Things to do in and around St John's Wood
The cricket, the crossing, the park and the canal are all within walking distance of the High Street. Here's what to see nearby, and where to eat before or after.
St John’s Wood High Street
Start on the street itself. Look up from the shop windows and you’ll see the brickwork and details above the shop fronts that give the street its character. Grab a coffee at WatchHouse, walk the length of the High Street and read the story of how it was built in our history and architecture article.
Abbey Road
The zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios at 3 Abbey Road is where The Beatles were photographed in 1969 for their album cover. The crossing is listed, and fans still queue to recreate the photo. It’s a working road, so go early for fewer people. The studios aren’t open to the public, but the Abbey Road Shop next door is.
Lord’s Cricket Ground
Lord’s, on St John’s Wood Road, is the home of Marylebone Cricket Club and a few minutes’ walk from the High Street. Outside match days, Lord’s runs tours including the Pavilion and the MCC Museum. On big match days the station gets very busy, so Baker Street or Warwick Avenue can be easier.
Regent’s Park
Just south of the High Street, one of London’s Royal Parks, with Queen Mary’s Gardens and its rose garden, a boating lake and plenty of space for a walk. London Zoo is on the park’s northern edge, and the Open Air Theatre puts on shows in summer.
Oslo Court
A French restaurant on the ground floor of a 1930s block on Prince Albert Road. Very little has changed since 1982: pink tablecloths, waiters who sing Happy Birthday and a dessert trolley that is part of the evening. Lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday.
St John’s Wood Church Grounds
Between the High Street and Wellington Road, opposite Lord’s, the old burial ground is now a public garden and the only nature reserve in the City of Westminster – old trees, wildflower areas and benches for a quiet ten minutes.
Little Venice
Where the Regent’s Canal meets the Grand Union Canal, a short walk south west. Narrowboats line the water, there are cafés on the towpath and, in season, waterbuses run to Camden Lock past London Zoo.