London loves bookshops! You’ll find everything from general bookstores to specialty shops focused on unique interests. Here are some of my favourites—please submit your own recommendations to help create a great guide for book lovers new to the city!
Definitely the bookshop I visit most often, over the years it changed a lot, a few years back it was sold to Waterstones but now still operating under the name Foyles. To me they have the best book selections and the cafe on the 5th floor is quite big for some food and drinks when you need a break.
This flagship bookshop is probably biggest in London. But weirdly sometimes I cannot find the books I need in there despite being much bigger than Foyles. Overall it’s a very nice place if you just want maximum options.
It used to be a travel bookshop, you can still see it from the way that books are arranged by countries. The bookshop is very popular among tourists, so it is very busy during the day. You have probably seen at least one image of this iconic bookshop due to its Edwardian interior design.
Owned by the famous London Review of Books magazine. This small but mighty bookshop is frequented by literary book lovers. There’s also a tea room right next to it.
Sat in the heart of Bloomsbury, this second hand books shop is probably the best place to find cheap academic books, which are generally priced like no one’s business. Their selection is well loved by university students around the area.
Bookshop focusing on comic books and fantasy & sci-fi works. Books are underground while the ground floor is stocked with models and other merchandising. Geek level overload.
Right next to the old red light street(more like a tunnel) you’ll find this small comics store. Underground are the mainstream and series. On the ground floor is a mix of indie publishing and store picks.
