Soho, West Midlands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soho |
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.jpg) Soho Foundry at Smethwick |
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 Soho
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| Population | 30,317 (2011.Ward) |
| • Density | 62.7 per ha |
| OS grid reference | SP048890 |
| Metropolitan borough |
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| Shire county | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BIRMINGHAM |
| Postcode district | B21 |
| Dialling code | 0121 |
| Police | West Midlands |
| Fire | West Midlands |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Soho is a busy area in England. It is located in the West Midlands region. This area is split between two large towns: Birmingham and Sandwell. You can find Soho right on the A41 road.
The name "Soho" comes from "South House". This means it was once a place located south of another area called Handsworth. The part of the A41 road that separates Handsworth from Winson Green is even called Soho Road!
Soho grew a lot in the 1800s. Many houses and factories were built there. In the 1950s and 1960s, many people from countries in the Commonwealth moved to Soho. Most of these new residents came from India. More houses were built by the local council in the 1960s and 1970s.
Contents
Exploring Soho's History
Soho has a rich history, especially linked to industry. It was a very important place during the time of the Industrial Revolution.
Famous Factories and Homes
A famous inventor named Matthew Boulton opened his "Soho Manufactory" in 1761. This was one of the very first factories! Boulton himself lived in a grand house nearby called Soho House. Today, Soho House is a community museum. It is run by the Birmingham City Council and is part of the Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery. You can visit it to learn about the past.
Soho is also home to the Soho Foundry. This was another famous factory belonging to Matthew Boulton and James Watt. They were very important figures in the Industrial Revolution. Much of the area around these historic sites is still industrial today, with some homes mixed in.
Local Landmarks and Buildings
The main church in Soho is named after St John Chrysostom. If you need to find a good book, the Handsworth Library serves the area.
You will also find some important places within the Winson Green part of Soho. These include Winson Green Prison and City Hospital.
Getting Around Soho
Soho has always been a place with good transport links.
Past and Present Train Travel
In the past, Soho had train stations on two different railway lines. One was on the London & North Western Railway line, between Smethwick Rolfe Street and the now-closed Winson Green railway station. The other was on the Great Western Railway line, between Handsworth & Smethwick and Hockley. The Hockley station was later replaced by Jewellery Quarter station.
Today, Soho is served by the West Midlands Metro. This is a tram system that runs on the old Great Western Railway line. There is a tram stop called Soho Benson Road where you can catch a tram.
Images for kids
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Soho Pool, painted by Allen Edward Everitt.
