Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry, not to mention being a social hangout for London's elite. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable transformation. It now is predominantly a fashionable district of upmarket restaurants and media offices, with only a small remnant of sex industry venues.
The area of Soho was grazing farmland until 1536, at which point it was taken by Henry VIII as a royal park for the Palace of Whitehall. The name "Soho" first appears in the 17th century. Most authorities believe that the name derives from a former hunting cry. The Duke of Monmouth used "soho" as a rallying call for his men at the Battle of Sedgemoor, half a century after the name was first used for this area of London.
The Earls of Portland and Leicester and other landowners were keen to develop Soho like they'd done in Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Mayfair, but it never quite turned out to be a trendy area for the rich and famous aristocracy of London. Immigrants fled to the area instead. The Huguenots made it their home in 1688, and build the French church in Soho Square.
By the mid-18th century, the aristocrats who had been living in Soho Square or Gerrard Street had moved away. Soho's character stems partly from the ensuing neglect by rich and fashionable London, and the lack of redevelopment that characterized the neighbouring areas.
Almost all respectable families had moved away by the early twentieth century, while prostitutes, music halls, cabaret theatres moved in. Foreign immigrants also flocked to Soho in the 20th century, and opened cheap restaurants offering exotic cuisine in London, cool bars, music venues, theatres, and private clubs for intellectuals, writers and artists.
The area of Soho was grazing farmland until 1536, at which point it was taken by Henry VIII as a royal park for the Palace of Whitehall. The name "Soho" first appears in the 17th century. Most authorities believe that the name derives from a former hunting cry. The Duke of Monmouth used "soho" as a rallying call for his men at the Battle of Sedgemoor, half a century after the name was first used for this area of London.
The Earls of Portland and Leicester and other landowners were keen to develop Soho like they'd done in Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Mayfair, but it never quite turned out to be a trendy area for the rich and famous aristocracy of London. Immigrants fled to the area instead. The Huguenots made it their home in 1688, and build the French church in Soho Square.
By the mid-18th century, the aristocrats who had been living in Soho Square or Gerrard Street had moved away. Soho's character stems partly from the ensuing neglect by rich and fashionable London, and the lack of redevelopment that characterized the neighbouring areas.
Almost all respectable families had moved away by the early twentieth century, while prostitutes, music halls, cabaret theatres moved in. Foreign immigrants also flocked to Soho in the 20th century, and opened cheap restaurants offering exotic cuisine in London, cool bars, music venues, theatres, and private clubs for intellectuals, writers and artists.
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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 Mayfair, Home House is a place to enjoy leisure time or the perfect spot for a working day. Home House is London's most exclusive London members club.
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