A mere five-minute walk from The Bloomsbury Hotel, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to planning your itinerary. With that in mind, here are some handy pointers...

Shopping

You’ll easily while away an afternoon browsing Soho’s uber cool offering of vintage stores, record shops and independent boutiques. Be sure to check out the laidback Kingly Court shopping centre, home to an eclectic mix of one-off shops and cafés. Step through Carnaby Street’s famous arch meanwhile and you’ll find a wealth of well-known brands on this pedestrianised shopping mecca, including Paul Smith Soho, SuperTrash and Lyle & Scott. Love fashion and design? Soho is home to lots of amazing fabric and cloth stores – make your way to Berwick Street and check out Silk Society, Borovick and Biddle Sawyer Silks. This street’s a must for music fans too: browse new and used vinyl in Reckless Records and Sister Ray.

Food & Drink

No matter what you fancy, there’s a Soho restaurant to suit your need. Chotto Matte serves up fresh Japanese fare, Caribbean eatery Rum Kitchen’s speciality is jerk chicken (washed down with a delicious cocktail or two!), while Pollen Street Social, a contemporary bistro offering deformalised dining, is a must for any foodie. Looking for something a little fancier, Hix is worth splashing out on, as is Gauthier Soho, which has been referred to as “regal perfection”. Fancy a coffee to go? Check out Flat White, Milk Bar or Sacred Café.

Theatre

You can’t visit Soho and not indulge in a spot of theatre. It’s part of London’s famous West End district and home to a whole host of venues that are positively steeped in history. The lavish Prince Edward Theatre dates back to 1930, perfect for an old-worldly night of entertainment. The Dominion, next door to The Bloomsbury Hotel, meanwhile hosts more accessible and popular shows; in the past it has welcomed Grease and We Will Rock You, and is currently showing Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games.

Bars & Nightlife

Finally, to the most important part of any city getaway! Soho is home to a diverse array of trendy bars and clubs, whether you want a few casual drinks or a night on the town. Milk & Honey is one of Soho’s best-loved bars and has become a regular spot for those of who are partial to a Pina Colada, or any cocktail for that matter, while the Experimental Cocktail Club in Chinatown provides an alternative cocktail experience. Aqua Kyoto, a Japanese restaurant and bar, offers the finest views of Regent Street from its spectacular rooftop terrace, making it the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of a buzzing London. If you would rather indulge in some fine ale and British “pub grub”, The Dog and Duck provides an authentic taste of London pub culture, while The Crown, famed for standing on the site where a nine-year-old Mozart once played (Old Hickfrod Rooms Concert Hall), also offers an unrivalled traditional London pub experience.

The George, Old Coffee House and The Coach & Horses are buzzing seven days a week, and are great for celebrity spotting! The French House is perfect for a chat over pints; owners have a ‘no TV, no mobile phones’ rule. We also recommend the Blue Door / Trisha’s; an underground pub that’s been running for years and is popular with fun-loving Londoners.