London Soho District Guided Walking Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max

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Tour Information

Key Details

  • Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • Hotel pickup Available
  • Duration: 2 Hrs 30 Mins
  • Language:
    English
  • Departure Time :
    1:30 PM
  • Return Details :
    • TOUR MEETING POINT: Outside the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus, opposite the famous Piccadilly Circus screens. • It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (inc.. read more
  • Cancellation Policy :
    This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Overview

Counterculture and civil protests collide on this 2.5 semi-private (8 Guest Maximum) guided walking tour of Londons iconic Soho neighborhood. Join up to 8 guests as your local guide leads you through the tangle of streets that light up at night in the citys entertainment district. Learn about its rarely boring, sometimes seedy, but always surprising history.

Know More about this tour


From world-famous Piccadilly Circus to Chinatown, you’ll wander Soho’s tangle of streets beloved by tourists and locals alike. Music enthusiasts will revel in seeing where Jimi Hendrix first performed in town, where Beatlemania began, and where hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” were recorded. You’ll wander the squares and routes that played parts in major cultural events. Learn about women’s suffrage movement at Golden Square and discover the earliest study of epidemiology along Broad Street. Ponder the works of philosopher Karl Marx on Greek Street before discussing when the LGBT community began calling Soho “home.” End your tour with some dumplings in Chinatown. By the end of the tour, you’ll understand why London is such an exciting and dynamic place beyond its wartime and royal history.
Starting your tour at Piccadilly Circus, arguably the most famous road intersection in the world, you will enjoy the unique architecture surrounded by the iconic advertisements. Built in 1819, it was constructed to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly.
At Piccadilly Circus you will see what is known as the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, or the statue of Eros. It was built between 1892-1893 to commemorate the philanthropic work of Anthony Ashely Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, who was Victorian politician and philanthropist who replaced child-labour with school education.
Next you will see Golden Square, a traditional historic square in the heart of Soho. Originally known as Goldring Square, the site is thought to have been laid out according to plans by Sir Christopher Wren, in the 1670s. It very quickly became the political and ambassadorial district of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
You will then make your way to Carnaby Street, a renowned pedestrianised shopping street close to Oxford Street and Regent Street. Carnaby is the home to fashion and lifestyle retailers, bringing you over 100 international British heritage labels, independent boutiques and one-off concepts.
Close by you will also see the London Palladium, a famous West End theatre built in 1910 to compete with the London Hippodrome and London Coliseum. The theatre retains many of its original features and has its own telephone system and a revolving stage.
You will also visit what is known as the Blue Posts, a traditional English pub which has been revamped. It contains the same high ceilings and large windows it’s had for the last 275 years and is known for its lineup of independently brewed cask ales, craft beers and ciders.
Next you will visit Berwick Street Market, one of London’s oldest markets dating back to 1778. The historic market in the heart of Soho is known for its traditional fruit and vegetable stalls and its abundance of street food.
Afterwards you will visit Soho Square, a popular garden square just behind Oxford Street. Dating back to around 1681, the square has a traditional layout with a central mock-Tudor building and was in its early years one of the most fashionable places to live in London.
Your tour will end in London’s Chinese neighbourhood, known as Chinatown. The area started to form in the 1950s when a handful of Chinese restaurants opened and by the 1960s and 1970s, it had become a hub for Chinese culture. Today you can explore authentic restaurants shops and get a taste of Chinese culture in London.

Itinerary:


From world-famous Piccadilly Circus to Chinatown, you’ll wander Soho’s tangle of streets beloved by tourists and locals alike. Music enthusiasts will revel in seeing where Jimi Hendrix first performed in town, where Beatlemania began, and where hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” were recorded. You’ll wander the squares and routes that played parts in major cultural events. Learn about women’s suffrage movement at Golden Square and discover the earliest study of epidemiology along Broad Street. Ponder the works of philosopher Karl Marx on Greek Street before discussing when the LGBT community began calling Soho “home.” End your tour with some dumplings in Chinatown. By the end of the tour, you’ll understand why London is such an exciting and dynamic place beyond its wartime and royal history.
Starting your tour at Piccadilly Circus, arguably the most famous road intersection in the world, you will enjoy the unique architecture surrounded by the iconic advertisements. Built in 1819, it was constructed to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly.
At Piccadilly Circus you will see what is known as the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, or the statue of Eros. It was built between 1892-1893 to commemorate the philanthropic work of Anthony Ashely Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, who was Victorian politician and philanthropist who replaced child-labour with school education.
Next you will see Golden Square, a traditional historic square in the heart of Soho. Originally known as Goldring Square, the site is thought to have been laid out according to plans by Sir Christopher Wren, in the 1670s. It very quickly became the political and ambassadorial district of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
You will then make your way to Carnaby Street, a renowned pedestrianised shopping street close to Oxford Street and Regent Street. Carnaby is the home to fashion and lifestyle retailers, bringing you over 100 international British heritage labels, independent boutiques and one-off concepts.
Close by you will also see the London Palladium, a famous West End theatre built in 1910 to compete with the London Hippodrome and London Coliseum. The theatre retains many of its original features and has its own telephone system and a revolving stage.
You will also visit what is known as the Blue Posts, a traditional English pub which has been revamped. It contains the same high ceilings and large windows it’s had for the last 275 years and is known for its lineup of independently brewed cask ales, craft beers and ciders.
Next you will visit Berwick Street Market, one of London’s oldest markets dating back to 1778. The historic market in the heart of Soho is known for its traditional fruit and vegetable stalls and its abundance of street food.
Afterwards you will visit Soho Square, a popular garden square just behind Oxford Street. Dating back to around 1681, the square has a traditional layout with a central mock-Tudor building and was in its early years one of the most fashionable places to live in London.
Your tour will end in London’s Chinese neighbourhood, known as Chinatown. The area started to form in the 1950s when a handful of Chinese restaurants opened and by the 1960s and 1970s, it had become a hub for Chinese culture. Today you can explore authentic restaurants shops and get a taste of Chinese culture in London.

Inclusions

  • Semi-Private Walking Tour
  • Tour Will Run, Rain Or Shine
  • Duration 2.5 Hours
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Semi-Private" Means Group Size Is Never More Than 8 Guests Maximum

Exclusions

  • Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
  • Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
  • Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)

Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 3 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative date or full refund

Children must be accompanied by an adult

A maximum of 8 people per tour allowed

Notes: The tour route may be affected by national celebrations. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an alternative route still being able to see all the highlights on the tour. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. No large bags or suitcases are allowed during this tour. We recommend comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, umbrella in case of rain and hat during summer. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some cant be visited from the inside.

Traveler Reviews

  • 20-Jul-2022

    Our guide Becky was personable, engaging and thoughtful about adapting the tour to our expressed interests. Plenty of local knowledge and deep education informed her descriptions of what we were seeing. She even kept our youngest son engaged, not an easy thing! Recommended!

  • 07-Jun-2022

    We went on a lovely tour with Sheldon! He did a fantastic job guiding us through the streets and history of Soho. Will recommend him and this tour to friends traveling to London in the future.

  • 22-May-2022

    Anthony was excellent! Knowledgeable and. Witty. Really enjoyed the tour! Would recommend if you want to get to know the area as well as get little tidbits you would not know unless someone with deep knowledge of the history would share with you.

  • 03-Mar-2022

    We really enjoyed our tour with Tony around Soho - it was a great mix between London history, Soho cultural life and funny stories. He showed us a lot of go-to places like restaurants, pubs, clubs and theatres. Be careful: you definitely get hungry during the tour :)