I love a good bookstore. From the scent of the paper to the world of words hidden between covers, I can spend hours browsing and buying. A few months ago I wrote about the best places for books in London, and it was so well received that I decided to write more. Today I bring you 7 specialty bookstores in London that are worth a trip.
Travel Bookstores in London
Stanfords
I discovered Stanfords when I first moved to London, and now I can’t pass anywhere near Covent Garden without popping in. The bookstore has every travel book imaginable, from classic guidebooks to famous narratives.
It also has a wanderlust-worthy selection of travel notebooks, cards, and other accessories. And don’t even get me started on how much I love the treasure trove of globes and retro luggage. Steamer trunk, please!
Daunt Books
Daunt Books is not only one of the most famous bookstores in London, but also one of the loveliest.
The Marylebone High Street location is full of travel books on every destination across the globe, and its inspiring interiors make it a mecca for book lovers and photographers alike.
Foodie Bookstores in London
Books for Cooks
Even though I’m the world’s worst cook, I like to think I can still appreciate a good cookbook when I see one. And I see lots every time I visit Books for Cooks in Notting Hill.
This specialty bookstore in London is an iconic location in the city, and the perfect place to find culinary inspiration.
Vintage Bookstores in London
Alice Through The Looking Glass
I’ve been a Lewis Carroll fan since playing the lead role in a community youth theater production of Alice in Wonderland when I was 14.
I may have grown up since then—the “Eat Me” cakes helped—but I still love a bit of good Alice memorabilia.
Enter Alice Through The Looking Glass, a shop on Covent Garden’s famous vintage bookstore row, Cecil Court.
In addition to first editions of Carroll’s books, the shop also sells everything from tea party-themed greeting cards to chocolate-filled Mad Hatter top hats.
Esoteric Bookstores in London
Treadwell’s Books
I didn’t realize there was such thing as an esoteric bookstore in London until I came across Treadwell’s Books on Store Street in Bloomsbury.
Specializing in magic, esoteric literature, and the occult, it has everything from books on witchcraft to a world-famous lecture series.
Beyond books, it offers tarot readings both in person and online. This is definitely one of the most unusual specialty bookstores in London.
Art Bookstores in London
Artwords
Over in hip Hackney, Artwords is one of the best specialty bookstores in London for—you guessed it—art.
The little shop is full of books on contemporary visual arts and culture, covering everything from fashion to graphic design. The store itself is a treat to look at, too.
Floating Bookstores in London
Word on the Water
Okay, so this one doesn’t focus on a particular subject or genre, but Word on the Water is one of the best specialty bookstores in London for its unique location on a canal boat in King’s Cross.
This one-of-a-kind bookshop is a joy to come across while on canal walks in London. It has titles laid out across the boat, making it easy to browse as you walk by. It’s worth a special trip for its quirky atmosphere alone.
Specialty Bookstores in London
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this guide. If you want to see more, I’ve written about great independent bookshops in London and the best London books.
I’ve also published a free self-guided London literary walk that will take you to some of the city’s best places for books. Happy reading!
How about you? What are your favorite specialty bookstores in London?
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26 Comments on Lady’s 7 Specialty Bookstores in London to Discover
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Stanfords and Daunt Books are mandatory stops for me everytime I visit London! (Hopefully I’ll be there in April again, fingers crossed) But now I have to add Books for Cooks to the list! Thank you!
You’re welcome! Glad I’ve helped you discover a new one!
I only knew about some of these. I’m not sure if I’m angry at myself for not knowing more, or excited about having some new places to discover! 😉
Aw, either way I’m glad you have some new places to discover!
It’s amazing the variety of bookstores that are in London. Books for Cooks certainly has a nice ring to it.
Yeah!
Thanks for this awesome selection of bookshops. I know where to stop by for my next visit to London!
I would personally add Assouline in Picadilly, for lovers of luxury books. They have an amazing collection of Travel books that you praise, but also outstanding Art & Fashion books that you can discover. And the place is so nice with a cafe in the middle of the collections…
Nice!
I love that there are still so many specialty bookstores in London. New York City used to boast a bunch, but they are closing at an alarming rate. It’s such a shame because browsing them can be so much fun!
Yeah! It’s sad how many are closing down around the world.
What a terrific post. I wasn’t familiar with any of these but would love to spend a day exploring, particularly Daunt and Persephone. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Great list! I love Daunt Books and try to visit whenever I’m in London. I could spend hours in there.
Yeah! It’s such an amazing bookstore!
What a great list! I can spend hours in a good bookshop – Foyles in Covent Garden is my current festival, but will definitely check some of these out!
Thanks! Yeah, Foyles is great!
A mere picture of this Daunt book store is capable of warming my heart. So you can imagine how fit to busting it is when I walk through the door. It’s not very cool but I do also have a sweet spot for the Waterstones in Piccadilly, it’s so vast that I just feel like I can get lost in it, and the book stores always dole out the best recommendations.
Yeah, I like the cafe at the top of that Waterstones. It’s a great place to take a break from the craziness of central London!
A fave of mine is definitely the shop of Shakespeare’s Globe, although it’s not a bookstore only. However, it’s where I’ve gotten many of my Shakespeare books, including reference works and the fave for those who can’t seem to “get” or understand Shakespeare: “Shakespeare on Toast” by Ben Crystal.
Nice! Sounds like a great one.
Thanks for the list! I was looking for nice bookstore to visit in London and the ones you proposed look amazing 🙂
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy exploring them.
Dang I wish I knew about books for cooks when I lived in London!!! I love Stanford, but I have to say I am always disappointed with their selection of middle-eastern and African section….even so, I couldn’t help going there as often as possible and just dreaming about buying one of their globes!
Yeah, I love their globes! I hope you get a chance to go to Books for Cooks sometime.
Love this post! I really enjoy the atmosphere of bookstores and I didn´t know any of them. Thank you for your tips.
Kiara
You’re welcome!