Marylebone

What's it all about?

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. Distinguished by leafy streets lined with stately period homes and stylish boutiques, it’s a true urban village complete with colourful local characters and a weekly farmers' market. Life centres on the busy high street, which positively brims with quaint cafes, unique independent stores and high end design retailers. The Conran Shop is a mecca for design enthusiasts, and Marylebone attracts a mixed bunch of celebrities, City professionals and well heeled young couples who live as well as shop here. Despite its fashionable profile, Marylebone is kept down to earth by its long term residents, friendly local shopkeepers and a strong community vibe. Cafes and restaurants spill on to pavements and you're unlikely to spend a day cafe hopping here without bumping into a friendly neighbour. It’s a bit of a foodie haven and there’s something for everyone from juicy burgers at Meat Liquor to crisp calamari at Casa Becci. Although most people see no reason to leave their lovely little enclave at weekends, the trendy East End, dizzy heights of Primrose Hill and cultural sights of the Southbank all a short bus or Tube ride away.

Fact file 

• On 3 May 1968 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 and several of its addresses are inscribed on our collective history. Take 221b Baker Street for example, the fictional home of iconic London detective Sherlock Holmes and now home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, not to mention tourist mecca Madame Tussauds and the nearby classical music venue Wigmore Hall.

Architecture and property

Marylebone’s property market reflects its aristocratic history. In the 18th century various wealthy families owned much of the area and their names still adorn some Marylebone streets and squares, 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 and, also benefiting from a large number of 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, and there are newer builds of high end flats and apartments popping up all the time. There's a large amount of students here, with new developments of flats and halls of residents especially for them.

For house price information please visit the sold data tab. 

Going out

Eating out: The hardest thing about going out for a meal in Marylebone is deciding which of the area’s hundreds of fantastic restaurants to try next. A visit to celebrity haunt the Chiltern Firehouse is likely to be rewarded with a glimpse of a visiting Hollywood celebrity, while the food at Pied a Terre consistently earns its Michelin star. There’s amazing Lebanese food to be had in Marylebone, so try Fairuz or Maroush for some of the best. Don't miss out on juicy burgers at Meat Liquor or crisp calamari at Casa Becci.

Culture: Marylebone is rich in culture and every year thousands of tourists flock to its music and entertainment venues and the nearby Madame Tussauds. One of London’s most important and historic concert halls, Wigmore Hall, 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: Marylebone’s retail therapy opportunities aren’t just restricted to its trendy shops and boutiques. There are several markets that take place in the area, including 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.

Local amenities

• Marylebone locals want for very little when it comes to grocery shopping, with a large Waitrose and Tesco Express on the High Street, as well as high end butcher The Ginger Pig and a fantastic fishmonger at FishWorks, where they’ll both prepare your fish and advise you on the best way to cook it. On Sundays, locals make for the Marylebone Farmers’ Market for organic produce and unusual delicacies. Cheese enthusiasts will find their nirvana in the purpose built showroom at La Fromagerie.
• Marylebone’s library is open seven days a week and has a wide collection of books, CDs and DVDs. It also offers reading groups and chess clubs for children. For books of your own, Daunt Books is housed in a beautiful Edwardian shop and has one of the best collections of travel books in London.
• Snuggle into the comfy sofas at the Everyman Cinema on Baker Street where the best arthouse films and latest releases are shown.
• Marylebone is a shopper’s paradise, and its variety of niche and specialist stores mean you’ll be able to find presents for even the most difficult friends or family. Try Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop and Tasting Room or V V Rouleaux for luxury fabrics and ribbons. For homewares, Skandium and Divertimenti are on hand.
• Harley Street is located here, known for its large number of private medical specialists since the 19th century.
• Marylebone has some fantastic gyms, although its locals are more likely to be found in one of the area’s yoga or Pilates studios. Indaba Yoga is one of the best. The spa at The Landmark Hotel is popular with locals.

Green spaces

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 a particular favourite for 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.

Changing times

The redevelopment of Marylebone Square, a picturesque spot at the heart of Marylebone Village, should offer a variety of new opportunities for existing and potential residents alike.

Transport 

Tube: Marylebone has a great location for travelling into central London. Its station is on the Bakerloo Line in Zone 1, meaning it’s only five minutes to Oxford Circus (which is also walkable) and 12 minutes to Waterloo.

Rail: Trains run from Marylebone railway station to a variety of destinations across England including Banbury, High Wycombe and Aylesbury.

Road: Marylebone’s location on the edge of central London provides easy access to three of the main routes heading out of the city. It’s less than half an hour to the M4, the M40 or the M1.

Bus: Travel is easy from Marylebone, whether you’re travelling south of the river to Putney or Brixton on the 74 or the 2, or heading north to Finchley on the 82.

Cycle: There is a large community of cyclists in Marylebone even though it’s possible to 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. 

Getting away: To travel further afield, Heathrow is only 40 minutes away by car and the Heathrow Express is three minutes away at Paddington Station.

Education

There are several education options in Marylebone, including an international school and a theatre school. For younger children, there is Hampden Gurney Church of England Primary School. Secondary schools include St Marylebone School, the alma mater of Lily Cole, which specialises in performing arts. For an even more creative focus, you can’t beat Sylvia Young Theatre School, while SKOLA International Community School offers three International Baccalaureate programmes.

Please see our schools tab for more information on schools in this area.

 

If you’re looking to buy, sell, rent or let in Marylebone, contact the KFH Marylebone branch today.

Did we miss something? If you have any local expertise to improve our area guide, then please email us at areaguides@kfh.co.uk