12 of the Best Second Hand Bookshops in London
Date post added: 12th September 2025
There’s something wonderfully romantic about browsing second hand bookshops – blame Hugh Grant as the bookseller in Notting Hill. Rummaging through piles of fiction and non-fiction; popular paperbacks, antiquarian or rare books; to find just the selection of books that take your fancy. It’s a wonderful thing for bookworms.
Scrolling through Amazon pales in comparison as an experience. Plus, think of the eco benefits of shunning new products and choosing used books (or pre-loved as we like to term it).
Luckily for us bibliophiles, London has some of the best second hand bookshops around. Here are 12 of our favourite bookmongers in town.
1. Any Amount of Books, Covent Garden
Charing Cross Road is, of course, London’s famous street for booksellers. In its day there was the famous 84 Charing Cross Road shop that led to the book by that title which then became a film. Foyles is great for new books, but there are still a handful of good secondhand bookshops there for old books.
Our guide, David’s favourite is Any Amount of Books. It’s heaving shelves are great for rare (and sometimes collectable) first editions and much-loved paperbacks. “Two floors, five rooms of second-hand books, new stock daily” – there’s much to love about this purveyor of books in Covent Garden. Find it at 56 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0QA.
While you’re in the area, Henry Pordes Books (72 Charing Cross Rd, near Leicester Square) is known for antiquarian books.
2. Word on the Water, Regent’s Canal
Ahoy there! This quirky treasure trove deserves to be bookmarked. You may not expect to find your favourite book floating on Regent’s Canal, but this London book barge is exactly where those in the know head to find theirs.
Word on the Water, a book shop on a barge, is truly a bibliophile’s paradise. Every nook and cranny of this 100-year-old Dutch barge is stacked with neat rows of new books and used books; classics, cult, contemporary fiction and a large range of children’s books. Follow the Regent’s Canal towpath from York Way and you’ll spot it (Kings Cross is the nearest train or tube station). Its opening hours are 12-7pm daily (except Christmas Day). Find it at York Way, Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4AA.
3. John Sandoe, Chelsea
This independent bookshop on Blacklands Terrace in Chelsea has great character. John Sandoe is one of those bookshops that looks as a traditional bookshop should look. The small, limited, specialist collection of second hand books have all been bought from people they know. With over 30,000 old and new books on their shelves, you’ll find all the reading materials you want in this Chelsea bookstore. It’s worth a five minute phone call to get the lowdown on their second hand offerings too. Find it at 10-12 Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London SW3 2SR
4. South Bank Book Market
The South Bank Book Market has been underneath Waterloo Bridge since 1983. It’s in front of the BFI and is part of the Southbank Centre. Amongst the stalls, you’ll find contemporary fiction and children’s books, vintage and antiquarian editions, as well as old maps, prints and postcards. David’s tip is to look out for Richard – a nice guy who sells classy old prints there, mostly at weekends. Find it at Waterloo Bridge, Riverside Walk, London SE1.
5. New Beacon Books, Finsbury Park
Founded in 1966, New Beacon Books was the UK’s first black publisher, specialist bookshop and international book distributor. It specialises in Caribbean and African literature and is a wonderful place to browse and discover authors. It was threatened with closure a few years ago, but it’s survived with the help of generous crowdfunding. Opening hours are 12-6pm Thursday to Sunday (5pm closing on Sundays). You’ll find it at 76 Stroud Green Road, London N4 3EN.
6. Skoob Books, Bloomsbury
Another stalwart of the London second hand book world, Skoob started life in Neal Street Covent Garden and moved to The Brunswick Centre 20-something years ago. It’s particularly popular with students, academics and office workers on the hunt for out-of-print books. Find it at 66 The Brunswick WC1N 1AE (off Marchmont St).
Whilst you’re in Bloomsbury, you should also check out Judd Books on Marchmont Street (82 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AG) which is particularly famed for its selection of academic books.
7. Bookshop on the Heath, Blackheath
This attractive bookshop in Blackheath has plenty of rare books, antiquarian and second hand literary books. But the must-see aspect is its incredible map chest containing centuries-old maps and charts which look like they’ve come from the nearby Cutty Sark. Find it at 74 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, SE3 0BW.
