Exploring Marylebone
Morning
Before setting out for the day, reserve a ticket for
Madame Tussaud’s
for the afternoon. Start at Bond Street Underground, exiting
on Oxford Street. Opposite is St Christopher Place, a narrow lane with
charming shops, which opens into an attractive pedestrian square. Stop
for a coffee break at one of Sofra’s pavement tables.
Continue into Marylebone Lane, a pleasant side
street of small shops, which leads to Marylebone High Street and its
wide choice of designer shops, including
The Conran Shop
. Stop awhile in the peaceful memorial garden of St Marylebone
Parish Church, planted with various exotic trees. Methodist minister
and hymn-writer Charles Wesley (1707–88) has a memorial here.
Afternoon
For lunch, the
Orrery
, beside The Conran Shop, is recommended. For a lighter snack, try Patisserie Valerie at 105 Marylebone High Street.
After lunch, bypass the legendary lines of people outside Madame Tussaud’s and spend an hour and a half checking out the celebrity wax figures.
Cross Marylebone Road to Baker Street, for tea and a sandwich at
Reubens
, before heading for the charming Sherlock Holmes Museum at No. 221b, a faithful reconstruction of the fictional detective’s home.
Shopping
Daunt’s Books
All kinds of travel books, including fiction, are arranged along oak galleries in this atmospheric Edwardian travel bookshop.
Marylebone Farmers’ Market
With over 40 producers, this is London’s biggest farmers’ market. Held every Sunday.
The Conran Shop
Conran
sells homeware and furniture in the best of both modern British and
historic European design, such as a classic Mies Van der Rohe reclining
chair.
Divertimenti
This innovative London kitchen store has a huge variety of cooking implements, utensils and tableware. Open Sunday afternoons.
Alfie’s Antiques Market
Vintage jewellery, fashion, art and furniture are all under one roof, plus there is a café for when you’re all shopped out.
Marylebone Lane
This charming lane off Marylebone High Street still has plenty of quirky gems to tempt the shopper.
John Lewis
This
sophisticated department store prides itself on being “never knowingly
undersold”. If you can prove another shop sells the same item for less,
you pay the lower price. It has a thoughtful gifts department on the
ground floor, and the staff are both helpful and knowledgeable.
John Lewis department store
Selfridges
Opened
in 1909, this store has a handsome neoclassical façade. A London
institution, Selfridges is great for women’s designer fashion, and has a
wonderful food hall with cafés.
Selfridges columned façade
Marks & Spencer
This flagship British brand is known for its underwear and food.
Debenhams
A middle-of-the-road department store that sells everything from tools to toys.
Eating and Drinking
The Wallace Restaurant
Located
in the courtyard of the Wallace Collection, this smart café serves
delicious lunches, including big salads, red pepper stuffed with
couscous, and caramelized banana with chocolate torte .
Original Tajines
A distinctive Moroccan wine list complements the hearty tagines and couscous, including vegetarian versions, offered here.
7A Dorset Street W1
020 7935 1545
Caffè Caldesi
This light and airy Italian eaterie offers classic dishes and a good wine list. The upstairs restaurant is slightly more formal.
118 Marylebone Lane W1
020 7935 1144
Reubens
One of London’s best kosher restaurants offering such comfort food as chopped liver and salt beef.
79 Baker Street W1
020 7486 0035
Mandalay
A Burmese café where the food is a pleasing mix of Thai, Chinese, and Indian. Friendly, inexpensive and unpretentious.
444 Edgware Road W2
020 7258 3696
Patogh
Kebabs are a speciality at this Iranian restaurant. It is unlicensed, but you can take your own beer or wine.
8 Crawford Place W1
020 7262 4015
La Fromagerie
Sample the fine cheese and charcuterie plates here, along with delicious seasonal dishes.
2–4 Moxon Street W1
020 7935 0341
Orrery
This is a lovely restaurant, serving French-inspired food.
The Providores and Tapa Room
On
the ground floor, the Tapa Room serves exciting fusion cuisine;
upstairs is a more sophisticated foodie experience at The Providores.
Golden Hind
Indulge yourself here with traditional fish and chips, or fish cakes with Greek salad.
73 Marylebone Lane W1
020 7486 3644
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Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards and serve vegetarian meals |
