29 Best London Bookshops for Every Kind of Reader

If you’re a bibliophile planning a trip to London, I’m about to help you find your new favorite London bookstore.

London is one of the best cities in the world for book lovers. There’s so much literary history and so much to keep a modern book lover busy not just for days but weeks or months. So as a literary travel writer, I spend a lot of time traveling in and writing about London.

This article has been literal years in the making. In addition to spending a few months living in London while studying English literature, I have gone back to visit multiple times a year for the last several years, making it my mission to discover and enjoy all its hidden gems for book lovers. 

During that time I have visited more London bookshops than I can count, but I’m finally ready to share some of my top picks for the best London bookshops, helpfully sorted for all different kinds of readers. 

There’s a little of everything on this list, from obscure, single-room shops to Europe’s largest bookstore. There’s a few famous London bookstores you might recognize from popular films and movies. There’s speciality bookshops that offer a massive selection on a narrow topic, secondhand bookshops where you can find incredible bargains, and even a bookstore on a boat. 

As with all of my travel guides, this is a living, organic resource, so I plan to keep revisiting this list with more recommendations for one of my favorite cities in the world. Read on to find your new favorite spot.

Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.

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Most unique bookshops in London 

Let’s start with some of London’s most unique bookshops and book browsing destinations.

South Bank London Book Market

One of London’s most unique places to shop for books is right out in the open. Head to the Waterloo Bridge to find the South Bank Book Market. Individual sellers here set up card tables and lay out their current offerings for passersby to browse. You’ll likely find a pretty random and surprising assortment of genres as well as other items like artwork and comic books.

During the winter, you’ll likely see fewer vendors and an altogether smaller operation, but you just mind find a gem or two here! Most vendors do accept cards or tap to pay, but it’s a good idea to have a bit of cash on hand just in case.

The South Bank Book Market is a great place to stop on your way to London Eye or just to get amazing views of London, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.

Location: Waterloo Brg, London SE1 8TX

Tip: My absolute favorite London afternoon tea is also on the South Bank. Check out my review of afternoon tea at the Library at County Hall.

Word on the Water aka the Book Barge

One of the most unique bookstores in the world, this indie London bookstore is located inside a houseboat floating in the Regent’s Canal.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about this London bookshop is that it manages to carry an amazing and highly curated selection of books inside. This isn’t just a book boat gimmick, it happens to be a fantastic bookshop. The offerings focus on literature, poetry, and children’s books, and you can even find a few secondhand books for sale, too.

Needless to say, there isn’t a whole lot of room to navigate inside if the shop is busy, but there’s still room for squashy armchairs and even a fireplace in the back, where children’s books are located.

Word on the Water does accept card payments. If you’re lucky, you might even catch some live music from their rooftop. Word on the Water is hands down one of my favorite bookshops in London.

Location: Regent’s Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW

Tip: Word on the Water is just a few minutes’ walk from King’s Cross Station, which is not only a nice central hub for reaching other places in the UK, but one of the many Harry Potter locations in London you shouldn’t miss if you’re a fan.

The Calder Bookshop & Theatre

Calder Bookshop is one of the most underrated London bookshops. I can’t understand why it doesn’t get more love online and on social media. Most of its selection focuses on theatre, from published plays to non-fiction books about theatre. The books are secondhand and very reasonably priced at £3-5 per book from my browsing.

You wouldn’t guess it from the size of the shop, but it also doubles as a theatre. A small space in the back hosts regular plays for only 32 audience members at a time (no assigned seats). Check their website and social media to see what plays are coming up soon to see if you can catch one.

Location: 51 The Cut, London SE1 8LF

Related: If you’re a theatre fan, then a visit to the Globe Theatre in London is an absolute must. I’ve visited it in all the ways, from seeing a production to taking some of their guided tours. I break down all your options and my recommendations in my guide to visiting the Globe.

Daunt Books Marylebone

For my reading style, Daunt Books is the absolute best bookshop in London. There are several locations, including one near Regent’s Park, but the most famous one is Daunt Books Marylebone.

This is one of London’s most famous bookshops, but in this instance the hype is definitely worth it. It’s gorgeous, of course, with dark wood shelves, turquoise walls, a stunning stained glass window feature, and skylights, but my favorite thing about Daunt Books is how it’s organized — by country.

