London Bookstore Guide
If you are a reader visiting London, this list is for you! From new titles to second hand books, from esoteric stores to book cafes- this list will fulfill all your book shopping needs!
Hi! I’m Hayley, your bookish travel gal. Last March I spent four days visiting as many bookstores as I could while enjoying some gorgeous weather. I visited 26 bookstores, which seemed like a lot… until I compiled this list of over 50 indie bookstores in the greater London area.
I hope this list is something you can use on your future bookish travels (and I will update it as I learn about new bookstores!)
Happy book hunting!
Enjoying afternoon tea at The Lanesborough- Bridgerton themed!
A Complete(ish) Guide to London Bookstores
Over 50 bookstores I have saved in London!
Bookstore Cafes and Bars
Clerkenwells, Coffee & Book Shop | 68A Compton St, London EC1V 0BN, United Kingdom
BookBar Islington | 166 Blackstock Rd, London N5 1HA, United Kingdom
BookBar Chelsea | 11 Chelsea Manor St, London SW3 3TW, United Kingdom
The Book Elephant | 16 Sayer St, London SE17 1FH, United Kingdom
The Common Press Bookshop | 118 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E2 6DG, United Kingdom
A nonprofit queer bookstore cafe third space. A great gathering space for the local community.
Fable and Falcon | 70 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AN, United Kingdom
Lala Books | 4a Grove Ln, London SE5 8SY, United Kingdom
Maison Assouline | 196A Piccadilly, London W1J 9EY, United Kingdom
This showroom for some of the most unique coffee table books and is also a stunning bar.
Antiquarian Bookstore
Foster Books | 183 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 2DR, United Kingdom
Their focus on rare books and first editions makes it worth the trip outside of the city proper.
Henry Pordes Books | 72 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB, United Kingdom
The perfect place to shop for first editions and rare books- a collector's dream.
Peter Harrington | 43 Dover St, London W1S 4FF, United Kingdom
A huge name in the antiquarian book market and a great place to find your next collector book.
Secondhand Bookstores
Any Amount of Books | 56 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0QA, United Kingdom
A second hand bookshop with two levels in a prime location.
Collinge & Clark | 13 Leigh St, London WC1H 9EW, United Kingdom
Second hand books with a focus on rare and special printings.
Hurlingham Books | Ranelagh Gardens, 91 Fulham High St, London SW6 3JS, United Kingdom
Sometimes it’s worth a trip outside of the city center for great deals on used books.
Judd Books | 82 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AG, United Kingdom
Academic and literary titles by the thousand. It is a treasure hunt for titles.
Notting Hill Comic Exchange | 32 Pembridge Rd, London W11 3HN, United Kingdom
Not just comics- they also have a good variety of books for sale (especially Sci Fi and fantasy!)
Oxfam Books | Seven Locations
Oxfam is the most well known charity shop (thrift store) in London. While every location has a couple books, there are seven dedicated bookshops around the city. They are a great place to find a bargain book!
Skoob Books | 66 The Brunswick off, Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AE, United Kingdom
Secondhand books, mostly academic, but includes plenty of variety. Be prepared to dig for good picks!
Walden Books | Walden Books, 38 Harmood St, London NW1 8DP, United Kingdom
A huge variety of second books nestled together in a shop amongst the trees. Great place with good prices.
Word On The Water - The London Bookbarge | Regent's Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW, United Kingdom
A floating bookstore right by Kings Cross with a cool collection of second hand books.
The Number One Bookish Location in London- Cecil Ct.
Local Spots for New Titles
Brick Lane Bookshop | 166 Brick Ln, London E1 6RU, United Kingdom
A local’s place to shop for bestsellers and new books.
The Broadway Bookshop | 6 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ, United Kingdom
Local bookshop with a focus on literary fiction from bestsellers to hard to find treasures.
Daunt Books | Six Locations
London’s most famous indie bookstore chain. Their Marylebone location is the most famous (with their iconic two floors and skylight), but every location is special in its own way!
Hatchards | 187 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LE, United Kingdom
London’s oldest bookshop! Multiple floors of books (make sure to find a copy of their charter that’s framed and on the wall!)
Hoxton Books | Unit 1, 99 East Rd, London N1 6AQ, United Kingdom
This bookstore gallery space is perfect for readers who want to find unique books.
John Sandoe (Books) Ltd | 10 Blacklands Terrace, London SW3 2SR, United Kingdom
Since 1957, this indie bookstore has been a neighborhood staple selling all kinds of books.
Libreria Bookshop | 65 Hanbury St, London E1 5JP, United Kingdom
One of the most stunning bookstores I have ever visited! Be transported to a book wonderland and shop from a great curated selection.
