Hi guys
We spend a lot of time up in London, so we feel like we know it pretty well considering we don't live up there. But if there's anywhere we excel in knowing about its Covent Garden (Mum's speciality) and Soho. The Latter being my speciality with all its geeky shops scattered around. So naturally we've weaved a walking tour connecting them all together. Which sounds complicated on paper but is quite simple in practice!
So I'll start what most people don't realise about Soho is the fact that everything is so close to each other that you don't need to rely on the London Underground.
Sites we'll visit on the tour include Minalima the masterminds behind the Wizarding World films (including Harry Potter) look, the perennial Forbidden Planet, and the often forgotten about Noble Collection shop (with a couple of extras) all within a 20 minutes walk from Covent Garden ultimately finishing at Embankment Station.
According to google the journey should take 42 minutes with a distance of 1.9 miles.
To House of MinaLima shop
We start our journey at Oxford Circus Station, a station with more exits and Ticket Halls than it has any rights to. But for this walk you'll want the biggest number (exit 8) that'll lead you to Argyll Street.
If you can get the Central Line do, as it’ll make life easier for you as you’ll end up at the right (smaller) Ticket Hall which has exits numbered 5-8.
But if you end up going to the (larger) Ticket Hall which has exits numbered 1-5 make your way over to the Eastern side of Oxford Circus looking towards Oxford Circus House vibrant red brickwork that sits next to Argyll Street. Once there means you can then follow the directions given below.
On street level turn left passing the London Palladium heading straight towards Liberties. Get to the end of Argyll Street (directly outside Liberty's) and turn left again onto Great Marlborough Street. Follow Great Marlborough Street onto Noel Street until you get to Wardour Street, and take a right and follow it along.
On your right you’ll find the House of MinaLima shop with its vivid bright red colour scheme. Home to Mira and Eduardo Mina [where it gets it's name] who designed everything behind the Wizarding World films.
I typically get their mystery lucky dip bag for £10.00 which is available for all the Hogwarts houses as it contains five items and is good value for money.
To Forbidden Planet
Once you’ve looked in there and spent your Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts, turn right and carry on until you see St Anne's Church on your left. Where you can take a moment to catch your breath in its quiet churchyard.
Once again turning left out of the churchyard going along Wardour Street you’ll get to the junction with Shaftesbury Avenue, there you’ll want to take another left.
Where on the other side of the road you come across one of my extra stops along the way is the POP MART SOHO Store, which sells pop culture mystery blind box figure sets (most famously Harry Potter) and is definitely worth a look if you’re intrigued. But even I’ll be honest I usually skip it with the calibre of the other shops mentioned.
Continuing that direction down Shaftesbury Avenue you’ll pass the Palace Theatre currently showing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Where you’ll want to crossover by the Cigar Hut kiosk. Follow it until you get to the perennial Forbidden Planet (now sells Popmart figures). Which needs no introduction (and explanation).
To Noble Collection shop
Exiting Forbidden Planet and crossing the road, you’ll see my next extra stop the Hotel Chocolat Covent Garden shop (School of Chocolate) if you’re looking for something chocolatey. It's somewhere we’ve introduced a good number of friends too including Jamie (I’d recommend the Rocky Road Chocolate 100g Slab & Strawberry and White Chocolate Selectors).
They also have a café in there where you can pick up a hot drink (if you’re feeling adventurous try their 50% cacao Milky Hot Chocolate).
I should also note that if it looks closed from the Shaftesbury Avenue entrance [photograph above] you can also enter via their Monmouth Street entrance instead [photograph below].
Depending on where you’ve now ended up, you’ll now want to get yourselves on Neal Street, by looking out for vivid blue shopfronts of The Astrology Shop and Punjab Indian Restaurant.
NOT Monmouth Street as you’ll end up at the confusing Seven Dials.
As you’ll want to make your way towards Covent Garden along the way on the left a couple of doors down from the Crown & Anchor Pub you’ll find the Noble Collection shop which has a wand shop inside and a Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess Set on display downstairs. It also has a collection of items signed by famous actors and actresses of the franchises featured:
Taking another left out of there continue on Neal Street, which will now become pedestrianised you should hit James Street (also pedestrianised). With Covent Garden underground station on the corner, Covent Garden itself should be clearly visible straight ahead.
Making your way to the other side of the square you'll pass St Paul’s Church. Where you'll eventually reach Henrietta Street and follow it.
Then take a left onto Bedford Street (with the old TGI Fridays on the corner). Southampton Street would also work (if you prefer) but you'll have to walk further along The Strand.
Once you're on The Strand take a right until you get to pedestrian crossing by Charing Cross Station. Where you'll Find Villiers Street, follow it down and you’ll reach our final destination, Embankment Station.
Going through Embankment Place will lead you to one of the famous Cabmen's Shelter green huts my final extra stop that's literally two minutes away from Embankment Station. Cabmen's Shelter green huts (Embankment Place)
I know I haven't mentioned about eating a meal at any point during my tour, well that's because I wanted to leave it last.
If you’re looking for something to eat along the way may I recommend Five Guys, as granted they aren’t cheap but you won’t go hungry with their giant portion sizes. Because I’ve taken full hardy sceptics in there before (only eats #PubGrub) and they loved it, and if anyone asks the regular fries are enough. The good thing is that you have a choice as there’s locations on route at the start of the journey Oxford Circus (Argyll Street) or at the end of the journey Charing Cross (Villiers Street).
Something I will say about this tour is that it’s endlessly customisable and very much plug and play. So you can do as much or as little of it you want (depending on how you’re feeling that day).
But if you prefer you can always get the Underground from Leicester Square Station, Tottenham Court Road Station or Covent Garden Station (I’d recommend against it).
I’ll just a leave a little note here (to avoid confusion) saying you can also start this walk at Piccadilly Circus Station, where you just go up Shaftesbury Avenue until you find Wardour Street and just double back on yourself.
My last recommendation is for the map I always use for London. The London Triple PopOut City Map as it has everything you’re ever likely going to need in a quite a small cheap (and affordable) package. As it has six maps in total including Central London, West End, London Underground, Southwark & Theatreland maps along with a Quick reference bus map. Available in the Travel section of your local Waterstones for £5.99.
And if all else fails you can always resort to the directions from Google maps!
I hope you enjoyed reading my geeky Soho tour walk through just as much as I enjoyed writing it, and if you do end up going on it let me know how you got on in the comments.
As I'd love to see how you got on, and to hear about all the modifications (and customisations) you've made to it!
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!!!
