Of all the areas in the City of Westminster and the West End of London, Soho has always had the reputation of being the entertainment district. By the 20th Century, Soho was the nightlife, film, theater and sex shop capital of London, and was also the premier social hangout for London's elite. Before the 80s, Soho wasn't just the expensive and fashionable district that it is now known as. Nowadays, Soho is full of trendy restaurants, private members clubs, cool bars, media companies, boutique hotels and the coolest people London has to offer call it home.
Until 1536, the area of Soho was primarily used as grazing farmland. It was then seized by King Henry VIII to be used as a royal park. "Soho" itself first appears as a name for the area in the 1600s, and most historians now agree that the term derives from a hunting cry. Soon after the district was first named, the Duke of Monmouth used "soho" as a rallying call for his soldiers in the Battle of Sedgemoor.
Landowners like the Earls of Leicester and the Earl of Portland were keen to develop land in Soho in the same scale as Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Mayfair, but it never became a fashionable area for the wealthy in London. Instead, immigrants settled in Soho, in particular the Huguenots who made the quarter their own in 1688, and founded the French church in Soho Square.
By the time 1800 rolled around, all the aristocrats who had once lived in Soho Square or Gerrard Street had fled to more fashionable areas of London. This is what makes Soho's character so alluring to many artists - it has traditionally been neglected by the rich and famous of London, and failed to be developed in the same grand style as its neighbouring areas.
By the mid-19th century, all respectable families had moved away, and prostitutes, music halls and small theatres had moved in. In the early 20th century, foreign nationals opened cheap eating-houses, and the neighbourhood became a fashionable place to eat for intellectuals, writers and artists.
Until 1536, the area of Soho was primarily used as grazing farmland. It was then seized by King Henry VIII to be used as a royal park. "Soho" itself first appears as a name for the area in the 1600s, and most historians now agree that the term derives from a hunting cry. Soon after the district was first named, the Duke of Monmouth used "soho" as a rallying call for his soldiers in the Battle of Sedgemoor.
Landowners like the Earls of Leicester and the Earl of Portland were keen to develop land in Soho in the same scale as Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Mayfair, but it never became a fashionable area for the wealthy in London. Instead, immigrants settled in Soho, in particular the Huguenots who made the quarter their own in 1688, and founded the French church in Soho Square.
By the time 1800 rolled around, all the aristocrats who had once lived in Soho Square or Gerrard Street had fled to more fashionable areas of London. This is what makes Soho's character so alluring to many artists - it has traditionally been neglected by the rich and famous of London, and failed to be developed in the same grand style as its neighbouring areas.
By the mid-19th century, all respectable families had moved away, and prostitutes, music halls and small theatres had moved in. In the early 20th century, foreign nationals opened cheap eating-houses, and the neighbourhood became a fashionable place to eat for intellectuals, writers and artists.
About the Author:
Home House is a members club for an eclectic mix of people, which is part of its appeal. Quite unlike many other members clubs in London, Home House is a place to enjoy leisure time or the perfect spot for a working day. Home House is London's most exclusive Soho members club.
