Marylebone Village: The Perfect Shopping Break in London
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2 years ago
Where to stay, eat, drink – and, of course, shop
When you think of Marylebone, your mind might float to Madame Tussauds, Sherlock Holmes or, perhaps, long London days concluding in a chilly wait for your train home. But, away from Baker Street’s bustle, just north of Oxford Street’s hustle, Marylebone Village is a quiet haven for shopping lovers – a perfect pick me up amid the wintery blues. Whether you’re here for the day or looking for a London minibreak, Marylebone Village is the place to be for chic shopping with a side of sophisticated festivities. Check out our guide for where to stay, eat, drink and, of course, shop.
Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide
Marylebone Village: The Perfect Shopping Break in London
STAY
Deluxe Room
Nestled in the heart of Marylebone Village, The Marylebone hotel is an elegant bolthole on a leafy residential street, perfect for imagining you’re an elegant local. With sophisticated but homely and comfortable interiors across 257 bedrooms and suites, there’s an exciting bustle to the on-site restaurant and bar – the Cocktail Bar with its quirky nooks, and 108 Brasserie and Bar set on the cobbles – that melts away in the (supreme) comfort of your bedroom.
Tranquil bathrooms with rain showers and expansive marble sinks sit alongside inviting beds to flop into after a long day pounding the pavement on nearby Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, or the quieter Moxon Street, Marylebone High Street and Marylebone Lane. Sleep like a baby cocooned in your heavy duvet and atop giant squishy pillows, after winding down in the Cocktail Bar or (if you splurge on a Suite – totally worth it) with a bottle of wine on your sofa.
If you’re feeling sprightly, head to the cool Third Space health and leisure club in the morning, with its gym, 18 metre pool, and spa. But don’t miss breakfast at 108 Brasserie, with its large and mouth watering buffet alongside lengthy a la carte menu chock full of wholesome ways to start the day.
BOOK: doylecollection.com
EAT & DRINK
The Coach Makers Arms
Built 140 years ago on the banks of the now-buried River Tyburn, this unassuming, beautifully restored Georgian building is a treasure trove, featuring a homely pub on the ground floor, a fine gastropub restaurant on the first floor, and a cosy 1970s basement bar (with a statement metallic bar and red velvet sofas and chairs). Traverse the winding stairs to experience every floor, or simply nestle into a low sofa with a cocktail in hand in the moody basement bar. cubitthouse.co.uk
This widely-renowned Japanese restaurant has a menu brimming with British ingredients – including vegetables sourced from Nama Yasai, a family-owned organic farm in the UK specialising in Japanese produce – and a mixologist brimming with ideas. Dine a la carte, or try TAKA’s special festive menu for a Japanese twist on Christmas, featuring decadent T.F.C Nanban (fried chicken with smoked daikon tartare), Sake Kombu Cabbage (with plenty of truffle, created by Maru London), a tasty mouthful of Scallop Temaki (Japanese scallop with mixed greens and crispy leeks), and a classically delicious Bluefin Tuna Crunch Roll, all wrapped up with refreshing mochi. Don’t miss the cocktails, all created with Japanese Suntory spirits: the Haku Highball is a refreshing start, tasting like a bite into a juicy red bell pepper; the Roku Martinez is Christmassy, with raisin flavours from the grape molasses; and the Toki Collins is the perfect conclusion (for whisky lovers and haters alike). takalondon.com
Delamina
Brunch with a Mediterranean twist: Delamina is a cosy cafe spilling out onto Marylebone Lane, filled with industrial design, mirrors and greenery – and paper snowflakes during the festive season. Run by husband and wife team Amir and Limor Chen, with a menu inspired by Limor’s father’s passionate Tel Avivian cooking, head here for a flavourful pause amid shopping sprees. Celebrating high quality ingredients, vegetables are the main event, with plenty of herbs and spices bringing their freshness to life. Eggs Benedict lovers should opt for the Benedict Balagan for the classic with a veggie twist, featuring smashed avocado, mixed peppers, sumac baby spinach and crispy kale along with the staple poached eggs, (paprika) hollandaise and toasted English muffins. Or, if you have more of a sweet tooth, try Pita Paradise: pita bread topped with mascarpone, honey, pistachios, cashews and seasonal fruit, then baked. ‘Paradise’ is right. delaminakitchen.co.uk
SHOP
Marylebone Village is filled with a mix of chic brands and unique independents, with something for everyone on that all important Christmas shopping list. From books to interiors, shoes to cheese, there’s a full list of outlets here – but here’s a snapshot of our favourites.
