Soho Square

Never been a huge fan of this West End ‘oasis’, which to me feels more like a swamp in the centre of town. It’s always absolutely crawling with pigeons, never feels clean and is generally a bit of a magnet for the city’s n’er do wells. I’m always slightly wary of using the toilets in the middle of the ‘park’ for fear of what could be lurking.

I just really feel this little spot could be cared for a bit better. Then it would be a delightful lunch spot!

The Square nearest to my home & closest to my
heart; there is a bench I had put here in memory of a friend.
He's in good company with fellow folk singer,Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) Kirsty was tragically killed in a boating accident
"One day I'll be waiting there,No empty bench in Soho Square And we’ll dance around
like we don’t care (she sang)
And I’ll be much too old to cry, And you’ll kiss me quick in case I die ...before my birthday."
The Square's original perfumed gardens were designed by Sir Joseph Banks
who also lived at No 32 in the Square. Unlike the huge,ugly plane trees there
now - "the lungs for London"- he planted low : almond,peach,cherry,rose,lilac,
honeysuckle & jasmine.
Imagine the heady intoxication of the perfume on the breeze in early summer!
What most people also do not know, is that the huge red brick catholic
church of Saint Patrick - next to the gardens - is on the site of Carlisle
House, the most fashionable entertainment venue in London in 1760's,
which was the mansion of Teresa Imer, aka Mrs Cornelys (mistress of
Casanova) & where Casanova lived when he was in London, & where their daughter,Sophia, was conceived.

Frequented by everyone from office workers on their lunch hour to Soho drag queens, gypsies, tramps and thieves, I have a fond place in my heart for Soho Square. One of the places my underage cohorts and I used to loiter on our sporadic pilgrimages to London for gigs at the Astoria, it's a little oasis less than thirty seconds from the nightmarish hustle and bustle of Oxford Street.
Sun yourself, wait for friends, or head to nearby Mooli's for sustenance and then come here to consume it. Simples.

An average London square in many respects, and not much to look at, but on a summer's day the location and energy you get from this place makes it really worth a visit. Fabulous for a picnic with friends on a sunny Saturday.

Soho Square is located NE of the Soho area.

This square is not very large in area but there are a lot of history behind it.

The white status in the middle of the square is Charlie II.

Near the square there are a lot of historic home of the famous people.

Good to go there in a sunny day and take a book with you.

A small green square (with trees!) in Soho very near Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road. Busy with the lunch crowd, it has lots of benches and pigeons. You could sprint across it in 10 seconds, though. Not the best oasis of calm, but it’s better than eating at your desk: a bit of green is better than none.

Dogs aren’t allowed. There’s an interesting little hut in the middle.

Park mgr 02076415264
Open 10 to 4:30-9 dep on time of year

An oasis of near tranquility in Soho this is one of the favourite lunch spots for people working in the area.

There isn’t really anything to see in the square although it is picturesque - it’s just one of those places that’s handy to know about if you;re out shopping and need a break.

Packed during the summer - especially during the summer.

Soho Square although small is a great little place to lazz away the day during the summer months.

On many occasion I’ve wasted hours sitting on the grass in this busy little square 'people watching' and sipping on a cold drink.

Soho Square is perfect to spend a lunch time in or if like me you are happy to spend the day laying under the sun, topping up that feeble tan.

As mentioned the square is small so unless your there early you might find yourself sitting on the scabby bit of grass, but don’t let that put you off, its still a nice little place to waste time in.

In most places this wouldn’t be that special. It’s just a little square of grass, hedged round with lots of benches. The only thing of note is a strange little wooden building in the middle. Not sure what that’s for. So why have I brought this to people’s attention? Well… placed where it is, close to Oxford Street, it’s a lifesaver. When you’ve had too much of the crowds and bustle, you can grab a sandwich and head down here to chill out. It’s a quiet little oasis. Of course you won’t be the only one, though it tends to be local workers eating their lunch rather than tourists. Most of the time you can find a free bench or a scrap of grass to relax for a minute or two. I’ve taken my mother too. She was a little nervous at the mention of Soho, but soon agreed I had it right. You don’t need to worry if you are walking from Oxford Street, nothing naughty round here.