I know that’s a bold opening, but a commenter recently asked for suggestions for secondhand bookshops in London, and… I struggled. I would have some eager recommendations a few years ago, but they’ve either closed (e.g. the Slightly Foxed Bookshop) or got significantly worse.
Here’s my run-down of thoughts and places I might still visit but, please, do let me know what you would suggest!
(I am thinking for the average book buyer, not a collector with deep pockets, btw.)
Any Amount of Books
Charing Cross Road is a shadow of its historic self – Any Amount of Books seems to have far fewer books than it used to, and its basement is no longer a wonderland, but it’s still the best one in that area IMO.
Henry Porde Books
Since their move (also on Charing Cross Road), they are much smaller, and don’t have many affordable things. Though they also seem to have politer staff than they used to, so that’s a win.
Notting Hill Books & Comics Exchange
This used to be my absolute favourite, but they’ve also massively downsized – and, on my most recent visit, the back room seemed to have really sunk in quality. I found some gems in the front room, so still worth a visit, but sad to see their decline.
Walden Books, Camden
This is a small but very interesting bookshop – you’ll be in and out in half an hour, but I think the one on the list that gives me greatest hope.
Archive Bookstore, Marylebone
There might be good books in here but, honestly, who would know? I love a disshevelled bookshop, but this looks like someone emptied a truck of books through the window. You can hardly get to any of the shelves, and it’s sad to see.
Hurlingham Books, Fulham
Also very chaotic, but somehow more enjoyably so, and the best customer service I’ve come across. I’d recommend a visit for sure, but it’s not central so you’d have to be going deliberately.
World’s End Books, Chelsea
I went for the first time the other day, and it’s a nice little shop – not much stock on the shelves, a lot very pricey, but well chosen.
Skoob Books
This is central, but I’ve always been a bit underwhelmed by their selection – almost none of the mid-century hardbacks I’m after. If you’re looking for lots of modern paperbacks, then you could be in luck.
Judd Books
That reminds me of Judd Books, and I realise I haven’t been in years. Must rectify!
I can’t think of any others near the centre, but maybe I need to be making special trips to further flung parts of London? Sorry for a post that is a bit negative, but it’s sad to see a great book-buying city become so uninspiring for the average book hunter.
So – please give me hope!
Gays the Word in Marchmont Street, London, although not strictly speaking a second hand bookshop has an extensive second hand section of ‘gay interest’ which covers fiction and non fiction. As you can visit it at the same time as Skoob and Judd books it makes Marchmont Street well worth visiting.
I have been a couple of times and was a bit underwhelmed by the secondhand section, but I will try again!
Kirkdale bookshop, Sydenham. New and secondhand. Also host some great reading groups.
Oxfam Books, Herne Hill. Donated stock from a bookish local community, all the categories including some European languages, recipients of good vintage/antiquarian/rare books (although some of the rarer items will be visible on the online store rather than open shelves), graphic novels.
Come south of the river and check us out!
I shall have to venture outside the centre!!
Judd is wonderful! I would add the Bloomsbury Oxfam, though I haven’t been in a while and last time I went they weren’t that wel stocked…
Oh that Oxfam is always a goodun
I have to put in a word for Skoob as great purveyors of Green Penguins, even if they don’t have much other midcentury fiction. I picked up some last time I was there that I think would have been difficult to find elsewhere! And Word on the Water is worth a visit just for the experience, though I haven’t been there in a while – they don’t have a tonne of rarities but if memory serves I found some very nice older editions of classic novels last time I was there.
Ah good point, they do do a good line in Penguins
Oh and I did go to Word on the Water once and enjoyed the experience – except for the rain coming through the ceiling…!
I don’t visit London often these days, but whenever I do I find even the charity shops very expensive compared not only to Aberdeen but even to Edinburgh and Glasgow. I appreciate that their overheads must be very high, but I still buy very little.
We are going to Hay on Wye for the first time next week – looking forward to a good browse.
Oh wonderful! Cinema Bookshop is the place to rush to, IMO (sadly Richard Booths has also gone massively downhill in the last few years)
Thanks for the tips Simon!
When I was in London earlier this year I have to say I was disappointed with the second hand bookshops I visited with the exception of Judds, which, although not cheap exactly was affordable and the only reason I did not indulge was the thought of having to jettison the books already in my suitcase!
