London Bookshops

Five of the best London Bookshops

Dotted around town are a few London bookshops that are almost destination landmarks. They are very bit as important as our major tourist attractions.  After all what could be better than browsing through new titles in a cosy reading nook?

If you love books these are our ivory towers.

Hatchards – The plush purveyor of books to Royalty 

Royal Warrant holders, who enjoy the patronage of our royal family, invariably have Dickensian style establishments complete with great architecture, plenty of blackened oak or mahogany, plush patterned carpets and attentive service. Hatchard’s, Queen Elizabeth II’s bookseller is no exception.

A visit to what is London’s oldest book store is more of an experience than an exercise in retail therapy. Dotted around the shelves are handwritten reviews by staff with suggestions of books to try.

As you enter, you will see its Royal Warrant prominently displayed above the till and there is a large circular table containing signed copies by authors following a recent literary events, their best sellers and staff recommendations.

Hatchards was opened by John Hatchard in 1797: his portrait is prominently displayed on the stair case. The book shop is now the flag ship store of Waterstones and it is the only shop to retain its original branding.

At the back of the store is a lift which offers no step access to the upper floors where you can seek out the comfy chairs and get stuck into your browsing experience. Personally, I have never found it too busy and I love the unusual selection of books.

Hatchard’s hosts a range of events that are aimed at bringing authors and readers together. You can book these on the Events page on their website. Their soirees are the perfect place to meet fellow bibliophiles.

Keen book lovers won’t want to miss the 1797 Hatchard’s Blog with its posts by authors and booksellers which contain a fascinating selection of reviews of new titles, backlist favourites and hidden gems.

What also makes this book shop special is its prime location on Piccadilly near the Ritz, the Royal Academy, the London Library, Green Park and the Queen’s grocer Fortnum and Mason making it the perfect place to combine book shopping with London culture, walking or refreshment.

Waterstones, Piccadilly – the largest Book seller in Europe

A stones throw from Hatchard’s is Waterstones on Piccadilly with 8 floors making it the largest book shop in Europe.

This is the Harrods of books – a giant store staffed with their most expert book sellers and offering the book buyer their every desire from complimentary gift wrapping, to worldwide shipping and advice on finding books, individual book requests and when you need a break there are airy cafes and bars.

Waterstones has over 8 miles of book shelves.

Foyles – the Father of Academic London Bookshops

Foyles used to be a mammoth seller of educational books. I spent large portions of my teens and twenties in its musty and dusty old headquarters searching out academic titles for my studies.

There used to be a byzantine book buying system in operation where you had to queue in one place to receive a paper chit for the book you wanted and then visit another to pay and it was staffed by Mr Mcawber type men in warehouse over coats.

Since the recent urban regeneration of Tottenham Court Road, its premises are barely recognisable. Foyles is now a bright modern space at the top of Charing Cross Road with an enticing  fifth floor cafe and event space.

 

Foyles is noted for its generous reward scheme Foyalty. It offers a £10 balance back for every ten stamps earned both instore and online.

In 2018, Foyles sold out to Waterstones (the owners of Hatchard’s) but with the proviso that the existing senior management remined on the board.

I rate Foyles quite highly as a browsing experience – it is only a few steps from Tottenham Court Road tube and is especially good when combined with lunch on the fifth floor. It’s only down side is that it can get quite busy.

Daunt – An unusual Edwardian London Bookshop experience

Daunt book shop is high on my list as an “unusual bibliophile experience” with its striking Edwardian gallery. Daunt seems to be a favourite amongst Japanese tourists who regard it as an instagrammable spot – the place to see and be seen. Their  entire collection of everything from maps, guides, fiction and non fiction is arranged by country instead of the more usual A-Z by category classification which makes it a unique browsing experience.

The Daunt’s cotton or canvas bags have a bit of a cult following which for circa £18 scream “civilised and cultured” in a way that a £3k Louis Vuitton shopper is never going to do.

Jigsaws, that past time of children half a century ago, has a special place here. It is a mark of great eccentricity that this independent bookseller has an impressive selection for sale both instore and on their website.

The plus sides of Daunt books are very considerable but due to its internal period architecture it’s a bit short on reading nooks and being slap bang in the middle of Marylebone High Street makes it a bit of a shlep from the nearest tubes at Bond Street, Marble Arch or Baker’s Street.

National Theatre – A London Book Shop Aimed at the Theatre Industry

This London book shop suggestion is a bit left field. If you are attending a theatre production or going for a stroll along the South Bank, I recommend that you pop in here.

There is a very large selection of books aimed at those in the theatrical or creative industries. It is  just the place for finding books on how to develop your voice, direct your next play or write your first novel.

London tourists and their children haven’t been forgotten either…there is a large selection of London souvenirs and books on our great city. And tucked away at the back are a few comfy seats to make your book trawl an even more edifying experience. With the extensive array of bars and cafes at the National Theatre you are always near some suitable refreshment.

As you tour London make time for a spot of recuperation at our flagship London bookshops.

As a fellow bibliophile you may enjoy our review of  the Charles Dickens Museum.