Soho Area Guide | WorkPad

Soho Area Guide

February 14th, 2018

As the neon lights draw you in, along with the intoxicating smells from various restaurants, you know you’re in Soho now.

A melting pot of nightlife, foodie heaven and infamous reputation underpin Soho. It is unique in its charm, and often judged before being explored based on its notoriety. There is, of course, another side to it but it is much more than just that.

It is in walking distance of many other popular areas of London, including Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Chinatown. And it is a hub on its own for theatre, restaurants, bars, boutique shops and more.

Where is Soho?

Soho is perfectly situated amongst some of London’s most iconic landmarks.

If you’re looking for the nearest train station to Soho, then jump off at Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road or Piccadilly Circus, and you’re practically there. These are the main Soho tube stations but on the fringes are Leicester Square and Covent Garden too, both just under a quarter of an hour’s walk away.

Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Tottenham Court Road, meanwhile, are the main roads into Soho for any visiting drivers.

Things to do in Soho

If you’re looking for the best London attractions that Soho has to offer, then first and foremost visit Carnaby Street. The famous shopping street has been documented by novelists and musicians alike, and it’s a must-see if you’re looking for what to do in Soho.

One of the other main things to do in Soho is to take in a West End show. With so many historic and popular theatres here, such as the Soho, the Palace and the London Palladium, the area has a rich history in entertainment.

And to continue with the arty vibe that Soho offers, the Photographers Gallery and Ronnie Scott’s jazz bar are also worth a visit.

Shopping in Soho

Probably the most famous of all the Soho shops is Liberty, the world famous designer department store. With a distinctive Tudor exterior, it is a simply beautifully presented store and even has its own iconic prints.

Soho is famed for its retro and vintage clothing, so no trip would be complete without stopping off at the previously mentioned Carnaby Street. You’ll also find many a Soho boutique offering unique vintage clothing.

And for food lovers, Chinatown is a great spot for shopping in Soho of a different kind. This proves that there’s more to Soho than the risqué shops it’s famed for, for example, the record shops and high street shops are equally as plentiful.

Places to Eat in Soho

The area is renowned for being rich in diversity and culture, which is reflected in the host of cool restaurants in Soho.

Kick start your day by grabbing a coffee with a Portuguese custard tart at one of the three Fernandez & Wells’ coffee shops in Soho.

Then head down to one of the most popular areas, Broadwick Street for a spot of lunch. William Blake lived here and if you head to The Ivy Soho Brasserie you will see artworks inspired by the famous writer. It’s the ideal place to go for a smart business lunch and is one of the best restaurants in Soho.

If you’re looking for just something low key, however, pop over to Bao for London’s best buns. Their signature tender pork belly buns come in at under a fiver and come highly recommended when it comes to Soho lunch spots.

Soho is regarded by many as the foodie haven of London. So whether you’re looking for Indian, Italian, Szechuan, Sri Lankan or British, it has it all. So when it comes to night time, take your pick from the vast array of places to eat in Soho.

Soho Nightlife

One thing is for sure, you’ll never be bored when it comes to Soho nightlife! After dark is when it really comes into its own. The range of venues and events is eclectic with something on offer for everyone.

From small Soho pubs to big club nights, burlesque shows, gay bars and fancy cocktail bars, it really is a glittering array of nightlife. So whether your thing is craft beers or you want to party till dawn, the best bars in Soho await you on virtually every street.

If you’re looking to indulge in a bit of celeb spotting, Soho House is extremely popular with the rich and famous. Traditionally a members club, it is, however, relaxed on this policy these days.

Originally it was created exclusively for film and media industry types, but offers beautiful views and a more relaxed area downstairs for visitors looking for the best Soho nightlife on offer.

Another landmark in Soho venues is G-A-Y, which has hosted many high profile stars. There is always something interesting and big acts to see here, making it a great night out with upbeat music, cheap drinks and plenty of dancing on offer.

Hotels in Soho

Depending on where you want to base yourself, there are more hotels in Soho than you can shake a stick at. You’re spoilt for choice, really, so it will all come down to whether you prefer a central location, top end luxury, proximity to transport links or other areas of London too.

The Soho Hotel, for example, is an excellent choice if you’re looking for one of the most renowned hotels in Soho. It is of a very high standard for a luxurious place to stay and is only 5 minutes walk from Oxford Street.

Or if you’re looking for something in more of the budget range, then the Z Hotel in Tottenham Court Road is a great option. It’s close to Carnaby Street and offers a concierge service, with prices starting at just £50 a night.

Soho certainly has every kind of hotel to suit every type of visitor; whether you’re just looking for somewhere affordable to bed down after a night out; or a fancier hotel with a big name to make it a real occasion; or just somewhere mid-range to stay for a few days with all the convenience and facilities you need.

Living in Soho

The area’s central location in London makes it a big draw for many, who are looking at living in Soho. And with the arrival of Crossrail means a wave of new commuters descending on its streets – and possibly new residents too.

As it is already literally surrounded by transport links in every corner, from Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, with other train stations just a 10 minute walk away; it opens up a wealth of opportunities for commuters. So many young professionals choose to reside here now, alongside media and city types.

For families, meanwhile, there remains a real sense of community spirit still alive in Soho. So young and old alike will enjoy making plenty of friends, with neighbours watching out for one another.

Berwick Street and Poland Street are recommended for experiencing all of the culture of Soho, but in a quieter part of the area.

Meanwhile, Soho has undergone a huge run of redevelopments and has transformed its reputation as somewhere to live permanently, and not just visit for fun. There are a large number of luxury and boutique apartments now available for high end living in Soho.

And when it comes to schools, Soho Parish Primary School has a good standing and has raised funds for a vertical playground to be built in the future. For secondary schools, most choice is just outside of Soho, such as Westminster City and Marylebone CofE. But they are all either walking distance or just a few stops away on public transport.

 

Working in Soho

You’ll see many a trendy media type on their way to a hip Soho office – the area is buzzing with top agencies, thriving start-ups and a wealth of industries.

According to the Evening Standard, Soho houses a fifth of the total creative industries in the whole of London. With its history for artistry and innovation, it’s easy to see why.

There is a large film industry here and it is a real business cluster for production, distributors and writers, amongst many other diverse trades.

Because of the nature of the cluster of businesses on offer, it has one of the best offerings in terms of office space in London. Various business owners, entrepreneurs and media types can sit alongside each other in many a serviced office in London.

The ideal space requires state of the art equipment as well as a central location with great transport links. It needs to be as close to where the action is in terms of business areas as possible.

Therefore, Workpad provides not one, but several superbly located options when it comes to choosing your office space to rent in London. Take a look at the beautifully furbished and modern offices available and see what suits your business requirements best.

We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully helping your business thrive in one of our Soho office locations very soon.

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