London's lesbian and gay scene is so huge, diverse and well-established that it's easy to forget just how much - and how fast - it has grown over the last few years. Pink power has given rise to the pink pound, gay liberation to gay lifestyle, and the ever-expanding gay village of Soho - now firmly established as the gay heart of the city - is vibrant, self-assured and unashamedly commercial. As a result of all this high-profile activity, straight Londoners tend to be a fairly homo-savvy bunch and, on the whole, happy to embrace and even dip into the city's queer offerings.

Soho is the obvious place to start exploring, with a mix of traditional gay pubs, trendy café/bars and a range of gay-run services. ... READ MORE.