Walking Tour - Diverse London - A walk on the wild side through queer Soho

Join Stephen as he explores Soho - a part of London which developed as a fashionable new district in the late 17th century and soon became somewhat less reputable. In the 19th century, greek and italian immigrants opened restaurants and shops and as the 20th century progressed the sex industry boomed. And it became a place where queer folk could meet relatively easily.

When licensing laws limited pub hours, Soho was where you could get a drink at almost any time and it was the hang out of some fabulous queer characters, such as artist Francis Bacon and actress Tallulah Bankhead.

Soho was also where some of the most famous music of the late 1960s and 1970s was recorded, much of which has a queer connection. "A Walk on the Wild Side" the quintessential song about New York street life was actually recorded here in a Soho studio, as were the early albums by David Bowie and Queen.

But there has always been a darker side. For example renown theatrical costume designer and wigmaker Willy Clarkson who had premises in Wardour Street had a lucrative side line in blackmailing gay men.

Soho has so much to reveal.

You can check travel options at the Transport for London Journey Planner.

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Host or Publisher Stephen Benton, Footprints of London