We have grouped London's bookshops by postal district, and have therefore only included WC and EC (West Central and East Central) addresses in our "Central" district. This does mean that shops sometimes thought of as being in "Central London", will appear in the other districts of our guide.

Amwell Book Co
53 Amwell Street
LONDON  EC1R 1UR
tel: 020 7837 4891  map

Any Amount of Books
56 Charing Cross Road
LONDON  WC2H 0QA
tel: 020 7836 3697   website  map
Rare books, first editions, modern literature, art, poetry, scholarly/academic books, antiquarian, leather bound sets, general stock. We buy large collections of books anywhere in the known world.
    Excellent shop, with very friendly staff, always worth a close look. Bargains possible. - James Salmon 21.08.09.
    Always worth a visit and prices reasonable (for London). The really good stuff, however, is on the net and not held in the shop. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    Two floors of varied topics. The locked up cases of antiquarian titles contained a few rarities and took a bit of time to check. Basement stock general but worth searching. - Chris Harte 28.06.10.

Atlantis Bookshop
49a Museum Street
LONDON  WC1A 1LY
tel: 020 7405 2120  map
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 6.00.
Occult, mind, body & spirit.

Blackwells
100 Charing Cross Road
LONDON  WC2H 0JG
tel: 020 7292 5100  map
    Small second hand dept - mainly academic books at two thirds of new current price. - Roger Allen

Tim Bryars
8 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
tel: 020 7838 1901 fax: 020 7836 1910  e-mail   website  map
Early printed books, classical texts and translations, atlases and maps of all regions, mostly pre 1800, topographical and natural history prints. Regular exhibitor at the London Map Fair

Joe Burridge SOAS Bookshop
School of Oriental & African Studies  Brunei Gallery
Thornhaugh Street (off Russell Square)
LONDON  WC1H 0XG
tel: 020 7898 4470   website  map
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30-5.30 (Saturday 12-5 term time only: October - March)
Specialising in books on: Africa, Anthropology, Central Asia, China, development studies, economics, ethnomusicology, India, Islam, Japan, languages, Middle East, politics, religion, Southeast Asia, SOAS coursepacks & publications.

The Centre Bookshop
Church of St Edmund the King
Lombard Street
LONDON  EC3V 9EA
tel: 020 7626 5031  e-mail   website  map
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00.
New and secondhand books in Spirituality, (specialising in Ignatian Spirituality) theology, liturgy, biblical studies, literature, poetry, fiction, history, philosophy, ethics. Free postage on all orders send to UK mainland addresses.
    It is in a converted Wren church and the fittings are still there on the far side of the books. Definitely a strong contender for London's most beautiful bookshop as well. Not a large stock, mainly on a religious and philosophical theme as might be expected but well worth a visit if nearby. - Anthony Davis 27.07.10.

Collinge & Clark
13 Leigh Street
LONDON  WC1H 9EW
tel: 020 7387 7105  map
Open: Monday - Frirday 11.00 - 6.30.
Private press, typography, British history.

David Drummond at Pleasures of Past Times
11 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4EZ
tel: 020 7836 1142  e-mail  map
Open: Monday - Friday 11.00 - 5.45, closed for lunch 2.30 - 3.30.
Books, playbills and bygones of the performing arts, also illustrated and children's books pre 1940, Victoriana and postcards.

Peter Ellis
18 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
tel: 020 7836 8880  e-mail   website  map
Open: Monday - Friday 10.30 - 7.00, Saturday 10.30 - 5.30.
Modern firsts, literature, illustrated, history. ABA member.
    Excellent selection of modern firsts but prices over the top as seems common in Cecil Court. £75 for Smiley's People? - Loyola 24.04.10.

Foyles
113-119 Charing Cross Road
LONDON  WC2H 0EB
tel: 020 7437 5660  map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 9.00, Sundays 12.00 - 6.00, Public holidays: 11.00 - 8.00.
Gardener & Cook have a concession in the shop with around 400 books on gardening, horticulture and food and drink, from the 18th century to the present day, with prices ranging from £10 to £10,000. Customers will also be able to order from a range of 8,000 titles.

Goldsboro Books
7 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4EZ
Tel: 020 7497 9230  Fax: 020 7497 9230  e-mail   website  map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
Goldsboro Books are the UK’s leading specialist in first edition, signed books in all areas of fiction.

Greening Burland
27 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4EZ
tel: 020 7836 0999  e-mail  map
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00  Saturday 10.00 - 5.00
Victorian and twentieth century fiction, modern first editions, original artwork and periodicals.

