Soho is one of the most famous, culture rich areas of the English capital. Part of London's famous West End, Soho has attracted visitors from all walks of life for centuries. The area's theatre and musical shows are one of the most popular ports of call for tourists. At one time, Soho was London's legendary seedy side and the West End was an area where the sex industry, pubs and nightlife thrived. The Soho as we know it today was born in the sixties, but is still full of culture and highly as entertaining and popular as it ever was. Since the 1980s, Soho has changed greatly, and although it is London's most popular destination for nightlife, the other elements have been eliminated.
Visitors travelling to London will find no better part of the city to stay as there are plenty of hotels near Soho London. In many ways, it is the part of London that never sleeps and is the true heartbeat of the city.
What to expect
Soho is the stereotypical London that every tourist has seen in films. The area features narrow streets lined with buildings down both sides, and once a visitor sets eyes on Soho, they will recognise the scenes from famous movies like Love Actually and Four Wedding and A Funeral.
The district is full of great coffee shops, pubs and restaurants. Some are unique only to Soho, and travellers can experience a true example of the area's flavour. Travelers can venture outside of the district and find just as many great activities. There are also hotels near Oxford Street that tourists can commute from.
In many ways, the 1960s were the height of Soho's popularity and cultural importance. Thanks to the gentrification of the 1980s through the 1990s, Soho has been transferred, but it still oozes with character, charm and chic appeal.
What to do in Soho
Soho is the heart of the West End and visitors will find a wealth of theatres on its streets. The district has five well-known theatres and a plethora of minor venues that showcase the talents of actors and singers on a nightly basis.
The West End is famous for its production of Les Miserables. It is the second-longest running production on the West End. Les Miserables is one of the most famous musicals in the world today and seeing it on the West End is an experience tourists will never forget. While Les Miserable may be a little grown up, so younger travellers will love shows such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or Matilda.
Theatre, musicals and plays aren't the only activities visitors can view during a trip to Soho. The district has a wealth of music venues from upscale to beer bar. No matter what time of music or vibe a traveller is looking for, they should be able to find it in the district. From jazz bars like Ronnie Scott's to the eclectic rock sounds of The Borderline, music lovers from all over descend on Soho for a great evening of music.
Food and Drinks
In and around Soho, visitors will find an eclectic assortment of restaurants to dine in. Berwick Street Market is known around the capital for providing some of the best street food in the world.
The area's ability to draw people from all over the globe means there is a variety of food types.
London’s Chinatown is well worth a visit with many eateries for people with only one thing on there mind, food. Chinatown provides a taste of the Orient to visitors to London. Chinese, Korean, Japanese and other Asian cuisines can be find amongst the restaurants located in Chinatown. These are can't miss dining experiences. There are also lots of colourful traditional and Oriental Festivals held throughout the year.
The trendy restaurants in Kingly Court and Kingly Street give travellers the chance to dine in places that Londoners love. Pizza Pilgrims is one of the hottest locales and their Salsiccia and Friarielli pizza with fennel sausage is the most popular choice. Rum Kitchen gives diners an authentic Jamaican flavour. Traditional Jamaican dishes like goat curry and buttermilk fried chicken are all on the menu. The restaurant also offers music and a dancehall for all-night fun.
The Soho’s Carnaby Street is not to be missed for the unique and distinctive shopping and food and drinks experience it provides.
Nightlife hotspots
Looking for top London nightclubs and bars? Soho is the best place for a little nightlife and the pubs and bars in the district make for great destinations on a night out. Some of the drinking establishments are historic pubs with plenty of charm such as the Argyll Arms. Meanwhile others like Brewdog are snazzy new age bars meet old-time pub. Venues like these are perfect for those travellers who love their craft beers.
For more late-night fun with music and nonstop dancing, visitors will find plenty of nightclubs in Soho. Greek Street's Club 49 is a popular choice with DJs spinning records all-night long. Lucky Voice Soho is a great place to go if a traveller wants to be the entertainment. The club has private karaoke rooms that visitors can sing, dance and drink in.
Places not to miss
Thanks to Soho's location, it isn't difficult to get to other parts of London. Covent Garden and Oxford Street are only a stone throw away for unparalleled shopping, food and drinks, and entertainment experience. The Oxford Circus underground and Tottenham Court Road underground stations are nearby giving visitors the opportunity to travel across the city. Travellers to London won't want to miss the chance to see Parliament, the London Eye or the world famous Big Ben while a resident at any of the popular hotels in covent garden london.
In addition, sports lovers will be able to reach the top venues across the capital. Wembley Stadium, Twickenham rugby stadium and Lord's Cricket Ground are all popular venues for sports fans to visit during a holiday in the capital.
Transport
Located between Oxford Street and Shaftsbury Avenue, SOHO is close to many tube stations, including Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Leicester square. Soho gives travellers to London a great locate that is easy to get to. Tottenham Court Road Station and Oxford Circus Underground Station provide tourists with two easy access underground stations in Soho. Visitors can head to many popular places around Soho and other areas of London via this tube stations, and thanks to London's efficient underground, getting about isn't difficult.
Piccadilly train station is less than one mile from Soho. Travellers can get between the destinations quickly, and Piccadilly provides tourists with the chance to travel around the country with ease.
Soho's great locale makes it the ideal place for anyone visiting London. From theatres to sports, pubs to tourist attractions, travellers can find hotels near Soho London and have the best stay in the capital.
