We began our trip by hopping on the tube at the Goodge Street Station. We took the Central Line to the Oxford Circus interchange and then took the Bakerloo Line north directly to Marylebone Station, which is a railway stop as well as a tube stop. Marylebone Station, in the governing authority of Westminster, is named after a nearby church, St. Mary’s, which was built on the shore of a small creek, or “bourne,” hence the name Marylebone. The ride was a relatively quick one, lasting only five or ten minutes.
Upon exiting the tube (in which one follows “Way Out” signs rather than “Exit” signs), we came into Marylebone Station, which looks rather like an indoor shopping mall, though it is open to the air. There were many vendors and kiosks, including a vendor with a beautiful variety of flowers.
We began to explore Marylebone Street, which has some beautiful buildings. Both of us being artists (though not art majors), we tended to observe the surrounding from a micro-vantage point, rather than macro, taking snapshots of small architectural details, interesting lines and color compositions, etc. In a more general sense, there was a nice mix of residential and commercial areas; a number of what appeared to be flats as well as chain- and fast-food restaurants and a lot of shopping.
The area was diverse ethnically as well. We saw people of all races and religions, including several darker-skinned women in full burkas. There were many South-Asian, Middle-Eastern South-American businesses, too.
We hopped on a bus and started to head home, then realized that we had not yet found a monument, so be got off the bus at the next stop and found the Westminster Council House.
The monuments we found were all plaques and engraved stones in the side of the Westminster Council House. The Westminster Council House is responsible for administering birth, death, marriage and citizenship certificates. The building was opened by Prince Albert on 27. March. 1920 and a stone was laid by the Princess 8.July.1914. Another plaque was posted on the building which was in recognition of residents of Westminster who fought in World War II. This plaque was dedicated by Alan Bradley for the 50th anniversary of Victory Over Japan day on 16. August. 1995.
We then got back on a bus, promptly got lost, and then decided to take the tube instead, as that’s what we both felt more comfortable with. And got lost again. About 2 blocks away from the hotel.
Despite getting lost several times, the experience boosted our confidence with navigating the tube system and we were even able to help others (including a confused woman from Utah) find the stops they were looking for. Overall, we had a great time and learned a lot!
