My Favourite Bookshops in London! 🇬🇧

Let me take you to my favourite bookshops in London!
Bookshops mentioned:
Waterstones (Gower Street)
Foyles (Tottenham Court Road)
Gosh Comics
Hatchards
Thanks to my boyfriend for helping me film!
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Music by: CJ Bissett (cjbissett.bandcamp.com)

[@mahdiGasmi06]

this is the most beautiful thing I've seen today 😍 thank you so much for this video 💗

[@ArielBissett]

mahdi gasmi I'm so glad you liked it 😬 I've been so excited to share it!!!

[@lifeasnikki]

coffee shops inside book stores are my favorite thing in life

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Would be better if it was a bar serving single malt whisky.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@YellowMeadow Spirituelle Im an adult male. I don't buy coffee outside my home.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@YellowMeadow Spirituelle "Killed any women today?" Grow up. And stop using a childish username on You Tube. Be an adult.

[@michaelmayoh656]

I'm British I drink tea, tea ,cakes and books! Fabulous!

[@russellalfonso2962]

I thought I caught a remark of yours confessing that you're not into used books. I like them because besides the original content, each book has a story, a history, a karma. I like the marginal notes, the dedications, sometimes I find odd pieces between the pages, a slip of paper with a note, a little greeting card or postcard or photo. Old books have a personal vibe, energy, life. I wish books could speak to tell me their life stories.

[@steakkidneypie767]

I also like that I don't feel too precious about bending the cover or something.

[@padmajadevi613]

I love it too.....the smell of used books....is ,I don't know....I love it ...

[@wamper2967]

I dunno were you get your used books but mine just have tea stains and bended pages

[@JS-jh4cy]

Any cash found

[@JS-jh4cy]

As long as no piss on the books

[@nereagilabert7071]

That Waterstones' bookshop is in front of my former university (UCL) and it is indeed amazing. They also have secondhand books for £1 and £2 outside. Also, if there is somebody around here who likes to buy secondhand books, there is this old library near Wimbledon Station (District line) that is called Copperfield Books. There is not one spot without a book in that place. It may seem hard to find what you are looking for, but the guy there knows exactly where the book you want is. And they are open on Sundays too!

[@elyssa2425]

As a Waterstones employee, this makes my nerdy bookseller heart fill to the brim with happiness 💛 Thanks for spreading the joy of bookshops, Ariel

[@isadorakallina4379]

Ahh I really wanna visit these bookshops now! Also omg you look so professional walking around with this microphone 😂 I love it. Great video!

[@ArielBissett]

Isadora de Paula SO LEGIT. I gave it my all for you, haha!

[@ramtinheraklion2856]

Hello, you are very emotional about talking about books. I can have a school

[@holistic7980]

Did you go to Waterstones in Piccadilly the huge one? It's amazing!!! You'll never want to leave. Selfridges basment floor has a book section with some really nice editions. Enjoy London!

[@snowhitepp3339]

Ariel try also Standfords bookshop in Covent Garden! It's a largest travel bookshop in the world and it has been here for over 150 years :-)

[@ajdasimcic4404]

I've been in London a week ago, and I fell in love with Foyles at the Tottenham Court road. Where I live, we only have small 1 floor bookshops and when I stepped into Foyles I was very amazed because it's so huge! And it has a café? THERE ARE BOOKSHOPS THAT HAVE CAFÉS? I just wanna live in that bookstore forever.

[@RhiannaVarney]

Loved this! Also, eat, sweat, play is such a great book, I'm glad you are enjoying it :)

[@ArielBissett]

Rhianna Lucy It's fantastic! I can't wait to finish it and share my love in a video!

[@RhiannaVarney]

Yay, I'm excited to watch it :)

[@pokamochaa]

Next time you visit London, check out the Wellcome Library/Reading room! The building itself (i.e. the exhibitions, bookshop and books you can generally read there) is more geared towards the medical field, but the Reading Room is free to visit and it's just an amazing place to sit, read and chill for a while.

[@ericw4377]

Yes, the Waterstones at Gower street is awesome. I love how they put loads of old Penguin books in carts out front. It is vastly different from any other bookstore I've been to in the UK. There is a vinyl record store downstairs, as well as a stationary store.

[@n.sundari889]

Your enthusiasm is infectious. This was an exquisitely done book vlog!!! I enjoyed every place you visited. I hope to see more of these videos in the future. Gracias 🇨🇺

[@dicelady20]

"... which one you would want to visit." All of them.