I have been reading my way around the world for the past several years (and posting my lists of what books I loved set in each one). So of course I can spend hours browsing the shelves at Daunt Books and coming away with a bag full of books and 50 new ones added to my TBR.

This incredible London bookstore sells all new books, around list price. (And my personal plug, as always, if you discover a book in an indie shop, rather than just browsing and then buying from a giant corporation. Consider it the admission price helping keep indie bookstores around for a long time to come).

Collinge & Clark (aka Black Books)

If you’ve watched the British sitcom Black Books, you’ll immediately recognize the exterior of Collinge & Clark Bookshop in Bloomsbury as the filming location for the cult classic series. (And if you haven’t watched it, what are you even doing? Get streaming!)

As they acknowledge on their website:

“Yes, they filmed the television series ‘Black Books’ here. No, we don’t serve coffees and teas, but on the other hand we do issue catalogues, sell books worldwide and occasionally host events.”

The real shop behind the famous storefront is one that specializes in books from private presses and those related to graphic design and art books, with some other genres available, too. There’s usually a decent bargain section in the basement and outside the shop worth combing through.

See if you can find a copy of the Tiny Book of Calm while you’re there (or maybe don’t if you don’t want to annoy the owner). 

Location: 13 Leigh St. Bloomsbury 

Related: Collinge & Clarke bookshop is located just a short walk away from the Charles Dickens House museum, one of my favorite literary sights in London and definitely worth a visit.

Cecil Court (the book street in Covent Garden)

Tucked away near touristy Covent Garden, you can find an entire London street full of bookshops. Cecil Court is the name, and this short throughway is home to many unique shops selling books and prints. 

On London’s book street, you’ll find Watkins Books, which specializes in mystical, spiritual, and esoteric literature (along with plenty of Tarot and Oracle decks). There’s also a lovely children’s bookshop named after Alice in Wonderland, an antiquarian bookshop, and more. It really is a pleasure to stroll this London book street. 

Tip: the shops here close on the early side, so don’t put this stop off til too late in your day.

Books for Cooks

Books for Cooks is a fun speciality bookshop in London featuring, unsurprisingly, tons of cookbooks and non-fiction related to the art of cooking. It’s a really fun store to browse through for some new recipe inspiration, but they take it a step further.

A kitchen in the back of the bookshop is scene to cooking classes and other cooking related events you can sign up for. If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s absolutely worth checking out this London bookshop, full of adorable, vintage decorations.

Tip: Books for Cooks is located right off the popular Portobello Road market, which is a delightful street market for finding antiquarian books, tea cups, and other vintage and antique items.

Location: 4 Blenheim Cres, London W11 1NN

MinaLima Bookstore

The MinaLima store in London is the ultimate bookstore for Harry Potter lovers. MinaLima is the graphic design company responsible for just about every graphic that appears in the Harry Potter films, from the Honeydukes labels to the famous Hogwarts acceptance letters to the design of the Daily Prophet. 

They opened on Wardour Street in 2020 and have quickly established themselves as one of the best Harry Potter shops in London.

The interior is a visual feast. You’ll find two fireplaces complete with Hogwarts acceptance letters permanently flying out of them, Hogwarts house banners hanging from the ceilings, the Marauder’s Map on the floor, and the Black Family tapestry on the walls.

You’ll be able to find upscale, classy, and unique Harry Potter gift items in this shop that you won’t find anywhere else (as for me, it was an Undesirable No. 1 tea towel).

Location: 157 Wardour St, London W1F 8WQ

Related: If you’re a Harry Potter fan planning your London trip, check out my detailed review and breakdown of taking a Harry Potter London walking tour. Plus, my honest review and guide to visiting the Harry Potter studios.

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Best Secondhand Bookshops in London

A good used bookstore is my favorite kind of bookstore to browse. You never know what you’re going to find, and the knowledge that you might be able to discover a treasure you never expected is one of the joys of book shopping for me.

There are so many secondhand bookshops in London to choose from, and you never really can go wrong, but here are a few of my favorites I think are worth the visit.

Any Amount of Books 

Charing Cross Road in central London has always been home to multiple bookshops. Perhaps most famously, it was a bookshop on this street that inspired Helene Hanff’s 84, Charing Cross Road (side note: this is one of my favorite cozy books to read, and the movie adaptation is definitely worth a watch).

