London’s Favourite Second Hand Bookshops

London is a magical place for second hand bookshops. For those who love books, not just for the reading, but to fill their bookshelves. From antiquarian to rare books, out-of-print titles to chart-toppers, and £1 bins, London’s second hand book shops have it all.

Black Gull Books

Black Gull Books is an institution, having stood in Camden Market as long as the market itself. Chris’ tiny shop is off the beaten track but is a solace from the busy city. With a large railway clock, high shelves, and amusing anecdotes decorating the place, it’s a bookworm’s heaven. Despite its size, it packs a punch with stacks of books in all genres, including some collectables. It’s wheelchair-friendly but not ideal for kids.

Address: 70-71 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF
Phone: 020 7267 5005
Nearest Tube: Camden Town

Skoob Books

Described as “a temple for secondhand books”, Skoob opened in 1979 and houses over 55,000 titles. On the underground level of The Brunswick, you’ll find books towered on the floor and tables. Their wide collection is mostly and diversely academic. Books are cheap and there are student and movie buff discounts. They also sell book cover posters, postcards, and mugs.

No books here are catalogued, but their warehouse has 100,000 books available online. A second underground warehouse features special collections, but is only accessible on earlier request. They also buy books, though only if you call in advance.

Address: 66, The Brunswick, Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AE Phone: 020 7278 8760
Nearest Tube: Russell Square Station  Website: http://www.skoob.com/

Quinto Bookshop

Quinto operate a monthly rotating stock approach, with a different section highlighted each month, including some specialist subjects. Though not catalogued, books are well organized so easy to peruse. Quinto buys new and old books and essays, but prefer large collections and are willing to travel to collect them.

Address: 72 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB  Phone: 020 7379 7669
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square Station  Website: http://quintobookshop.co.uk/

Judd Books

Judd Books have amassed so many titles since their opening in 1992 that they offer a step ladder to reach the top shelves. With two floors offering 50,000 titles across a wide range, you’ll find competitively priced second-hand books and discounted new books—mostly academic. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are a book lover’s dream, and there’s an enjoyably bohemian atmosphere. More titles are added every day, though stock isn’t catalogued and they don’t buy books.

Address: 82 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AG  Phone: 020 7387 5333
Nearest Tube: Euston  Website: http://www.juddbooks.com/

Walden Books

Walden Books are open Thursday-Sunday, or via phone and the web during the week, though they love to meet customers in perfect. Former gardener David Tobin opened shop in 1979 in a quiet residential tree-lined Camden backstreet.

With over 10,000 books on the shelves, this independent includes bargain price paperbacks and often artistic subjects.

They also exhibit at PBFA and other fairs.

Address: 38 Harmood St, London NW1 8DP  Phone: 020 7267 8146
Nearest Tube: Camden Town  Website: http://www.waldenbooks.co.uk/

Bookmongers

Book Mongers is owned and run by Bostonian Patrick Kelly and his friendly pooch Rosa. With a quaint and peaceful vibe, it’s a favourite haunt for locals. A 20-year history means an eclectic offering of high-quality second-hand books on all genres, first editions, and more.

Address: 439 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8LN
Phone: 020 7738 4225
Nearest Tube: Stockwell
Website: http://www.bookmongers.com/

Book and Comic Exchange

From an old, dark cave, the Book and Comic Exchange has morphed a shiny two-shop premise. Established in 1967, it’s a link in of one of the oldest second-hand book chains in the UK.

An absolute must for book lovers, it’s tightly-packed with second-hand magazines, comics, fiction and non-fiction books, graphic novels, and a whole corridor of Sci-fi. They boast rare and signed items, from pence to thousands. With no website and no catalogue, you have to drop in and mooch around—but don’t worry, it’s so greet you won’t want to leave.

Address: 30 & 32 Pembridge Road, Notting Hill, London W11 3HN  Phone: 020 7598 2233
Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate  Website: http://www.mgeshops.com/book-comic-exchange/

Word on the Water

You’re not seeing things—this book barge is a floating bookshop. Built on a 1920s Dutch Barge, it navigates Regents Canal offering books and good times. It’s so popular that when it lost its mooring, 6000 people campaigned to save it.

With an ever-changing collection of books, buyers and sellers come and go, but the friendly barge dog remains. There’s a cosy reading area and the roof-top stage hosts poetry slams and live music, with an impressive range of music artists performing. The barge isn’t wheelchair-accessible, but books are displayed along the towpath for access.

Address: York Way, Granary Square, London  Phone: +44 7976 886982  Nearest Tube: King’s Cross

Any Amount of Books

Any Amount of Books has an unsurprisingly rapid turnover and eclectic stock. Reasonable prices and friendly staff make it a delight to visit. From second-hand £1 books to rare books worth thousands and buy tooled leather bindings for £10-£15, you can deck your home out as a personal library. There’s a bargain basement plus literature and non-fiction filling floor-to-ceiling shelves on the main deck. New stock is added every day, with circa available 55,000 titles available online.

Address: 56 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0QA  Phone: 020 7836 3697
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square Station  Website: http://www.anyamountofbooks.com/

World’s End Bookshop

25 years as the leading dealer in antiquarian and second-hand books means Chelsea’s World’s End Bookshop is well-packed store run by experts. Giles Lyon and assistant Megan Slade will suggest books, help you find what you’re looking for, and help you clear out books by buying, recycling, or donating them.

They specialise in an eclectic mix of Architecture, Modern Art and Design, Fashion and Costume, Beat, Philosophy, Poetry, 20th Century Fiction, Photography, Counter-culture and Protest, and second-hand contemporary and classic novels. They offer rare editions. Members of ABA and PBFA, you’ll find them at every book lovers’ event or fair.

Address: 357 King’s Rd, London SW3 5ES  Phone: 020 7352 9376
Nearest Tube: South Kensington Station  Website: http://worlds-end-bookshop.co.uk/

Henry Pordes Books

Opened by the famous Henry Pordes in 1983, this bookshop has long been a book lover’s favourite. This little haven is now run by Rita Servidio and Francesco Ponti.

It attracts many a visitor, showcasing modern and vintage editions in clearly organised sections including fiction and non-fiction. Staff are so knowledgeable they hold the entire inventory in their heads. Members of PBFA, this is an old-fashioned bookshop with modern methods.

Address: 58-60 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB  Phone: 020 7836 9031
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square Station  Website: http://www.henrypordesbooks.com/

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