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100 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0JG, Tel: 020 7292 5100, Website: www.bookshop.blackwell.co.uk,
Tube: Totttenham Court Road,
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As our favourite bookshop on the Charing Cross Road, Blackwell's is not only well laid out (with
immaculately ordered shelves) but offers an excellent range of books on academic subjects such as
drama, literary studies, religion and politics. In particular, British and European History is
extremely well served, while the store's computer section offers a great selection of books on
HTML, Unix, SQL, C, C++ and other programming languages including Java, Javascript and Perl. Also
with seven further academic/University stores in London (see Blackwell's website for address
details)
203 Oxford Street, W1D 2LE, Tel: 020 7292 1600, Website: www.borders.co.uk, Tube: Oxford Circus,
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With a winning combination of lattes, music events and in-store author appearances, popular US book
retailer Borders has now successfully crossed the Atlantic to the UK. With the usual wide range of
books on offer, the store's location on London's famous Oxford Street (with another branch located
at 120 Charing Cross Rd, Tel: 020 7379 8877) ensures brisk trade from both locals and tourists
alike. For those who prefer to place orders online, the UK version of the Borders
website is brought to you in association with Amazon.co.uk.
18 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LG, Tel: 0207 836 2111, Fax: 020 7836 1603, Website:
www.doverbooks.co.uk,
Tube: Covent Garden,
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Royalty-free image books for those specializing in both the fine and graphic arts. With a huge
wide-range of titles covering subjects such as anatomy, typography and decorative art, it's
unlikely you'll find a better bookshop (of this kind) in central London.
5 Warwick Street, W1R 5RA, Tel: 020 7734 5259, Website: www.europeanbookshop.com,
Tube: Piccadilly Circus,
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An unrivalled centre for providing European language and literature books to both teachers and
students, ESB has a decent sized London store that's located just a short walk away from Piccadilly
Circus. With a well-ordered (and neatly displayed) range of titles, it's easy to find what you're
looking for. Moreover, as staff here also have a genuine desire to help their customers (an ethos
which extends to the company's excellent website) even non-standard requests are handled with
aplomb.
113-119 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0EB, Tel: 020 7437 5660, Website: www.foyles.co.uk, Tube: Tottenham Court Road,
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Although the honour of being London's largest bookstore is long gone, this once
eccentrically arranged (and operated) store has improved dramatically in recent years. The
introduction of new technology and a top-notch Internet presence have been complimented by
the company's first store expansions in over half a century - namely an outlet in the
Southbank Centre, one in Selfridges on Oxford Street and, most recently, a swanky presence
at St. Pancras International - the capital's new Eurostar Terminal.
Pied Bull Yard, 15A Bloomsbury Square, WC1A 2LP, Tel: 020 7404 6676,
Website: www.abebooks.com/home/RAGEKOSKI,
Tube: Holborn,
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Specialising in modern literary first editions, manuscripts and pictures, Gekoski is not your
average London bookstore. As well as holding books signed by AA Milne and George Orwell, owner Rick
Gekoski has, over the years, discovered forgotten and untitled works from renowned writers such as
Sylvia Plath. In her case, three forgotten poems (written in the poet's formative teenage years)
stunned the literary world because of their content about sex and reproduction. With the pamphlet
eventually making close to £6,000, it's fair to say you'll need more than just a few quid to
embark upon a spending spree here. A fascinating shop nonetheless.
55-57 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7AY, Tel: 020 7734 2012, Website:
www.grantandcutler.com,
Tube: Oxford Circus,
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As well as teacher support materials and foreign language courses, Grant and Cutler hold specialist
dictionaries, translations and literary texts from around the world. With over 100,000 books, CDs,
cassettes and software packages in stock, it's a great resource for anyone interested in foreign
history or studying a new language. What's more, with an extensive new catalogue of world cinema
releases on DVD, it's way better for foreign films than any one of Oxford Street's megastores.
Prices are good too, with Krzysztof Kieslowski's classic 'Three Colours' series and François Truffaut's revolutionary 'Jules and Jim' available at £15.99 (DVD
£19.99) each.
187 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE, Tel: 020 7439 9921, Website: www.hatchards.co.uk, Tube:
Piccadilly Circus,
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Although by no means the biggest bookshop in London, Hatchards is certainly the oldest having first
opened to the public in 1797. With over 100,000 titles in stock, the shop is a heady mix of genuine
character, first-class personal service and just a hint of snobbery (it currently has two Royal
Warrants). A favourite with both writers and readers alike, Hatchards not only holds regular book
signings but can obtain any British book currently in print.
