hatchards

Established in 1797 by John Hatchard, Hatchards Booksellers is London’s oldest bookshop, Hatchard, a young bookseller himself, spent the majority of his adolescence working in London’s ‘literary coffee houses’. The bookshop has occupied the Georgian building it is currently located in for over two centuries on one of the most famous streets in the world, Piccadilly. A beloved landmark institution, Hatchards’ customers have been the literary, political, artistic and social lions of their day. Currently holding three royal warrants, issued to tradespeople who supply goods or services to the British Monarchy and Royal Court, Hatchards has a deep link with the royal households of not only Britain, but Europe. Although many things have changed during the eight generations of customers and booksellers that have come and gone since the shop first opened its doors, the essence of the place still remains the same and is unchangeable.

DAUNT 

Daunt Books, founded in 1990 by James Daunt, is located in a beautiful Edwardian building on Marylebone High Street. Originally built in 1920 for the antiquarian booksellers, Francis Edwards, the shop has maintained the original essence. Regarded as one of the first custom built bookshops, the long galleried main room focuses on a beautiful arched window partly glazed with stained glass and bordered by cast iron light fixtures.

The bookstore’s original intention was to arrange the books principally by country, whether to book was fiction, non-fiction, history etc. encouraging a unique browsing for the wanderer and general reader. This original ordering system is still utilized today, as Daunt Bookstore specializes the best selection of travel books in London.

HEYWOOD HILL

Literary London is perhaps like no other and stepping in to Heywood Hill reminds you instantly of history, passion and tradition, legacy and above all endless intellectual curiosity. The bookshop was founded in 1936 by Heywood Hill, an English gentleman dedicated to selling books, old and new as well as beautiful objects and curiosities. Nancy, eldest of the famous Mitford sisters, worked here during the second half of World War Two. Her gregarious character and witty repartee helped establish Heywood Hill’s shop as a centre of English social and literary life during the 1940s.

 After over 70 years the tradition continues with a staff skilled in the rare ability to match the right book with the right person. Heywood Hill creates bespoke libraries for individuals living in all parts of the world and offers the ideal gift of literary subscriptions with specific themes ranging from selections for children to selections inspiring intellectual debate entitled Intellect (squared) Subscription selection arrive each month wrapped for a gift to others or even better as a gift to yourself. When you are in London plan a time to escape to another world and, with their guidance, share new literary worlds with others.