London – Around Town : Regent’s Park and Marylebone (part 2) – Shopping, Eating and Drinking

by

Exploring Marylebone


Morning

Before setting out for the day, reserve a ticket for
Madame Tussaud’s
 for the afternoon. Start at Bond Street Underground, exiting
on Oxford Street. Opposite is St Christopher Place, a narrow lane with
charming shops, which opens into an attractive pedestrian square. Stop
for a coffee break at one of Sofra’s pavement tables.

Continue into Marylebone Lane, a pleasant side
street of small shops, which leads to Marylebone High Street and its
wide choice of designer shops, including
The Conran Shop
. Stop awhile in the peaceful memorial garden of St Marylebone
Parish Church, planted with various exotic trees. Methodist minister
and hymn-writer Charles Wesley (1707–88) has a memorial here.

Afternoon

For lunch, the
Orrery
, beside The Conran Shop, is recommended. For a lighter snack, try Patisserie Valerie at 105 Marylebone High Street.

After lunch, bypass the legendary lines of people outside Madame Tussaud’s and spend an hour and a half checking out the celebrity wax figures.

Cross Marylebone Road to Baker Street, for tea and a sandwich at
Reubens
, before heading for the charming Sherlock Holmes Museum at No. 221b, a faithful reconstruction of the fictional detective’s home.

Shopping




  1. Daunt’s Books

    All kinds of travel books, including fiction, are arranged along oak galleries in this atmospheric Edwardian travel bookshop.

    • 83–84 Marylebone High Street W1

  2. Marylebone Farmers’ Market

    With over 40 producers, this is London’s biggest farmers’ market. Held every Sunday.

    • Cramer Street Car Park W1

  3. The Conran Shop

    Conran
    sells homeware and furniture in the best of both modern British and
    historic European design, such as a classic Mies Van der Rohe reclining
    chair.

    • 55 Marylebone High Street W1

  4. Divertimenti

    This innovative London kitchen store has a huge variety of cooking implements, utensils and tableware. Open Sunday afternoons.

    • 45–7 Wigmore Street W1

  5. Alfie’s Antiques Market

    Vintage jewellery, fashion, art and furniture are all under one roof, plus there is a café for when you’re all shopped out.

    • 13–25 Church Street NW8

  6. Marylebone Lane

    This charming lane off Marylebone High Street still has plenty of quirky gems to tempt the shopper.

    • Off Marylebone High Street W1

  7. John Lewis

    This
    sophisticated department store prides itself on being “never knowingly
    undersold”. If you can prove another shop sells the same item for less,
    you pay the lower price. It has a thoughtful gifts department on the
    ground floor, and the staff are both helpful and knowledgeable.

    • 278–306 Oxford Street W1




    John Lewis department store

  8. Selfridges

    Opened
    in 1909, this store has a handsome neoclassical façade. A London
    institution, Selfridges is great for women’s designer fashion, and has a
    wonderful food hall with cafés.

    • 400 Oxford Street W1




    Selfridges columned façade

  9. Marks & Spencer

    This flagship British brand is known for its underwear and food.

    • 458 Oxford Street W1

  10. Debenhams

    A middle-of-the-road department store that sells everything from tools to toys.

    • 334–348 Oxford Street W1


Eating and Drinking




  1. The Wallace Restaurant

    Located
    in the courtyard of the Wallace Collection, this smart café serves
    delicious lunches, including big salads, red pepper stuffed with
    couscous, and caramelized banana with chocolate torte .

    • Hertford House, Manchester Square W1

    • 020 7563 9505

    • Disabled access

  2. Original Tajines

    A distinctive Moroccan wine list complements the hearty tagines and couscous, including vegetarian versions, offered here.

    • 7A Dorset Street W1

    • 020 7935 1545

  3. Caffè Caldesi

    This light and airy Italian eaterie offers classic dishes and a good wine list. The upstairs restaurant is slightly more formal.

    • 118 Marylebone Lane W1

    • 020 7935 1144

  4. Reubens

    One of London’s best kosher restaurants offering such comfort food as chopped liver and salt beef.

    • 79 Baker Street W1

    • 020 7486 0035

  5. Mandalay

    A Burmese café where the food is a pleasing mix of Thai, Chinese, and Indian. Friendly, inexpensive and unpretentious.

    • 444 Edgware Road W2

    • 020 7258 3696

  6. Patogh

    Kebabs are a speciality at this Iranian restaurant. It is unlicensed, but you can take your own beer or wine.

    • 8 Crawford Place W1

    • 020 7262 4015

  7. La Fromagerie

    Sample the fine cheese and charcuterie plates here, along with delicious seasonal dishes.

    • 2–4 Moxon Street W1

    • 020 7935 0341

  8. Orrery

    This is a lovely restaurant, serving French-inspired food.

    • 55 Marylebone High Street W1

    • 020 7616 8000

    • Disabled access

  9. The Providores and Tapa Room

    On
    the ground floor, the Tapa Room serves exciting fusion cuisine;
    upstairs is a more sophisticated foodie experience at The Providores.

    • 109 Marylebone High Street W1

    • 020 7935 6175




  10. Golden Hind

    Indulge yourself here with traditional fish and chips, or fish cakes with Greek salad.

    • 73 Marylebone Lane W1

    • 020 7486 3644



Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards and serve vegetarian meals