Timeline
10:00
Arrive at Broadcasting House to see the exterior. The complex incorporates the Old Broad House built in the 1930s, featuring the famous sculpture of Prospero and Ariel and the Ariel friezes by Eric Gill and Gilbert Bayes. The studio at the ground floor is visible from the plaza outside, though the building itself is not open to visitors due to security reasons. Use this time to appreciate the architecture before the midday rush.
10:15
Walk 5 minutes to Dal Fiorentino Fitzrovia for a quick, affordable lunch. This small sandwich shop serves a quick lunch for under £10 and offers meal deals, making it a perfect, low-fuss stop to refuel before the next leg of your walk.
10:45
Head to The French House in Soho. This legendary pub is where the French resistance convened during World War II and was the favoured haunt of artists like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. It is a very small pub, so expect to be crowded. Order a drink and soak in the atmosphere of this Soho institution.
Local tip
The French House is tiny and gets busy. If you prefer a quieter pint with good, cheap beer, consider the Fitzroy Tavern (10 min walk from Broadcasting House) which is owned by Samuel Smith brewery and opens at 11:00 on weekdays.
Check before you go
- Broadcasting House is not open to visitors; view is from the outside only.
- Dal Fiorentino Fitzrovia is open Mo-Fr 08:00-19:00 and Sa,Su 11:00-18:00.
- The French House is open Mo-Sa 11:30-23:00 and Su 12:00-22:30.
Worth knowing
- Dal Fiorentino Fitzrovia is open at 10:15 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to London (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).