RIXO
A C&TH fave, RIXO is a vintage-inspired fashion brand founded in 2015 by best friends (then students) Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey. Championing inclusivity across feminine cuts and exciting prints, RIXO has three stores in London, including its Marylebone Village corner plot, which you’ll find yourself wandering past many times just to admire the gorgeous pieces in the windows. rixo.co.uk
KOIBIRD
In need of some quirky baubles and last minute decs? Or maybe something colourful from a small (but bold) designer? Head to KOIBIRD, a quirky independent shop where you’ll find expressive shoes and clothing in abundance, with beautiful seasonal pieces curated from across the globe. koibird.com
O Pioneers
This British clothing brand is less a one-stop-shop, more a place to fall in love with (and return to again and again). The pretty store was set up by Londoners Clara Francis and Tania Hindmarch in 2019 – who were perturbed by the difficulty finding their dream dresses. The pair set about designing their own, inspired by eccentric, classic Victoriana style, blossoming into a cult classic brimming with beautifully crafted pieces in Liberty prints. opioneers.co.uk
bloobloom
Famed for their super convenient at-home try on service and their transparent costs and supply chain, bloobloom is a force in prescription eyewear. And now you can pop in store, too, with branches on Carnaby Street and in Marylebone Village. Choose your perfect pair, or sample the sunglass frames (it’s not all prescription), with styles named for chic cities – including The Londoner. bloobloom.com
Fresh
With innovative skin, hair and body care products, make-up and fragrances, this luxury beauty brand blends traditional methods and natural ingredients (like sugar, milk, soy, rice and more unusual additions like Japanese sake and Umbrian clay) with cutting edge technology. Highly effective, and kind to both you and the planet, too. fresh.com
La Fromagerie
Cheese, glorious cheese. One of London’s finest cheesemongers in London sits on Moxon Street in the heart of Marylebone Village. Brimming with artisan breads, charcuterie, fine wines, oils and more, complete with a maturing cellar, a walk-in cheese room, and a handy affineur (read: cheese specialist), La Fromagerie is the ideal place for any turophiles (read: cheese lovers). lafromagerie.co.uk
Daunt Books
The original, famously gorgeous Daunt Books is situated on Marylebone High Street, in all of its Edwardian grace and splendour, with long oak galleries and pretty skylights. You’ll never want to leave. dauntbooks.co.uk
Caroline Gardner
You might recognise Caroline Gardner’s cards and stationery first, but you’ll stay for the array of gorgeous accessories (think chunky scarves, cute gloves, pretty crossbody bags) and quirky decorations. A one stop shop for all of your gifting needs, you might leave with a few gifts for yourself, too. carolinegardner.com
Tracey Neuls
Shoes hanging by a string? You may have spotted this iconic window display if you’ve ever wandered down Marylebone Village’s winding streets. Every few months, the space is transformed by artists, enhancing the new collections. The shoes are lovely, too! traceyneuls.com
Rococo Chocolates
And for those with richer vices, head to Rococo Chocolates, where 36 years of expertise amounts in fine ingredients (ethically sourced across the globe), exceptional flavours, unique packaging, and a team of talented chocolatiers at the helm. rococochocolates.com
The Conran Shop
Interiors lovers, this one’s for you: furniture, lighting, home accessories and gifts abound in this design led store (situated in what used to be a stable) founded by Sir Terence Conran. Shop distinct design, famous classics and one-off vintage pieces across three floors. conranshop.co.uk
DISCOVER
Discover more about Marylebone Village and plan your trip at marylebonevillage.com.
Featured image: Christmas lights in Marylebone village (c) David Parry/PA Wire.
