Marylebone has been a sought after district in London as far back as the seventeenth century. It is an area of hidden gems and quiet delights. Minutes away from Oxford Street but a world away in atmosphere, Marylebone is a wonderful patch of tranquillity located right in the heart of London.
We’ve asked some of the top attractions in the area to contribute to this guide so you can find out, first hand, why it is such a great place to visit.
Here are 10 of the best attractions you can visit in Marylebone.
1. Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall, known as one of the world’s great concert halls, specialises in chamber and instrumental music, early music and song. Discreetly nestled in Central London, Marylebone, the Hall has a capacity of 552 seats but draws in audiences from far and wide through its ambitious Learning programme, embracing schools, nurseries, hospitals, community centres and care homes. Bringing this music to life are the world’s most sought-after soloists and chamber musicians. Wigmore Hall also provides a showcase for exceptional young artists — some making their professional London debuts.
36 Wigmore Street, W1U 2BP
2. The Wallace Collection: A French Collection
Set in a stunning Georgian London townhouse, The Wallace Collection is home to one of the most significant ensembles of fine and decorative arts in the world. Highlights include oil paintings from the fourteenth to the late nineteenth centuries by artists such as Titian, Velazquez, Rubens and Van Dyck, and one of the finest collections of eighteenth-century French paintings and decorative arts.
Visitors can also enjoy superb medieval and Renaissance objects, displayed at the former home to Sir Richard and Lady Wallace. This outstanding collection is displayed in a manner designed to evoke the lives and tastes of its founders, creating a special ambiance that remains an essential part of its charm.
Hertford House, London, W1U 3BN
3. Caroline Gardner Boutique
Caroline Gardner is a trusted boutique for the Marylebone residents and a destination shop for visiting customers who make trips from all over the world. They specialise in greetings cards, stationery and gifts as well as hosting a fantastic bag bar brimming with design-led fashion and accessories.
Located in vibrant Marylebone High Street, just minutes from central London’s bustling Oxford Street, this acclaimed retail district is largely populated with small independent shops and a weekly farmers market.
Established in 1993, Caroline Gardner’s distinctive designs are sold in some of the most prestigious shops in over 20 countries. Covetable paper products and gifts, together with gorgeous women’s accessories, her fabulous shop on Marylebone High Street brings it all together under one lovely carefully curated roof.
17 Marylebone High Street, London, W1U 4NZ
4. La Fromagerie
Located on Moxon Street, just down the road from Paddington Street Gardens, sits La Fromagerie, an award-winning cheese shop sitting right in the centre of Marylebone. This cosy cheese and wine shop-come café has won the hearts of locals, and for good reason.
Here, you’ll find the shelves stocked with all manner of fromage-friendly foods as well as spreads, fruit and vegetables, while the contents of the cheese room are served in the studiously simple café area at the back. The just-dropped-in atmosphere makes La Fromagerie a great weekend brunch spot while a regular schedule of events, including cheese and wine tastings, are further reasons to pay a visit.
2-6 Moxon St, London W1U 4EW
5. St James Spanish Place
Right in the heart of London, you can find the beautiful looking St James, Roman Catholic Church. You can thank the architect Edward Goldie for the striking Gothic beauty of St James Church. Eye-catching as it is from the outside, the inside hides one of the most artistic English Gothic interiors in the city and looks much older than it is, (it was finished in 1890).
The Spanish Place is a reference to the time when Hertford House, now home of The Wallace Collection, was the home of the Spanish Embassy. At a time when it was difficult for Roman Catholics to worship openly, the Embassy and its chapel provided a place where they could practice their faith.
This seriously impressive bit of architecture can’t be missed if you’re planning to visit Marylebone.
22 Spanish Pl, George St, London W1U 3QY
6. Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery
2021 marks the 33rd anniversary of the opening of the Rebecca Hossack Art
Gallery in Fitzrovia, London. Rebecca Hossack has been a great champion of Non-Western artistic traditions. Hossack’s was the first art gallery in Europe to exhibit Australian aboriginal painting, and it continues to promote such work. The Gallery also exhibits across the broad spectrum of Western Contemporary Art as well as curating important exhibitions of work from the Bushmen of the Kalahari, Papua New Guinea and from tribal India. Much of this art would simply not have been seen in the UK if it wasn’t for the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery.
