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!