By now you might have gotten that I love reading and bookshops are my idea of a perfect afternoon out or date. Wash everything down with great coffee and cakes, and I am as happy as I can be.
As a matter of fact, bookshops were my go-to place after work, to spend some quality time by myself before the pandemic. As a result of working not far from Oxford Street and there were plenty of choices to pick from, but I was and still am a woman of habit.
Since the pandemic though, I had just a few chances to visit some of my favourites in London, so I decided to go down memory lane for a bit and also add some of the ones I haven’t visited yet.
Don’t be tricked, this was a hard choice. For example, there’re so many bookshops just in the city centre that you have your hands full!
Despite choosing five, I had to add some plus on the side, because choices are hard.
1.FOYLES
First and foremost, you don’t forget your first love and that applies to bookshops too. Foyles was mine. The flagship in Charing Cross Road will steal your heart and wallet, with four floors to get lost in and a café and event space on the fifth floor. Homing 200.000 different titles to choose from, there’re very few chances you get out without a book.
At the heart of Marylebone High Street, there’s this breathtaking bookshop. The architecture of the Edwardian building with large stained glass windows is second only to the collection of titles that Daunts hosts, all arranged by different countries and with a large collection of travel books.
3. PERSEPHONE BOOKS
Meanwhile, in the heart of Lamb Conduit Street in Bloomsbury, there’s this gem that has been on my list for quite long and still haven’t managed to visit. This bookshop reprints books from the mid-twentieth century by neglected writers, focusing mostly on female writers. Publishing everything from short stories to cooking books with a distinctive grey jacket.
4.HATCHARD’S
Hatchard’s opened its doors for the first time in 1797 in Piccadilly, therefore it’s considered the oldest bookshop in London, serving customers since the Georgian times. Above all, while hosting more than 100.000 titles on four floors, this place brings you back in time for an extraordinary and unique experience. In addition, you can also visit a smaller branch just in St Pancras before catching your train to get back home.
I have yet to visit Lutyens and Rubinstein. The bookshop opened its doors in 2009, founded by literary agents Felicity Rubinstein and Sarah Lutyens. They host books of fiction and non-fiction, where you can find a special section of children’s, poetry and art books.
+WORDS ON THE WATER – THE LONDON BOOKBARGE
One of the more unique bookshops in London must be this! Hosted in a 100-year-old Dutch barge, they sell second-hand books and new titles, from classics to photography. In addition to being moored on the Regent’s Canal near Granary Square, the barge not only offers books but also jazz & poetry shows, as well as live acoustic music.
Well, this is just a ten-minute walk from my house and always a pleasure to come by and browse on their collection outside as we collect coffee to go to the park. Family owned and run by husband and wife, you will always find your latest book release to take with you for a walk at the park.
Anyway, have you visited any of these bookshops? Or do you have any recommendations in London or around the world? I am writing my must-see bookshop I have to visit and would love to hear from you!
Most importantly, while you’ll be in London and want to wash all that reading down with some coffee and good pastries, Simona has got you covered with some of the best bakeries in town!
In addition, if you’re looking for more reading suggestions (because who’s not) and also add some new books coming out this month to your never-ending TBR list, you can find them here.