Paul J. Hilton
12 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
tel: 020 7379 9825  map
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.00
Antiquarian and general books, especially English literature, modern first editions, bibles and antiquarian theology.

Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers
46  Great Russell Street
LONDON  WC1B 3PA
tel: 020 7631 4220  map
Open: Monday-Friday 10.30 - 5.30
Dickens first editions, the Romantics & theatre.
    Atmospheric surroundings. Large varied stock of predominantly 19th century titles. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    The owners are charming and the lovely bookshop has wooden bookshelves all round with some interesting antiquarian stock which is not overpriced. Unfortunately they keep their best stuff upstairs and don’t let people view it (not really the same having it brought down). Not to be missed in Central London. - Anthony Davis 27.07.10.

Judd Books
82 Marchmont Street
LONDON  WC1N 1AG
tel: 020 7387 5333   website  map
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 7.00, Sunday 12.00 - 6.00.
We have a very large stock of used, remaindered and academic books especially in architecture, history and philosophy.
    By far the best remaindered bookshop in London with a large academic stock and consistently the best prices. The architecture and design section is particularly impressive. It justifies a major detour. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
    Interesting and extensive stock of mainly remaindered titles, which have been carefully selected. Recommended. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    Remainders everywhere. Only second-hand books were tat in boxes outside the shop. - Chris Harte 28.06.10.

Marchpane
16 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
tel: 020 7836 8661  e-mail   website  map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 6.00
Children's and illustrated books. ABA & PBFA member.

Marchmont Bookshop
39 Burton Street
LONDON WC1H 9AL
tel: 020 7387 7989  map
Open: Monday - Friday 12.00 - 6.00, Saturday 12.00 - 4.00.

Notions Antiquaria (T. Alena Brett)
24 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
tel & fax: 020 7836 8222
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
Specialist in genuine antiquarian books, maps, prints and documents.

Oxfam bookshop
12 Bloomsbury Street
LONDON  WC1B 3QA
tel: 020 7637 4610  map
Open: 7 days 11.00 - 6.00.
    In the premises of the much missed Unsworths, this has a large stock, though prices seem to be higher than usual for Oxfam bookshops. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
    I just could not get over what was hiding away on the shelves. Not only was there a run of rare bound volumes of literature but the glass cases had some wonderful items. This in a charity shop !! - Chris Harte 28.06.10.

Photo Books International
99 Judd Street
LONDON  WC1H 9NE
Open: Wednesday - Friday 11.00 - 5.30, Saturday 12.00 - 4.00
tel: 020 7813 7363  e-mail   website  map
Specialists In Photographic Books. A Wide Selection Of New & Used Photography Books From Around The World. Always Interested In Buying Good Quality Photographic Books.

Henry Pordes Books Ltd
58-60, Charing Cross Road
LONDON  WC2H 0BB
tel: 020 7836 9031  fax: 020 7240 4232  e-mail  website  map
Open: Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 7.00, Sunday 1.00 – 6.00.
Secondhand, antiquarian, out-of print and remaindered books.
    Not the best prices - remaindered books can usually be found cheaper elsewhere. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
    Wide selection but anything uncommon is priced accordingly. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    General stock in the shop, but for the first time in forty years I was allowed into the back rooms. What treasures: any decent collector would want to see what was on those shelves. Also good to note was that the pricing was very fair on these special items. - Chris Harte 28.06.10.

Arthur Probsthain
41 Great Russell Street
LONDON  WC1B 3PE
tel: 020 7636 1096  map
Open: Monday - Frirday 9.30 - 5.30  Saturday 11.00 - 4.00.
African & Oriental specialist.

Quinto Bookshop & Francis Edwards
72 Charing Cross Road
LONDON  WC2H 0BL
tel: 020 7379 7669  e-mail  website  map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 9.00, Sunday 12.00 - 8.00.
We stock a wide range of secondhand, antiquarian and rare books on all subjects. Our ground floor is home to Francis Edwards Antiquarian Booksellers, specialists in rare and antiquarian books since 1855.
    Total stock change in past couple of months but, alas, what I collect is no longer part of their holdings. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.     Still wonderful, although the expansion of the Francis Edwards section means that it has gone up-market. Frequent stock changes, Reasonable prices given the quality of the stock. The staff are very helpful. - James Salmon 21.08.09.
    Always enjoy browsing here but rarely find anything I want. Bargains in basement. One room of antiquarian books. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    Nice new premises and so much brighter than the dull old shop. Stock seems to change all the time which is not a bad thing. The basement is lovely and fresh: remember the old one? - Chris Harte 28.06.10.

