Feeling inspired by all the book festivals going on this month? It’s time to satisfy your inner bookworm and dive into London’s literary scene. The capital’s bookstores have become as much about the experience they offer as they have about the page-turners on their shelves, writes Kathryn Conway.
BookBar: Wine, Words & Community
With locations in Chelsea and Islington, BookBar is a bookshop-cum-wine bar and event space that taps into the book-club vibe. Expect:
- Book & wine of the month recommendations
- A fun calendar of author talks and supper clubs
Browse the shelves with a glass of wine in hand, or sink into the comfy couch with a cup of coffee and enjoy the social side of being a bookworm.
Foyles: The Cathedral of Books
Shared experiences are also the draw at Foyles on Charing Cross Road. Dubbed the “cathedral of books” thanks to its eight floors of book-filled fun, it features:
- Long social tables at the buzzing fifth-floor café
- A lively programme of events, including:
- The ever-changing language of race discussion (12 Oct)
- An evening of storytelling and song (22 Oct)
Stanfords: Maps & Wanderlust
From Foyles, it’s just a short walk to Stanfords in Covent Garden, home to maps, guidebooks and travel writing that spark wanderlust.
- The world’s largest retailer of maps
- Illustrious customers include Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton, and — via Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles — even Dr Watson.
Daunt Books: History & Charm
If it’s history you’re after, head to Daunt Books.
- Founded in 1990, but the building has been a bookshop since 1910.
- Original features include an ornate stained-glass window and a beautiful oak gallery.
- Books are arranged not alphabetically but by country, making for surprising literary discoveries.
The only challenge? Deciding how many volumes you can fit into your classic Daunt Books tote bag.