Any Amount of Books is a huge secondhand bookshop on Charing Cross Road and a great place to browse for really reasonably priced books. Make sure you make it down to the “bargain basement” for some great deals, modern first editions, and to see some photos from the filming of 84, Charing Cross Road.

Location: 56 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0QA

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Judd Books 

Judd Books might not be London’s most aesthetic bookshop, but it is a great place to find some good deals.

There’s two floors of secondhand books for sale here, and most are priced between £4-10 based on my browsing experience. 

Downstairs, you’ll find large sections dedicated to history and travel books. Be warned, the selections of children’s books and classic literature were quite limited when I visited, so it may not be the place if that’s what you’re primarily looking for. 

Stil, Judd Books is definitely a London bookstore to pop into if you’re in the area. 

Location: 82 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AG

Walden Books

Walden Books is a hidden oasis in North London. It’s tucked away in a residential area far away from tourist crowds. Finding it feels like finding a secret garden, but with books. Trees and vines grow up and around the building and front courtyard, where you can browse hundreds of books before even stepping foot inside.

Walden Books is a used book lover’s dream, especially on a sunny day. The selection every time I’ve been has been stellar, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. I’d call this one of London’s most idyllic indie bookshops, hands down,

Location: 38 Harmood St, London NW1 8DP

Hurlingham Books

If you enjoy a bookstore that’s lacking in organization but abundant in selection, you will fall in love with Hurlingham Books in Fulham, London. Believe it or not, this tiny shop houses 2 million books, between the teetering piles inside and their nearby warehouse, where they have even more.

This shop can get a little bit claustrophobic, and one wrong move could send a tower (or two) of books toppling over, so think small and thin (and maybe don’t come in with your arms full of shopping bags). This is a great place to spend hours digging, though if you do have a particular title in mind, you can always ask Ray, the owner, who can also check their nearby warehouse stock.

In a world where indie bookstores are struggling, it’s rather refreshing to dive into a really old school shop, with flexible hours (closed for football games, and no hard and fast open and close times) and absolutely no gimmick — just books.

If you do find a treasure, you’ll likely love the price — most paperbacks I found were £3 or less.

Location: Ranelagh Gardens, 91 Fulham High St, London SW6 3JS

Jambala Secondhand Charity Bookshop

Run by the London Buddhist Centre, Jambala Charity Bookshop is a great place to find secondhand books, records, and movies. It’s a one-room shop, but it carries an impressive variety of used books in great shape. I found tons of modern children’s bestsellers, including several Diary of a Wimpy Kid novels and Dogman graphic novels, in near perfect condition and for a steal of a price.

You never know what you’ll find, as it’s all donation based, but you’re more than likely to find a serious steal here, with most books priced at only £4-5. I walked out with a haul larger than my poor suitcase could handle on my last trip.

Tip: Jambala Bookshop is located right around the corner from the Young V&A Museum, which is a really fun and interactive museum kids and adults love.

 Location: 247 Globe Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 0JD

Skoob Books

Skoob Books in Bloomsbury is a self-proclaimed “temple for used academic books.” Like Hurlingham, this is a place to go with no particular title in mind, because they don’t even bother cataloguing their books. While academic titles are the focus, you can still find books across a variety of genres.

Definitely give yourself a good hour or two to browse here, it’s not really a quick stop kind of place. Come if you’re in the mood for a good dig through the stacks. 

Location: 66 Brunswick Centre Bloomsbury

Tip: Stop by here before starting the London Literary Pub Crawl, one of my favorite unique bookish things to do in London. The meeting point is just a short walk away.

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Where to Find New Books in London

If you’re looking for newer titles rather than secondhand, there’s no lack of options in London bookshops. Here are some I think are worth checking out.

London Review Bookshop

The London Review Bookshop is located in Bloomsbury, one of London’s most literary neighborhoods and home of the Bloomsbury Group (make sure you check out the Virginia Woolf plaque nearby and her bust in Tavistock Square).

You’ll discover two floors of books to browse, all new, with many author signed copies available. They describe their selection as “intelligent without being pompous; engaged without being partisan; fun without being frivolous.”

The booksellers carefully curate their selection and leave handwritten notes with what they love about different books in the shop. The London Review Bookshop is in particular a great place to discover books in translation and read your way around the world, as they have a great selection of travel literature. 

Location: 14 Bury Place, London WC1A 2JL

Tip: You’ll get to check out some of Bloomsbury’s literary history in one of these London literary tours. 

