Marylebone

Britain’s first heart transplant was successfully carried out at the National Heart Hospital in Marylebone; famous past Marylebone residents include chronicler Charles Dickens, inventor Charles Babbage and rock legend Jimi Hendrix.

Marylebone is home to some of London’s most important cultural venues – the fictional home of iconic London detective Sherlock Holmes and now home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, tourist mecca Madame Tussauds and the nearby classical music venue Wigmore Hall.

Just minutes away from Oxford Street but miles away in ambience, Marylebone is a surprising pocket of calm located in the very heart of London, close to the trendy East End, glitzy Primrose Hill and cultural sights of the Southbank which are all a short bus or Tube ride away.  With leafy streets and a mix of stately period homes and stylish boutiques, Marylebone is a truly urban village complete with colourful local characters and a weekly farmers’ market. Life centres on the busy high street, full of quaint cafes, independent stores and high end design retailer and don’t miss The Conran Shop – great for design enthusiasts.  Marylebone attracts a mixed bunch of celebrities, City professionals and up and coming young couples as well as its long term residents who live as well as shop here giving a strong community vibe. Cafes and restaurants spill on to pavements and you’re unlikely to have a coffee without bumping into a friendly neighbour.

Marylebone’s property market reflects its aristocratic history. In the 18th century various wealthy families owned much of the area including Cavendish Square and Portman Square. Marylebone was one of the first areas in London to experience a property boom and some of its finest homes hail from the Georgian era, although there are also later Victorian and Edwardian examples. Most of its period properties have been converted into flats but with its many mansion blocks Marylebone is a great place for apartment living. More family sized homes can be found towards Regent’s Park. Properties surrounding garden squares, like Montagu Square, are some of the most desirable in the area. Marylebone also has several streets of terraced homes like those leading off Gloucester Place, as well as newer builds of high end flats and apartments. There’s a large amount of students here, with new developments of flats and halls of residents especially for them.

Eating out: With such an array of fantastic restaurants it can be hard to decide where to go!  Visit  celebrity haunt the Chiltern Firehouse and you’ll most likely get a glimpse of a visiting Hollywood celebrity, or try the Michelin star Pied a Terre .  If you like Lebanese food try the wonderful Fairuz or Maroush .  If it’s a burger your after Meat Liquor is  must or there’s always fabulous calamari at Casa Becci.

There is so much on offer in Marylebone you can be spoilt for choice! There is the iconic Madame Tussauds, one of London’s most important and historic concert halls, Wigmore Hall which presents 450 musical performances annually, The Old Master paintings at The Wallace Collection are a must see for art enthusiasts, while theatre lovers enjoy innovative events at The Cockpit.

Markets: If it’s markets you’re after there’s the fashion and food market Cabbages & Frocks and Alfie’s Antique Market. The Marylebone Summer Fayre is a popular community event featuring live music and events for kids.

With Hyde Park to the south and Regent’s Park to the north, Marylebone locals are sandwiched between two of London’s most beautiful Royal Parks on their doorstep. At 365 acres, Regent’s Park offers something for everyone, whether you’re keen to get involved in an impromptu football game or your idea of weekend exercise is a quick stroll to one of the park’s many cafes. The Hub Cafe is wonderful with its panoramic views over the park. Younger visitors will be kept busy feeding the ducks and meeting the wildlife at neighbouring London Zoo. Just off Marylebone Road, Paddington Street Gardens are two small parks well used by local families .

There are great transport links with plenty of tube, overland rail services and bus options:

 Tube: The tube station is on the Bakerloo Line in Zone 1, just five minutes to Oxford Circus (which is also walkable) and 12 minutes to Waterloo.

Rail:   Overland services from Marylebone railway station run to a variety of destinations across England including Banbury, High Wycombe and Aylesbury.   The Heathrow Express is three minutes away at Paddington Station.

Road: There is easy access to three of the main routes heading out of the city, and it’s less than half an hour to the M4, the M40 or the M1.

Bus: Travel south of the river to Putney or Brixton on the 74 or the 2, or heading north to Finchley on the 82.

Cycle: Although you can walk to the heart of the West End in less than 15 minutes it’s a gentle five-minute cycle to Oxford Circus and 15 minutes to Charing Cross.