Marylebone

Marylebone is an exclusive district of Westminster located in central London, nestled in between Edgware Road, Great Portland Street, Oxford Street, and Regent’s Park. In broader terms, Marylebone may be said to also encompass Baker Street and part of St John’s Wood. In many respects, Marylebone is recognised as a small village within a much larger metropolitan neighbourhood. For hundreds of years Marylebone was regarded, in the minds of Londoners, as a pretty village lying amid fields on the way to Primrose Hill. Nowadays, ‘Marylebone Village’ is well renowned for its fashion boutiques, upmarket restaurants, and luxurious housing. The Marylebone Farmers’ Market has firmly established Marylebone on the ‘foodie’ map of London. On Sundays, the market site usually has around between 35 stalls and is popular with locals doing their weekly shopping, as well as food enthusiasts from all over the capital.

Marylebone gets its name from an early 19th century church dedicated to St Mary, which was built on the bank of a body of water called the Tybourne. The church and the surrounding area later became known as St Mary at the Bourne which, over time, was shortened to its present form, Marylebone. The area soon became mostly residential because of its idyllic position, located between tranquil Regents’ Park and bustling Oxford Street, and thus began to attract a substantial number of London’s wealthy. Although some of the area was bombed during the Second World War, the area has managed to maintain its sophisticated reputation.

Marylebone has so much to offer and this is especially impressive when one considers how small and compact the area is. It is no more than a ten minute walk from Bond Street and is accessible via the pedestrian only St Christopher’s Place, Chiltern Street, at the heart of Marylebone, is famous for its exclusive women’s clothing outlets and Marylebone High Street often wins praise for its character and large choice of eateries and shops. Le Fromagerie, a local institution, sells artisan breads, charcuterie, and fine breads. At Descamps, you will find beautiful bathroom and bedroom linen and accessories.

The garden squares that are prevalent throughout Marylebone add to its charm. Portman Square, the oldest of Marlebone’s four squares. The square was laid out around 1780 as a wilderness and once contained a movable temple erected by the Turkish ambassador to enjoy the seasons. Manchester Square, a picturesque Georgian square has a vast collection of trees, shrubs and plants, and was first laid out between 1776 and 1788. Moreover, Bryanston Square has magnificent old London plane trees set among other flowering plants, these include rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, roses, hydrangeas and many others. Museums such as the Wallace Collection and the Sherlock Holmes Museum can be found nestled in and among these squares.

One can tell what a reputable area Marylebone is from the individuals who have lived there through the ages. The painter JMW Turner, Charles Dickens, and Chopin all called Marylebone home at one place in time. Paul McCartney also resided in Marylebone from 1964 to 1966.

Marylebone incorporates some of London’s best examples of Georgian architecture. With an abundance of gothic style houses with large paned windows. These houses are highly sought for and will often have a price tag of about £10 million. Apartments tend to go for about £700-900 per week.