Hatchards Picadilly

Hatchards one of the most famous London bookshops. Not only is it centrally located and carries a massive selection, but it’s been a London staple since the 1700s!

Take a moment to appreciate that that means authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Virginia Woolf would have known their books to be sold here during their lifetimes (fun fact: it’s actually mentioned by name in Mrs. Dalloway, one of my favorite London novels).

These days, you can explore their collection of all new books over multiple floors. It’s hard not to grin stupidly while walking amongst the endless displays of beautiful books if you’re that sort of person (if you’re not that sort of person I’m not entirely sure what you’re doing on my website, but greetings anyway). 

There are several smaller branches of Hatchard’s around London, including one inside St. Pancras train station. When I visited that branch near Christmastime, I got to enjoy their famous bookshelf Christmas tree that’s also worth checking out. 

Location: 187 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LE

Related: A trip to Virginia Woolf’s Monk’s House and Lewes, UK, is one of my favorite literary day trips from London. Alternatively, Jane Austen fans will absolutely love a day or weekend trip to Bath.

Libreria Bookshop

Libreria Bookshop has one of the most unique vibes among London bookshops. Its interior is overwhelmingly retro, with strategically placed mirrors that give the illusion of a much bigger space.

You’ll find all new books here split into interesting categories, like:

• The city
• The black list
• Ways of seeing
• Time and space
• Dark times

If you find a book to buy, you can get their bookshop logo stamped on the inside, and if you plan to return, grab a loyalty card as well and start earning your way to a free book.

Location: 65 Hanbury St, London E1 5JL

Notting Hill Bookshop

Another famous London bookshop that’s actually great to browse is the Notting Hill Bookshop, made famous by the Hugh Grant/Julia Roberts Rom-Com.

The Notting Hill neighborhood attracts more than a few tourists, and movie fans do love to visit this shop, which can make it quite crowded and challenging to browse. If you can manage the crowds (or visit at an off time to avoid them), you can browse a selection of beautiful editions of classics like Chiltern editions, Penguin Clothbounds, and the Cranford editions.

There’s also a sizable selection of travel books, a nod to The Travel Book Co. in the movie. Plus, you can get a bookshop souvenir, like a cute tote, magnet, or postcard of the shopfront.

Location: 13 Blenheim Cres, London W11 2EE

Brick Lane Bookshop

Brick Lane Bookshop sells all new books and in such a cool location in East London. In this London indie bookstore you’ll find tons of books about politics, gender studies, and current events.

There’s also a great section of books specifically about or set in East London (we love a local read), and it’s hard to pass up one of their minimalist, adorable tote bags. There’s also some really well chosen bookish goodies here, like a teacup featuring an illustration of the shopfront.

It’s a perfect place to while away an hour or so before or after doing some local vintage shopping and having some of the best Indian food in London.  

Location: 166 Brick Ln, London E1 6RU

John Sandoe Books

John Sandoe Books is full to the brim with selection. Though books are spread across three levels, you’ll find every corner that can possibly house a bookshelf does indeed have one (including on the staircases).

There are also a few places to sit and browse, including a cute window seat (I love a shop that encourages some relaxation while you shop). John Sandoe Books is still a hidden gem as far as London bookshops go.

Location: 10 Blacklands Terrace, London SW3 2SR

Waterstone’s Picadilly 

Waterstone’s in Picadilly is not an indie bookstore, unlike most of the ones on this list, but it’s worth mentioning because it has the distinction of being Europe’s largest bookstore.

If you’re looking for a new read or something very specific, this might be your best bet at finding it within central London. The shop sprawls across five floors and a mezzanine and even hosts a sizable in-house cafe.

This makes a good stop to break up your time while doing the touristy activities in central London. 

Location: 203-206 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HD

The L&R Bookshop

The L&R Bookshop in Notting Hill is a gorgeous little bookstore I fell in love with instantly for their whimsical book decorations hanging from the ceiling. Until 2023, it was Lutyens & Rubinstein bookstore, a company which started (and still operates) as a literary agency.

Daunt Books purchased the shop in 2023, rebranding it the L&R Bookshop. It still retains its distinct character and charm. It’s a great place to look for art books and uniquely themed travel books as well as children’s literature and general fiction.

