Soho

Soho has the reputation of being the adult entertainment district of London and it doesn’t disappoint. To get to Soho we had to pass through a dodgy looking alley loaded with porn shops, adult clubs and interesting people.

Soho was once known as St. Martin’s Field. After the Great Fire in 1666 the area was rebuilt and became one of the more sought after areas for residence in London. But, by the mid-1800s most respectable families had moved away and the “entertainment” moved in: music halls and small theatres. By the end of WW2 Soho became known for its cheap and international food and it became a frequent hang out for intellectuals, writers, musicians, artists, and great minds. Karl Marx lived on Dean Street; Canaletto had a studio in this area and rumour has it that William Blake was born on Marshall Street. Virginia Wolfe and the Bloomsbury Group also frequented Soho.

Once we made it through the Soho porn strip we found ourselves in an open market where everyone was shouting at one another and bartering loudly. This area is full of life and action and I have to say that the English really have the chummy neighbour thing down pat.

Eventually, Soho became the centre of London’s nightlife, and remains this way even today. It also has its fair share of Gay pubs — one of which is the Admiral Duncan Pub. In April 1999, three people were killed and over 80 injured by a nail bomb set off by British National Party member David Copeland. He was eventually found guilty and is now serving 6 consecutive life sentences for the crime.