41 Best Second Hand Book Shops In London

There is something charming about a second hand book. Perhaps it’s the thought that someone else has pondered over the same pages, smiled at the same quips, folded over and underlined pages of significance. Or maybe it’s the fact that second hand books are simply cheaper and more affordable! London is awash with countless second hand book shops, and this post will run through the absolute best second hand book shops in London. And the best part? You can stumble across a beautiful second hand book shop in almost every corner of the city.

Let’s get into it!

Page Contents

Central London

1) Judd Books, Bloomsbury

Judd Books is a used and academic book store, boasting over 50,000 books in store. The store has been trading for over 25 years, and is a must visit for academic text books, especially if you want to save money in London as a student. They even offer a 10% discount to students with a valid student ID.

They specialise in arts and social sciences books, but also stock titles on London, local history, travel, architecture and much more. The store is set over two floors, and despite the location, many of the books are affordable and you may well grab yourself a bargain.

2) Skoob Books, Bloomsbury

Skoob Books is another great place for academic textbooks, with over 55,000 books in stock at any one time. They also have an online store, with over 100,000 titles available to browse. You can expect to find books on a wide range of subjects, many priced at around 50% less than RRP.

The store mainly caters to non-fiction texts- the likes of history, philosophy, and politics (great for students!), but you’ll also find some fiction woven in there too.

3) Archive Bookstore, Marylebone

Archive Bookstore doesn’t just cater to books. Here you’ll also find sheet music and second hand music scores alongside a variety of fiction and non-fiction books. The store is arranged over two floors, so there is a huge amount of choice. If you’re a music lover AND a book lover? It’s a must-visit.

4) Oxfam Book Shop, Bloomsbury

Oxfam Bloomsbury is Oxfam’s flagship book store, and is located in the heart of literary London. The shop is moments away from the British Museum, and offers a wide range of specialist items. From art, to rare and collectable books, academic, fiction, CDs and vinyl. Oxfam is the UK’s largest second hand bookseller so there really will be something for everyone at their flagship store.

Did you know Oxfam also have an online shop? If you can’t make it to their flagship store, take a look at the affordable second hand books available online.

5) Henry Pordes Books, Charing Cross

Henry Pordes Books has been around for over fifty years, making it somewhat of a veteran of the London second hand book scene. They have a revered reputation for offering a great selection of antique and rare books. It’s a second hand book shop in London with a lot of history.

The stock they carry is varied and exciting, so the store is a must-visit for any serious book lover. They also have an online shop, with hundreds of rare and collectable books to browse through.

6) Jarndyce Bookseller, Bloomsbury

Just a two minute walk from the British Museum, you’ll find Jarndyce Booksellers. Jarndyce specialise in antique, rare and collectable books. In fact, they are the leading specialists in 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th century English Literature and History.

The store is housed in an 18^th century building, and the store has been a bookshop for over 120 years. You’ll even find that the ground floor has been renovated to mirror a 19^th century bookshop, complete with paneling, original wooden floor, and even a working fireplace!

7) Sotheran's, Mayfair

Sotheran’s is one of the longest established antiquarian booksellers in the world, and was founded in 1761. Here you’ll find quality books, prints and unique collectables. A two minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts, this is a must-visit second hand book shop in London for any rare book collector.

8) Any Amount Of Books, Covent Garden

A stone’s throw from Leicester Square underground station is Any Amount of Books, the charming second hand book shop that buys and sells rate and antiquarian books. Open 7 days a week, with new stock on the shelves daily, it’s a great place to stop and browse.

The store stocks everything from rare collectables to £1 book bargains. You’ll find rare books, first editions, modern literature, art, poetry, academic books and more. It would be easy to spend a whole afternoon browsing their floor to ceiling shelves filled with beautiful second hand books.

9) Word On The Water, King's Cross

A slightly more unique bookshop experience is Word on the Water – London’s floating bookshop. The London Bookbarge is a 100 year old Dutch barge, selling second hand and new books. You’ll find everything from classics, to cult and contemporary fiction.

Not just a book shop, Word on the Water also puts on events such as poetry slams, readings, book launches and live acoustic music. There’s even a free monthly Jazz and Poetry show.

