London Hotels: Marylebone

Marylebone is an area located to the south-east of Regent's Park and bounded by Oxford Street, Great Portland Street and Edgware Road. The district is easily accessed via numerous underground stations; Baker Street, Bond Street, Edgware Road, Great Portland Street, Marble Arch, Oxford Street or Regent's Park

Marylebone was once made up of two ancient manors, Lileston and Tyburn. Tyburn (named after a stream, "tybourne", running into the Thames) was home to the notorious Tyburn gallows by Marble Arch where the public hangings attracted unsavoury types and violence. This violence brought down the local parish church which was then rebuilt and named St Mary by the Bourne, whence naming the entire district, Marylebone. It has been a wealthy residential district for quite some time now and continues to grow into a well respected neighbourhood of elegant buildings, interesting boutiques, restaurants and popular tourist attractions.

During the 16th century the northern part of Marylebone was a royal hunting ground, now known as Regent's Park. Regent's Park is one of London's beautiful public spaces and is home to the London Zoo.

Just south of the Zoo on Marylebone Road is the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, one of London's most popular tourist attractions. From the moment you enter you are treated to fake paparazzi lights and ever changing exhibits of famous dancers, singers, movie stars, royalty, sports stars and politicians. A "must" is to have your photo taken with the life-like wax statues of the rich and fabulous - that you CAN touch. Next door is the London Planetarium where you can live your childhood fantasies of going to space. Well, you don't actually make it that far but the solar system and star show is eye-boggling. The Wallace Collection gallery, and all of its stunning contents owned by Sir Richard Wallace, is located in Hertford House on Manchester Square. And on nearby Wigmore Street you will find Wigmore Hall, a world famous venue for chamber music and recitals.

To add a little mystery to your adventure in Marylebone, head to Baker Street where Britain's (fictional) super sleuth Sherlock Holmes lived. His "maids" are on hand at the Sherlock Holmes Museum to show you around and answer any questions you may have about Holmes various disguises and mystery solving - and a statue of Holmes sits outside Baker Street tube station. Marylebone High Street and its surrounding lanes, places and squares are full of offbeat independent shops, chain stores and delicious cafes and restaurants. Moxon Street has a great collection of gourmet food shops and Marylebone Road houses Edwardian Daunt Books and a fab little boutique called Sixty 6.

If you are already on Oxford Street, you can make your way to Marylebone High Street by walking down the pedestrian only St Christopher's Place; a cafe-lined laneway that opens up to a fountain courtyard. Eat-Thai restaurant is in the heart of St Christopher's Place and the non-msg cooking is delicious.

Some of the elegant streets and squares, developed by the Portland family, have been home to notable members of the community over the years including Ringo Starr, John Lennon (with wife Yoko Ono), poet Robert Browning and Dickens lived in the now demolished 1 Devonshire Terrace.

With its relatively quiet village atmosphere, Marylebone is just a really nice place to go for a walk.

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