Henry Porde Books and Any Amount of Books were definitely worth a visit for their interesting books even if I could only look at the spines for some of the rare ones.
I don’t know why Judd had fallen off my radar – I will definitely beat a path to it next time I’m there.
I miss London. You’d think there’d be all kinds of used and secondhand bookstores there.
I suppose they’ve mostly gone online, sadly
Bummer
It’s my pleasure to recommend Books Peckham, Burley Fisher (Hackney, second-hand in basement), Muswell Hill Books, Bookshop on the Heath (Blackheath), Church Street Bookshop (Stoke Newington), Abney Books (ditto), Halcyon Books (Lee), Kirkdale Bookshop (Sydenham), Pages of Hackney (basement), as well as the excellent Oxfam Bookshops in Islington, Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Herne Hill, Bloomsbury Street, Greenwich, and the Amnesty shop in Kentish Town and, if it’s still there, Hammersmith. More in my books White Spines and Shadow Lines (Salt).
Wow! Secondhand bookshops in the London area alive and kicking!
Thank you! I don’t know any of those, so glad to explore- and I think I’m right in saying none are central? From your books, I know we have very different tastes. If you were to recommend one for someone looking for 1920-50 fiction hardbacks, which would you pick?
There’s also an Oxfam Bookshop in Kentish Town, and 4 or 5 charity shops close together on the other side of the road – PDSA, two MIND shops, Age Concern, British Heart Foundation with a good selection of books. Also Octavia, but I find the layout of the shop rather offputting. For new books, the Owl Bookshop is now part of Daunts, has lots of events.
There’s an animal charity bookshop on Blackstock Road near Finsbury Park, and it’s near to another new bookshop, Bookbar. There are also charity shops for the RSPCA (Blackstock Road) and Marie Curie (the stretch of Seven Sisters Road between Blackstock Road and Finsbury Park station).
Oxfam Bookshop Crouch End is also near a cluster of about 8 charity shops, mostly on Tottenham Lane.
Sadly I think this proves my point! All charity shops and no secondhand bookshops.
https://www.cecilcourt.co.uk/
Lovely pedestrian ‘street’ in central London. The bookshops may be upmarket – but treasures may found and anyway just worth it for the calm and welcoming environment in the centre of busy London.
Ah yes, as you probably guessed, that was precisely what I was thinking of when I excluded shops aimed at wealthier customers! Not for me, I think.
I was just in Marchmont Street this morning! I was very restrained and just bought one book, from Judd’s.
Many of my recommendations have already been mentioned :-)
I would just add if you do venture south of the river, the British Heart Foundation Books & Music shop in Streatham Hill is where I consistently find so many gems. The collectables section at the back is likely where you’ll find the mid 20th century hardbacks, not a massive selection but it is there! The classics section often yields VMCs, Persephones etc. The fiction section often has translated titles, Pushkins/Pierenes etc.
Most of my usual haunts have been mentioned, but I’ll second the suggestions of various Oxfam Bookshops noted in the comments. Their Marylebone shop is the one I pass most frequently (a few doors down from Daunt). Not a huge selection, but occasionally there are gems – it’s always worth popping in for a look if you’re in the area for something else.
Ah yes, I know the one – haven’t found anything in there yet, but will keep trying!
Not in central London, but the second hand book store at the National Trust’s Morden Hall property has a pretty good selection and is reasonably priced: mostly modern/20th century paperbacks. They also have a good one at Ham House. Places you could combine with a walk/tea and cake activity!
Tea and cake always a good sell!
Second hand book room at Kenwood House, on Hampstead Heath is worth a look – it is next door to the cafe in a beautiful “cottage” also hosting the gift shop.
Ah good to know, thanks Cindy
I was going to mention the Oxfam Books in Muswell Hill and Bloomsbury but have been beaten to it in the comments. Any Amount of Books is one I always try to get to but haven’t for years. I didn’t know Gay’s the Word had a second-hand section, my best friend’s offspring have bought me books from there in the past but I’ve not been in yet.
I’ll second Books Peckham and Kirkdale Books and add another South London jewel, Crofton Books. And if you’re looking centrally, Waterstones Gower Street and Hatchards Piccadilly both have large and well stocked second hand sections.