Nearby, you’ll find Halcyon Books (255 Lee High Road, Lewisham, London SE13 5PL) which specialises in academic books and has bonus points for its cafe in which to cosy up with your new purchase.
8. Sotheran’s, Central London
Quite the institution, Sotheran’s is the longest-established rare book dealer in Europe. It’s been in London since 1815, but was in York prior to that in 1761.
They’re passionate about preserving reading materials of the past so that they can continue to bring joy to our present. Expect to find leather-bound tomes and collectable books and manuscripts.
There are three Sotheran’s locations in Central London. The Cecil Court bookshop is open for more casual browsing. 22 Charing Cross Road is home to their more precious and fine items, and open by appointment only. Then there’s the art speciality store at 63 Kinnerton Street which is run by Cassius and Co, Sotheran’s art gallery partner.
9. Oxfam second-hand bookstore, Hampstead
Hampstead has a wonderful Oxfam shop that is purely for books. Most places have an Oxfam shop that’s a mix of this and that, but this Oxfam shop in Hampstead is just books. It’s on Heath Street, near the tube station. You’ll find high-quality tomes at bargain prices. Think £3 for a seriously good book in perfect nick, maybe a hardback history volume that was probably £25 new. That’s unbeatable. And there’s new stuff in every week. Find it at 45 Heath Street, Hampstead, London NW3 6UA.
You’ll find another great Oxfam in the heart of literary Bloomsbury, near the British Museum, which is another place packed with hidden gems.
10. Keith Fawkes Bookshop, Hampstead
Also in Hampstead, this rare book shop has so many books you can barely move. Don’t expect the ordered bookshelves of a Waterstones here – it’s slightly chaotic, packed full and that’s all part of the fun. A review says it best, “The staff is amongst the funniest, most knowledgeable and authentic people I have ever met, and browsing its bookshelves has been nothing short of an adventure, every single time.” Find it at 1-3 Flask Walk, Hampstead NW3 1HJ.
11. Walden Books, Camden
This beautiful, independent book store has been part of the Camden retail scene for over 45 years. It prides itself in fair pricing with around 10,000 books ranging from 50p to £50. You’ll find a bargain bin out the front which is well worth a rummage for a fabulous, or downright odd, find.
They buy and sell used and rare books, specialising in literature and the visual arts. So, whethr you’re a collector, bookworm, academic, student, artist, writer or simply passing by, Walden Books is well worth checking out.
You’ll find it on Harmood Street, just off Chalk Farm Road. It’s open Thursdays to Sundays from 10.30am to 6.30pm.
12. Bookmongers, Brixton
“Brixton Book Mongers” by Kake
For 30 years, Bookmongers has been been a constant on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton. With a unique atmosphere, Bookmongers is a wonderful place in which to spend some time. It has a wide-ranging and ever-changing stock of books. You’ll find classic sci-fi nestled next to retro cookbooks, all in a higgledy-piggledy fashion. Bookmongers comes complete with a store cat and a sofa for you to curl up and enjoy a good read. Find it at 439 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LN.
A few additional notable mentions:
Foster Books – 183 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick W4 2DR
Jarndyce Books – 6 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3PA
Hurlingham Books – 91 Fulham High Street, SW6 3JS
Pages of Hackney – 70 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0RN
How to shop in used bookstores
For some book lovers, shopping for pre-loved prints is a weekend sport. Our advice is to give yourself plenty of time. It’s not an activity to be rushed.
If you’re after something specific, do your research beforehand. Head to a second hand bookshop that specialises in your area of interest. Otherwise, think of it as a treasure hunt. Explore the shelves and keep your mind open to unusual possibilities. You may be attracted by an eye-catching cover, a new title by an author you enjoy, or simply by a bargain price tag.
Chat to the bookstore staff. They’re usually knowledgeable types who can make informed recommendations. This could be the start of an enduring relationship between you and an incredibly new book (well, new to you anyway).
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Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.