What’s not to like about Marylebone? It’s a beautiful area with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops galore. It has a reputation as one of the chicest areas of London for a reason.
But beyond all the well-known places of interest in Marylebone, there are some true hidden gems waiting for you. Whether books are your thing, or if it’s whiskey you’re after, read on and discover some of the lesser-known assets of Marylebone.
Daunt Books
In place for thirty years, Daunt Books is a beautiful, elegant and very big book shop.
With a huge skylight running the length of the store, Daunt Books is a great place to pass some time and just absorb the wonderful atmosphere of the well-preserved Edwardian environs. Everything is dark wood and soft lighting, with multiple floors of books, all waiting to be discovered. The proprietor is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about his business, as you’d expect.
The books are organised by country of origin, not genre and this quirky twist is exactly what you would expect. From the stained glass windows to the oak balconies, Daunt Books is paradise for any bookworm. Even better, it’s only a 15-minute walk from Montcalm London City, so you can stock up on books and not worry about having to carry them all day.
Cadenhead’s Whiskey Shop and Tasting Room
If you’ve got a taste for that earthy nectar known as whiskey, then this is heaven. Cadenhead’s is stocked from floor to ceiling with all manner of whiskeys – from classics to those newly arrived on the market, and you might also want to venture down into ‘The Vault’. This is where the rare and discontinued whiskeys are kept, so be prepared to steel yourself against temptation. Or not, and just give in, because when are you going to be around so much good whiskey ever again?
The shop is a delight – very well designed and true to its character, the service and knowledge on hand first-class and you probably won’t find a better range of whiskies in the capital. It’s a 15-minute walk from Montcalm London City, so not far to go if you do decide to indulge in repeated whisky tastings.
La Fromagerie
One of the three La Fromagerie London locations is in Marylebone and it offers, you guessed it, cheese.
But this goes way beyond a bit of cheddar. This place is all about quality cheese that is made to the highest standards. There’s a huge range of cheese on offer, as well as freshly baked goods and a wealth of other specialty goods. What’s more, it’s a short hop from our many 5-star boutique hotels in London, so you can rest easy when you’ve had your fill.
There’s a cheese maturing cellar on-site, as well as a walk-in cheese room and a cheese specialist on hand if you’re having trouble making a choice. It’s very popular and it’s easy to see why, and La Fromagerie offers matched cheese and wine boards, all chosen by the expert staff.
