9 of the Best Independent Bookstores in London

9 of the Best Independent Bookstores in London

Where to buy your books that isn't Waterstones...
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London is, in my opinion, one of the best places for people who like to read. 

Cecil Court
@sarahpollock
This is actually a street with multiple stores on it, but it's famed as a historic literary street lined with old stores on either side. A great starting point if you're looking for something lesser known and very quintessentially British.
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Daunt Books Marylebone
@sarahpollock
One of the most well-known in London, famed for its gorgeous interior. The store itself is huge and the selection here is more vast than most other independent shops in the city. But it still feels curated. Great if you have a lot of time to kill or if you already have an idea what you want to read/buy (otherwise it gets overwhelming). I think the last time I was here was July of 2022, and I was taking refuge during a heatwave. It's great for that too!
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Libreria Bookshop
@sarahpollock
Favorite bookstore in the city, on a side street off of Brick Lane
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Brick Lane Bookshop
@sarahpollock
Around the corner from Libreria, but oddly I don't feel like they compete? Another fantastic independent shop with its own selection and tone. I love this one just as much.
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ICA Bookstore
@sarahpollock
Great for art books and independent publications!! Get something to read in St. James' Park after :)
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Tenderbooks
@sarahpollock
Another fantastic independent shop in central London with a sizeable art selection as well. Especially wonderful for such a touristy area.
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Books for Cooks
@sarahpollock
Exactly what it says... but yeah, they do have a great cookbook assortment.
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Donlon Books
@sarahpollock
LOVE it here. Incredible selection, neighborhood feel, very smart and passionate people.
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Bookartbookshop
@sarahpollock
Very very good art book selection!! One of the better places in Shoreditch that still remains true to character and isn't super overpriced.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Pollock is a twenty-something-year-old traveler, creative, and spiritualist. She graduated with a degree in Business Information Systems (although she did not enjoy it) and a minor in Sustainability from the University of Florida. Since embarking on her first trip abroad to Australia and New Zealand at 15 years old, she has since visited 25 countries and counting- most of them solo. She is also an avid foodie, reader, concert-goer, sitter at coffee shops, introspective thinker, and champion of small businesses. She prides herself on her romantic and nostalgic approach to seeing the world, which is reflected in the hidden gem-filled and slightly sentimental tone of her writing and recommendations. She recently spent this past school year splitting time between Tel Aviv and Be’er Sheva, Israel; teaching English to underrepresented and underprivileged children in both Hebrew and Arabic-speaking schools. She is currently continuing this work in Madrid. For more personal thoughts and musings and present updates on where she is in the world and how she’s feeling about it, consider subscribing to her bi-weekly travel newsletter, Postcards. Other subject matters, though all undoubtedly influenced by her experience living abroad, are explored through her primary publication, Older Sister (both linked in bio).
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