Discover 13 of the Best Bookshops in London

Last updated: 28 August 2023

I’ve had a Kindle for a few years now which is still sitting wrapped in plastic, gathering dust, on my bookshelf. As much as I’m grateful for the abundance of technology which surrounds us all on a daily basis, I still struggle to make the transition into the digital age of books. I crave the tactile page turning, the smell, and the ability to stalk the shelves and architectural chic of some of the best bookshops in London. 

If this is something that you can relate to as well then this is the post for you as we’ll some of the best bookshops in London and which ones are my personal favourites. Will your favourite bookshop be on the list? If not, then please let me know because I’m always on the look out for a new bookstore to visit and would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. 

Stanfords

Stanfords is THE travel bookshop.

It’s home to the world’s largest collection of maps, travel books and globes, attracts big name customers such as Ranulph Fiennes, Bill Bryson, Michael Palin and more. It has supplied cartography to the British Army and James Bond films, and is even mentioned in a Sherlock Holmes novel with Dr Watson, sent “to Stanfords” to procure a map of Dartmoor.

I can attest to its claims to be “an essential first port of call for adventure and armchair travellers alike” as Stanfords is one of my personal favourite bookshops in London and gives me the warm and fuzzies every single time I enter.

Stanfords iconic flagship store once stood at 12-14 Long Acre in London’s Covent Garden, once considered to be a mainstay in the busy ever-changing landscape of Covent Garden. It stood at the same address for more than 100 years and even survived a WWII bomb in 1941. As with all things in life, everything changes, and Stanfords was not immune to this and made the move to nearby Mercer Walk in 2019. 

We’ve visited Stanfords to pick up travel books which provides lots of inspiration for own adventure, such as taking a road trip through Belize,  exploring Montenegro, and of course exploring our adopted city of London. 

Be sure to give yourself browsing time, there’s enough stock to peruse for years.  There’s no justification needed for why I continually return to this magical place, if it’s not on your London list it should be.

WC2H 9FA | Tube: Tottenham Court Road | Website

Daunt Books

There are several branches across London, but the beautiful Edwardian store in Marylebone is the one to visit.

The elegant three-level back room is brightly lit by the conservatory ceiling, striking the teal-green walls, and oak balconies lined with books. Daunt Books is about as Instagrammable as a bookshop can get.

The collection is unconventionally organised by country, rather of genre or author, making it possible to read Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast alongside a travel guide to Paris, the history of the Seine and maps all on one shelf.

Be sure to take notice of the tote bags, traditional bottle green is the watermark of chic. Once you spot one, you can’t unsee it. Spotted over the shoulder of at least two people on my daily commute into central London. Looking for a London gift with a twist? Opt for the special edition gold print bag for additional flair.

W11 4UA | Tube: Holland Park | Website

The London Review Bookshop

Spread across two floors in Bloomsbury, The London Review Bookshop is home to almost 30,000 volumes of carefully selected literary fiction, political, historical and philosophical books donning the pristine wooden shelves.

The London Review Bookshop is known for its weekly or biweekly bookish talks, debates and readings which have been known to attract prominent academic and literary names throughout the year.

To add a cherry on top, The London Review Cake Shop is the modern answer to London’s long-lost literary coffee-houses with an ever changing menu from inhouse baker extraordinaire Terry Glover. Be sure to cut through the history section to get a slice of the action!

WC1A 2JL | Tube: Holborn | Website

Hatchards

Selling fiction since 1797, Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in the UK. Awarded numerous royal warrants, the name carries longevity, tradition and prestige.

While a new branch has opened in St Pancras, the original is the place to go for old-world charm. Keep an eye on their events page for upcoming signings; recent events include fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg, Boris Johnson and Ben Aaronovitch.

W1J 9LE | Tube: Piccadilly Circus | Website

Foyles

One of my go-to destinations on a rainy day is Foyles on Charing Cross Road.  

As one of the capital’s most well-known literary landmarks and a bibliophile’s paradise, Foyles is home to 50 departments across 5 floors.

I pop in for a browse and easily lose hours while perusing the millions of books on the shelves at this flagship bookstore. How many shelves? Four miles (6.5km) to be precise! That’s the equivalent of lining one bank of the Thames with books from Battersea Power Station to the Tower of London.

No matter if you’re after manga, comprehensive range of classical titles on CD, or the latest novel by JK Rowling, Foyles has something for everyone.

It’s possible that during a visit to Foyles that you may be in need for a break so why not head up to the fifth floor and relax at The Cafe. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and recharge those batteries, or depending on the time, why not relax with a beer or glass of wine? Once you’ve rested then you’ll be ready to conquer the next chapter (pun intended…) in Foyles bookshop.

