Looking for creative inspiration? A meaningful gift for a book worm? A cozy reading corner to spend a rainy afternoon in London? We’ve rounded up a selection of our favorite bookstores, from independent stores to great literary emporiums. Read all about it here.
Library, Spitalfields
Direction
65 Hanbury St, London E1 5JP, UKGet directions
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With a mirrored ceiling, bright yellow shelves, cozy reading and event nooks combining beers, live music and movie screenings, Libreria is London’s coolest bookstore. Located on Hanbury Street near Spitalfields Market, the store was founded by tech entrepreneur Rohan Silva and opened in 2016. It features a curated selection of books, all arranged on suggestive topics like Wanderlust and Enchantment and focusing on titles. cutting-edge independent publishing houses. It is open until 9 pm Thursday through Saturday and there are often evening events for an evening literary arrangement.
Hatchards, Mayfair
Direction
5 White Horse St, London W1J 7LQ, United KingdomGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7409 0567
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Founded in 1797, Hatchards is the oldest bookstore in London and is the official bookstore of the royal family. Inside the five-story building, you’ll find portraits of the Queen, various royal crests, beautiful oak wood bookcases, and traditional Chesterfield sofas. Browse through modern and classic fiction, poetry books, and travel literature. The store offers a variety of first editions and signed books, and the children’s section features a large selection of literary gifts. Check out the event listing for upcoming talks, discussions, and book signings.
Discouraging books, Marylebone
Direction
84 Marylebone High St , Londres W1U 4QW , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7224 2295
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With its long oak balconies, parquet floors and stained glass windows, Daunt Books in Marylebone is London’s prettiest bookstore. It has a wide variety of fiction and reference books, as well as an impressive selection of travel guides and literature. It is housed in an Edwardian building that once served as an old-fashioned bookstore and is believed to be the world’s first personalized bookstore. Take the time to explore the titles in this beautiful setting. The smart and friendly team is available to provide great recommendations.
Gosh! Comics, Soho
Direction
1 Berwick St , London W1F 0DR , United KingdomGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7437 0187
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Channel your inner nerd into Gosh !, a bookstore dedicated to graphic novels and comics in the heart of Soho. This industrial-chic store on the corner of Berwick Street stocks titles from around the world, from contemporary graphic fiction to stylish children’s books and Manga classics. Check the website for events including launch parties, signings, and hands-on workshops with featured illustrators.
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Persephone Libras, Bloomsbury
Direction
59 Lamb’s Conduit St, London WC1N 3NB, United KingdomGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7242 9292
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This independent bookstore on Bloomsbury’s Lamb’s Conduit Street has out-of-print fiction and non-fiction titles by female writers (mostly) from the mid-20th century. The books make great gifts as they are beautifully designed with gray covers, a cloth paper, and a matching bookmark. Regular events include movie screenings, talks and tours and there is a civilized reading group on the first Wednesday of each month for discussions paired with wine and cheese.
Word on the water, King’s Cross
Direction
Regent’s Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW, UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 7976 886982
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Word on the Water is London’s only floating bookstore. It’s packed with affordable books and features live music and poetry events on the roof of a restored Dutch barge from the 1920s. It was saved from closure after a passionate campaign and is now permanently moored in Granary Square near the station. from King’s Cross.
Foyles, Charing Cross
Direction
107 Charing Cross Rd , Londres WC2H 0DT , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7437 5660
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This large store on Charing Cross Road has over 200,000 books on 4 very elegant floors. It occupies the former headquarters of the Central Saint Martins University and features an impressive central atrium and a large art space. There is an entire floor reserved for events such as readings, signings, live jazz sessions, children’s workshops, and reading groups for bookworms of all ages and interests. The store was founded in 1903 by the Foyles brothers and is still family-owned.
Cook Books, Notting Hill
Direction
4 Blenheim Cres, London W11 1NN, UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7221 1992
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Where better to find culinary inspiration than in Notting Hill cookbooks. The store has over 8,000 titles spanning food fiction, autobiographies, and cookbooks from all corners of the world and hosts regular workshops based on specific cookbooks. There is a demonstration kitchen in the back so there are always delicious scents floating around the shop and the cafe serves homemade cakes, coffee, and savory dishes throughout the day. The menu changes daily (recipes come from stock books) and many of the ingredients come from the Portobello market, right outside the door.
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Stanfords, Covent Garden
Direction
7 Mercer Walk, London WC2H 9FA, UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7836 1321
Web
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Established in 1853, Stanfords houses the world’s largest collection of maps and travel books. At the Covent Garden flagship store, you can plan your next adventure in the footsteps of epic explorers like Ernest Shackleton, Ranulph Fiennes, and Michael Palin, who have shopped here. There is a large selection of atlases, travel literature, children’s books, balloons, and all kinds of travel guides on destinations, topics, and activities. The expert team can put together custom maps based on specific zip codes or historical areas.
