Marylebone High Street
If you want to experience London that feels somewhat local, not hectic, even quiet at times, you have to visit Marylebone.
There are a lot of nice shops around the area such as the men’s style and barber shops and a Monocle café on Chiltern Street close to the Monocle headquarters, or Margaret Howell’s amazing store on 34 Wigmore Street.
The idea of a good old shopping street is most alive on Marylebone High Street. It feels like its own village where you can spend a long time visiting small stores, browsing books, eating lunch, having coffee or tea, and going back to the stores again.
You will find a small Monocle shop at the corner of George Street and Marylebone High Street. North of George Street all the way to up to St. Marylebone Parish Church is the nicest part shopping wise.
A couple of my favorites:
Monocle Shop
Things you can expect from the superb lifestyle media house: books, magazines, scents, small accessories. My favorite publication by Monocle is The Escapist, “the journal of places less explored”, also found here.
2 George Street
London W1U 3QS
Matches Fashion
Always worth a visit, even if you are just browsing and dream shopping. Pieces by Lemaire, Stella McCartney and the Row usually catch my eye, along with the fun sneakers and leather boots by Golden Goose Deluxe Brand, that I got to know through my stylish friends but fell totally in love with only when I started to wear their shoes… so comfortable.
87 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 4QU
Skandium
You could think a Nordic design store would not be that special for someone coming from the Nordic but I still enjoy visiting. Skandium carries a nice mix of Scandinavian design ranging from affordable home accessories to furniture investments that require a little more thought and budget. I fell in love with the Clam chair by Danish architect and designer Philip Arctander. Even though the chair is so very trendy now, I think it feels truly special and timeless with the light brown sheepskin upholstery.
86 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 4QS
Daunt Books
Founded in 1990, the bookstore feels like it has been inhabiting the beautiful Edwardian premises much longer. The books are arranged by country – not just travel books and guides but novels and biographies too – in order to create a wonderful browsing both for the traveler and the general reader. You must visit to understand how lovely the store is, but to enjoy bits of it, take a look at the Books by Country feature online, where you find lists of books recommended for you before you travel to your destination.
84 Marylebone High St
London W1U 4QW
Aesop
Principally unisex cosmetic products by the Australian brand established in 1987. The excellent quality of the brand is most apparent in Aesop flagship stores, where all details – the interior, the acoustics, the mood, the scents in the air, the service – are simply a pleasure to experience.
69 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5JJ
Diptyque
The French perfume house dates back to the 1960’s. While they are coming up with new products – mainly limited editions – the classics tend to be the ones I go for, like the candles Baies and Fois de Bois, or the perfume L'Ombre dans l'Eau. You do not have to re-invent them because they are such well-designed products.
68 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5JH
Eclectic
The small gallery shop showcases works of Japanese artists and ceramicists. Spread over two floors of a narrow space, you find a beautiful and inspiring selection of tableware items along with home accessories and art pieces such as wall clocks and wall hangings.
66 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5JF
The Conran Shop
Whatever you are buying, you will find something more to add to your purchase. Spread over three floors with the most upper one extending to an outdoor terrace with garden stuff, the shop carries a good selection of useful homeware items and gifts, such as books, stationery, toys, candles, perfumes and accessories.
55 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5HS