Things to do in Marylebone

Attractions in Marylebone

Marylebone is an affluent area of London famous for preserving its village-like ambience despite its central location. Nestled between some of London’s most iconic locations, Marylebone offers visitors a wealth of attractions, landmarks and things to do. The area is also extremely well connected with regards to public transport, so anyone staying locally will find they have access to just about any attraction in the capital - from its historic royal palaces to its world-class museums. 

• Lisson Gallery

Opened in the late 1960s, Lisson Gallery has gone on to become one of the most influential contemporary art galleries in the world. Today, the gallery’s reputation for thought-provoking shows is as well known as ever, with a new generation of cutting edge talents showcased throughout the year. There various exhibitions hosted at the Lisson promise to provide a challenging, yet accessible experience of the modern art scene and often runs shows in conjunction with its galleries in New York and Shanghai. 

Entry to the gallery is usually free, however, there may be a fee for some exhibitions, so it is always best to inquire. 

• Regents Park

The northern end of Marylebone is bordered by the stunning Regent’s Park, with its iconic fountains, Georgian terraces and impressive gardens. Aside from being arguably the most picturesque park in London, Regents Park also offers plenty of activities and events throughout the year in its open-air theatre. It is also home to the famous London Zoo, one of the city’s top attractions, as well as being generally a fantastic outdoor space to enjoy sports, picnics or just relaxing in the sunshine.

Regent’s Park itself is free to enter, however, certain attractions will charge an entry fee. London Zoo tickets are £31.50 for peak times, but discounts are available for those booking online in advance.

• Regent Street Cinema

The Regent Street Cinema is a historic theatre hall that specialises in showing classic movies in the format and surroundings they were intended. First opened in 1848 and regarded as "the birthplace of British cinema", the cinema featured the first motion picture shown in the United Kingdom. Aside from its catalogue of classic movies, the venue also hosts educational events dedicated to the history of cinema and has an on-site bar for movie buffs to discuss their favourite films over a few drinks. 

The cinema has shows on every day except Christmas and Boxing Day, with most tickets being priced at £12.

• Madame Tussauds

The perennial tourist favourite, Madame Tussauds is an attraction that really needs no introduction. Famous for its lifelike recreations of movie stars, pop stars and historical figures, Madame Tussauds now has venues across the world. However, the location in Marylebone road is the original, biggest and best. A fun day out for all the family, the themed galleries offer both entertainment and education. 

Madame Tussauds is open throughout the year. Ticket prices start at £29 with discounts for those buying online.

Museums in Marylebone

London is famous across the world for its incredible museums and thanks to the city’s long and rich history, they can be found in just about every neighbourhood. Marylebone offers a diverse selection of museums within its boundaries, ranging from niche literary museums and quirky galleries to historic royal institutions. Below is a selection of some of the museums in Marylebone.

• The Royal Academy of Music Museum

The Royal Academy of Music Museum charts the history and considerable contributions of one of the world’s most prestigious conservatories in the world. The museum offers daily tours, detailing the educational process involved in learning to be a world-class classical museum as well as showcasing many historical instruments. The RAMM also holds several free events throughout the year, showcasing the talent of its current members and students. 

Daily tours and many of the events are completely free, however, the museum does accept donations from attendees as a way of funding its programme. 

• The Sherlock Holmes Museum

Located at the fictional sleuth’s famous address at 221B Baker Street is the Sherlock Holmes Museum - a faithfully preserved Victorian home and study dedicated to the famous Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous literary creations. The museum offers visitors the chance to step into the world of Sherlock Holmes and the attached shop sells everything from the iconic hat associated with the detective, to special editions of the various books. 

Entry for adults is £15 and tickets can only be purchased upon arrival.

• Grant Museum of Zoology 

Just a fifteen-minute walk from the centre of Marylebone is the curious yet fascinating Grant Museum of Zoology. Technically part of the University of London, this small museum was established by Robert Edmond Grant in 1828 as a teaching collection of zoological specimens and material for dissection. Today it includes several impressive specimens in Victorian style glass jars, which gives the whole place a slightly eerie historic quality. However, the Grant Museum is still an educational experience and visitors have the chance to learn various anatomical details and anomalies of wildlife from across the globe.

The museum is open daily but mostly from lunchtimes. Entry is free.

• The London Transport Museum

London is famous across the world for its various public transport innovations - from the world’s first underground system to the city’s iconic red buses. The London Transport Museum, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the various vehicles, pioneering minds and feats of engineering feats that have kept Londoners moving across the city over the centuries. It features large scale exhibits including historic cars and buses, as well as background information on the development of London’s transport infrastructure. An ideal day out for those visiting with family and just a short walk from Marylebone. 

