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9 Best Bookshops in London That Are Actually Worth Your Time

ByTina Riegelnegg
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I’ve spent around three months in London over multiple trips, including one five week stay. So, on my most recent four night visit, I skipped the main sights and built my itinerary around bookshops, tea shops, vegan food, and theatre instead.

Before going, I spent hours researching the best bookshops in London. But most blog posts just listed names without explaining the vibe or showing what actually makes each shop special. It was hard to tell which ones were truly worth visiting.

So on this trip, I made it a mission to see them for myself.

This list is by no means complete. These are the bookshops I personally visited. I browsed the shelves, checked the layouts, tested the cafés, and even bought a few things along the way.

If you’re looking for the best bookshops in London and want a real feel for each one, this guide will help you decide where to go.

1. Daunt Books (Marylebone)

Tina outside Daunt Books holding a blue tote bag printed with an illustration of the storefront. The green Daunt Books sign and window displays are visible behind her on the busy street.
Grand interior of a historic bookstore with a glass ceiling skylight and two levels of wooden balconies lined with books. Customers browse tables and shelves beneath green reading lamps and a large arched window.
Wide view of Daunt Books interior with long wooden galleries and shelves organized by country including Greece and Italy. Round tables in the foreground display travel and literary titles as customers browse the airy space.

The first time I visited a Daunt Books in London, I didn’t get the hype.

Then I stepped into the Marylebone location, and understood immediately.

The space alone is worth the visit. Wooden galleries wrap around the upper level, and a glass skylight floods the shop with natural light. It feels more like a historic library than a bookstore.

What really stood out to me was how the books are organized.

Everything is shelved by country. So instead of browsing “fiction,” you browse Japan. Portugal. Italy. Each section mixes novels, nonfiction, and travel guides together.

It makes wandering feel like traveling.

When I went, it was packed. You’ll likely have to weave through people. Still worth it.

I ended up buying up a book about UK history told through 100 important places. I hadn’t planned to buy anything, but the concept hooked me instantly. It felt like the perfect souvenir, a way to keep exploring England even after leaving London.

And yes, I also bought one of their big tote bags. They’re beautiful, and I can’t wait to use mine at the beach or the swimming pool. Not just for books.

2. Words on the Water

Exterior of a small rustic bookshop with a green BookShop sign, string lights, and potted flowers lining the entrance. Signs reading Open and We are each others harvest are displayed outside the cozy storefront on a city sidewalk.
Narrow passage inside a small independent bookshop with low wooden beams and shelves packed with books. A sign overhead reads Please your mind mind your head, while customers browse among rugs, framed art, and tightly stacked titles.
Cozy reading nook with a lit wood burning stove beside a tall wooden bookshelf filled with paperbacks. A wooden sign on the floor reads The ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive Malcolm X, adding a literary touch to the warm space.

If you’re looking for a truly unique bookshop in London, this one wins.

Words on the Water is a small bookshop inside a narrowboat on Regent’s Canal. Yes, an actual boat.

From the outside, it already looks charming. It’s colourful, slightly crooked, and incredibly photogenic. In summer they also have some book displays outside, but I visited in winter.

Inside it’s tiny, but that’s part of the charm. You won’t find endless shelves or countless of different books. The selection is mostly new books, with a small secondhand section.

This is not the place to go if you’re searching for one very specific title.

This is the place to browse.

Because it’s on the water, the boat moves slightly. I knew that logically. Still, when I stepped inside and felt it gently shift, I was surprised. It adds to the charm, but it’s definitely a different experience than a normal bookstore.

I love places like this when I travel. You don’t go for efficiency. You go for atmosphere.

If you want one of the most memorable independent bookshops in London, this is it.

3. Hatchards (Piccadilly)

Exterior of Hatchards bookseller since 1797 with glossy dark storefront and large paned windows displaying books inside. The hanging sign reads Hatchards Bookseller since 1797 above the traditional shopfront.
Table display of bestselling fiction titles arranged around a large bouquet of pink and purple flowers. Black shelves labeled Fiction B and A Z by author line the walls behind the colorful stacks of books.
View looking down a wooden staircase with polished banisters and beige carpet inside a bookstore. Shelves of books are visible on each level below, creating a classic multi floor bookshop layout.

