6 Best Bookshops in London For True Book Lovers
Choosing the 6 best bookshops in London was not an easy thing. Still, I strongly got inspired by all the moments I spent in London bookshop cafes working and drinking lots of caffè latte. All of this before going to a great Indian restaurant in London for comfort food, or rushing to eat amazing Chinese dumplings. If you’d like to know which are the best bookstores in London for new and used books, I strongly suggest you keep reading.
The Best Bookshops in London
I’m a book enthusiast – I love carrying a little world in my backpack. When I was starting to learn Italian, I bought many books from the European Bookshop London. There, you can find used books and new titles in Italian, French, German, and other languages that are usually hard to find in standard London bookshops like Waterstones or Foyles.
In this list of book shops in London, I will mostly talk about independent bookstores. Some of those shops are very instagrammable, meaning you’re pretty sure to leave with a new pic to add to your feed. Been there, done that. From bookshops near London Bridge to finding out the London biggest bookshop addresses, follow the guide!
6 Best Bookstores in London For True Book Lovers
Have you ever dreamed of getting to work in a bookshop London? I have. Foyles is one of my personal favorite book shops in London – the one on Charing Cross Road, more specifically. I always feel like it’s the biggest bookstore in London too – it has several floors, all filled with more titles than we’d both ever be able to read.
I’ve found some amazing London second hand bookshop addresses when I was living there and oh, did I buy some books. There’s a special atmosphere around you when you penetrate the cutest independent stores London. To me, being able to get used books and second hand books around Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, and Camden Town is one of the coolest outings. You spend less than £5 for at least two or three novels that you can then read calmly in a cool London bookshop cafe. How cool and autumn-feely is that, right?
Okay, less talking, more about the best bookstores in London. Let me know your favorites in the comments!
1. Oxfam Bookshop (near Tottenham Court Road)
I think Oxfam Bookshop on Bloomsbury Street is the biggest bookstore in London for Oxfam books. It might not be the oldest bookstore in London, but you can find some pretty cool literary gems there.
This London second hand bookshop is full of novels for adults and kids. Plus, it’s also somewhat of a travel bookshop London, given how many travel-related titles they have. Used books give me a sense of indescribable pleasure.
Although it’s not located on a famous London bookshop street, there are two or three other book stores in the street. If you go to the Oxfam used books London shop, make sure you go to those other addresses too. Knowing that you’re doing a good deed while enjoying a new book is always satisfying.
Oxfam Bookshop Second Hand Books Address: 12 Bloomsbury St, London WC1B 3QA
2. Best Bookshops in London: Foyles Charing Cross Road
Now Foyles Charing Cross Road has got to be the biggest bookstore in london. That’s not where you’ll find second hand books London, however all the new titles are there. I used to want to learn how to draw so bad that I visited the store a few times last year on the quest for the best book. I found more than a couple amazing books on the topic.
When I used to want to work in a bookshop London, Foyles is where I started looking straight away. In my opinion, with its five floors and labyrinth-like aisles, it’s one of the best bookstores in London.
Closeby, there’s a Superdrug store where you can treat yourself to some cool affordable makeup brands in London. There’s also a Starbucks coffee where more than once, I ended up when it was raining.
There’s not much more to say about it – the Foyles London bookshop stores will make any book lover dreamy. And that’s not it – if you’re looking for a cool London bookshop cafe, this Foyles has a jazz cafe inside and sometimes host events.
Foyles Charing Cross Bookshop Address: 107 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DT
3. Second Hand Books London: Hurlingham Books
Hurlingham Books seems like it’s the oldest bookstore in London, with its washed out shop window. As far as I’m concerned, when I want any second hand books London, that’s where I’ll go.
It’s not a book shop in Central London though – you’ll have to take the Tube up until Putney Bridge to reach this gem. But you know, sometimes the challenge of finding the best used books London is very much worth it. Luckily, about 3 minutes away on foot, there’s an amazing old school English cafe where you can have an amazing Full English breakfast.
This famous bookshop in London opened in 1968 and they sell any kind of books. They stack more used books in their closeby book warehouse, and they have more than a million books in stock.
That’s also a very instagrammable place – not the biggest bookstore in London, but definitely the cutest book shop.
Hurlingham Books Second Hand Bookshop Address: 91 Fulham High Street, Fulham, SW6 3JS
4. Best London Bookshop: Daunt Books
Daunt Books London is one of the most famous book shops in London. The titles there are new, a proper, modern London bookstore. Built in 1912, it still features beautiful wood that reminds you of Harry Potter as soon as you enter the bookshop.
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More than a hundred years later, Daunt Books London is still standing – probably the oldest bookstore in London. There are several branches to this shop, but the most Instagrammable bookstore in Daunt Books London’s repertoire is the Marylebone branch. From classics to teen novels, you’ll find everything you need at this famous bookshop.
Daunt Books London Bookshop Address: 83 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW
5. London Review Bookshop
For those looking for a London bookshop cafe, I present to you the London Review Bookshop. Not the biggest bookstore in London, not the oldest bookstore in London since it opened only in 2003, but definitely one where you can chill in peace.
Plus, it’s located literally 3 minutes away from the British Museum, where the bookshop is also super interesting. Much like Daunt Books London, the London Review Bookshop really owns its bold personality.
This independent bookstore will allow you to study for your exams smoothly or just enjoy a hot drink and a novel to get away from it all. Not specifically a travel bookshop London, but there are quite a few titles you’d love to get, even just to make you dream about your next vacation. They mostly offer classics and serious books about philosophy, history and literature – and the tea room is exquisite. I feel like work in a bookshop London like the Review shop would make like very, very enjoyable.
London Review Bookshop Address: 14-16 Bury Pl, London WC1A 2JL
6. Best London Bookshops: The European Bookshop
The European Bookshop London is one of the most famous independent bookstores in London. The books there are new, and the particularity of the store is the wide array of books in various languages. Most importantly, they offer trendy titles as well.
When I was learning Italian, I used to go to this London bookshop to get a new title of Harry Potter in Italian as soon as I was done with the previous one. As far as the best bookstores in London go, that’s definitely a shop to check out.
The European Bookshop London has a partner, called the Italian Bookshop London because of just how many books in Italian they sell. It’s also not too far from the Museum of London bookshop, so while you’re in South Kensington, just visit one after the other. Both are among the best book shops in London in my opinion. After you’re done, take a little walk up to the Macellaio restaurant – one of the best Italian restaurants you’ll ever eat at.
European Bookshop London Address: 123 Gloucester Road, London SW7 4TE
The 6 Best Bookshops in London
Whether I’m in the biggest bookstore in London or an independent used books shop, I feel happy. There’s a quiet serenity that surrounds book readers, in my opinion. Being able to stop at the best London second hand bookshops and forget for a minute about work, the rent, and the kids, is a privilege.
So get yourself some cool new used books, or treat yourself to a brand new book from Foyles, order a large tea at a cool coffeeshop, and relax! And if you’re on a budget, here’s what to do in London with just 10 pounds!
Having previously lived in both Paris and Rome as a fashion makeup artist, she enjoys the freedom that freelancing offers and loves to spend her time seeking out new and exciting spots in London.