Shop, then watch a London West End show and stay in a top 3 or 4 star hotel ready to shop again in the morning! Soho
Soho, one of the most populated areas in London is difficult to envisage as having once been farmland, with a name that originated as a hunting call "So-Ho". Over the years the area has attracted people of varying nationalities, particularly in the 18th and 19th Century when a number of refugees settled in the area. This cultural diversity still remains in Soho which is an epicentre for activity and socialising - comfortable cafes, modern bars and restaurants, numerous shops and a number of London theatres.
Soho is synonymous with the theatre, contemporary designs and successful media businesses. The area attracts music lovers who come to seek out specialist music from unique record stores, avid theatre goers and people looking for a piece of the Orient from Soho's Chinatown.
Soho is part of the borough of Westminster and encompasses well known London areas such as Piccadilly Circus,
Oxford and
Regent Street, Leicester Square and Chinatown. Not only a mecca for tourists, Soho is home to over 5,000 people and is a suitable location for londoners and visitors alike.
Carnaby Street
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Sells: Vintage Clothing, Arts and Crafts, Antiques, Clothing, Accessories
Carnaby Street has the reputation of being the leader in contemporary, cutting edge fashion an has done since the 60's. The street is situated just off Oxford Street, with over 140 shops to choose from and a whole variety of restaurants and cafes. Carnaby Street is a funky vibrant place to shop and is well worth a visit.
Places to check out: - The Dispensary - a collection of designer clothes for the modern woman
- Camper - walk don't run with these beautiful comfortable shoes
- Marshmallow Mountain - vintage shoes and boots, vintage clothes
- Michiko Koshino - combining technology with cutting edge fashion
- Jones Bootmakers - established since 1857 selling quality footwear and accessories
Leicester Square
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square
Leicester Square is particularly buzzing at night when people spill out of the pubs and restaurants on to the square and buskers entertain the passing tourists. The square is home to a number of London film premiers and theatres, cinemas and bars line the perimeter. This pedestrianised area attracts thousands of tourists, it is the home to London radio station Capital FM and in the centre is a small park containing the statue of Charlie Chaplin and playwright William Shakespeare which has an inscription from his play Twelfth Night.
Piccadilly Circus
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly earned its name from a 17th Century frilly collar called a piccadill, the tailor Robert Baker who made them and got rich by doing so moved to the area and so the name was born.
Piccadilly Circus lies at the junction of 5 London roads, and is renowned across the world for the bright electric billboards that adorn the buildings and the bronze fountain named EROS after the pagan god of love. Music store
Virgin Megastore and chemist
Boots are situated on
Piccadilly Circus, but Piccadilly is really more of a link to major roads in the West End.
Golden Square
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
A small park near Piccadilly Circus, Golden Square was built in 1688. The square is surrounded by a number of shops and businesses. This is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle that is just a few streets away. At midday the square becomes busy with business men and women having their lunch, all sat on benches surrounding the statue of the mythical figure Georglys ll.
Places to check out: - Fintex of London - tailor made suits for men, and fabric for suits
Soho Square
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square
Soho Square is a small patch of countryside in the middle of Soho. The gardens were laid in 1681 and the area was originally known as King's Square. The square used to house a number of the aristocracy in the 17th and 18th Century, and now is predominantly used for businesses, bars and restaurants.
Berwick Street
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Located in the centre of Soho, this street was the inspiration for the Oasis album cover for What's the Story (Morning Glory). Berwick Street Market is popular, the fruit and vegetable market has been in operation since 1840 and the market is the only produce market in Central London. The market is open from 09.00am till 06.00pm, Monday to Saturday, and is worth a visit as the traders still shout their wares at the public.
Places to check out: - Vintage Magazine - movie memorabilia, including headshots of almost every movie star you can think of
- The Berwick Street Cloth Shop - luxury fabrics from silk to embroidered lace
Chinatown
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Chinatown occupies Gerrard Street and the area surrounding it in Soho, London, although there is no official zoning. The area established itself after World War ll when a large number of immigrants from Hong Kong moved to London and set up in the location now known as Chinatown. The area is crammed full of shops and restaurants selling all things oriental, with very few people living there. Chinatown is a far cry from the metropolitan western feel of the rest of London, and is worth a visit just to see the incredible decorations that adorn the streets.
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