2-5 Sackville Street, W1S 3DP, Tel: 020 7439 6151, Website: www.sotherans.co.uk, Tube:
Green Park,
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Located in the heart of London's West End, Sotheran's continues to attract collectors and
enthusiasts from around the world, with a fine collection of rare first-editions, lithographs and
manuscripts. Originally founded in York in 1761, Sotheran's has been trading in London since 1815,
making it the oldest book retailer in Britain.
Although you'd imagine the shop to have a rather stuffy, exclusive feel, the atmosphere is
surprisingly convivial (which encourages even casual browsers to spend time here). With an
impressive catalogue that includes Graham Greene, H.G. Wells, C.S. Lewis and Rudyard Kipling,
visitors may be tempted by works such as Lewis Caroll's 'Alice's Adventures In Wonderland' (first
edition, illustrated - £425), A.A. Milne's 'Now We Are Six' (1927 first edition - £298)
or W.G. Grace's 'Cricket' (1891 first edition, signed by author - £998). A highly recommended
visit.
ICA Bookshop
Nash House, The Mall, SW1Y 5AH, Tel: 020 7766 1452, Website: www.ica.org.uk, Tube: Charing Cross,
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Not surprisingly, the Institute of Contemporary Arts' bookshop has a broad selection of books on
art and film, along with magazines, fanzines and greetings cards. Worth a trip on its own, although
a visit here is even more rewarding if you also take in a film or exhibition.
PO Box 279, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 4WJ, Tel: 0870 850 1110, Website: www.politicos.co.uk
As well as being a valuable resource for Stationery Office publications and books on Parliamentary
procedure (namely Vacher Dod titles), Politico's online store stocks the very latest in political fiction and
biographies, along with insight on British, European and American government. With a hefty
back-catalogue of political classics such as Chris Mullins' A Very British Coup (which was adapted
into an award-winning television drama starring the late Ray McAnally), the bookshop also stocks
literature on 'non-fictional' Labour Governments, including Andrew Rawnsley's excellent 'Servants
of the People'. Of course, 'old Labour' stalwarts can pick up a copy of Tony Benn's 'Free at Last',
while titles such as Douglas Hurd's memoirs will satisfy readers from across the political
divide.
Simon Finch Rare Books
53 Maddox Street, W1S 2PN, Tel: 020 7499 0974, Website: www.simonfinch.com, Tube: Oxford Circus,
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Having first gained experience of dealing in rare books at university, Simon Finch has since earnt
a well-deserved reputation for being among London's best antiquarian booksellers. With the
company's Mayfair shop (on Maddox Street) specialising in English and continental literature, art,
science, design and architecture, the Notting Hill branch concentrates more on classic and modern
first editions. For example, J.G. Ballard's disturbing and violent masterpiece 'Crash' (1973 first
edition) will set you back £1000, while James Joyce's 'Storiella As She Is Syung' (1937 first
edition) costs £2500. Those on a more modest budget can pick up a first edition of 'The Spy's
Bedside Book' by Graham Greene/Hugh Greene for just £75.
Unit 66, The Brunswick Centre (off Bernard Street), WC1N 1AE, Tel: 020 7278 8760,
Website: www.skoob.com, Tube:
Russell Square,
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Much loved book by enthusiasts across London, Skoob offers a broad selection of secondhand
academic titles, with sections devoted to philosophy, modern literature, art, history,
politics, economics, classics, science and technology. Located on the Marchmont Street
side of The Brunswick Centre, the company's services also extend to mail order supply
(with same-day dispatch for many titles, providing you place your order before 3pm on
weekdays).
17 Cecil Court, WC2N 4EZ, Tel: 020 7240 2129, Website: www.travis-and-emery.com,
Tube: Leicester Square,
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A great port of call for amateur and professional musicians alike, Travis & Emery stock a wide
range of instrumental music, including piano, vocal and full scores. There's also a good selection
of new and second-hand classic music books, with sections devoted to jazz, blues and world music.
Although, at present, the company only has a very basic web presence, mail order and request
services are available.
203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE, Tel: 020 7851 2400, Website: www.waterstones.co.uk,
Tube: Piccadilly Circus,
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Boasting almost six floors of stock, a gift shop, art gallery and coffee/juice bars, Waterstone's
Piccadilly is not only London's largest bookstore, but the biggest in Europe too. Housed in what
was formerly the home of Simpson's department store, the branch is more akin to an upmarket
library, displaying a discreet confidence and efficiency. As well as being able to find titles
easily, comfy chairs abound, making it an altogether pleasant experience in which to read before
you buy. Also with nine other London stores including Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Harrods,
Oxford Street, Ludgate Circus and Gower Street (see website for more details).
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