If you’re searching for old bookshops in London, this is the one.

Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in the city, it opened in 1797 just around the corner from Piccadilly Circus! And you can feel that history the moment you walk in. (They have a second location at St Pancras, but that one feels much more modern)

It has five floors, which surprised me. From the outside, it doesn’t look that big. But once inside, you’ll find dark wooden shelves, a central staircase, and framed photos showing what the shop looked like in the past. Honestly, it hasn’t changed much.

It feels classic. Traditional. Almost formal.

They carry all the usual genres, so you can absolutely buy a normal new release here. But what makes Hatchards different is the rare book selection.

Some antique books and first editions are locked behind glass cases. I even saw some priced at over £1000. You can look, but definitely not touch.

They also host special book events, which adds to that historic literary atmosphere.

My boyfriend bought a book here, and I loved the small details. They placed it in a pretty paper bag, and he even got a free paper bookmark with it. It was beautiful and felt like such a thoughtful touch.

4. Waterstones (Piccadilly)

Display table stacked with colorful fashion and designer books including Chanel by Lagerfeld Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. A large bouquet of greenery and flowers stands in the center of the bookstore display.
Me, Tina, with short light brown hair and red glasses holding a cup of coffee at a bookstore café table. A teapot and cups sit on a tray in front of her beside a large window.
Wall of canvas tote bags printed with book themed illustrations and Waterstones branding. Designs include literary characters bookstore sketches and slogans like I am a book trovert.

I know Waterstones is a big chain across the UK, so at first it might not sound very special.

But the Piccadilly location absolutely is.

It’s one of the largest bookshops in Europe, books spread across six floors. If you’re looking for a very specific book or have niche interests, this is probably your safest bet in London. The selection is huge.

You could easily spend hours here. So, if you’re in London on a rainy day and want to spend a few hours inside, this is the place to go.

There’s a café on the lower floor, which was very busy when we visited. We were lucky to grab a table. Only later did we realize there’s also a quieter bar and restaurant space on the top floor with sofas and more room to sit. If you want a calmer atmosphere, head upstairs.

What I liked most about Waterstones Piccadilly is that it’s more than just books.

They have planners, notebooks, puzzles, and gifts. I actually bought a planner there. Apparently I’m in my planning era now (that’s the name of the planner I got).

5. Foyles (Charing Cross Road)

Large FOYLES sign in bright red letters above the glass entrance of a busy bookstore. Customers walk in and out beneath posted opening hours and café signs at the front doors.
Spacious multi level bookstore interior with balconies and warm pendant lighting hanging from a high ceiling. A central table displays bestselling novels beneath a sign that reads Welcome book lover you are among friends.
Busy bookstore café with long communal tables filled with people reading and working on laptops. Large windows and exposed ceiling pipes create a bright modern space for coffee and study.

Foyles feels a bit like Waterstones at first. It’s large, spread across multiple floors, and has a very wide selection.

But it still feels more London, 4 out of their 6 locations are in London.

I visited the Charing Cross Road location, which is their flagship store. If you enjoy big bookshops where you can properly browse, this is a good one to add to your list.

What stood out to me most wasn’t actually the books.

It was the board game section.

They organize games by how long they take to play, which I thought was such a clever system. Instead of guessing whether something is a quick 30 minute game or a three hour commitment, you can immediately see what fits your mood.

We had planned to have a coffee at their café on the top floor. But when we got there, it was completely packed. It felt more like a busy cantina than a cozy café, so we didn’t stay after all.

6. Any Amount of Books

Narrow aisles of a small independent bookstore with green walls and tall wooden shelves filled with books. A wooden counter and more tightly packed shelves create an intimate space for browsing secondhand and literary titles.

If you’re looking for secondhand bookshops in London, this is a classic stop.

Any Amount of Books has a ground floor and a lower level, both packed with shelves. It feels slightly chaotic in the best way. Stacks everywhere. Narrow aisles. That proper treasure hunt atmosphere.

And the moment you walk in, you smell it.

