This is our list of London’s top fifteen best and most refined bookstores. Check out our picks to add a dash of elegance to your reading list.
As a city with such a rich history, London unsurprisingly has some amazing bookshops.
Daunt Books
Though Daunt Books was founded in 1990, it’s housed in a beautiful Edwardian building that was originally an antiquarian bookshop from 80 years before that. Since then, the store has expanded into a London-wide chain, but its flagship store on Marylebone High Street is still well-known for its stunning architecture and interior design. It mesmerizes visitors with its long oak gallery and skylights lining the roof, flooding the store with natural light. The mosaic windows and floorboards also add to its elegant and timeless look.
The Marylebone branch specializes in travel books, arranged by geography rather than more traditional methods of organization. It makes for a unique experience, as if you’re walking across the globe while strolling through its shelves.
Hatchards
For those interested in history, look no further than Hatchards—London’s oldest bookshop, established in 1797. It has three stores in total, but its first and oldest shop is located in Piccadilly. This is also the location that sold books to royalty, and it has an elegant and refined interior to match its reputation. It also has a history collection with a generous selection of titles about royalty and prominent historical figures like Churchill.
Hatchards hosts literary events throughout the year and is a popular spot for authors to have their first book signings.
Upper Street Bookshop
This cozy independent shop has a friendly atmosphere, only brought further to light by its personalized service. The staff carefully curates their collection of books, with both popular titles and hidden gems. Not only that, locals know them well for the staff’s breadth of literary knowledge and thoughtful recommendations while helping visitors find just the right book.
Foyles
Foyles has been around since 1903, and even won the Guinness World Record for the biggest bookstore in terms of most titles and longest shelf length. It measured 30 miles of shelves at one point! … which turned out not to be such a good thing, as locals knew it for being a confusing maze of poorly organized books. Thankfully, it’s turned around completely since Waterstones acquired it in 2018.
Nowadays, it’s bright and classy, showcasing its impressive collection in clear, easy-to-find sections. It has also expanded to sell games, DVDs, and more, making it a popular shopping stop for all sorts. And if you need to give your feet a break after walking up five flights of stairs, you can stop by at the café on the top floor.
Waterstones Piccadilly
Speaking of the bookstore chain Waterstones, it kind of has a thing for big stores. Just look at their Piccadilly location, which just so happens to be Europe’s largest bookstore. At least, that’s what they claim—but with six floors and eight miles of shelving, who’s going to argue?
With over 200,000 titles and numerous dedicated sections, including a circus-themed one for children’s literature, it’s easy to get lost in your favorite genre.
Brick Lane Bookshop
Named the top independent bookshop at the 2024 London Independent Bookshop Awards, Brick Lane Bookshop originated from a local 1970s art project, back when the Tower Hamlets neighborhood didn’t have a single bookstore to its name. Since then, Brick Lane has flourished into a community-centered hub that empowers local, emerging writers. They’re not just talk, either; they offer literary events throughout the year, including a short story prize.
Its collection contains a diverse range of literary genres for both adults and children, with a special section dedicated to local East London history.
Watkins Books
Watkins Books centers around matters of spirituality, psychology, philosophy, and the occult. Its book collection ranges from ancient Egyptian rituals to modern-day self-empowerment. Its atmosphere emphasizes its mystique, hiding esoteric knowledge and theories in every corner.
The store doesn’t discriminate and restrict its sources to one culture or way of thinking, but encourages diversity of thought and an exploration of different philosophies and ways of life. Aside from books, you can find various statuettes, tarot cards, sacred objects, jewelry, and polished stones.
Word On The Water – The London Bookbarge
You’d think that books and water don’t mix, but this bookbarge turns that thinking on its head. This independent store sits on the Regent’s Canal Towpath near Granary Square. Its unique setup with a charmingly laid-out display of books off its side makes for a literary experience like no other. It also has a stage that regularly hosts live jazz performances, so you know you’re always in for a good time.
Arthur Probsthain & Tea and Tattle
This century-old bookstore and tea room is a rare find. Not because of the tea—but because of the collection of literature focusing on Asian African, and Middle Eastern culture. If there ever was a perfect place for a multicultural deep-dive, it’s this. It has plenty of new books on offer, but also has antiquarian and out-of-print titles any collector would die to get their hands on.
You can find the bookstore on the ground floor, while the tea room is downstairs. Its aesthetic is a fusion of Asian and British tastes, but overall it comes together in a homey, if slightly unusual, way.
The L&R Bookshop
This independent bookstore was established by the Lutyens & Rubinstein literary agency, but was recently bought by Daunt Books. That hasn’t changed its look or quality, as it’s kept up a carefully curated selection of both fiction and non-fiction titles. It also maintains its own unique flair with ceiling-hung art displays. Alongside its book collection, the store offers art prints, tote bags, and stationery.
John Sandoe Books
Founded nearly 70 years ago and housed in a building from the 1700s, this independent bookstore is a well-known landmark among locals in Chelsea, London. In addition to an expansive collection of over 30,000 titles, this shop gets customers to come back over and over with a handy spread of services: quarterly catalogs, mail orders, subscriptions, and assistance in creating and maintaining private or public libraries.
Foster Books
Foster Books is best known for two main things: its stock of rare and antiquarian books, and its dedication to high-quality service. On its shelves, you can find first editions, illustrated books, and volumes long since out of print. Want personalized, in-store shopping assistance? You got it. Looking for curbside pickup? Done. Need same-day delivery within central London? They’re already knocking on your door.
Customers can even get started on selling their collection of rare books just by emailing a photo of what they’ve got. What a beautiful modern age we live in.
The Bookshop on the Heath
This secondhand seller’s aquamarine storefront pops out at you amongst the humdrum red brick buildings surrounding it. Inside, you can expect to find everything from 2£ bargain steals to a chest full of old, rare maps worth quite a pretty penny. It’s a great place to uncover some fantastic fictional works, including sci-fi, classic literature, and crime thrillers.
Hurlingham Books
Welcome to the best maze you’ll ever get lost in. Hurlingham is packed from floor to ceiling with books, creating a cushion of soundproofing that makes the rest of the world feel far away. The smell of old paper and leather gives it a distinctive, almost nostalgic vibe, like walking into a time capsule. Abandon any idea you might have of picking a particular title and welcome the chance to discover something unexpected.
Halcyon Books
If you’re feeling parched after all that book browsing, stop off at Halcyon Books. This used bookshop is small but charming, with an outdoor café offering tea, cake, and coffee. The store half carries an excellent selection of books both mainstream and out of this world. (Which I mean quite literally in the case of its varied science fiction collection.) The owner and staff are thoughtful and friendly, and the shop itself is located near several historic attractions like Boone’s Chapel.
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Migz
K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
