5 best independent bookshops in London: second-hand and new book stores to visit on World Book Day 2022

There probably isn’t a better city in the United Kingdom to celebrate World Book Day than London.

On World Book Day, children are given vouchers for books, as well as dressing up as their favourite character from a book or comic.

Here’s five independent bookstores in London that every bookworm should visit on World Book Day.

London Hatchards Piccadilly

Opening Times

Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 7pm

Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

Founded in the 18th century, this independent bookstore in London hosts literary events and regular book signings.

Since 1797, they have opened two stores in St Pancras and Piccadilly, and Hatchards is the official bookseller to the Royal Family.

You can visit their website to view the books on offer.

Their Piccadilly store has more than 1,000 reviews on Google and has an impressive 4.8 rating.

Address: 187 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9LE

Brick Lane Bookshop

Opening Times

Mon - Sun: 10am - 6pm

Located in Tower Hamlets, East London, Brick Lane  Bookshop has been open since 1978.

With more than1,600 children’s books to choose from, it’s a great choice for World Book Day.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, go on their website, where you can browse every book they have to offer.

Alternatively, if you know exactly what you want and want to see if they have it in stock, you can also search for the available books on their website.

Their website states that if the book you want isn’t available, they can order most books published in the UK by the following working day.

Address: 166 Brick Ln, London E1 6RU

Dulwich Books LTD

Opening Times

Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 5:30pm

Sunday: 11am - 4pm

This award-winning bookstore is located in the heart of Dulwich, and has been serving its local community for more than30 years.

With a dedicated children’s area, including stuffed animals, and interactive toys, it’s the perfect place to visit for World Book Day.

They also offer a loyalty scheme, so you can keep coming back throughout the year.

To learn more about their loyalty scheme and more, visit their website. 

Address: 6 Croxted Rd, London SE21 8SW

Lutyens & Rubinstein

Opening Times

Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm

Sunday: 11am - 5pm

Offering different, hand-picked books from a diverse range of different genres, Lutyens & Rubinstein offers something for everyone.

Open since 2009, their website offers a range of ‘featured books’ for both adults and children.

Also available on their website is a range of different subscriptions, including cookbooks for a year, children’s books for a year, and more.

Address: 21 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2EU

South Kensington Books

Opening Times:

Mon - Tues: 10am - 5pm

Weds - Friday 10am - 6pm

Sat: 11am - 7pm

Sun: 12pm - 7pm

Despite being founded in 2010, South Kensington Books sits on the site of previous bookstores dating back to the 1940s.

There’s a great range of genres to choose from, with the bookstore offering Art, History, Fashion and the Sciences reflecting the museums close by through to their fiction and children’s sections.

Address: 22 Thurloe Street, London SW7 2LT