Reading is really a relaxing experience for bookworm. Although many people will choose Kindle now, but the paper version of the book is really more enjoyable to read, and you can also collect the hardcover book you like.


When visiting bookstores, we can not only find many classic editions, but also exchange ideas with like-minded people. Many bookstores also hold reader meetings from time to time. Britons, who are famous for their love of reading, naturally have bookstores. Here are those great bookstores in London!


1. Stanfords


This bookstore in Covent Garden was established in 1853. The three-story building is full of various travel books, including travel story collections, travel guide magazines covering all parts of the world (such as Lonely Planet), precious maps, photo albums, and some small travel items, such as backpacks, compasses, globes, souvenirs with a sense of travel design, etc.


There is also a cafe inside, which provides small cakes, coffee, hot drinks and desserts every day.


London store address: 7 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9FA


2. Daunt Books


Daunt Books is really beautiful and has been named one of the "London People's Favorite Places" by Time Out for two consecutive years. The oak-colored bookshelves in the bookstore and the green chandeliers with a sense of age are also very enjoyable to read here.


There is also a very precious signed version of the paper book. In addition, Daunt Books often has author sharing sessions and other activities.


3. London Review of Books


This bookstore is very close to the British Museum. In the Bloomsbury area, there are still quite a lot of books in the bookstore, and there are audiobooks of poetry downstairs.


There are also frequent book sharing sessions, where authors and readers are invited to communicate with each other at zero distance, and activities such as customer evenings where guests can enjoy dinner in the bookstore.


Address: 14-16 Bury Place, Holborn, London WC1A 2JL


4. Gosh


If you love comics and like wild and visually striking designs, don't miss Gosh. This store is located in the Soho district of central London, and there are many classic European and American comic book collections, such as Krazy Kat, Peter Pan, Darth Vader, and many Gosh exclusive signature series.


Many manga releases will also hold sign-off parties at Gosh, which is definitely the manga book store that manga fans can't miss!


Address: 1 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1F 0DR


5. Libreria


Libreria's yellow bookshelves, warm yellow lights, and comfortable little reclining chairs really make people reluctant to put down books when they pick them up. This also coincides with the original intention of Libreria, to abandon the mobile phone (you have to turn it off before entering the bookstore), and pick up the paper books again.


There are many types of books in Libreria. Although they are not sorted into different categories, it is more interesting to accidentally find a book that you like.


Address: 65 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, London E1 5JP


6. Foyles


Foyles is a well-known chain of bookstores in the United Kingdom, which first opened on Charing Cross Road in London in 1903. This flagship bookstore of Foyles has 5 floors and contains more than 200,000 books. It was also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.


It is the bookstore with the largest collection of books and the largest area in the world. So people who come here basically stay for a few hours. There is also a cafe and event lounge on the top floor.


7. Persephone Books


If you were to count the most literary bookstores in London, Persephone Books would definitely be on the list. The hostess of the bookstore is very passionate about literature. After graduating from the English Department of Cambridge, she has published 4 books, and her love for classics is also the main reason for her to open this bookstore.


Most of the books in the bookstore are classic works in the history of literature, especially female writers. Some of them are bought from the second-hand book market or brought by readers. Each book is the Best Seller of the bookstore.


Address: 59 Lamb’s Conduit Street, Holborn, London WC1N 3NB


8. Word on the Water


This is probably the strangest bookstore in London, it's a floating bookshop. The bookstore was converted from a 20th-century Dutch boat and often floats on the Regent River, close to Broadway Market. There are a lot of cheap and good books in the bookstore, and people often sit on the boat and play a live jazz.


In winter, there is also a small stove inside, with a dark red retro sofa, you can sit down and rest your feet when you are tired.


Address: Regent’s Canal Towpath, Kings Cross, London N1C 4LW