Nestled just to the north of Marylebone, this unexpected area comprises the southern half of the understated Lisson Grove, named after the main road which runs north to south through its centre. Bizarrely for a residential area so close to Maida Vale, Lisson Grove is actually quite affordable, and the majority of the housing is made up of ex-council buildings with a number of Victorian terraces dotted throughout. Marylebone station sits right in the middle of the area, providing National Rail and Bakerloo Line services. The busy thoroughfare of Marylebone Road, which defines the area’s southern border, has numerous bus routes and also contains all the urban amenities one would expect from such a bustling location. While green space in the immediate area is few and far between given the post-war dense residential setting, Regent’s Park is situated just to the east, containing countless facilities. While Lisson Grove does contain quaint, boutique-lined roads such as Bell Street, the area is generally regarded as a simple, affordable, well-connected, but underrated location right in the centre of London. The area has a notably ungentrified feel despite its proximity to some of the city’s busiest tourist hotspots.

The area surrounding Lisson Grove was a hamlet known as Lisson Green, which sat to the north of Watling Street, one of the main Roman thoroughfares, and remained almost entirely rural until the 18th century. It slowly built up over the century thanks to the arrival of the New Road, and by the early 1800s, the area was incredibly popular with artists. Due to the rapid industrialisation of the area, Lisson Grove became one of London’s worst slums, notorious for prostitution, crime, alcoholism and violence. The housing boom following the First World War greatly benefitted the area, replacing much of the slum housing with purpose built Georgian apartment complexes, which provided affordable homes for many returning servicemen. Over the years, the area has seen a hodgepodge of various housing developments, often poorly considered due to the area’s near forgotten status in comparison to the surrounding areas. This has resulted in the higgledy-piggledy, disconnected feel that we can recognise in the area today.

The world famous fish and chip restaurant, The Sea Shell of Lisson Grove is located at 49-51 Lisson Grove. It opened as a fish bar after the First World War and was named the Sea Shell in 1964, and has been a favourite of celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Twiggy, Jimmy Page, and 7 Michelin starred chef Yoshihiro Murata!

Because of the area’s poorly planned urban development and its location near some of the city’s most affluent areas, there is little sense of community and a feeling that the locals have been forgotten by Westminster City Council. However, this has allowed the area to maintain its cultural diversity despite being amongst some of the most homogenous and gentrified parts of the city. One member of staff at one of the area’s many public houses suggested that the area has a varied feel and brings plenty of interesting people to the local conveniences.

There are plans underway to hugely improve services at Marylebone Underground Station by demolishing the current entrance to add a third escalator and expand the number to ticket gates it has. Nearby at 29 Cosway Street a 49-home residential development is currently being completed. The one, two, and three-bedroom open-plan apartments are centred around landscaped gardens. On Marylebone road itself, construction is currently underway on the Metropolis development. The mixed-use scheme will offer 172,000 sq ft of lettable space, as well as external green roof terraces across every floor. An events auditorium, rooftop bar, on-site coffee shop, cyclist zone as well as new health and wellbeing amenities complete the project.