Chinatown
Chinatown is a vibrant enclave where East meets West, nestled between Soho, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. A captivating oasis of Asian cuisine and culture, adorned with ornate Chinese gates and colorful lanterns.
Where Far East meets West End
From dim sum delights and hidden tea houses, to the lively bars and clubs of Lisle Street, Chinatown offers a genuine taste of the Far East in the centre of our cosmopolitan city, where heritage and culture combine to create a sensory escape that has long been woven into London’s rich and diverse tapestry.
Centred around the main artery of Gerrard Street and encompassing Lisle Street to the south, parts of Shaftesbury Avenue to the north, Newport Court and Little Newport Street to the east and lower Wardour Street to the West, Chinatown is home to almost 100 different restaurants serving a dazzling mix of cuisine from across east Asia.
Take a Tour
Take a tour of the neighbourhood and experience a day in the life of Chinatown.
Want to know more?
Check out our Journal for or the Chinatown website for stories and inspiration.
Like what you see?
Book a personal tour with one of our team.
Why Chinatown?
Neighbourhoods don’t come more central than this. Perfectly positioned between Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Soho, Chinatown is literally at the centre of it all, a 24/7 melting pot of culture and diversity. With so many sounds, sights and scents, Chinatown is a treat for the senses, but also one of the West End’s most well connected enclaves.
From Original, to Oriental
Soho came into being after the Great Fire of London, the first houses of the post-fire regeneration being built along the newly created Gerrard Street around 1685, so the street really was the birth of Soho. However it wasn’t until the 1950’s that the Chinese community started to populate the area, relocating after the war from London’s original Chinatown in the East End.
All That Jazz
Ronnie Scott’s eponymous jazz club originally opened in a basement on Gerrard Street before crossing over to Frith Street
Walk The Walk
One of Chinatown’s major benefits is that most of the streets are pedestrianised, keeping the London traffic to a minimum
The First Post
Westminster’s first office for ‘Penny Post and Two-Penny Post’ was located at 39 Gerrard Street and set the template for the modern post office
Open The Gates
Chinatown’s famous gates were only erected in the 1980’s, despite the area being home to mainly Chinese immigrants since the 1950’s
Soho
Soho is surely the epitome of London life, the beating heart of the West End, a vibrant enclave where history, creativity and a sense of rebellion collide to create a truly original and unrivalled neighbourhood. Globally recognised for its bohemian spirit, Soho has been a haunt for artists, writers, poets and musicians for centuries. Modern Soho is a paradise for creatives, culture vultures, foodies and night owls.
Seven Dials
Seven Dials is a charm-packed lifestyle & gastronomy hub connecting Covent Garden with Soho, defined by seven characterful cobbled streets radiating from the unmistakable sundial dating from the 1690’s.
Carnaby
An enclave of only 14 streets in the north west corner of Soho, yet Carnaby is very much a neighbourhood in its own right. Carnaby Street is world renowned as the epicentre of Swinging London in the 1960’s, and has continued its association with fashion and youth culture to this day.
Covent Garden
One of London’s most iconic and recognisable destinations, perhaps from the outsider’s perspective nothing more than a hub for tourists, shoppers, theatre goers or opera aficionados, but scratch the surface and there is so much more to discover about this thriving community…
St. Martin’s & Strand
St. Martin’s Lane is Covent Garden’s western border, a bustling thoroughfare linking Seven Dials with Trafalgar Square and a gateway to the wider West End. Strand is the southern boundary of Covent Garden running parallel to the River Thames and linking the cities of London & Westminster. A neighbourhood that offers everything from river views and world class theatres, to green open space and village vibes.
Holborn & St. Giles
Holborn is the gateway from the City of London to the West End and home to the UK’s legal profession. Situated around the grand garden square of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, it’s home to many top law firms, barrister’s chambers and the London School of Economics & Political Science.
Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury is a little slice of bohemian paradise in the heart of London, historic streets lined with handsome Georgian townhouses, leafy garden squares and a vibe that oozes culture & creativity.
New Row,
Covent Garden WC2
Studio living in Covent Garden on a partially pedestrianised street, moments from its world-famous piazza. Featuring high ceilings and a sleek interior with statement radiators and a contemporary shower room, the space is well-proportioned with ample storage. Available mid-January, unfurnished.
£600 pw
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Villiers Street,
Covent Garden WC2
A charming west facing one bedroom flat overlooking Villiers Street. Situated on the second floor of Kipling House, a handsome Georgian building only moments from Embankment Gardens, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and a short walk to the South Bank via nearby Hungerford Bridge.
£695,000
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Foubert’s Place,
Carnaby W1
Duplex apartment with two bedrooms and a large open-plan living space in the heart of Carnaby, and a short walk to Oxford Circus tube station. Finished in a neutral style, with wooden floors and white walls, there is a white kitchen with plenty of space to dine. Available mid-December, unfurnished.
£825 pw
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Craven Street,
Strand WC2
This stylish and modern two bedroom apartment is situated on the fifth floor of Aria House, a magnificent Grade II listed building that’s home to London’s prestigious Playhouse theatre and within walking distance to Victoria Embankment Gardens, great transport links and the River Thames.
£1,500,000
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Slingsby Place,
Covent Garden WC2
Positioned in popular modern residential block in the Seven Dials neighbourhood of Covent Garden is this two bedroom and two bathroom apartment. On the first floor, with lift access, the apartment is modern and benefits from a large private terrace. Available unfurnished immediately.
£1,050 pw
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Ingestre Place,
Soho W1
Situated above the lively streets of Soho, this two-bedroom sixth-floor lateral apartment forms part of Soho Thirteen — a discreet collection of just 13 private homes within a modern development tucked away on Ingestre Place, featuring a private south-facing roof terrace and secure parking space.