Whenever I travel to London I am always struck by two things. It’s always much busier than I ever expected and, compared with North West England, its always much warmer! On some days the hustle and bustle becomes too much and I head for Marylebone, an oasis of calm and only a short walk from the crowds of Oxford Street.
Marylebone feels like a village in the heart of the city. It is full of small independent retailers, cafés, bars and restaurants. I return time after time and am never disappointed. Here are a few of my personal favourites.
La Fromargerie, Moxon Street.
This shop has everything you could want; the freshest seasonal produce, a great deli, wines and the most amazing cheese room.
There is even a café serving food from the shop. Great for breakfast, even better for a light lunch stop. Visit the website here
The Ginger Pig, Moxon Street.
With meat mainly farmed in Yorkshire this is an absolute wonder of a butchers shop. About as far removed from a supermarket as you can get.
Daunt Books, 83 Marylebone High Street
Fist opened in 1912, and originally selling travel books, this is a wonderful place to spend half and hour or so browsing. Its old school and makes no bones about it, it is exactly how you imagine a bookshop should be. Old wooden shells bathed in glorious sunlight from the skylight, it’s national treasure. I urge you to visit. Daunt Books
The Providores, 109 Marylebone High Street.
The Providores gives you three options in one. Upstairs is a very good restaurant offering contemporary fusion food. Downstairs is a café, offering some rather good tapas style small plates and a wine bar. The wine list is devoted to the wines of New Zealand and that to me is reason enough for going. Wines are available by the glass,caraffe and bottle. Visit the website here
The Nordic Bakery, 48 Dorset Street
Tucked away on Dorset Street, just off the busy Baker Street, The Nordic Bakery is a piece of Scandinavia in the capital. As you might expect the ambience is peaceful and relaxed and the coffee is very good. The cinnamon buns are pretty good too. Visit their website
Chiltern Street.
Just round the corner from the Nordic bakery is Chiltern Street, probably the prettiest shopping street in London if not the whole of the UK. Superb Victorian gothic architecture and a wonderful collection of shops, including a woodwind specialist!, make this a must on any visit to Marylebone. At Christmas the street becomes truly magical. The Moncole Café (18 Chiltern St) is a small but worthy place to stop off for a quick caffeine fix. At the southern end of the street just by the intersection with Blandford Street is The Chiltern Firehouse.
Purl, 50/54 Blandford Street.
You could easily miss the entrance to Purl and that would be a shame because its a fabulous place to stop for cocktails. It is very popular and always best to book ahead.
The sign leads to some stairs to the main entrance because Purl is all below ground. Its such an atmospheric place and no matter how often I’ve tried my photos never seem to do it justice. The cocktails are wonderful, theatrical and playful. Designed to give you a multi sensory experience they are not to be missed. they also serve wine and craft beers for those so desiring.
Trishna, 15/17 Blandford Street.
Trishna is a one Michelin star Indian restaurant that serves excellent food. Informal and relaxed you can choose from specially selected tasting menus or go à la carte. The wine list here is also very good and the advice on pairing wine with Indian dishes is excellent. Trishna
The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square
Located in a fine townhouse on Manchester Square, The Wallace Collection is an art collection that was left to the nation by the widow of Sir Richard Wallace. It is a rather fine collection that has something for everyone and the entrance is free. Whats not to like? The website is here