​​Location: 21 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2EU

Gay’s the Word

Started in January, 1979, Gay’s the Word is the UK’s oldest LGBTQ bookshop and also serves as a community center for the LGBTQ community. You’ll find everything from fiction (categorized by sexuality and gender) to LGBTQ history and theory, parenting books, graphic novels, and everything in between. 

I love that even on their website, you can search for books using an “identity” filter “so that people can more easily find the stories that reflect their lives and experiences.” 

Location: 58-60 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AB,

Books on the Rise, Richmond 

If you venture to the London suburb of Richmond, you can find a lovely feminist bookshop called Books on the Rise.

I fell in love with the stunning window art of Virginia Woolf, though the windows are regularly redone by local artists. In addition to browsing a small but compelling selection of feminist fiction and non-fiction, you can also look at or purchase art from local womxn artists in the rear gallery room.

The owner of the Books on the Rise Bookshop also runs an independent press, and their books are for sale in the shop as well. You can also buy a limited amount of vinyl records, which are pleasantly paired with music-related memoirs and biographies.

Books on the Rise is truly a delightful shop really worth the trip if you’re interested in other things in Richmond as well (Richmond is a must-visit destination if you are visiting Virginia Woolf sights in London).

Location: 80 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UB

Tip: If you’re a fan of the TV show Ted Lasso, you’ll also want to check out Richmond as the location where much of the series was filmed. You can even take Ted Lasso tours of Richmond.

The Open Book Richmond 

The Open Book is another Richmond bookshop with all new books. In particular, they carry a nice selection of paperback classics beyond the few most popular titles per author you see in a lot of shops. So it’s a great place to fill in the holes in your personal collection.

There’s also a sizable selection of modern signed copies. All books are sold at MSRP, but make sure to check out the £5 discount bin for some unexpected finds.

Location: 10 King St, Richmond TW9 1ND

Tip: While you’re in Richmond, check out the shop Søstrene Grenes All Over the World. Not only does it have an adorable selection of home items for purchase, but it also has bag-your-own loose-leaf tea for ridiculously cheap (and as a bit of a tea snob, I can confirm this tea is delicious. I only wish I’d grabbed more). 

Primrose Hill Books

Primrose Hill Books is a cute, small bookshop in one of London’s most beautiful neighborhoods (and where you’ll find one of the best views of London). The shop carries a very small selection of used books outside, with the interior dedicated to all new books in their one-room location.

The shop has been family owned for more than 30 years and has a quaint charm about it (but be warned of the no photos of books rule). There’s not a particularly extensive selection or unique draw to the shop, so it isn’t necessarily worth a specific trip to visit. However, it’s worth stopping by while you’re exploring one of London’s must-visit neighborhoods.

If you’re searching for recommendations, they have a fun tradition of curating their own recommended summer reading list each year.

Location: 134 Regent’s Park Rd, London NW1 8XL

Tip: Primrose Hill has plenty of literary connections. You can find blue plaques marking the homes of George Orwell, Sylvia Plath, and others.

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Antiquarian bookstores

London is the place to go for antiquarian books, no doubt about it. While many of the secondhand and other bookshops on this list also sell rare and antiquarian books, here are a couple specialty stores to check out for rare finds, vibes, and old book smell.

Foster Books

Foster Books is one perfect place to discover out-of-print, used, and rare books in London. It’s housed in a gorgeous and charming 18th century building, the oldest one on the Chiswick High Road and is full of gorgeous spines and an old world feel.

If you’re a collector of rare and antiquarian books, check out their shop or their online listings and you might just find a gem. The prices are very fair from what I have seen. 

Location: 183 Chiswick High Road London W4 2DR

Henry Pordes Books Ltd. 

Henry Pordes Books is NOT the place to go for a bargain, but it IS the place to go if you enjoy gazing rapturously at beautiful, antiquarian books. This London bookshop specializes in rare, antiquarian, and early edition books, and they are priced with a thorough knowledge of the collectors’ book market. 

Even if you can’t afford to drop hundreds (or thousands) of pounds on a book, though, you might enjoy a browse (just pretend it’s a museum!). It’s a beauty of a shop and one that will capture any book lover’s heart. 

Location: 72 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB

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London is a place of constant discovery and a book lover’s playground. Make sure you sign up for my monthly newsletter so you’re alerted of all my upcoming travel content for book lovers and learn about upcoming bookish events in the US and Europe.