I loved this post!. It was to great to see and read about the wonderful book shops you have shared. I don’t live too far from London so as soon as the restrictions are lifted and we are allowed to travel a bit more I look forward to visiting them. I can completely relate, bookshops are my happy place too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading Christina! Hope you get to visit soon x
I don’t go to London very often, for the simple reason that I live so far from it. I’ve also never thought to visit a bookshop there, but wow all of these look incredible and well worth going for a look around. Thanks for sharing xx
Hope you get to visit soon Hanna as a treat after the lockdown x
I absolutely love bookshops. I’ll make sure to visit them once we are able to travel again
Hope you will like them when you visit Jessica x
One of my favourite book shops on London is the German print shop, it has a special name but it escapes me right now. I love Persephone books too, it’s genuinely gorgeous. I visit a lot of bookshops for my PhD when I’m in London x
I’ll try and find the Grman print shop and visit! if you have any more suggestions please send them over, I love visiting new bookshops! Thanks for reading x
These bookshops have so much character, I could just imagine getting lost between the shelves! There is only one uniquely local bookstore that I know of in Singapore that reminds me of the ones you list here, but even that has shuttered its doors. If I ever visit London, I would love to shop at a few of these bookstores. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
They do, there so many small bookshops in London that you have enough to choose from! Whenever we will get to visit Singapore we will ask for some great bookshops there! Hope you get to visit soon x
Oooh! I haven’t been to London before, these bookshops look gorgeous! I really like the third one. Everything is so neatly organized and looks so nice at Persephone Books. Lutyen’s and Rubinstein looks nice too! Thanks for sharing these recs!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Hope you get to visit soon! there are plenty more to choose from x
I love visiting bookshops and just spending time wandering amongst the shelves and admiring the books! All of these look beautiful so I’d definitely have to add them to my to visit list for next time I’m in London!
Isn’t it one of the best things to do, Emily? I can’t wait to go back! Hope you get to visit them soon x
I love books and the stories they contain so it is too easy for any bookshop to steal my heart! I love the charm and classical vibes of Persephone’s; what a wonderful and attractive way to curate stories!
Words on the Water is my favorite of the places you share, though. I love buying second hand and treasuring a loved book that has known more than one happy reader. P:)
Thank you for reading, Jaya! I know Persephone is such a unique place and very charming! I can’t wait to visit as soon as we are able to.Also Words on Water is such a great place and great choice for second-hand books! Hope you get to visit soon x
Wow Daunt books look so charming but all the places also.
Thanks for recommending..
It is truly a unique place! Thank you for reading x
I have only visited London twice and on both occassions I didn’t visit a book store. The next time I’m there I will have to go to Daunt Books, it looks incredible!
Hope you get to visit soon Kelly, there’s plenty of them x
I’ve never been to London but it’s on my list. When I do, I’m going to add Daunt Books to my itinerary. I love the vibe. Thanks so much.
I hope you get to visit soon! Daunts is such a unique place x
My boyfriend and I love London day trips and going to at least one bookshop are always on our to-do list when we go there. We haven’t been to any of these so will definitely keep them in mind for when we’re able to go next! Thank you so much for the recommendations. Each bookshop looks amazing!
I love trips to the bookshops!I really hope you get to visit them soon and discover even the rest of them around London!Thank you for reading x
Beautiful shops! That second one remind me of Beauty and The Beast! I would love to visit just for that store alone!
Thank you for reading, Alexandra!Hope you get to visit it x
OMG Daunt Books sounds amazing! I used to work in Marylebone… how have I not heard of this bookshop?!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
It’s a beautiful building both inside and outside! I used to work in Marylebone too! When you go to work you don’t really look around, hope you get to visit soon x
I remember Foyles and Hatchards from my London days, with many a happy few hours spent in both those shops. But wow, Daunts is worth visiting for that stunning view alone and how amazing is the barge bookshop! Lovely top 5, thank you so much, Cristina! x
Thank you so much for reading, Lisa! The barge was such a great idea and the first time I went in I was amazed! Hope you get to visit them soon x
I would love to visit them! Looks amazing!
Thank you for reading x Hope you get to visit them soon!
I love bookshops ❤️ I like a lot the last one you mention in this selection
Thanks for sharing
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I am glad you liked them! Hope you get to visit them x
I have been to a couple of these already and I love a good classic book store! It is so nice when they have done up the store in a magical way as well!
I definitely love the one by the water, what a fabulous ideas xx
Oh, I am glad you visited some of them, Gemma! I really recommend the one on the barge, it’s such a unique place x
Can everything please open up now?!? I want to visit these book shops in London so badly! Book shops are my happy place! 🙂
I know right? I truly can’t wait to walk in a bookshop again, the rest I could avoid!Hope we get to visit soon and thanks for reading, Heidi x
This post makes me miss roaming around bookshops! I like how you introduced your ‘first love.’ Looking back, I didn’t have a bookshop in my home town, but we had plenty of charity shops that had a selection of books and a little library.
