Tucked between Soho and Marylebone, just steps from Oxford Circus, Fitzrovia offers a surprisingly tranquil escape from the bustle of central London. Despite student housing and media companies, pretty Georgian townhouses alongside independent cafes and design studios give the area a village-like feel.
Fitzrovia has long had a bohemian streak, housing artists and immigrants since the 18th century. Later, George Orwell and Virginia Woolf frequented Fitzroy Square, making it a literary hub. After the Second World War, affordable rents attracted students and creatives, and it evolved into today’s creative centre with advertising agencies, film studios and publishing houses.
Now one of London’s best-kept secrets, Fitzrovia feels less frantic than Soho and less polished than Marylebone. It boasts a surprising concentration of galleries and quiet cultural corners, such as the ornate Fitzrovia Chapel and the Cartoon Museum. Fitzroy Square Gardens offer a green respite.
Food lovers are spoilt for choice. Akoko on Berners Street holds a Michelin star for its West African tasting menu. ROVI, from the Ottolenghi group, focuses on bold vegetable dishes cooked over an open grill. Cometa serves contemporary Mexican cuisine, while 64 Goodge Street offers classic French bistro fare. Nearby Clipstone celebrates its tenth anniversary with a monthly changing three-course menu at £20.16.
Fitzrovia’s location makes it an ideal base for exploring London, with Soho’s theatres, the British Museum and Piccadilly Circus all within easy walking distance. For a weekend stay, chic hotels like The Newman are recommended.
