White City Soho House is kind of a weird one if you’re used to the cramped, vertical townhouses of the West End. Most people gravitate toward 40 Greek Street or 76 Dean Street because they want that classic "Old London" media vibe, but honestly? They’re missing out. Located in the former BBC Television Centre, this spot has a scale you just can't find in Mayfair. It’s huge. It’s airy. And the pool situation is probably the best in the entire UK portfolio.
Walking into the lobby feels less like a private members' club and more like a mid-century modern fever dream. The architects kept the "doughnut" shape of the original BBC building, which means the layout is circular. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up walking in loops trying to find the gym. But that’s the charm. It’s a literal piece of broadcasting history that’s been stripped of its corporate beige and replaced with velvet, terrazzo, and a massive amount of art.
The BBC Heritage Nobody Actually Talks About
The history here isn't just a marketing gimmick. This is where Doctor Who was born. It’s where Fawlty Towers was filmed. When you’re sitting in the bar at White City Soho House, you’re basically hanging out where the legends of British television used to grab a drink after a recording session.
The design team, led by Linda Boronkay at the time, went deep on the 1960s aesthetic. You see it in the fluted timber walls and the custom-made furniture that looks like it was plucked straight from an executive's office in 1965. It’s retro but doesn't feel like a museum. It feels alive. The artwork is a major flex, too. They’ve curated a collection that focuses heavily on artists who are either from the area or whose work reflects the "medium is the message" vibe of the building’s former life. It’s one of the few houses where the art feels integrated into the architecture rather than just hung on a wall to fill space.
That Rooftop Pool and the West London Horizon
Let's be real: most people join for the pool.
The rooftop at White City Soho House is a legitimate destination. While the Shoreditch House pool is iconic, it’s also frequently a zoo. White City feels different. It’s wider. The views of West London—looking out toward the Trellick Tower and beyond—are stunning at sunset. The tiles are a pale, dusty blue, and the loungers are actually comfortable.
What to expect on the deck:
- The Vibe: On a Tuesday morning, it’s screenwriters with laptops. On a Saturday afternoon, it’s a full-on scene.
- The Food: You can get the standard Soho House classics (yes, the Dirty Burger), but the poolside menu usually leans a bit lighter. Think poke bowls and really good calamari.
- The Crowd: It’s a mix of the creative crowd that’s moved out toward Shepherd’s Bush and Acton, plus the "Work from Soho House" brigade who have colonized the communal tables.
It gets busy. If you aren't there by 10:00 AM on a scorching July day, you aren't getting a bed. That’s just the reality of London memberships. But even when it’s packed, the scale of the terrace makes it feel less suffocating than the smaller houses.
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The Rooms: Sleeping in a Media Time Capsule
The bedrooms here are some of the most consistent in the group. They range from "Tiny" to "Big," and they all follow that mid-century theme. Think Roberts radios, Marshall speakers, and those heavy, oversized velvet curtains that actually block out the sun.
The "Big" rooms are genuinely impressive. They have huge walk-in showers and freestanding tubs that feel like a luxury in a city where most hotel rooms are the size of a shoebox. Because it’s an old office building, the ceilings are high. You don't get that "basement" feel you sometimes find in the converted Georgian houses. Plus, guest rooms give you full access to the club facilities, which is basically a cheat code if you aren't a member but want to spend 48 hours living the life.
Why the Location Actually Works
For years, people looked at White City and thought, "Why would I go all the way out there?"
It’s not "out there" anymore.
The regeneration of the area has been massive. You’ve got the Westfield shopping center right next door, which sounds uncool until you realize how convenient it is to have every store imaginable within a five-minute walk. Then there’s the Public Records office and the new Royal College of Art campus. The whole Wood Lane area has transformed from a dead zone into a legit creative hub.
The Central Line is right there. Two minutes. You can be in Bond Street in fifteen minutes flat. This accessibility is why White City Soho House has become the de facto headquarters for people working in fashion and media who realized they could get more space for their money by moving west.
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The Gym and House Studio Situation
If you’re a fitness nerd, this is the best house in London. Period.
The gym is massive. It’s not just a few treadmills and a dumbbell rack. It’s a full-scale athletic club with a sauna, steam room, and a hamman. They have a huge range of classes—yoga, HIIT, boxing—and the equipment is top-of-the-line.
Then there’s the "House Studio." This is a dedicated space for content creators. We’re talking professional-grade podcasting booths and filming spaces. It shows that Soho House actually understands who their members are in 2026. They know people aren't just there to drink Picantes; they’re there to build brands. Having a high-end recording studio as part of your membership is a game-changer for anyone in the digital space.
Common Misconceptions and the "Corporate" Myth
Some critics say White City feels "too corporate" because it's part of a massive development.
Honestly? I disagree.
While the entrance is through a modern courtyard, the interior atmosphere is purely Soho House. It’s moody, it’s dimly lit in the evenings, and the service has that specific "relaxed professional" vibe the brand is known for. It doesn't feel like a Marriott. It feels like a playground for adults who happen to have jobs.
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Another thing: people think it’s exclusively for the "TV crowd." While there are plenty of producers and directors floating around, the membership is surprisingly diverse. You’ll see architects, tech founders, and plenty of people from the music industry who use the nearby studios.
The Practical Realities of Visiting
If you’re planning a visit or considering a membership, there are a few things you need to know that aren't in the brochure.
First, the parking is a nightmare. Don't drive. Use the tube or an Uber. The Westfield car park is an option, but it’s expensive and a bit of a trek.
Second, the "No Photos" rule is strictly enforced here. Because of the open-plan nature of the club, the staff are like hawks. Don't be that person trying to take a selfie in the rooftop pool; you'll get warned, and if you keep doing it, they’ll genuinely freeze your membership.
Third, the acoustics in the main bar can get loud. Like, really loud. If you have an important business meeting where you need to hear every word, book a table in the restaurant area or find one of the tucked-away corners in the library.
Actionable Insights for the Best Experience
To get the most out of White City Soho House, you have to play it smart. It's a big space, and it's easy to waste your time sitting in the wrong spot.
- Work in the morning, play in the afternoon. The library area is the best spot for deep work. It has plenty of sockets and the Wi-Fi is consistently fast. Move to the rooftop after 4:00 PM when the light hits the terrace.
- Book the Studio early. If you want to use the podcasting or recording facilities, don't expect to just walk in. These are some of the most popular perks of the house, so use the app to book your slot at least a week in advance.
- Use the Soho Works connection. If you need a more formal office environment, Soho Works is literally right there. It’s a separate membership, but they often have day-pass options for House members.
- Explore the neighborhood food scene. While the House food is reliable, the surrounding Television Centre development has some gems. Check out Kricket for incredible Indian small plates or Flying Horse Coffee for a serious caffeine fix.
- Attend the member events. White City hosts some of the better "Under the 27" and industry-specific talks. Because of the BBC link, the guest speakers here are often top-tier broadcasting executives or famous showrunners who wouldn't necessarily trek to the Shoreditch location.
White City Soho House isn't just another club; it's a massive, multi-functional hub that bridges the gap between London's history and its future. It’s the best place in the city to see how the "creative class" is actually evolving. Whether you're there for the rooftop pool or the podcast studio, it offers a level of utility that the smaller, more central houses just can't match.
If you want the old-school, dark-wood-and-leather vibe, stick to 40 Greek Street. But if you want space to breathe, a world-class gym, and a pool that feels like a vacation, West is definitely best.