14 Beautiful Independent Bookshops In London

    The Independent Bookshop is an endangered species in the UK. Here are some of London's finest.

    Dan Dalton
    by Dan Dalton

    BuzzFeed Staff

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    1. Daunt Books, 83-84 Marylebone High St. London, W1U 4QW.

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    Daunt Books is renowned as one of London's leading travel and literary bookshops, with branches across London.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

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    2. Lutyens & Rubinstein, 21 Kensington Park Rd, London, W11 2EU

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    Founded in 2009 by established literary agents, the Lutyens & Rubinstein Bookshop sells fiction and general non-fiction with an emphasis on excellence in writing and narrative across a broad range of genres.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

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    3. London Review Bookshop, 14 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL.

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    Opened in 2003 by the London Review of Books, the shop hosts a selection of more than 20,000 titles. They also have great cake.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

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    4. Foyles, 107 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DT.

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    "London's most famous bookstore" has just opened its brand new building at 107 Charing Cross Road – just next door to the old one.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

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    5. Goldsboro Books, 23-25 Cecil Ct, London WC2N 4EZ.

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    Situated in the heart of the west end, Goldsboro specialises in signed first editions.

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    6. Koenig Books, 80 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB.

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    A German-owned independent bookshop specialising in art, architecture and photography.

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    7. Forbidden Planet, 179 Shaftesbury Ave, London.

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    The world’s largest and best-known science fiction, fantasy and cult entertainment retailer also offers a huge range of books on science fiction, cult and pulp titles that you won’t find anywhere else.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

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    8. Claire de Rouen Books, 125 Charing Cross Rd, London, WC2H 0EW.

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    Situated above the William Hill on Charing Cross Road, Claire de Rouen is the only specialist photography and fashion bookshop in London.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

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    9. Persephone Books, 59 Lamb's Conduit St, London, WC1N 3NB.

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    A bookshop and a publisher, Persephone Books reprints neglected fiction and non-fiction by mid-twentieth century (mostly women) writers.

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    10. Big Green Bookshop, Unit 1, Brampton Park Rd, London N22 6BG.

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    An independent book shop in Wood Green, North London, selling interesting titles by great authors in a relaxed, friendly, environment.

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    11. Arthur Probsthain, 41 Great Russell St, City of London, WC1B 3PE.

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    Established in 1903, Arthur Probsthain is one of the leading Oriental and African booksellers in the world.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

    12. Gay's The Word, 66 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AB.

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    London's leading lesbian and gay bookshop.

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    13. Belgravia Books, 59 Ebury St, Victoria, London, SW1W 0NZ.

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    Situated near London Victoria, Belgravia Books stocks translated titles and work from indie presses, among others.

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    If you visit on Wednesday you can meet their shop dog, Baxter. He is a delight.

    14. Gosh!, 1, Berwick St, London, W1F 0DR.

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    Stocking the best in graphic storytelling, from mainstream superhero to translated European albums, plus vintage children’s books, contemporary graphic fiction, manga and small press titles.

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    Daniel Dalton / BuzzFeed

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    Share your favourite local bookshop below!

    These are only a small selection of the excellent independent bookshops across the UK, so let us know the best independent bookshop near you.