Bertram Rota Ltd
31 Long Acre
LONDON  WC2E 9LT
tel: 020 783 60723  fax: 020 74979058  e-mail   website  map
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 5.30. Appointment recommended.
Modern first editions, private press and artists' books, architecture and the applied arts, archives and manuscripts.

Skoob
66 The Brunswick
LONDON  WC1N 1AE
tel: 020 7278 8760  e-mail   website  map
London's broadest selection of secondhand academic books, the UK's widest range in philosophy and large collections of modern literature, art, history, politics, economics, classics, science and technology.
    The description (London's broadest selection of secondhand academic books, the UK's widest range) is theirs and is not justified. It has a good and broad range, but it is not that significant. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
    Wide variety at very reasonable prices but nothing for the collector. - Loyola 24.04.10.

Henry Sotheran Ltd
See listing in West London

Spink & Son Ltd
69, Southampton Row  Bloomsbury
LONDON WC1B 4ET
tel: 020 7563 4000  map
Numismatics, stamps & banknotes.

Storeys Ltd
3 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4EZ
tel: 020 7836 3777  fax: 020 7836 3788  e-mail  map
Open Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00
Antiquarian engravings, maps and prints.

Travis & Emery Books on Music
17 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4EZ
tel: 020 7240 2129  e-mail   website  map
Open Monday - Saturday 10.15 - 6.45, Sunday 12.00 - 6.00.
New and old books on music, secondhand and antiquarian music, opera programmes, prints and photographs, prints, playbills, libretti. ABA & PBFA member.
    Absolutely charming and cultured people. Music books are not really my thing but I had a glance around the shelves. Impressive. - Chris Harte 28.06.10.

Treadwell's Bookshop
34 Tavistock Street  Covent Garden  
LONDON  WC2E 7PB
tel: 020 7240 8906  e-mail   website  map
Open: Seven days a week 12 noon - 7.00.
Secondhand and out-of-print: cultural history, magic, witchcraft, Wicca, paganism, gender studies, literature. We also have space to hire, and an ongoing programme of events (see our website).

Tindley & Chapman
4 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
Tel: 020 7240 2161  fax: 020 7379 1062  map
Open Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00
Twentieth Century first editions and architecture. PBFA member.
    Good selection of modern firsts. Elastic pricing - no bargains but fair prices for good condition uncommon books. Owner is colourful character who will offer modest discount if issue is raised delicately. - Loyola 24.04.10.

Unsworths Booksellers
36 St Martin's Court  (off Charing Cross Road)
LONDON  WC2N 4AL
tel: 0207 4369836  e-mail   website  map
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.30 - 6.00.
Antiquarian and second-hand, out of print, rare & remaindered books on history and the humanities. In Bloomsbury until 2008, Unsworth's Booksellers are now in new retail premises just round the corner from Leicester Square. We also continue to trade by bookfair, printed catalogue and internet.

Waterstone's Booksellers
82 Gower Street
LONDON  WC1E 6EQ
tel: 020 7636 1577  map
Large secondhand academic stock.
    Surprisingly large second hand and remaindered section filling several rooms. Prices are decent with regular additional discounts. - George Marshall 06.02.09.

Watkins Books Ltd
19 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4NH
tel: 020 7836 2182  map
Specialists in Mysticism, Eastern Religions, Alternative Medicine, Astrology, Magick, Jungian Psychology, Wicca, Yoga & Contemporary Spirituality.
    Closed and in administration. - TBG 24.02.10.

Wildy & Sons Ltd
Lincoln's Inn Archway  Carey Street
LONDON  WC2A 2JD
tel: 020 7242 5778  map
Lawbooks, criminology, true crime.

Nigel Williams Rare Books
25 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
tel: 020 7836 7757  e-mail   website  map
Open Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00 
First editions, detective fiction, illustrated books, interesting nineteenth and twentieth century literature. ABA & PBFA member.
    The best selection of modern firsts in the UK but prices for the easier to find titles are astronomical. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    Nice chap and always willing to let you go through his stock. There is some real quality here, however, the prices appear to have had extra noughts put onto the end of them. - Chris Harte 28.06.10.

The Witch Ball
2 Cecil Court
LONDON  WC2N 4HE
tel & fax: 020 7836 2922  e-mail   website  map
Open Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 6.30 
Antiquarian print shop, specialists in the performing arts.