Your guide to all the things to do in St John’s Wood, including the best shops, cafes, restaurants and schools.
Shops
New boutiques and old established shops jostle for position around St John’s Wood High Street.
On Allitsen Road Melissa Riva Flowers sell gorgeous flowers and arrangements as well as vases.
Hanna Lee Jewellery has been in situ for 18 years, while for the last 30, the Cecilia Colman Gallery has specialised in hand-made modern glass and delicate jewellery and has a large loyal following.
On Abbey Road you’ll find the fishmongers Coastline, and Bruno’s deli, which has been serving fresh Italian food every day for 17 years, including homemade ice cream and enormous sandwiches.
>Best for children… the family feel of the neighbourhood is reflected in the high calibre children’s shop. You’ll find Gap Kids, Igloo, Tiddlywinks and Grizzly Kids all selling stylish threads for little ones.
Restaurants, cafes and bars
There is a huge variety of restaurants, coffee shops and takeaways. Harry Morgan’s was established in 1958 and provides New York deli food to eat in or take away. On the same street, Gelato Mio draws in fans who love their traditionally made Italian ice cream.
Richoux, on Circus Road is a popular café chain while Sahara specialises in Lebanese food and the grill restaurant Delisserie on Allitsen Road is always busy. On Boundary Road, Tamada is an eatery serving food from GeorgiaFor a special (very kitsch) night out, there is the more formal French restaurant Oslo Court, favoured by Samantha and David Cameron.
>Best for café culture…an offshoot of the Covent Garden classic, the Ivy Café offers formal brassiere dining in art deco style surrounds.
Cricket and The Beatles
Lord’s is probably the most famous cricket ground in the world and is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and home to Middlesex County Cricket Club. It also houses the MCC Cricket Academy.
St John’s Wood is known throughout the world for its famous recording studio on Abbey Road and the LP of the same name by the Beatles. The cover features the four band members walking across a zebra crossing outside and has become one of the most famous and imitated images in the history of recorded music.
Things to do with children
The library in Circus Road holds lots of children’s events from reading sessions to babies first massage classes. In term time it runs a homework club.
St John’s Wood Adventure Playground is the oldest in London and has been in situ since 1957. It is open year-round for children aged 6-12. Children love the American swing, zip line and indoor play facilities.
Primary and secondary schools
The area has a mixture of independent and state schools. The most famous is the private, oversubscribed American School in London which takes children from the ages of four to 18 and boasts an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
The early years Abercorn School and Robinsfield infant school are rated Good, as are Barrow Hill Junior School and the independent boys’ prep school Arnold House.
St John’s Wood prep and the Roman Catholic school, St Christina’s, are also highly sought after.
Transport
NW8 has its own underground station on the Jubilee Line in zone two, and is just a couple of stops away from Bond Street. There are plenty of buses that go through the area.
In association with Goldschmidt & Howland
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