Daunt Books belongs in a movie; it looks stunning. I could spend hours in there. The 100-Year old Dutch Barge is so creative!
After reading this, I need to visit London (when it is safe) purely to visit the bookshops you have listed. Thank you for sharing! ?
I miss getting in a bookshop so much! I wouldn’t mind not visiting any other places, but being surrounded by book is the best feeling! Charity shops are such a great way to get reading, I think I don’t use them enough! Hope you get to visit London as soon as it’s safe and visit even the rest of the bookshops around! Thanks for reading x
Wow! These bookshops look absolutely stunning. The one by the water is one I’ve want to visit when I’m in London for sure! Thanks for sharing x
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Thank you so much for reading, Lynn! The barge is a very unique one, hope you get to visit soon x
London is one of my all time favorite cities! I can’t wait to visit again and check out some of these bookstores. Last time I was more of a tourist, going to Buckingham Palace and such.
That’s so great, Sharila! Honestly, the first time you get in London, there so much to visit and so little time! Hope you get to visit soon x
I honestly want to cry, haha. I miss being in a bookstore, let alone travel to another country. I’m bookmarking this for the time I’ll be able to travel to London! Thanks for sharing your recommendations! x
Same over here Chrissy! I miss so much wandering through to choose some new reads! As you said travelling it’s not even in the plans for the foreseeable future! Hope we get to do it soon x
Yay! I’m saving this list for my trip to London!
I am glad you are saving this, hope you’re visiting London as soon as it’s safe x
You are KILLING ME with this post. I would literally do anything. Anything. To go to a bookshop right now. To have a meander around, smell the books, touch the spines oh my GOD this pandemic needs to end so I can visit all of these! x
Completely get the feeling Jenny! I do miss going inside and get lost for hours at bookshops! I hope you get to visit them soon x
Ah I love wandering around old bookshops! I haven’t been to any of these ones I went to John Sandoe the last time I was in London so I’ll definitely need to pay these a visit next time (but who knows when that will be!)
I never went to John Sandoe, so I’ll add it to my bookshop visit list! Hopefully, we can get to visit them soon x
Oh my goodness!!! This is like a little bit of heaven!! I have not visited any of them but I would quite happily head to London RIGHT now if I knew it would be open. These look incredible.
I miss book shops so much x x
it is heavenly walking around wandering through bookshops! Hope we get to resume our visits soon, thanks for reading x
We’ve both visited London, but we haven’t been to these book shops. Thanks for the recommendations.
Hope you get to visit them soon x
I believe along a part of the Thames there’s a market where you’ll find some small book sellers, I believe it’s called the Southbank Centre Book Market. You should check that out when we’re allowed out again
Thank you so much for the recommendations! I heard about but never had a chance. Will surely add it to my list x
OMG I love these!
We don’t really have many bookshops here in South Africa but these are so aesthetically pleasing. Daunt books looks so stunning as well as Words on the water!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Some of the buildings are absolutely amazing! Hope you get to visit London soon Nons, there are plenty more x
This post is like a dream! I love nothing more than roaming around a bookshop – how have I never been to any of these before?? Will have to visit them on my next London visit!
Isn’t it the best place to get lost in? Hope you get to visit them soon and like them, Della x
Those bookshops all look amazing. I miss being able to go into a massive bookshop and just spend some time picking out some new books to read x
I know the feeling Steph! I truly miss the time spent there, hopefully, we will get to resume soon x
Some of my absolute favourites on this list!!! Such a helpful post for people who might want to break away from the popular book shops!
I am glad you found some of your favourites on the list! Thank you for reading x
I wish to visit some book stores one day when I’ll visit London;) Sometimes I see books from London in my local thrift store so I have English books in my tiny collection of books.
Hope you will get to visit London soon! I am glad you find some books from here at your thrift store, it’s nice they go around the world x