[@assemblyizeable]

I adore this video! Your enthusiasm is so infectious. I was lucky enough to visit London last year, and while I didn't have a ton of time, I was still able to stop by Hatchard's and Waterstones at Picadilly. I fell in love! Even with the major retailers in the states (like Barnes & Noble, etc), I don't think I've been in a multi-story bookshop. Also, I absolutely loved how the bookshops in London are organized! The flow feels so natural, and everything is cozy. I really like the way the displays seemed to have unique topics, in addition to the more structured "Fiction/Non-Fiction/etc" sections. Also, I completely understand the fear of used books/things. When I was really young, I felt the same way. It was like an overwhelming sense of dread, even though I understood the historical value and importance. I don't know what changed (hence the irrational part of fears), but it doesn't bother me anymore. Still, I totally get where you're coming from and I appreciate that you still promote used books as better for the environment, etc.

[@BlatantlyBookish]

Thank you so much for this beautiful bookish video! If I ever make it to London again these 4 bookstores are definitely on my destination list!

[@sofivear]

If you ever visit Buenos Aires you'll love "El Ateneo", it's this old theatre turned bookshop. It even has a café on the stage.

[@estherrawr]

absolutely loved this video! i'm going to london on thursday and now i'm even more pumped. definitely added foyles and hatchard's to my list of places to shop/explore.

Love this!

[@ArielBissett]

Estée Lalonde Thanks, lady!! 😍

[@geovannymora848]

@@ArielBissett I like your glasses

[@oneawkwardtree]

Waterstones Gower Street is my favorite bookshop in London! I lived on that same road when I studied abroad there last year, so watching this video felt a lot like going home. Also I realized I have visited Hatchards, but I never knew the name of it! Such a quirky and wonderful building too.

[@Demetria0001]

What an a amazing video, I love it! The last time I was in London I did the same and spent hours going to different book stores. I loved Foyles❤️ And I also love the small book stores in Nothing Hill

[@davidjones6956]

Foyles used to be much nicer before it was modernised. You could literally find anything. Now it just feels like any other bookstore. Secondhand bookshops are best. You never know what you will find. It's finding the book next to the book you were looking for.

[@NursenaTtr]

This is definitely going to be a video I come back every once in a while. You should do more of these exploring / traveling type of videos Ariel. Both in the UK and in Canada. Your energy is so bright and you make it fun.

[@kfu1234]

can you show us your favorite coffee shops, restaurants and cute places to go in london!! love this video!!

[@sydneykeizer7050]

I just love your videos so much. The joy and passion you have for all things books just inspires me. Keep being wonderful 💕

[@himaeverafterr]

This is so wonderful! I'm actually visiting London for the first time in about a week, so I'm really excited to make these bookstores a part of my trip.

[@alexandraardelean3537]

This is so nice to watch, especially during lockdown, when I simply miss going to my fav bookshops... I'll certainly do a London bookshop tour when this is all over

[@Mjmagicalmiles]

I am going to London in March and I knew that I needed to find some good bookstores before going. When I searched it here on KZbin, your video popped up and I knew that whatever you showed me would be great and that I would love. I am so excited to go and check out your suggestions in person. They all look so beautiful on camera but I know they will love even better in person.

[@kelseycarthew8258]

I love that Waterstones on Gower!! When I studied abroad at RADA I would frequently pop in there to take a peek - such a charming store.

[@akiko3337]

Thank you for the recommendations! I'm actually going to visit London for the first time in a week or so, and I just can't wait! I'd love to visit the Waterstones you mentionned and Hatchards!

[@balqisfauziah2177]

this gave me so much happiness and warmth. your joy is so contagious. thank you for sharing. lovely, as always.

[@emmakrueger626]

this is beautiful. absolutely beautiful.

[@ArielBissett]

Emma Krueger Thank you so much!!

[@user-ij6dr7jz5n]

Didn't think there were such enormous bookshops somewhere. Love it. WANT IT!

[@andyalexis5963]

Even though my heart breaks a little that I might not be able to visit those shops, this video patches it up for sure. Thanks Ariel for taking us on a bookadventure!!! ❤

[@annahenschel9457]

this is lovely! I just wish you would have showed a few smaller, independent book stores.

[@andreadixon6368]

Anna Henschel totally! I wish Ariel see this coment and do it

[@ArielBissett]

Anna Henschel There are dozens of bookshops in London, these are just four of my favourites. Gosh Comics is independent. This was a lot of work, I hope you enjoyed it ✌🏽

[@annahenschel9457]

I did :) Thanks for your reply!

