Link to the Show / Show NotesA walk through Soho from Goodge Street to Trafalgar Square.
Goodge Street is on the Northern Line (zone 1) and is one stop north of
Tottenham Court Road (Central Line) on the Edgware branch.
Today's walk starts in Tottenham Court Road near the famous Heal's
department store, on the borders of Fitzrovia and Soho. The name 'Soho'
comes from a hunting cry. It harks back to the days when this area
consisted of open fields over which the king would ride to hounds.
First occupied by the aristocracy and then by immigrants from Europe
and later from the far East, the district retains its ethnic charm with
food and drink available from all around the world.
Chinatown is a particular favourite of mine - in Gerard Street we pass
literally dozens of restaurants and supermarkets specialising in
Chinese food. The Loon Fung supermarket is one I use on a regular basis.
Soho has two famous squares - Soho Square and Golden Square (a corruption of the word 'gelding' rather than the colour gold.)
During our walk, we pass some gems like the Pollock's Toy Museum and
Shop. We see a traditional Fruit 'n Veg market. We discover how a local
physician Sir John Snow discovered the source of a cholera outbreak
that killed 10,000 people, until he traced the infection to one water
pump and removed its handle. We pass through Theatreland and Leicester
Square, plus Wardour Street and Dean Street, home of cinema production
companies big and small.
After spending time in Chinatown, we see the wonderful Royal Opera
Arcade, an early shopping mall designed by Nash and finally Trafalgar
Square.
The walk ends at Charing Cross Underground (Northern and Bakerloo Lines zone 1).
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