From rare bookshops and floating bookshops to hidden bookshops and I-could-spend-all-my-time-and-money-here bookshops; London certainly is a paradise for literary-lovers. Across the city, the distinctive scent of books waiting to be devoured oozes from the plethora of independent bookstores we have at our fingertips and it’s time to give them the shoutout they deserve. Ten independent bookshops in the capital city have been shortlisted for the ever-so prestigious Independent Bookshop of the Year award – and yes, we’re feeling pretty darn proud.
A record number of bookshops have been shortlisted by The British Book Awardswith 77 indie bookshops across nine different regions being named finalists. The nominated bookshops are each continuing to thrive in the face of a cozzy-livs crisis and – you know – the internet, and are oh so deserving of the acknowledgment.
So, without further ado, here are the London bookshops that made the cut and they are all most certainly in our good books:
Children’s Bookshop, Muswell Hill
This north London hotspot has been dishing out children’s books since opening their doors back in 1974. With their passion for books and commitment to building booklovers of the future with their weekly book clubs and story times; Children’s Bookshop would be extremely worthy of wearing the independent bookshop crown.
📍 29 Fortis Green Road, N10 3HP
Burley Fisher Books, Haggerston
Heading east to trendy Haggerston, we have Burley Fisher Books. They sell a mixture of new and second-hand books and specialise in indie presses and zines. They’re also no strangers to award wins, having been voted London’s best independent bookshop in 2021 and 2022. Fierce competition, indeed.
📍 400 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA
As London’s first consciously queer intersectional bookshop, The Common Press is a beloved part of Bethnal Green. They’re a space that proudly stands up for what they believe in, championing books by authors from a wide range of marginalized backgrounds. Plus, they serve up a pretty great cuppatoo. What more could you ask for?
📍 118 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6DG
Round Table Books, Brixton
Brixton based bookshop, Round Table Books is next up on the list. They’re an inclusion-led bookshop who prioritise celebrating underrepresented authors, writers and illustrators. Having started out as a week long pop-up, they now sell a huge variety of books from an even huger variety of publishers at their permanent south London location.
📍 73 Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS
A bookshop that you’ll no doubt want to spend all day (and all night) in; BookBar is a firm favourite here at Secret London. With books tucked into every corner, a recommendation wall on a blackboard to help you pick out your next read in their downstairs cellar, great coffee and “generously poured” wine, it’s safe to say this place comes widely recommended on all fronts by us.
📍 66 Blackstock Road, N5 1HA
Village Books, Dulwich
Having set up shop all the way back in 1930, Village Books has certainly paid its dues in the bookshop world. Jam-packed bookshelves and a jam-packed programme of author events; it’s easy to see how this Dulwich delight made the list.
📍 1D Calton Avenue, SE21 7DE
7. Backstory, Balham
You’ll be pleased to hear that another bookshop-with-a-bar made the shortlist. This new-bookshop-on-the-block was opened in 2022 in Balham by a former journalist. Backstory celebrates not only the story, but the story behind each story. The backstoryif you will. Boasting a long bar and ever-so comfy chairs, Backstory whole-heartedly encourages readers to grab a drink, grab a book and settle right in.
📍 71 Balham High Road, SW12 9AP
8. Brick Lane Bookshop, Tower Hamlets
Back in the early 1970s, there was not a single bookshop in the whole of Tower Hamlets (gasp!) – so Brick Lane Bookshop obviously had no choice but to step in and do something about it. Now a firm staple of the Brick Lane community, this picture-perfect bookshop offers a huge range of books and some of the most knowledgeable booksellers in the game.
📍 166 Brick Lane, E1 6RU
9. The Riverside Bookshop, London Bridge
The Riverside Bookshop is a refreshingly friendly spot in the midst of an area of London which is – quite frankly – full of grumpy commuters (sorry not sorry). Step off the bustling streets of London Bridge and allow yourself to get lost in this quaint, cosy, and well-stocked bookshop.
📍 Unit 15, Hay’s Galleria, 57 Tooley Street, SE1 2QN
10. Goldsboro Books Limited, Charing Cross
Last but by no means least, we have Goldsboro Books; a shop found in the pure literary haven that is Cecil Court. Aiming to (and succeeding in) inspiring book-loving Londoners, this central London bookshop has everything a bookworm could ask for. And more.
📍 23-27 Cecil Court, WC2N 4EZ
The award is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support independent bookshops across the country and their continued commitment to bespoke bookselling, tailored initiatives and community-centric activities.
The bookshops will first compete within their regions, with the winner of each region being announced on March 12. The overall ‘Independent Bookshop of the Year‘ will be crowned at the prestigious British Book Awards winner ceremony on May 13. But until then, we will unfortunately have to leave you on a bit of a cliffhanger because – in the iconic words of Natasha Bedingfield – the rest is still unwritten…