[@20so]

Ok so this video topic is SO my thing so I'm just gonna comment on all the comments 😂 . There's a map of independent London book shops here if you're interested in finding any new ones: www.thelondonbookshopmap.org/ (also, you can order one of their *beautiful* maps against a small donation. Mine has been gracing our hall for the past two years)

[@annahenschel9457]

thank you:)

[@angairbender]

Already watched this video multiple times, I love the feeling of going on a tour of London bookshops! Thanks Ariel :)

[@gis_n_n615]

omg Ariel, this video was so beautiful! I loved the mic, the themes, the shops ❤️ , the tips. Please, make more videos like this! Thanks for the video. Next time I go to London I'll def try to go to some (or all) of these.

[@Spiritbro77]

So envious. London is right at the top of my bucket list destinations. Those shops look so great! Love bookstores.

[@lottehoughton648]

I live in Central London and I did not know that the Gower St Waterstones was so cool! Thank you for recommending it - my personal favourite is Daunt Books in Marylebone (or Holland Park) and the Oxfam Books on Portobello Road

[@lottehoughton648]

Oh and Cooks for Books and Lutyens & Rubinstein!

[@justjuanreader]

This video just made my day - my weekend - my month! Thank you for sharing this with us, it's astonishing

[@MarleyMe95]

This video gives me heartache. I miss being in London so badly and you showed me the places I always was. I spent lots of time at that Waterstones and the one in Angel. As well as Foyles in Soho.

[@bookishme3635]

I haven't been to any of these bookshops, but I've been to the Waterstones in Piccadilly multiple times. I'm in love with that bookshop - probably because it's the biggest one I've ever been in. Also, thanks for making this! Adding more bookshops to my bookshop-bucketlist. Next time I go to London, I'm gonna dedicate a whole day to visiting bookshops around the city!

[@locomotorbarda]

Your enthusiasm is lovely to see shining through this video ! Hatchards seems very lovely to visit (and also to buy all the books from) - the others as well. Now craving to go to the bookshop ! thanks Ariel :)

[@phoenixfriend]

My favourite Waterstones is the one in Piccadilly. There are also three little antiquarian bookshops down Charing Cross Road that I love.

[@Leah-zm6dl]

I can't believe you went to Gower street Waterstones, it's not even a minute walk for my uni and I go there all the time, 100% my favourite place in London. I'm so glad you love it as much as I do💜

[@alancommaille7789]

Two years later and here I am! We're based in South Africa and looking to move to London. Thanks for reviewing these places and adding some colour to the names. Now I know where to send my CV's....

[@annasarkisian853]

Your enthusiasm in this video is so cute! Makes me really want to go to London and explore these shops!

[@BBates-if5od]

Those stairs in the last store.....that was my favorite store!!! What a great video!

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

Love your Bookshop tour! I have to visit them all if/when I go to London!

[@suzannecattanes5052]

There is nothing more amazing than watching someone walk round book shops...absolutely brilliant xx thank you

[@MelVicious]

Awesome video! I've been to each one except that last one, gotta visit it next time I'm in the UK! If you love maze-like bookshops, I really recommend Blackwell's in Oxford. The Waterstones there is also very cute, always with amazing displays and the cutest coffee shop upstairs!

[@librarytears]

London is killing it the stunning bookshops! Totally wish I could visit. This video was amazing!

[@kikiMMG]

I lived in London for a year last year and really enjoyed both large-scale and independent bookshops. I loved every Waterstones I've ever been in-- I feel like its a 'classy' large-scale bookshop. And when my sister visited me she made sure we went to Hatchard's on Piccadilly.. and I'm so glad! P.s. Love this style of video! Thanks!

[@DrinkingByMyShelf]

I'm moving back to London after spending a lovely year living in Oxford and I was feeling really sad about having to go back to London - but now you've reminded me about all the fab bookshops there I feel much happier about it!

[@vanessaboard1788]

You are so much fun to watch, you have such a great personality! Thank you for making this video :)

[@alexisnicole5408]

Going to London with my friend in about a month and we were searching for bookshops to go to! So thank you so much for this video 😊

[@laurengroves663]

I'm going to Foyles, hatchards and Waterstones next Saturday!!!! I'm so excited!

[@diyana]

I had been to several Waterstones while I was studying in the UK and I loved that they were each a bit different, as you mentioned. If I get the chance to go to London again, I would definitely want to visit Foyles - it's like a book mall! Love this video, Ariel!

[@thepowerofcheesecake]

The Foyles at Tottenham Court is so great. I love it so much. Purely because of the ENTIRE FLOOR DEDICATED TO FOREIGN BOOKS. I spend like an hour on that floor every time I get the chance to go just breathing in all the languages.