Along with monthly exhibitions in its three locations, The Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery exhibits at 28 international art fairs per year. To further the relationship between Eastern and Western cultures, the gallery regularly hosts poetry-readings and academic-led talks.
2A Conway Street, Fitzroy Square, W1T 6BA
7. Eden Gallery
Located on New Bond Street, around the corner from Bond Street station, sits the Eden Gallery. Since its foundation in 1997 by Cathia Klimovsky, Eden Gallery has evolved into a global network of high-end art galleries representing a selection of international artists. The art gallery is decorated with many artists’ collections, and regularly exhibits collections from all over the globe. Collectively, Eden artists represent and promote contemporary optimism and a colourful view of life.
With 12,000 square feet and four floors of art gallery space, full of colourful, evocative artwork, the Eden Gallery Group operates at the forefront of modern, vibrant culture with commitment to their community of artists, curators, and supporters.
103 New Bond St, London W1S 1ST
8. Royal Academy of Music Museum
Just south of Regent’s Park you’ll find The Royal Academy of Music Museum, Britain’s oldest conservatoire. It was designed in 1822 as part of the main entrance to Regent’s Park. The Museum’s collections of instruments, art and photography offer valuable insights into the creative processes of great musicians. Engaging stories are told through its permanent galleries and programme of changing temporary displays.
The Museum regularly holds lecture-recitals, seminars, workshops, special events and family activities, all open to the public for free. The Museum has three permanent galleries, alongside regularly changing displays and exhibitions. Together they cover an array of eras, instruments and subjects, from the finest 17th-century Cremonese violins to the cast of a 20th-century conductor’s hand.
Experience centuries of creativity and craftsmanship, with fine instruments and objects that have inspired music-making from the 16th century to the present day.
1–5 York Gate, Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5HT
9. Alfie’s Antique Market
Alfie’s Antique Market, London’s largest indoor antiques and vintage market, is nestled just off Lisson Grove. It is a well known secret among decorators and interior designers in London, and even grabs attention worldwide, for visitation to trawl the stalls for old furniture or decor. It was opened in 1976 by Bennie Gray, but now the complex covers an impressive 35,000 square feet over multiple floors.
Nearly one hundred dealers occupy four floors, offering everything from antique jewellery, vintage fashion and accessories, art, collectables, interior furnishings, textiles, ceramics, glass and silverware.
For more than 40 years, Alfie’s Antique Market has attracted serious collectors, interior designers and even celebrities to its varied collection of antiques and collectables, (you never know who you might just meet). To this day, people from all over the world come to Alfie’s to take in its bohemian chic atmosphere and to find something genuine and unique.
Alfie’s is a place to discover passions, start collections and lose yourself in!
13 – 25 Church St, London NW8 8DT
10. Fashion Space Gallery
Located directly behind Oxford Circus, Fashion Space Gallery at London College of Fashion is an exciting contemporary exhibition space in Central London. It engages with fashion, design and art, as well as presenting a critically rigorous and popular programme of changing exhibitions and events. The space has seen extraordinary collaborations from Alexander McQueen to Chanel.
The gallery was launched to a public audience in 2010 to host presentations of work by leading practitioners in the field, themed group shows, performances and installations. The message behind the exhibitions will be one of excellence and innovation, supporting both established artists as well as cutting-edge and emerging talent.
All exhibitions and supporting events, including artist talks, lectures and performances, are free of charge. There’s no reason as to why you shouldn’t visit the Fashion Space Gallery.
20 John Prince’s St, London W1G 0BJ
Back to Aubaine for some well earned dinner
After your day of fun visiting as much as you can in Marylebone, Aubaine welcomes you with open arms. A contemporary hub sitting on trendy Moxon Street, Aubaine Marylebone is a relaxed dining space flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows as you walk in.
Make a little time in your day to enjoy our all-day-dining menus. Choose brunch, lunch or dinner (or all three perhaps?) and enjoy freshly-baked pastries and modern French dishes.
Once you’re ready to refuel, you’ll find us on Moxon Street, serving French cuisine that is exciting, creative and quite simply delicious.
We’ll see you there.
Book a table at our Marylebone Restaurant today
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