Soho has most of it. Gay's the Word in Bloomsbury is worth a separate trip if you care about books. The rest is clustered around Old Compton Street and the nearby blocks.

Gay's the Word

London's long-standing LGBT bookshop, open since 1979. It is not in Soho — it is in Bloomsbury near Russell Square tube. Worth the detour: good selection, knowledgeable staff, a community notice board that tells you what is actually happening in the city, and a genuine sense of history. Many of the great figures in British LGBT culture have read there. It is still independently run and still essential.

Soho shops

Old Compton Street has the expected mix: pride merchandise, sex shops, and a few leather and gear specialists. Nothing you have not seen in a major gay district elsewhere, but convenient if you need something specific.

    What has changed

    London has lost a number of LGBT-specific shops over the years as rents rose and online shopping shifted buying habits. The ones still operating are worth supporting. Check opening hours before visiting — many keep irregular hours, and Soho shops can open late and close early depending on the day.

    Tips

    • Gay's the Word: Russell Square tube, then a short walk. Open Monday to Saturday 10am–6:30pm, Sunday 12–5pm (verify current hours on their website).
    • Soho shops are concentrated within a few minutes' walk of Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus tube stations.
    • Sex shops in Soho stock the usual range of toys, gear, and accessories. Poppers are legal in the UK and widely available.

Back to the main guide: Gay London Guide.