.

For prices, count on average 30€ for 3h .

Gourmet visit

Visiting Soho by combining culture and gastronomy is possible. Tours offer a walk to the Soho district, accompanied by a local guide, while testing, tasting and tasting culinary specialties. You will have the chance to discover the world's cuisines in Soho, including Hawaiian, Indian, Taiwanese, Italian, Mexican... You will also enjoy British specialties in one of the five oldest pubs in London and in an exclusive tea room. This is what is called attaching the utility to the pleasant.

For prices, count on average 100€ for the full day .

Soho Punk Tour

Fan de la culture punk ou simple curious·se, this walking tour in the Soho district will make you discover all the places connected to the British punk era. You will discover the must-see clubs such as Chapiteau, Vortex, 100 Club, Roxy, Louise’s and Notre Dame Hall.

This is a tough visit. 2h and costs approximately 25€ .

The best hotels to stay in Soho

You come to London and want to visit Soho? If you like animation, go out, drink and eat, then it is also the ideal area where to stay. In addition, you will be located in the hyper center of London, perfect to radiate in the city easily, because almost all the main activities are accessible on foot. Because of its constant animation, this neighborhood attracts young people a lot in search of a rich nightlife.

• This is why you will find a lot of cheap hostels in the neighborhood, ideal for small budgets. YHA Oxford Street or SoHostel are 2 good addresses. Count between 30 and 45€ for a dorm room.
• The Z Hotel Soho offers comfortable and modern rooms, a 5-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. The price is relatively correct for London, with an average to 90€ for a double room. A great value for money!
• The Thistle Trafalgar, Leicester Square, is also a beautiful hotel ideally located that offers spacious rooms from 130€.

Where to eat in Soho?

If you visit Soho and look for a place to restore you, you will have the embarrassment of choice. In addition, all nationalities are represented. Here are some good addresses we recommend.

• The Café de Paris is a must-see place in Soho. A true institution since the 1920s, it is both a bar, a club and a restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal during a burlesque show.
• Do you have the evil of the country? The chain Patisserie Valerie, which you will find in several neighborhoods of London, offers French pastries that really worth the detour.
• To do in the trend you can test the restaurant Mildreds, the most popular vegan restaurant in Soho district.
• Finally, for a super brunch, direction the Bill’s Soho Restaurant. A very nice rustic decoration and a choice of delicious and varied dishes.

How to go to Soho?

City perfectly served by public transport, it is very easy to move to London. To visit Soho, nothing simpler. ♪ train , the most convenient station is that of Charing Cross . Otherwise, here are the 4 main metro stations to visit Soho:

• Leicester Square: lines Northern and Piccadilly
• Stop Piccadilly Circus : Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines
• Tottenham Court Rd: Central and Northern lines
• Stop Oxford Circus: Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines