London is a city of great libraries and vast chains, but its soul belongs to the independents. These bookshops are sanctuaries of thought and discovery, where browsing is as important as buying and a good recommendation is always personal.
Here is a guide to some of the best.
John Sandoe Books, Chelsea
Address: 10–12 Blacklands Terrace, SW3 2SR
Website: johnsandoe.com
A personal favorite. Just off the King’s Road, John Sandoe is a warren of narrow staircases and wood-lined rooms holding over 30,000 titles. It is beautifully curated, with staff who recommend from deep knowledge rather than blurbs. A true London literary institution. I used to live close by and it’s a book shop that truly feels like home to me.
London Review Bookshop, Bloomsbury
Address: 14 Bury Place, WC1A 2JL
Website: londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
Linked to the London Review of Books, this shop specializes in serious literature, philosophy, and essays, but it is never austere. Events and readings are frequent, and the adjoining café makes it easy to linger with a new book. My second favourite. It was where I discovered Antal Szerb.
Daunt Books, Marylebone
Address: 83 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW
Website: dauntbooks.co.uk
The Edwardian oak-gallery interior of the Marylebone branch is among the most beautiful in London. Originally a travel specialist, Daunt still arranges books by country, mixing literature and guides to create journeys on the shelves. Other branches across the city carry the same thoughtful selection.
Libreria, Spitalfields
Address: 65 Hanbury Street, E1 5JP
Website: libreria.io
A contemporary gem. Libreria groups its books by theme rather than genre, with sections such as “Wanderlust” or “Exiles,” encouraging serendipitous discovery. The mirrored ceilings and golden shelves make the space feel infinite, and phones are discouraged, creating a rare atmosphere of focus.
Goldsboro Books, Cecil Court
Address: 23–27 Cecil Court, WC2N 4EZ
Website: goldsborobooks.com
Specializing in first editions and signed copies, Goldsboro is the place for collectors. Cecil Court itself is worth the visit: a narrow lane lined with antiquarian and specialist bookshops, steeped in history.
The Second Shelf, Soho
Address: 14 Smith’s Court, W1D 7DW
Website: thesecondshelf.com
A rare-bookshop devoted to women’s writing. The Second Shelf carries everything from affordable editions to valuable collectibles and publishes a quarterly magazine. It is both a bookstore and a feminist project, preserving and celebrating neglected voices.
Arthur Probsthain, Bloomsbury
Address: 41 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3PE
Website: arthurprobsthain.com
Founded in 1903, this family-run shop specializes in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern books. Located opposite the British Museum, it is a treasure trove for world literature, theology, and history.
Any Amount of Books, Charing Cross Road
Address: 56 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0QA
Floor-to-ceiling second-hand and rare books, with prices from a few pounds to fine-collectible. Perfect for browsing and the thrill of the unexpected find.
Gay’s the Word, King’s Cross
Address: 66 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB
Website: gaystheword.co.uk
Britain’s oldest LGBTQ+ bookshop, founded in 1979, and still going strong. It is a community hub as well as a shop, with shelves full of queer literature, history, and activism.
Why They Matter
Independent bookshops offer what no algorithm can: curation, conversation, and atmosphere. They preserve the art of browsing, support small presses, and create spaces where books are not just commodities but companions.
My World of Interiors 