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.
Soho was used as grazing farmland before King Henry VIII seized it in 1536, to be used as a royal park. The word "Soho" first appears as a name for the area in the 1600s. Most believe it to be named after a hunting cry. The Duke of Monmouth appropriated the word "soho" as a rallying call for his men who were fighting in the Battle of Sedgemoor.
Despite the best intentions of landowners such as the Earls of Leicester and Portland to develop the land on the grand scale of neighbouring Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Mayfair, Soho never became a fashionable area for the rich. Immigrants settled in the area, especially French Huguenots who poured in in 1688, after which the area became known as London's French quarter. Huguenots founded the French church in Soho Square in the 17th century.
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.
Respectable families moved away in the 19th century, and made way for prostitutes, music halls and indie theatres. Foreigners flocked to Soho in the early 20th century and opened cheap restaurants in London, trendy bars, music venues and it became an exclusive club only for intellectuals, writers and artists.
Soho was used as grazing farmland before King Henry VIII seized it in 1536, to be used as a royal park. The word "Soho" first appears as a name for the area in the 1600s. Most believe it to be named after a hunting cry. The Duke of Monmouth appropriated the word "soho" as a rallying call for his men who were fighting in the Battle of Sedgemoor.
Despite the best intentions of landowners such as the Earls of Leicester and Portland to develop the land on the grand scale of neighbouring Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Mayfair, Soho never became a fashionable area for the rich. Immigrants settled in the area, especially French Huguenots who poured in in 1688, after which the area became known as London's French quarter. Huguenots founded the French church in Soho Square in the 17th century.
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.
Respectable families moved away in the 19th century, and made way for prostitutes, music halls and indie theatres. Foreigners flocked to Soho in the early 20th century and opened cheap restaurants in London, trendy bars, music venues and it became an exclusive club only 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 of London's best private members clubs, 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.
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