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London Marble Arch is an underground tube station located at Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. It’s in Travelcard Zone 1, between Lancaster Gate and Bond Street stations on the Central Line.
Its central location means that it’s a well-used station, clocking up 14 million annual entries and exits according to the latest official statistics, and as you might expect, it’s close to the famous Marble Arch landmark designed by John Nash in 1827.
Opened in 1900 by Central London Railway (CLR), it was originally accessed by lifts to the platforms but these were replaced by escalators following major reconstruction in the 1930s. This project involved the closure (and eventual demolition) of the original station that sat on the corner of Oxford Street and Quebec Street, and its replacement with a subterranean ticket hall.
In 1985, the plain white tiles which originally decorated the platforms were replaced by 17 bright enamel murals designed by Annabel Grey. Every mural is made up of 9 vitreous panels, each one is a different representation of the famous Marble Arch monument and they were a labour of love ̶ every panel is hand decorated and etched and required at least 10 separate firings. The same artist was also commissioned to create the wonderful hot ait balloon mosaics on the platforms at Finsbury Park Underground station.
Marble Arch was modernised in 2010 and practically every part of the station was transformed, although the aforementioned murals remained.
There’s actually a siding to the west of the station that allows trains from Woodford, Hainault and Epping to end their journeys here, but it’s hardly ever used, so many regular commuters might not even be aware of it.
Hiring a car at Marble Arch Station is simple with Enjoy, but before you hit the road, here’s some useful information on facilities at the station and nearby attractions:
Marble Arch is on the north east corner of Hyde Park. In the heart of London, a grade I listed park and the largest of the 4 parks surrounding Kensington Palace. The park covers 350 acres with a boating lake, tracks, gardens and woodland. In the summer season the park hosts numerous events and high profile concerts. It was an important venue for rock gigs in the 1960s and 1970s with its first gig in 1968 and hosting 15,000 people. Since then it has seen major legends such as the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and Eric Claption as well as in recent years, various big names such as Phil Collins, Green Day, Justin Bieber, Kings of Lean, The Killers, Bruno Mars, The Cure, Status Quo and 80s legends Bananarama.
The park was created in 1637, is open all year round and managed by The Royal Parks. Kennsington Palace is found at the south east corner and the park is approximately 1 mile across in a diagnal and a 10 to 15 minute walk.
Home to Her Majesty the Queen, Buckingham Palace is 1.5 miles from Marble Arch or a 15 to 20 minute walk. Construction began in 1703 and the Palace opened in 1705, it went way over budget. Queen Victoria was the first British Royal to live there. With over 700 rooms and a world leading hub of masterpieces and art. The Queen does have other residences including Windsor Castle and Sandringham House however Buckingham Palace is widely recognised as the Royal administrative headquarters.
Marble Arch marks the start of 1.3 miles of shopping heaven, for those who love to shop it is the westerly point of Oxford Road running along the A40 via Bond Street, Oxford Circus ending at Totenham Court Road. There are hundreds of shops, cafes, eateries and fasion outlets along this stretch and surrounding and adjoining roads. Shops include John Lewis, Zara, Accessorize, Primark, The Body Shop, H&M, Ted Baker, Debenhams, Disney Store, Selfridges, Wallis and Urban Outfitters, to name a few.
Take a walk through Mayfair and into the area of Saint James, an exclusive and historic area near Buckingham Palace. A popular haunt for centuries for artists, writers and royals, St. James Palace is just 5 minutes from Buckingham Palace and was built in 1531 by order of King Henry the 8th. For over two centuries St James Palace was the main London residence of the monarchy until Buckingham Palace was built in 1703.
If you're comfortable with a 15 - 20 minute walk you could head across to Covent Garden, if you get your bearings right you'll pass by Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Sqaure on the way. If you're not up for the walk, you can take the tube.
Covent Garden is a popular, boutique style shopping area with numerous independent small shops, and the famous Covent Garden Market at the centre. Surrounded also by cafes, bars, restaurants of all types and nationalities, this bustling area of London is admired by all.
There are 2 popular car hire operators within a 3 minute walk of Marble Arch tube station - Easirent and Europcar. Both of these can be booked by searching on EnjoyTravel.com and offer competitive pricing.
Easirent Marble Arch is currently offering the UK's first and only contactless collection system, which is designed to be Covid friendly. Next-generation car rental, offered by Enjoy and Easirent is 100% contactless and a great way of exploring the capital city and beyond without ever having to set foot in a branch office, with no more lengthy queues.
A video showing the benefits and full details about contactless car hire in Marble Arch can be found here - Contactless car hire
Further afield (up to 10 minutes walk) you can find Sixt Car Hire - 22 Park Ln, Mayfair, Budget Car Hire - Marriot Hotel, 134 George St, Enterprise - Q park, Car Park, Park Ln.
Station facilities are limited, but you’ll find most of the essentials here - there’s the aforementioned ticket hall, ATM machines, cash machines and Wi-Fi throughout.
Opening hours: 5am and midnight daily, 7 days a week.
Address: Oxford St, London W1C 1LY
Convenience shops: The station itself is limited, however being in the north west corner of Hyde there are plenty of shops within 1-2 minutes walk including Pret, Bliss Pharmacy, Topshop, Starbucks, Primark, McDonalds, Hard Rock Cafe, Superdrug and Sainsburys Local.
Location: Marble Arch tube station is on the Central Line (red) only, 1 stop to the west of Bond Street.
Name | Review | Rating |
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Trusted Customer | So easy to use | |
Trusted Customer | The service is really poor and weak. No clear information on how to purchase the booking. No signage in the parking. The company was not able to locate the car. | |
Trusted Customer | Terrible service, save yourself the hassle and don't use | |
Trusted Customer | They accepted the booking and on the day of the booking (my wedding) they told me that they will need to complete another form for my insurance as I had points. It took too long and then asked for a cancellation, which they did - however they did process a refund and the agency I booked through is refusing to refund. Even though I booked well in advance and on the day of the booking I was unable to pick up the car… |