WC2H 0DT | Tube: Tottenham Court Road | Website

Collinge & Clark

If the dark frontage of this Bloomsbury based bookshop looks familiar then that’s because it was the exterior setting of Black Books, a British sitcom about a bookstore run by the socially inept, chain-smoking owner Bernard Black.

In the real world, Collinge & Clark is home to a stock of rare and second-hand books and are one of London’s leading shops for Private Presses, Typography, Graphic Design.

Browse at your leisure but don’t expect to find The Little Book of Calm, and certainly don’t make a joke about it with the owner.

WC1H 9EW | Tube: Russell Square | Website

Lutyens & Rubenstein

Split over two floors, exterior elegant striped awnings over large windows flood the shop with light. Serene is a word I’d use to describe this haven.

The core stock is not categorised, sourced by canvassing hundreds of readers. Grab a cuppa at the onsite cafe and check out the programme of events. There’s also some precious finds to be had in the children’s section.

Like Daunt, L&R have many wares that go beyond the printed page. The most popular seem to be the canvas tote bags featuring the iconic typewriter motif.

W11 2EU | Tube: Ladbroke Grove | Website

Persephone Books – Closed in London

Unfortunately, this lovely bookshop is no longer in London and has relocated to Bath, UK. I have left Persephone Books included in this post because it was a wonderful bookshop to visit and I hope that if you’re planning a visit to Bath that you do stop in and have a browse.

The small shop that used to be on Lamb’s Conduit Street was really one of a kind, reprinting lost or neglected fiction and nonfiction by predominantly female writers of the mid-twentieth century.

Elegant reprints were bound in silvery-grey paper featuring patterned endpapers, each design taken from fabric dating from the period when the book was written. You could always expect to spend a few hours visiting whilst picking the brains of the knowledgeable and friendly staff when browsing the collections.

BA1 2EE| Now in Bath UK | Website

Word on the Water

I spotted this floating paradise on Regent’s Canal through a restaurant window in King’s Cross. Word on the Water is a 1920s Dutch barge transformed into a floating bookshop. Once upon a time it would travel along Regent’s Canal, but it’s now taken up permanent residence by Granary Square.

In addition to the books, there are on board talks, poetry readings, and musical performance. Or just hire the hammock and read in the sunshine.

N1C 4LW | Tube: King’s Cross | Website

Travelling Through – Closed in London

Unfortunately, Travelling Through is now closed in London.

Enabling and inspiring cultural discovery was the rallying cry of Travelling Through. Similar to Daunt, book of fiction, non-fiction, travel writing, memoir or biography are all categorised by continent, country and place rather than by genre.

The rustic courtyard filled with reclaimed timber furniture, pallets re-purposed as high tables give the space a charm all of its own.  

SE1 7AE | Tube: Waterloo or Lambeth North

Halcyon Books

This iconic family run bookshop in South East London specialises in second hand books.

While the vibrant and varied collection numbering 40,000 books appears well-ordered, there seem to be pyramids of precariously stacked books at the foot of each section, awaiting their turn on the prized shelving.

What once started life as a stall in Greenwich market, before calling a shop in Greenwich home for over two decades, Halcyon closed its doors in Greenwich relocated to Lee in South East London in late 2018 with an onsite cafe, more light and more seating.  

Great for locals and worth a visit if you’re nearby.

SE13 5PL | National Rail: Hither Green or Blackheath | Website

The Notting Hill Bookshop

Remember the bookshop from the Julia Roberts movie Notting Hill? Well, it wasn’t just a set. The famous blue door from that bookshop really does exist.

just a girl, standing in front of a boy,

asking him to love her

I have to be honest, it’s more kitsch than class so it’s not exactly my favourite bookshop in London as the snug interior and street-facing facade are flanked by tourists and fans of the movie to recreate scenes from the movie. If you can cope with the enthusiastic crowds, it’s certainly plausible to find classics and travel guides alongside souvenirs.

W11 2EE | Tube: Ladbroke Grove | Website

Southbank Centre Book Market

Situated on Queen’s Walk, tucked under Waterloo Bridge is one of the only outdoor second-hand and antique book markets in southern England.

Comprised of long tables packed with thousands of second-hand books, from classics to contemporary titles, maps and prints. This is a good choice for those with time and seeking nothing in particular.

Open seven days a week, rain, hail or shine, it can be bitterly cold in winter as the wind whips through the space. Stall holders can be overly watchful and surprisingly unobliging if you’re looking for something specific.

SE1 9PX | Tube: Waterloo | Website

Final Thoughts

We personally don’t think there’s anything better than visiting various bookshops in London and finding something new (or old) to add to your collection.

If you’re like us then there’s a good chance that you will hours wandering up and down the aisles trying to find something to bring home, and we hope that this article has helped add a few new bookshops to your list. 

Looking for other things to do in London? Try the below bestsellers