Bell Street, London NW1

This charming one-bedroom apartment in the Lisson Grove Conservation Area of Marylebone occupies the top floor of a handsome Victorian terrace. Original sash windows and patinated pine floorboards sit alongside a cheerful colour palette in every room, while a roof terrace takes in pretty views over the surrounding rooftops.

Setting the Scene

Lisson Grove, then known as ‘Lilestone’, is described in the Domesday Book. It most likely originated as a Saxon settlement adjacent to the old Roman Watling Street, which later became the modern-day Edgware Road.

By the 18th century, a village had emerged at Lilestone, as evidenced by Rocque’s map of 1745 showing Bell Street as the main street of the village. Today, Bell Street and perpendicular Lisson Grove form the centre of the Lisson Grove Conservation Area, a cityscape characterised by Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian terraces.

The Grand Tour

A panelled door opens from Bell Street to a communal hallway, where stairs rise to the second floor. Here, the private entrance to the apartment opens directly to a kitchen and living room with the original, wide pine floorboards underfoot.

At the front of the plan, the current owners have arranged a living area to sit under an expansive three-over-three sash window that takes in views of the historic street beyond. The kitchen and dining area are to the rear of the plan, with light filtering through clever roof glazing to fall on white-painted brickwork. The kitchen is composed of timber cabinetry with a black worksurface, a four-ring gas hob, and open shelves to display ceramics, crockery, herbs and spices.

Opening from the living space is the bedroom, which has another large sash window as well as a fireplace set with Art Nouveau floral motif tiles. From the bedroom, a steel ladder extends to the roof terrace above.

The bathroom is down a short flight of steps from the kitchen. A soft green colour palette is complemented by white-painted floorboards and mosaic tiles; to one side, a window frames a view of the Victorian cottages behind.

The Great Outdoors

A roof terrace at the top of the building takes in wonderful city views of the surrounding buildings and is an ideal place to enjoy a sunset on a long summer evening. There is plenty of space for pots of flowers or herbs, or for simply relaxing with a morning coffee to begin the day.

Out and About

Bell Street is ideally located for the very best of central London. Marylebone itself has an array of charming independent restaurants, bars and pubs peppered amongst its Georgian architecture. Marylebone High Street is close by and home to a plethora of boutiques, grocers and restaurants, including The Conran Shop, La Fromagerie and Fischer’s Viennese restaurant. The offerings of Chiltern Street are also close at hand, including the Chiltern Firehouse and Marylebone farmers’ market, which takes place each Sunday on Aybrook Street. A short walk to the south-west is Paddington Basin, which offers a wide variety of food and events, and both Hyde Park and Regents Park are a short walk away.

For more inspiration, why not look to The Modern House’s guide to Marylebone?

The apartment has brilliant transport options in all directions. Edgware Road is less than a 10-minute for District, Circle, Bakerloo and Hammersmith and City lines. London Marylebone is nearby for fast trains to the Chilterns. Paddington Station is also a short walk away and operates the newly opened Elizabeth Line for fast services to Heathrow and several underground connections. The Westway provides easy access out of London to Heathrow Airport and the West.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: approx. 155 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £400 per annum
Ground Rent: approx. £100 per annum
Council Tax: Band C