10) South Bank Book Market, South Bank

If you’ve ever been to South Bank, you’ll have surely come across the South Bank Book Market, tucked away under Waterloo Bridge on Queen’s Walk. It’s one of the only outdoor second hand and antique book markets in London- open rain or shine.

From classics to comics, you’ll find a large variety of hardback and paperback books. And if you’re visiting London and looking for a souvenir? You’ll be sure to find something at the Book Market.

11) Oxfam, Marylebone

Oxfam Marylebone Book Shop truly spoils you. You’ll find modern fiction, leisure interest, specialist academic books, classics, rare books and collectables. Even better? You’ll also find vinyl, CDs and DVDs in the store. If you’re in central London, be sure to stop off here, because the money you spend will also be going to charity which is extra special.

Did you know Oxfam also have an online shop? If you can’t make it to their Marylebone store, take a look at the affordable second hand books available online.

12) Waterstones, Bloomsbury

Waterstones is a well-known UK book shop chain. But did you know that Waterstones Gower Street also sells second hand books? The book store is in fact Europe’s largest new and second hand book shop, with a huge academic and specialist range, and an award-winning events program.

In the second hand department, you’ll find rare acquisitions, and collections of antique books, alongside their art and design department. The building has an impressive 5 floors, including a café and Gower Records, the vinyl department (which also boasts second hand treasures too).

13) Arthur Probsthain, Bloomsbury

Yet another second hand bookstore nestled in the literary capital of London is Arthur Probsthain. An independent book shop specialising in antique African, Asian, and Middle Eastern literature, that was founded in 1903. The store has been family owned for nearly a century, and houses over 150,000 books.

14) Gay's The Word, King's Cross

Founded in 1979, Gay’s The Word is an independent book shop in central London, specialising in queer fiction and non-fiction. The store showcases an array of new books, but also has a unique and delightful offering of rare and used books too. Be sure to check out their online shop for more information if you’re unable to visit in person.

15) Cecil Court, Trafalgar Square

While technically not a book shop in it’s own right, Cecil Court is aptly nicknamed ‘Booksellers Row.’ As you may have guessed, it’s a hidden gem in central London consisting of a small street of independent booksellers. There are around twenty secondhand book shops and antiquarian booksellers, and the shop fronts haven’t changed for over a century.

The eccentric and eclectic shops are full of an array of unusual literature- from stamps, maps, posters, and bank notes, to rare and collectable books. It’s a must-visit!

16) Alpha Books, LSE Student Union

One for the students- located on the corner of Portsmouth Street, Alpha Books is located within the London School of Economics Student Union. A number of titles are stocked- from course texts and academic books to fiction. The stock changes every day, and you might even be able to get yourself a student discount!

consisting of a small street of independent booksellers. There are around twenty secondhand book shops and antiquarian booksellers, and the shop fronts haven’t changed for over a century.

The eccentric and eclectic shops are full of an array of unusual literature- from stamps, maps, posters, and bank notes, to rare and collectable books. It’s a must-visit!

West London

17) Foster Books, Chiswick

Something of an Instagram hot-spot, Foster Books is perhaps the most photogenic second hand bookstore in West London, with it’s iconic green listed bay window, dating back to 1790. Inside, the store is piled high with vintage books. Outside, stands and tables are laid with £1 paperbacks, art, maps and other curiosities.

18) Notting Hill Book & Comic Exchange, Notting Hill

A trip to Notting Hill would not be complete without a visit to Notting Hill Book & Comic Exchange. Books and comics have been sold here since 1967, and with second hand comics starting from just 50p, it’s a great place to have a rummage.

19) World's End Bookshop, Chelsea

Located on the fashionable and iconic King’s Road, World’s End Bookshop is a small but delightful store selling second hand books, collector editions and rarities. The Bookshop is something of a Chelsea cultural icon, and welcomes just about anyone through their doors, and is open Tuesday- Sunday.

20) Lloyds Of Kew, Kew Gardens

A tiny but beautiful independent secondhand bookshop is Lloyds of Kew, located adjacent to Kew Gardens. Here you’ll find rare, vintage and modern second hand books. The shelves are lined floor to ceiling, and the books vary from literature to botany.

