Soho
Soho is an area of approximately one square mile in central London, that is bounded by Oxford Street to the north, Charing Cross to the east, Shaftesbury Avenue to the south and Regent Street to the west.
With the heaviest concentration of resturants, pubs, cafes and clubs in central London, by night Soho is the centre of London's nightlife and, whilst it has a reputation for being the seedier part of town, it also has one of the lowest crime rates in London. From the world-famous 'Ronnie Scotts' jazz bar to celebrity hang outs such as 'Chinawhite', Soho has literally every type of bar and club imaginable.
By day, Soho is the heart of London's media community, with a mass of TV studios, radio stations and record labels making it their home. For that reason don't be surprised if you spot the odd celebrity at lunch.
It's best to explore the area on foot, although, if your feet are tired, you can always jump on one of the Japanese rickshaws which are becoming ever more present.
For high street shopping, Oxford Street and Regent Street should surfice. Oxford Street has over 300 shops and is the largest shopping street in Europe.
Old Compton Street has a range of restuarants, boutiques and speciality shops and is very much the centre of London's gay community. There is a thriving shopping area in Soho, which is renowned for the variety of food and restuarants.
Made famous as the centre of fashion in the Swinging Sixties, Carnaby Street now has some great retro shops and is home to some interesting bars, such as the high-tech '24 London', with its state-of-the-art projection system, which creates a very futuristic ambience.
Berwick Street is home to some of the capital's best record stores and is also featured on the front cover of the Oasis album 'What's the Story Morning Glory'. There is also a traditional fruit and vegetable market from Monday to Saturday.
Just south of Shaftesbury Avenue lies the Chinatown area of London, which is concentrated in and around Gerrard Street.
