Slice of the City
THE GOOD SHOPPER
Village Life
1. Daunt Books
Exceptionally well-stocked and beautifully laid out, this local Edwardian landmark is as much library as it is bookstore. With its long oak galleries and elegant skylights, it’s the sort of place you could while away an afternoon, browsing, reading, discovering. Be it fiction or non-fiction, contemporary or classic, there’s plenty here to rekindle and nourish a love of the written word. The store’s regular events and author talks are an added draw to this literary haven, the flagship of what has become a cult classic among London’s intelligentsia.
Daunt Books, 83 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4QW
2. The Conran Shop
Sir Terence Conran’s witty approach to design made interiors aspirational for a whole generation. He was also one of the first to spot the potential of Marylebone High Street; the addition of The Conran Shop in what was originally a stables at the northern end of the road kickstarted its regeneration into the thriving, upscale shopping district we see today. The colourful store frontage hints at the treasures within – three floors of interiors inspiration spanning contemporary furnishings, classic designs, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, fashion accessories, innovative gifts and much more. Above the shop is Conran’s acclaimed Orrery restaurant.
The Conran Shop, 55 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5HS
3. Diptyque
The first Diptyque store opened in Paris in 1961, since when the brand has cornered a unique space in the world of personal and home fragrance with a supremely upscale collection of candles, perfumes and bath and body kit. All its products harness the power nature through the use of rare raw materials in fragrances and a blend of first-class waxes in candles. Its Marylebone boutique is typically stylish, and allows customers to compose their own olfactory creation by blending from Diptyque’s existing range.
Diptyque, 68 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5JH