General admission for adults is £18.50 though children enter free of charge. The museum is open 7 days a week, only closing over the Christmas holiday period. 

Food and Drink in Marylebone

London is known as a haven for food lovers and Marylebone is no exception. With numerous upscale restaurants, fashionable bars and even renowned street food vendors, the area boasts a wealth of choice when it comes to food and drink. 

• Winter Garden 

Housed in the stunning glass-roofed atrium of an elegant hotel, Winter Garden offers contemporary European cuisine in stunning surroundings. With menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant is known for its relaxing, international atmosphere and caters to all tastes. It is also situated in the very centre of Marylebone so is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy world-class dining after a day exploring the sights. 

Address: The Landmark London, 222 Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 6JQ

• Texture Restaurant

A Michelin-starred restaurant, Texture offers a fusion of Scandinavian and Asian cuisine from chef Aggi Sverrisson. The restaurant promises a lighter dining experience, avoiding heavy foods whilst still providing a sumptuous meal. The restaurant itself also offers an elegant setting for an afternoon lunch or dinner event, with stylish furnishing and artwork adorning the walls.

Address: 34 Portman Street, London W1H 7BY

• Orrery

Orrery is a relatively new addition to Marylebone’s restaurant scene - offering a modern take on classic French cuisine in a converted stable block. Of course, the interior has been refitted to offer an elegant restaurant setting, however, the building’s unique past gives it an unusual atmosphere with excellent views of the neighbouring church. It also offers a roof terrace for enjoying a drink or two in the open air.

Address: 55 Marylebone High St, Marylebone, London W1U 5RB

• Lurra

Lurra is an excellent choice for those seeking something a little less formal. Lurra offers chargrilled cuisine in the Basque style as well as Galician dishes. It is also known for its excellent wine list and offers a host of other snacks and drinks for those looking to grab a quick bite. The restaurant also offers a provide dining space for corporate events.

Address: 9 Seymour Pl, Marylebone, London W1H 5BA

• Twist

Twist is another fantastic option for informal dining, offering modern tapas using seasonal ingredients, providing a unique take on many classic dishes. The restaurant prides itself on being ‘ingredient-led’ and emphasising on healthy and sustainable food. The restaurants chic interior offers two spaces - a quieter downstairs kitchen for those looking to enjoy a romantic meal, as well as a more vibrant dining area for larger groups. 

Address: 42 Crawford St, Marylebone, London W1H 1JW

• Roganic 

Another Michelin-starred establishment, Roganic started life as a pop-up eatery before growing into one of Marylebone’s most popular restaurants. Featuring an eclectic menu from the renowned chef, Simon Rogan, Roganic prides itself on offering only the best produce and its chic yet welcoming interior provides the perfect setting to enjoy an evening meal. 

Address: 5-7 Blandford St, Marylebone, London W1U 3DB

Shopping in Marylebone

London is one of the world’s top shopping destinations - with many travellers coming to the city primarily for that very reason. England’s capital offers everything: historic department stores, modern shopping malls and world-famous markets. Marylebone itself is perfectly situated to access all of these - boasting some of London’s most famous shopping locations as well as plenty of hidden gems. Whether travellers are looking for global brands or unique souvenir trinkets, they will find it and more whilst shopping in Marylebone.

• Oxford Street 

London’s most famous shopping destination, Oxford Street, runs along the south side of Marylebone. With over a mile-and-a-half of shops and services, including some 90 flagship stores, Oxford Street is one of the top locations in the world for a bit of retail therapy. Along the famous street, shoppers will also find high-street brands such as Topshop, Gap, River Island, Primark, X and the UK's iconic department stores, including Selfridges, John Lewis & Partners, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer

• St Christopher's Place

St Christopher’s Place is a lively pedestrianised shopping zone in the heart of Marylebone. The area is particularly noted for its high-end stores, such as Castle Fine Art, Diverso, Georgia Hardinge, Ingle & Rhode, and Kurt Keiger. However, it also boasts plenty of high street favourites, such as The Body Shop and Jigsaw. After visitors are finished shopping, they will also find that St Christopher’s Place boasts a huge amount of bars and restaurants, as well as several cafes. 

• London Paddington

London Paddington station is one of the city’s major transport hubs, but it also features a great selection of shops and services. The retail units are mostly filled with popular brands such as Lush, WH Smith, FatFace, Accessorize and Boots. As such, Paddington is a great place to pick up a few essential supplies en route into Marylebone. 

• Church Street Market

For something a little different, Church Street is a bustling event where visitors can get the authentic London street market experience. The market includes the Marylebone antiques district at one end, with the traditional fruit, veg and fish stalls at the other. In between there’s just about everything the ardent shopper could wish for, such as alternative fashions, household goods, jewellery, luggage, leather goods and plenty of street food. The market runs Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm.