London is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant, diverse and exciting cities in the world and I am beyond grateful that I got to study and live here as an international student. From modern, technology-driven cityscapes to areas full of green and nature the city has it all, and no neighbourhood is like the other. While the choice of one place is certainly difficult, Marylebone, with its beautiful streets and cosy atmosphere, found in the north-west part of London, has my heart and has to be my favourite neighbourhood which I would highly recommend to explore and wander around during a day off.
One of the main reasons Marylebone is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in London is that despite its central location it has an atmosphere of a small, independent town. A variety of local and popular retailers, shops and services run along the Marylebone High Street and its surroundings creating an ideal place for relaxed shopping or a nice walk. The whole neighbourhood is incredibly well-managed, and all the buildings are kept within the same village, period style, which creates a unique atmosphere complemented by the scent of fresh flowers from the botanic stands or baked goods from markets and restaurants.
If you’re looking for a perfect location for a catch-up with a friend or family member over delicious coffee in a beautifully designed café, Marylebone is the perfect neighbourhood for you. There are plenty of both chain coffee brands and independent coffee shops that are worth visiting, and you’ll recognise the good ones by the number of people holding their coffee cups or looking for a place to sit. I’d highly recommend visiting the recently opened Watchhouse café offering high-quality coffee and delicious cakes, or the Grangers and Co Marylebone branch, especially popular for its brunch options. There are also plenty of highly rated restaurants around every corner from oysters and seafood, restaurants specialising in meat to Italian classics, so there is something for everyone. For amazing food and fresh products, I’d also recommend visiting the Marylebone farmers market on Sunday, where vendors offer everything from organic fruits and vegetables to artisan bread or grilled fish. The wonderful scents make it almost impossible to pass the stalls without treating yourself to one of the offered options.
Marylebone is also the location of one of the most popular, and personally my favourite bookstores in London – the Marylebone Daunt Books branch. It is a gorgeous Edwardian, three-level store with oak galleries, skylights and glass windows, all of which make it an exceptionally charming place and a must-visit location for every book lover. While it offers thousands of books of different genres it has been primarily known as a travel bookshop full of travel guides and maps. The books are arranged by country, with each shelf assigned to various guides, historical volumes or famous fiction novels particular to each country or world region. Visitors can also buy beautiful copies of special editions of their favourite classic books, or the popular tote bags with the bookstore print, which you can see a lot of people wearing around London.
The quiet, elegant atmosphere, great coffee and culinary selections as well the charming streets and shops, are the main reasons why you should give Marylebone a try. While it is a rather small neighbourhood in London, it’s the perfect place to go if you want to escape the chaotic city life for a while and enjoy a relaxed day in a cosy environment.