That very distinct old book smell. You either love it or you don’t.

I have to be honest. While I love the idea of secondhand bookshops, I’m not a huge fan of that old paper scent. If you are, you’ll probably adore this place. If you’re sensitive to smells, it’s something to be aware of.

The selection depends entirely on what’s currently in stock. You might find something amazing. Or you might not. That’s part of the charm.

7. Henry Pordes Books

Floor to ceiling wooden bookshelves filled with antique and vintage hardback books in a cozy bookshop. A small silver step ladder stands in front of glass cabinet doors, highlighting the tall shelves packed with classic leather bound volumes.
A crowded display table stacked with vintage paperbacks and hardcovers inside a secondhand bookstore. Tall wooden shelves line the walls and a large front window with hanging light bulbs looks out onto a city street, creating a warm neighborhood bookshop atmosphere.

Just a few doors down from Any Amount of Books, you’ll find Henry Pordes Books. It’s also a secondhand bookshop, but the vibe is completely different.

Henry Pordes Books is where you go if you’re looking for something special.

They stock first editions, signed copies, and older, more unique books. The prices are higher than in a typical secondhand shop, but that’s because many of the books are rare or collectible.

It feels less like a treasure hunt and more like browsing a small literary archive.

If you’re specifically searching for unique finds or collectible editions, this is one of the more interesting secondhand shops in London to visit.

If you’re just after a cheap paperback, you’re better off next door at Any Amount of Books.

8. Forbidden Planet

Manga A to Z section in a bookstore with white shelves packed tightly with manga volumes and light novels. Promotional stickers like 3 for 2 and 1 pound off are visible, highlighting deals in the graphic novel and manga aisle.
Bookstore shelves labeled SF and Fantasy A to Z filled with colorful science fiction and fantasy novels displayed face out. Bright overhead lights and clearly marked author sections make the genre easy to browse in this modern bookshop aisle.

This one is very niche.

Forbidden Planet is not your typical bookstore. When you first walk in, it feels more like a pop culture store. There are figurines, clothing, collectibles, and all kinds of fantasy themed merchandise.

But head downstairs.

That’s where the books are.

The basement is packed with fantasy and science fiction. You’ll also find comics, manga, anime, and graphic novels. If you love fantasy the way I do, this place is a must visit. If you’re not into that genre, skip it.

9. Fopp (For Cheap Book Deals)

Long bookstore shelf labeled Fiction from 2.99 filled with neatly arranged novels. Graphic T shirts hang above the books with signage for FoppCovent and social media handles displayed along the top.

I debated whether to include this one.

Fopp is mainly a DVD, CD, and vinyl store. The book section is small and not particularly pretty. It’s not a cozy bookstore experience.

But the prices make it interesting.

They usually run a deal, £9 for two books. And many of those books would normally cost around £9 each in other stores. So if you’re looking for a bargain on new books, it’s worth checking.

However, the selection is limited and it’s not the best in terms of atmosphere.

How to Plan a London Bookshop Itinerary

On this trip, I built my entire itinerary around visiting these bookshops. Since I’ve already spent around three months in London over different stays, I wasn’t focused on ticking off major sights again.

But you don’t have to plan your whole trip around books like I did.

Many of these shops are right next to major London attractions.

Hatchards and Waterstones are close to Piccadilly Circus. Word on the Water is close to King’s Cross, a must see for Harry Potter fans in London. Daunt Books in Marylebone is easy to combine with a stroll through Regent’s Park.

You can easily add one or two of these stops between sightseeing.

I’ll also include a map below so you can see how close many of them are to each other and plan your own route.

And if you’re like me and love building themed days around specific interests, you could even pair a bookshop visit with a visit to one of the best tea shops in London. That combination alone is worth a return trip, if you ask me.

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London cute book shops collage featuring a grand historic bookstore interior with wooden balconies and a glass ceiling. Below, a woman reads A History of England book beside colorful shelves, alongside a display table of books and flowers, with text overlay reading LONDON cute book shops and veganderlust.com.
9 Best London Bookstores You Shouldn’t Miss
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Tina Riegelnegg

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.