21) Osterley Bookshop, Isleworth

Osterley Bookshop is no ordinary bookshop. The shop is actually housed above an abandoned underground tube station. It was opened in 1967, and features a broad range of second hand books, from classic to children’s literature. Most books come in at under £10, which makes it a seriously reasonable place to shop.

But books aren’t the only thing on sale at Osterley Bookshop- you’ll also find obscurities such as glasses, postcards, rocking horses, plants, buttons and more! Look out for their infamous September half price sale to bag yourself a bargain book.

South London

22) Hurlingham Books, Fulham

Hurlingham Books was founded in 1968, and Ray, the founder, still opens the shop every morning! You won’t find a bigger selection of books- as it happens, Hurlingham Books has a warehouse around 10 minutes from the store, where they house over a million books!

You can’t miss the captivating window of this unique book store, and with affordably priced used books, you can’t go wrong.

23) Bookmongers, Brixton

Bookmongers is a community hub in the center of Brixton, which has been in situ since 1992. The shop is known for its unique atmosphere and independent spirit.

Booklovers of all ages are welcomed into Bookmongers, and the store is even home to resident cat, Popeye. Choose from a good selection of second hand books on a variety of topics, at great prices.

24) Halycon Books, Lewisham

Halcyon Books is a family run second hand bookshop, with over 40,000 books lining the shelves. The shop has books to suit all tastes and all budgets, alongside vinyl and postcards, and even a coffee shop on site.

The shop caters to all subjects from history to travel. You’ll find rare, first edition, new and secondhand books nestled alongside maps, vintage magazines and sheet music.

25) Kirkdale Bookshop, Sydenham

Kirkdale Bookshop is possibly one of the oldest book stores in South East London, having been founded in 1966. The store has an entire floor dedicated to second hand books including folios, travel, art, history, philosophy, science fiction, fantasy, literary criticism, film, classics, and first editions.

The shop is somewhat of a community hub, hosting regular events as well as offering affordable books for all age groups and interests.

East London

26) Bookshop On The Heath, Blackheath

The Bookshop on the Heath is a long established second hand book shop, dating back to 1949. You’ll find the shop at the top of Tranquil Vale in the village of Blackheath- situated between Lewisham and Greenwich.

Head to the heath to find rare and second hand books, film posters, maps and prints. You’ll find a large number of crime, thriller, and detective novels, alongside a specialist collection of first edition James Bond novels.

27) Pages of Hackney, Hackney

Pages of Hackney is an independent bookshop with thousands of titles on their shelves. The basement is the home of the second hand book selection- curated by Patrick Mills, who specializes in crime fiction in additional to a range of fiction and non-fiction areas.

The store has been open since 2008, and now hosts a diverse range of author events in the shop, and a monthly book group. They are also the official bookseller for public events at the London School of Economics.

28) Paper & Cup, Shoreditch

Paper & Cup is a social enterprise coffee shop, and although books are not their first priority, they do sell second hand books alongside coffee, cakes, and work by local artists. The social enterprise is award winning, and also a training ground for new baristas.

If you’re looking for something a little more social, or a place to hang out with friends while you browse second hand books? Paper & Cup is the place to go in East London.

29) Jambala Bookshop, Bethnal Green

Jambala Book Shop is a Buddhist second hand book store based in Bethnal Green. It’s a beautifully cosy store with a great selection of books, and all proceeds go to charity. You’ll find an array of second hand books on a variety of topics, alongside vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and some bric a brac. The store depends on donations, so do drop by with any unwanted books.

30) Crofton Books in Brockley, Brockley

Crofton Books in Brockley is a new and second hand book shop in East London. The shop offers a huge range of new and old books, with a generous selection of rare, unusual and antiquarian books. Crofton Books in Brockley welcome requests for books, so if there’s something special you are looking for, drop in to see if they can help you.

North London

31) Black Gull Books, East Finchley

Black Gull Books is open 7 days a week, and the store is an amazing place, filled with art and history, with new stock coming in regularly. The shop has lots of quirky character, and is a little higgledy piggeldy which is perhaps the best indicator of a brilliant book shop?

