Where to Stay in Marylebone
Staying in Marylebone is a worthy treat no matter the reason for that stay in the capital, but finding the right accommodation in the area can sometimes be tricky. Fortunately, there is a huge range of serviced apartments to make that choice somewhat simpler. Accommodation around Park Square will benefit from green views and close proximity to Madame Tussauds. The area around Lisson Grove is great for students, with its easy access to both the City of Westminster College and London Business School. Finally, serviced apartments located towards Marylebone south offer guests all the attractions of Bond Street and Oxford Circus right outside their door, including the Wigmore Hall concert venue, Selfridges department store, and Marble Arch.
TheSqua.re also offers quality serviced apartments further afield in London, such as Covent Garden, close to Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Holborn, Paddington and London Bridge, where the corporate rentals help provide guests with a quieter slice of urban life. Greenwich possesses a small-town feel in the middle of London, and Shoreditch is a great location for those looking for nights spent on the town. Wherever guests choose to stay, there is a huge range of short term and extended let furnished apartments available to suit all schedules.
Facts About Marylebone
Marylebone derives its name from a local church dedicated to St. Mary, represented on the site since 1817 by St. Marylebone Parish Church. The original church was built on the bank of a small stream, or ‘bourne’, which ran along what is now Marylebone Lane, and the area became known as St. Mary at the Bourne, afterward corrupted to Marybourne, Marybone, and Mary-la-Bonne, before arriving at its current name.
Most of the land to the west of the area was owned and constructed on by the wealthy Portman family in the 16th century, who first helped build up the neighborhood and entice residents to settle. Indeed, the area known as the Portman Estate is still owned and managed by members of that original family to this day. A hotspot of wealthy development, Marylebone thrived over the centuries, and was particularly known in the 18th century for the raffish entertainments in Marylebone Gardens, including bear-baiting and prize fights, and for the duelling grounds in Marylebone Fields, which continued until some time in the early 19th century when The Crown purchased the northern part of the estate.
Marylebone was the scene of the Balcombe Street Siege in 1975 when members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army held two people hostage for almost a week. Such practices have fortunately ceased, and Marylebone is now considered one of the safest neighborhoods in London in which to rent serviced accommodation.
Things to Do in Marylebone
As soon as the luggage is dropped, guests will discover plenty of things to see and plenty of things to do in Marylebone. From day’s out with the World’s Greatest Detective in the Sherlock Holmes Museum to meetings with the Royal Family and Johnny Depp (the wax renditions that is) at Madam Tussauds, there is enough to entertain the whole family. Shopping opportunities abound thanks to the close proximity of Oxford Street and Soho, and nature lovers can also enjoy walks in Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, or a family day out to ZSL London Zoo.
For more attractions in Marylebone, check out TheSqua.re’s a handy guide to the local area, as well as a full range of serviced apartments on offer.
Tips for Visiting Marylebone
Before arriving in Marylebone, it’s always useful to know the ins and outs of the area: from getting around to where to eat, places to shop and more.
Places to Eat in Marylebone
As in all other wealthy areas of London, residents of Marylebone can find many diverse and delicious restaurants to cater to their impeccable tastes. Whatever cuisine is on the menu for the night, there will be a local eatery serving it up. Among the many places to eat in Marylebone, notable highlights include The Natural Kitchen, for sumptuous fresh and organic cuisine, and Phoenix Palace, for the best of Chinese culinary servings. Pachamama is the place to go for exquisite Peruvian cooking, or if Turkish meze speaks to that inner cosmopolitan side, Ishtar is the restaurant to visit.
Dining out is not the only option for Marylebone guests, however. Every serviced apartment from TheSqua.re comes complete with a fully equipped kitchen, so quiet nights of home cooking are always an option. Groceries can be picked up in many places in Marylebone and whipped up into something delectable in no time at all. And if it’s a sunny day in London, we recommend picnics in the park, followed by a pleasant drink at one of the many local pubs.
Places to Visit in Marylebone
Due to Marylebone’s location in the center of London, many local businesses, both big and small, are easily accessible from any serviced apartment in the area. Business travelers will be close to some of the biggest brands and have good connections to the financial hubs of London, whereas tourists and sightseers can benefit from a number of popular attractions, including but not limited to:
- Hyde Park and Regent’s Park
- Sherlock Holmes Museum
- ZSL London Zoo
- Madame Tussaud’s
- The London Palladium
- Buckingham Palace
- Covent Garden
- Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery
- Soho and Fitzrovia Theatre Districts
- King’s Cross Station and the Harry Potter Store
- Westminster and the Houses of Parliament
From history to culture, fun to festivities, everything is here and nothing is off the table. Discover the best of London from any one of these luxury serviced apartments, whether it’s a first visit to the capital or a long-awaited return.
Culture and Shopping in Marylebone
What weekend in London would be complete without the occasional shopping spree? Equally famous for its department stores and designer boutiques as for its sightseeing and historic hotspots, the city provides everything a new or temporary resident could possibly need. It’s just a short walk to some of the busiest shopping streets in London; Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street are five minutes away by bus, and department stores like Selfridges feature food, clothes, and gift ideas for the whole family. And for a store to truly release that inner child, the world-famous Hamleys in Oxford Circus boasts 35,000 toys and games over seven floors, the best way of rounding off a day out with the family! Thanks to the sheer range of accommodating shopping opportunities available in Marylebone, residents can spend all day browsing deals, and still want to return for more!
Getting Around in Marylebone
Traveling between Marylebone and the wider city is a simple matter, with various transport options available for visitors to the neighborhood. The area is served by six London Underground stations: Baker Street, Edgware Road, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Great Portland Street, and Regent’s Park, as well as one overground train station, London Marylebone, for journeys on the Chiltern Main Line to Birmingham. Traveling around London is easiest by making use of Oyster cards, top-up payment cards, which allow for hop-on hop-off travel on the city’s subway and bus systems.
While there are plenty of things to see and do in Marylebone that can be reached on foot, the city’s iconic red buses run regular services in the area and can help residents bridge the districts in true London style. Black cabs are another great way of getting around, and many taxi drivers are able to answer passengers’ questions about the area due to their excellent local knowledge. For visitors determined to bring their own car, many serviced apartments in the area offer complimentary parking facilities, however, it is worth noting that traffic levels can vary depending on the time of day.
Weather in Marylebone
As London Bridge is located right on the River Thames, visitors to the area may experience a little more wind and moisture in the air. Generally, however, the weather here is comparable to the rest of the UK. Sometimes difficult to predict, London weather ranges from cold winters (with temperatures falling below freezing) to blazing summers: average highs of 24 degrees, or the occasional heatwave of 35 degrees, as in 2019. It’s also worth checking local weather reports before visiting the city, but wet-weather clothing is advised at any time of year. The month of September is often a good time to visit for those who prefer more temperate climates, as the days are still noticeably warm in the run-off from August while benefiting from cooler evenings for a more comfortable stay in general.
