Things to do in Soho
Where is Soho
Soho
is located in the West End of London, nestled in between Tottenham Court Road,
Piccadilly Circus, and Oxford Circus, and near Chinatown. Being one of the main
entertainment districts of the city and famous for its nightlife, Soho is
buzzing with life and people from all over the world.
Fun fact: the name Soho is believed to be derived from an
old hunting cry, and Soho was a hunting ground under the reign of Henry VIII.
How to reach Soho
Given its super central location, Soho is very easy to reach
on foot or public transport. If you are staying with us at Zedwell, Soho is only
a 10-minute walk away!
These are the nearest tube and railways stations.
- OXFOR
CIRCUS: 7-minute walk. The station is serviced by the Victoria,
Central and Bakerloo line.
- PICCADILLY
CIRCUS: 7-minute walk. The station is serviced by the Piccadilly and
Victoria line.
- TOTTENHAM
COURT ROAD: 6-minute walk. The station is serviced by the Northern,
Central, and Elizabeth lines.
- CHARING
CROSS: the station is serviced by the Bakerloo and Northern line, and
Southeastern rail.
Several buses stop in and around Soho. Some of these are: 3,
6, 12, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159 and 453. Buses are usually cheaper than the
tube and trains, and if you sit on the upper deck you will be able to take in
the views as you travel.
Another cheap and fun way to reach and explore Soho is by
bike. You can hire a Santander (aka Boris) bike from over 800 docking stations,
with prices starting from just £2.
If you are travelling to Soho by car you should be aware
that a Congestion Charge will apply to most vehicles driving into central
London Monday to Friday between 7 AM and 6 PM, and Saturday, Sunday and public
holidays from 12 PM to 6 PM. Finding a parking spot can be tough, so here are
some suggestions:
URBAN PARKING SHELTON STREET
42 Shelton St, WC2H 9HJ
Q-PARK CHINATOWN CAR PARK
Newport Pl, WC2H 7PU
ADAM HOUSE CAR PARK
John Adam St, WC2N 6AY
What to do in Soho
Soho is renowned for its nightlife, restaurants, theatres,
and music venues.
There really is something for everyone, whether you are
looking to eat some delicious food or dance the night away.
Restaurants
These are only a few of our favourite spots in Soho, but you
will find fantastic food on every corner.
- HOPPERS:
one of the best spots for Sri Lankan and South Indian-inspired food in
London!
- MILDREDS:
one of the longest-running vegan restaurants in the capital, the food is
so tasty that you will want to eat here even if you are not a vegan.
- BOB
BOB RICARD: Champagne, anyone? Just press the button! Champagne aside,
the food at Bob Bob Ricard is top-notch, inspired by the best dishes from
both English and French cuisine.
- BLANCHETTE:
if you like French food, you have got to check Blanchette out! This lovely
bistro is also ideal for a quick pre or post-theatre bite.
Nightlife
Should we go to a traditional British pub, a quirky cocktail
bar, or a buzzing nightclub? Decisions, decisions...
- OPIUM.
What is better than a cocktail bar? Three cocktail bars within the
same venue! The daring and experimental drinks can be accompanied by a
platter of delicious dim sum.
- SIMMONS
SOHO. Quirky interiors, old-school videogames, and live music. Not too
bad, if you ask me.
- CAHOOTS
can be found inside an abandoned train station in Kingly Court and will
transport you right back in time to the 1940s. Fear not though, they will
not be rationing your cocktails.
- THE
BOX. this exclusive cabaret nightclub is entertaining like no other
(if you are lucky enough to get in..)
Soho is famous for its buzzing nightlife
Shopping
As well as the entertainment scene, Soho is also a great
spot for a cheeky bit of shopping.
- CARNABY
STREET. The famous Carnaby is situated just off Oxford Circus and
Regent Street and was home to the ‘Swinging London’ in the 1960s. Now, it
is a great place for shopping, food, and drinks.
- LIBERTY
LONDON. The most beautiful department store in London, Liberty is
famous for its gorgeous floral luxury fabric, but here you will also find
anything ranging from designer clothes to jewellery.
Theatres
Soho is located very near the West End of London, also known
as the London theatre district, so it is the place to be if you are looking to
catch a play or a musical.
- APOLLO
THEATRE: based on Argyll Street, the Palladium is currently hosting
Beaty and the Beats the musical for a limited time only. You should make
sure you book your tickets for this tale as old as time in advance, to
avoid disappointment.
- PRINCE
EDWARD THEATRE: a short walk away from Leicester Square Station,
currently showing the Toby Award-winning musical Mary Poppins.
- SOHO
THEATRE: an out-of-ordinary theatre and charity which presents new and
innovative plays, comedy, and cabaret. A great choice if you are looking
for something fresh and different.
London theatres
Things to see near Soho
Some of the best renowned London landmarks are only a short
walk away from Soho. If you are visiting or staying in the area, you should
consider checking one or more of these out.
- BUCKINGHAM
PALACE: home to HRM Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal
family, the beautiful palace is only a short walk from Soho. You can book
a visit to the palace, or just admire its exteriors from the nearby St
James’s Park
- HYDE
PARK is one of the London royal parks, the largest, right in
the heart of London. Perfect for a stroll, it is home to the Diana,
Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, and the Serpentine lake. Large
outdoor events regularly take place in Hyde Park, including the British
Summer Time festival.
- LONDON
EYE. There is no better way to take in the stunning views of London
than to jump on the world's most famous ferries wheel
- PICCADILLY
CIRCUS. Right in the heart of central London, Piccadilly Circus is one
of the most popular tourist destinations. You will want to take a picture
in front of the iconic advertising screens and admire the Eros statue. And
don’t forget Zedwell is
only a couple of minutes' walk away!
- LEICESTER
SQUARE. This iconic square is one of the best spots in
London for nightlife, restaurants, casinos and much more.
- TRAFALGAR
SQUARE. When approaching Trafalgar square you will immediately
recognize the four lions and the tall column erected in honour of Admiral
Nelson, to celebrate his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Trafalgar Square is also home to the National Gallery, one of the most
famous London museums and a must-visit place.
Trafalgar Square
Remember that this is only a small fraction of the
things you can do and see when visiting Soho! Plan your visit to make sure you
make the most of your time here, and most importantly, have fun!