32) Boom Cat Books, Camden

In the heart of Camden Market lies Boom Cat Books. An independent book store selling new, used, and antiquarian books. You’ll also find quirky curiosities, art and vinyl. The selection of books are both fiction and non-fiction, covering topics such as psychology, philosophy, art and many more.

33) Wall To Wall Books, Camden

A true rabbit warren found in Camden Market, Wall to Wall Books is a very fitting name for this store. Stacks of books line the store on every possible topic- with both children’s and adult literature, fiction and non-fiction, and even an original Pete Doherty artwork.

34) New Beacon Books, Finsbury Park

New Beacon Books was established in 1966, and was never just a book business. It is the only remaining independent Black publishing and bookselling entity in the UK. A huge piece of history that has ‘been at the heart of communities, built social movements, and given expression to young voices.’ A must-visit for African and Caribbean literature.

35) Walden Books, Camden

Walden Books was established in 1979, and is a quirky gem of a book shop. The shop is tucked away under swathes of wisteria vines, which makes it all the more inviting for any book lover. You’ll find shelves lined with every kind of book imaginable, and there are also outdoor shelves for browsing too.

The store sells everything from used to rare books, and they have over 10,000 titles in stock at any one time- all reasonably priced between 50p – £50. (You’ll find the dedicated section where you can find a 50p paperback for next to nothing).

36) The Amnesty Bookshop, Kentish Town

Just a few minutes’ walk from Kentish Town underground station you’ll happen upon The Amnesty Bookshop. The Amnesty Bookshop began as a stall based in the Hammersmith & City Line tube station, to raise funds for local campaigns. There are now ten second hand bookshops across the country.

The Kentish Town branch sells good quality used books, vinyl, and CDs. You’ll find collectables next to contemporary fiction, children’s books and classics, and just about every genre of literature. Your money goes to a good cause that builds community spirit, which is a wonderful bonus of shopping at this store.

37) British Red Cross Book Shop, Palmers Green

The British Red Cross Book Shop is one of only a few specialist Red Cross book shops across the UK. In the store you’ll find fiction, non-fiction and reference books, alongside rare and collectable books. You’ll also find children’s books, stamps, maps, postcards, sheet music, CDs and vinyl. A true treasure trove!

38) Primrose Hill Books, Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill Books is an independent family business that has been running for over thirty years. It’s one of the many independent shops that helps to give Primrose Hill it’s village-like appeal. Look out for the cornflower blue frontage- an iconic part of the Primrose Hill landscape, it’s a must see if you’re visiting this beautiful area of London.

39) House of Hodge, Highbury

Established in 2009, House of Hodge is a charity bookshop raising funds for animal welfare and offering a curated selection of donated books, vinyl, CDs and DVDs. You’ll find contemporary fiction, Booker Shortlist titles, unusual vintage tomes and academic texts too. Cave-like and cosy, this is a shop you’ll fall in love with.

Primrose Hill it’s village-like appeal. Look out for the cornflower blue frontage- an iconic part of the Primrose Hill landscape, it’s a must see if you’re visiting this beautiful area of London.

40) Church Street Bookshop, Stoke Newington

With over 40 years in business, Church Street Bookshop is a long established, and one of the best second hand book shops in London. You’ll find both choice and quality- volumes range from history to popular culture, children’s books, and well-priced art and photography books.

41) Keith Fawkes, Hampstead Village

Keith Fawkes is a rare book store located in the picturesque Hampstead Village, and has been in operation for over fifty years. As well as books, you’ll also find antique furniture, paintings, glasses and china. You’ll find rare books, secondhand books and childrens books as well as fiction, music books and paperbacks.

Top Tips For Buying Second Hand Books In London

Many second hand book shops will buy books as well as sell them, especially if you have rare or antique books you’d like to sell. Be sure to call ahead before you visit to arrange a meeting and ensure there is interest in your book to avoid disappointment.
Some of the book stores are charity bookshops, if you are making a long journey, make sure you call ahead to be sure of the opening times as the shops are often run by volunteers.
If you’re looking for a specific book? Ask! You will often find that the book shops will be more than happy to help you find what you are looking for. Many have warehouses off site with thousands more books.
Looking for a bargain? Don’t be afraid to ask if a discount is possible (especially if you’re a student), this might be available when you’re buying more than one book, or an especially high value book.