London

L'Artisan Parfumeur
A lovely limited edition fragrance including a heady mix of ingredients extracted from the orange tree (from twigs to leaves) from the classic French perfume house.
36 Marylebone High St, W1 (020 7486 3435) Open Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 12noon-5pm.

Brissi,
An elegant lifestyle store with a bounty of feminine home accessories – mainly in white.
22 Marylebone High St, W1 (020 7935 6733) Open Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

Daunt Books
One of London’s most inspirational independent book shops with a stock of great gift books.
83-84 Marylebone High St, W1 (020 7224 2295/www.dauntbooks.co.uk) Open Mon-Sat 9am-7.30pm, Sun 11am-6pm.

Feature continues

Kay Bojesen Rosendahl Wooden monkey, £89, Skandium

Skandium
Sleek Scandinavian style for the home, featuring many design classics.
86 Marylebone High St, W1 (020 7935 2077) Open Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Thur 10am-7pm, Sun 12noon-5pm.

Soap set, £28.50, Fresh

Fresh
US beauty brand specialising in natural-based, scrumptious-smelling products.94 Marylebone High St, W1 (020 7486 4100) Open Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat 10am-7pm, Thur 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

Noir chunky rings, from £56, Kabiri

Kabiri
Avant-garde jewellery shop showcasing new design talent at affordable prices.
37 Marylebone High St, W1 (020 7224 1808/www.kabiri.co.uk) Open Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 12noon-5pm.

Getting there
With Bond Street tube at the southern end and Baker Street tube at the northern end, Marylebone High Street is also an easy walk, and welcome relief, from the hubbub of Oxford Street.

Refuel
If you’re in need of cheap but effective sustenance, head to charming café Paul Rothe & Son (35 Marylebone Lane/020 7935 6783) which, though it looks as though it’s stuck in a 1950s timewarp, does cheap but tasty soup and sandwiches. The Tapa Room (beneath popular posh nosh place Providores at 109 Marylebone High St/020 7935 6175) is fab for a quick sit-down lunch and serves the best coffee on the street.