London Review Bookshop | 14-16 Bury Pl, London WC1A 2JL, United Kingdom
The bookstore owned by the famed literary magazine with readings and an attached tea room.
The Notting Hill Bookshop | 13 Blenheim Cres, London W11 2EE, United Kingdom
The famous bookstore that inspired the classic RomCom Notting Hill. While it’s no longer exclusively a travel bookstore, it’s a great place to buy some books!
Primrose Hill Books | 134 Regent's Park Rd, London NW1 8XL, United Kingdom
New and used books for local shoppers.
Round Table Books | Brixton Village, 10-11 Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PR, United Kingdom
A cozy and curated intersectional bookstore perfect for community.
Upper Street Bookshop | 42 Upper St, London N1 0PN, United Kingdom
A charming indie bookstore in Islington. The best place is the city to find blind dates with a book (for only £9!)
A Street of Books- Cecil Ct
A trip to London is not complete without a visit to Cecil Ct. What used to be the center of publishing for London still is home to dozens of bookstores with rare and unique books. As someone who enjoys more popular fiction there was not a lot of bookstores that really spoke to me besides Watkins Books and Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Romance Bookstores
Main Character Books | 30 Spital Square, London E1 6DX, United Kingdom
London’s newest bookstore (and cafe!) is so cute! I especially love their reading cart if you need something to read while you sip.
Of Books and Love | 50 Cross St, London N1 2BA, United Kingdom
This romance bookstore feels like an extension of the owner’s private library. A collection of romance of all types (make sure to check out the special edition section!)
Saucy Books | 236 Westbourne Park Rd, London W11 1EL, United Kingdom
London’s first romance bookstore found in Notting Hill. Their interior design changes seasonally so it’s always fun to visit!
Specialty Bookstores
The Atlantis Bookshop | 49A Museum St, London WC1A 1LY, United Kingdom
Independent bookstore for magic and the occult.
Bookartbookshop | 17 Pitfield St, London N1 6HB, United Kingdom
Local non profit shop with a focus on local artists and small presses. Best place to find unique and individual books and items.
Books for Cooks | 4 Blenheim Cres, London W11 1NN, United Kingdom
Thousands of cookbooks can be found in this shop. Make sure to check out their workshops and cookbook try outs in the test kitchen.
Freedom Press Bookshop | 84b Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX, United Kingdom
A tucked away bookshop full of anarchist books and writings.
Gay's The Word | 66 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AB, United Kingdom
London’s premiere queer bookstore selling books and items of all kinds along with community events.
Housmans Bookshop | 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DY, United Kingdom
A long time radical bookshop with bargain books in the basement.
Stanfords | 7 Mercer Walk, London WC2H 9FA, United Kingdom
The world’s largest travel bookstore! Thousands of travel books, maps and more.
Travellers' Tales | 87 Wimpole St, London W1G 9RL, United Kingdom
A bookstore and travel agency- planning trips based on books and curating books based on trips!
Treadwell's Books | 33 Store St, London WC1E 7BS, United Kingdom
Long standing bookshop for magic and spiritualism with tarot and events in the back.
Bookstore Cafes and Bars
Clerkenwells, Coffee & Book Shop | 68A Compton St, London EC1V 0BN, United Kingdom
BookBar Islington | 166 Blackstock Rd, London N5 1HA, United Kingdom
BookBar Chelsea | 11 Chelsea Manor St, London SW3 3TW, United Kingdom
The Book Elephant | 16 Sayer St, London SE17 1FH, United Kingdom
The Common Press Bookshop | 118 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E2 6DG, United Kingdom
A nonprofit queer bookstore cafe third space. A great gathering space for the local community.
Fable and Falcon | 70 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AN, United Kingdom
Lala Books | 4a Grove Ln, London SE5 8SY, United Kingdom
Maison Assouline | 196A Piccadilly, London W1J 9EY, United Kingdom
This showroom for some of the most unique coffee table books and is also a stunning bar.
And no, I didn’t forget the Biggest Bookstore Chain in Europe…
Waterstones
With over 20 locations just in London Waterstones is a bookstore powerhouse across Europe.
While I try to only shop at indie bookstores- there is something nice about knowing you will be able to find the book you are looking for at one of the biggest chain stores!
The most iconic location is Waterstones Piccadilly (the largest bookstore in Europe) and it is definitely a sight to see if you love books.
Foyles
A uniquely British bookstore with roots in London Foyles has two locations in the city center. While they run independently they were purchased by Waterstones and operated under the same umbrella.
With seven floors and thousands of books Waterstones Piccadilly is the most iconic location.
And there you have it! Over 50 bookstores to visit while in London. I did the research so you don’t have to :)
Am I missing a bookstore? Send me a message and I am happy to update the list.
