Marylebone

Photo of a Ferrari parked at the front of a Palladian building. Photo of a Ferrari parked at the front of a Palladian building.
Photo by me. They're doing alright on Harley Street.

Marylebone is one of the few areas of London that approaches the density of European capitals like Paris, replete with Mansion Blocks .

Marylebone’s most famous road is of course Baker Street, fictional home of Sherlock Holmes. Inevitably he’s got a slightly dodgy sounding “museum”, memorably described on Reddit .

I know I usually like to tell you how to pronounce place names but Marylebone is such a linguistic disaster zone that you’re on your own.

Things to do

Photo of a large, curtained window in the boudoir of the house. Photo of a large, curtained window in the boudoir of the house.
Photo by me. Such understated minimalism.

Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is definitely tied with Spencer House as one of the most opulent places I’ve visited so far.

You can see a huge array of paintings and furniture, across many grand state rooms.

There’s also a café & restaurant in a covered courtyard which looked pretty fancy.

Free - Some paid exhibitions

www.wallacecollection.org
Photo of a pulmoflator. I only know this because there's a lit-up sign telling me.
Photo by me.

Anaesthesia Heritage Centre

This tiny museum consists of two alcoves, alike in dignity. One filled with display cabinets, the other a diorama. Whoever decided to name it a centre was certainly an optimist.

Worth visiting? I actually think yes! - If you’re nearby. They pack a lot into the space they have and there’s much interesting history to read.

Free

anaesthetists.org
Photo of some pianos in the Royal Academy of Music Museum.
Photo by me.

Royal Academy of Music Museum

Not to be confused with the absurdly similarly named Royal College of Music museum!

There are two floors to see, one dedicated to keyed instruments, the other to strings.

It’s mostly static exhibits but there were Ukeleles to play… in audible range of some of the world’s finest musicians. I did not dare try. 😬

Free

www.ram.ac.uk
Photo of some art deco columns and glass balcony fencing.
Photo by me, nice art deco fittings at least.

Royal Institute of British Architects

You’d think that the Royal Institute of Britsh Architects would build a good HQ but no, their 1930s art deco home is weirdly racist.

I went to see the exhibition about how they’re confronting this. It isn’t huge but there was a detailed & interesting video to watch.

Free

www.architecture.com

Speciality coffee

Photo of a flat white with fern-like latte art. Photo of a flat white with fern-like latte art.
Photo by me, truly this was excellent.

WatchHouse

WatchHouse is a chain so I wasn’t super excited to visit but I was amazed by the great coffee.

Maybe I was just lucky but it seemed my flat white was made with ristretto, it had a punch.

They serve brunch, the avocado toast was good!

watchhouse.com

Parks & Gardens

A fountain in Reagent's Park, with a pigeon in it. A fountain in Reagent's Park, with a pigeon in it.
Photo by me, crikey it was warm.

Regent's Park

Regents Park is large and ornamental, with lots of carefully manicured gardens, you won’t find much wild woodland here.

There are extensive rose gardens to be seen during the Spring, they were just about clinging on to life when I was there in June.

The Park contains London Zoo, and is surrounded by magnificent Georgian terraces

www.royalparks.org.uk