Monday 25 March 2013

Soho Square

 Soho Square dates back to the reign of  Charles II (1630-85) and there in the middle of the square is his statue. The statue dates from 1681 but was only returned to the Square in 1938 as it had been in private ownership for many years. There are few of the original buildings around the Square left, as many have been replaced by more modern ones including Sir Paul McCartney's company who moved it here  in the 70s when he was in the group Wings. Underneath the square there are said to be many secret underground tunnels and shelters  which were last used during WW2. to protect people from the bombing.
This small building is in the centre of the Square but there was no information on the outside relating to its purpose. I thought it might have been public toilets but apparently not.

But there were other things in the square which took my eye such as a number of more modern sculptures by Bruce Denny.



Intrigue


Ascension






Anyone for table tennis? A recent addition to the square I would think.










Buildings surrounding the square include the House of St Barnabas in Soho which was built in the 1740s. During the 1840s it was taken over by a charity to help homeless women which it still does today. Visitors are allowed to look at the architecture within the building prticularly the crinoline staircase which was built to accommodate the ladies in their large crinoline skirts of the day. Sadly it was closed to visitors when I was there.

This is the penny chute around the corner. It is attached to the railings and coins put in the slot go down the chute into the building. I have never seen this form of a collection box before.

 
On the other side of the square is the house where Mary Seacole lived. Despite being of mixed race she defied the prejudice of the time and helped to nurse wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Everyone hears about Florence Nightingale but not so much about Mary who actually braved the battle field to help the injured.


I am sharing this post with 'Our World Tuesday'

34 comments:

  1. Well you just opened my eyes to a side of Soho that I never knew about. Great bit of history.

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  2. What a wonderful history filled place you live in! I was intrigued by the sculptures. Of course here in the US nobody would let us have sculptures that actually have genitals displayed. We are prudes over on this side of the pond. :-)

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  3. Loved the tour of Soho. And the history lesson. Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Thanks for all of the great info about Soho Square. What a great place... Those sculptures are amazing... I'd love to take a long walk around that square... Neat place!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  5. Interesting about the homeless shelter, and Mary. I knew somehow Soho had some artistic features. The Ascension" sculpture is amazing! -the balance of the figure without it collapsing. I have much respect for sculptors! Happy Easter to you:)

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  6. Great photos and a very interesting post. The inscription on the table is fun!

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  7. Wonderful sculptures. Make one long for spring. Looks like a great area indeed. Thank you for the walk. Please have a good Tuesday.

    robert geiß

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  8. Interesting sculptures - that building may have been toilets originally - many public toilets have been closed due to "council funding cuts"

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  9. An interesting mix of sights. It seems funny to see modern sculpture naked like a circle of flower children.

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  10. Lovely captures of interesting scuptures. Ping pong net looks like a wise idea :)

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  11. Love the interesting sculptures, our little island would never allow these to be installed with their genitals displayed. :P

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  12. What an interesting area. Would be fun to play ping pong outside!

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  13. What an oasis of peace. Such a lovely and interesting square.

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  14. Thanks for sharing Soho! It is an interesting place. The sculptures are great and the ping pong table would be fun. Thanks for sharing your world. Have a happy day!

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  15. Serene views...love the sculptures!

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  16. the sculptures are truly one of a kind and the ping pong table is a great addition to the square.

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  17. Really interesting post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  18. so interesting - thanks for the travel tour.
    and thank you for stopping by my blog today.

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  19. Lovely to see the square filled with so many interesting sculptures and the rich history there.

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  20. What a great tour! I love the sculptures. ☺

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  21. Very informative and great shots.

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  22. I had a sandwich there sitting on a bench. It's such a lovely square. I haven't seen this home for homeless women and can't remember the statues either. I also wondered what this building in the center of the square is. It seems to me that theatre tickets had been sold there once, but I may be wrong.

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  23. Thank you for giving us a tour of Soho Square. I spent a few days in London many years ago, but didn't make it to this square. I like the combination of history and modernity that you showed.

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  24. Such an interesting post. I love all the sculptures.

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  25. A very nice post. The sculptures are amazing. They look so real as if they are human beings sitting in the mud ground.

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  26. Hehehe, love those "unclothed" sculptures!

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  27. That's an awesome part of your world, nice photos. That small building also intrigues me, I wonder what it was for?

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  28. The Bruce Denny sculptures look both interesting and naughty.

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  29. Wow ! I have just been scrolling through your posts to catch up what I missed during my busy week. You sure keep busy too. Visiting all those interesting places. Your posts are great how you suss out details and explain them. The muddy walk looked horrendous and bravo to all those who ventured out into it. poor lady who fell over. Your photos were great.

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  30. Wonderful set of images from the square with interesting statues.

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  31. I like the table tennis table (cant bring myself to call it P### P###!)!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  32. Sounds like a place with a lot of history! :o)

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