[@ArielBissett]

Sephy Éasca Yes!!!! My boyfriend and I spent hours in the Spanish section once!

[@shandralynne]

I’ll be going to London for the first time in February 2019. Had to come back and rewatch this for shops to add to my list. Woo!

[@Zainab-ox2pq]

That Penguin Room in Waterstones 😍 😍 😍

[@jerrygundecker743]

Looks like these would be the most fun when rain is coming down in sheets and buckets.

[@leahg2670]

Beautiful!!! I'm studying abroad in Cambridge next semester so I defiantly need to check these out when I visit there! ❤️🇬🇧

[@KelseyReads]

This is so wild, I'm in London for one more day and have been wanting to check out some bookshops! Thanks for this video 😊

[@patriciakedeni]

This video gave me such pleasure. And Hatcherts, wow.. i literally stumbled into it when i visited London 18 years ago.

[@AYWalton]

Fantastic video! Whenever I visit London bookstores are always my destination! This was done so artistically! You have expanded my list of must-visit places in London!

[@ArielBissett]

Angela Walton-Raji I'm so glad you liked it!!

[@MrBloop12]

this was a lovely end to my day, thank you

[@MsJu92]

So so happy you shared this!! I'm going to London this summer and I'm definitely going to visit all of these bookshops, I'm excited just at the idea XD I'm gonna have to show some serious restraint and not buy more than a couple of books to avoid going over the luggage limit!

[@jennelynnatividad464]

I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!! This was such a great video!!! Do more of these bookshop tours, please?

[@laetitiahb9531]

I love the atmosphere in the Waterstones library, my favourite I think!

[@erinmariecece]

This was such a wondrous idea! Hopefully one day I get to discover all the magic of London bookshops.

[@juliar3851]

Beautiful bookshops!!! Your videos are always so amazing!

[@FaithfullyMoonstruck]

LOVED this! I wish I could get down there to visit Hatchards, before we move. Darn! I've been to Waterstones tons, and Foyles a few times when in London. I am so gonna miss them when we leave!

[@bettyreads222]

wow i always love seeing the differences of bookstores in a city. ❤ thanks for sharing. can't wait to visit in the future; i'd spend so much time in foyles ;D

[@confessionsofabookaddict6862]

I loved this! I was just in Barnes and Nobles the other day taking pictures. But these places are amazing!

[@burtonlee22]

Thank you for this wonderful tour!!

[@crayonpaint3]

Thanks for the tour Ariel! I've jotted a few of them down as places to go on my upcoming trip to London :)

[@stanisawgrabowski6256]

I find there are few things more delightful than British bookshops. When you come in, it's like a wave of love for reading hugs you, you just want to curl up right there on the floor and read or just browse endlessly. I want to go London so bad, oh my gods.

[@kconfess4281]

I love this video!!! I live in Greater London and have never been to these stores. I adore books and hope to some day go there. I’m so happy!!!!

[@MustafaJackson]

Thank you for sharing your bookstore experience in London. I've worked in book shops in New York off and on for 25 years. I would love to go to London and just spend a week going to different book shops. I love books.

[@maryfilippou6667]

I have been to the original Foyles, holding my 7 months old Marina, 47years ago. I'd checked everywhere and couldn't find a book devoted to Mary Cassatt. How thrilled when the clerk confidently said Yes, we have! hustling me holding baby to a Sales table- even better!- of Marquis de Sade. Yes, lost in American accent. Hatchards is beautiful, but all these decades, I remembered it as a small one-floor shop like Charlotte Newbeggin's in San Francisco. Time crunch, again. And of course, a Waterstones in Kensington High St, probably.

[@zeebrown1007]

Hatchards is so beautiful! I love that I live in London, definitely going during the summer after exams to read!

[@marsalien4]

This makes me want to come to London SO badly. All I have around me is Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books - and while I like both of those chains, I'd love to see some new and interesting variety. London looks amazing! Thanks as always for another awesome video. Keep up the good work Ariel!

[@johncook1080]

Ariel, what delightful content! Of course I have an old great love of the printed word, and so I was destined to enjoy your story. Please keep visiting bookstores and reading. Best regards, John, Kenly, NC

[@GenericGena]

Love this video! Every time I go to that new Foyles, I feel like I'm in the Fox Books store from _You've Got Mail_.

[@bishfish7726]

Watching videos like this makes me so jealous...the only bookstore anywhere near me is a B & N and it's not even all that close. Luckily next year I'm going off to college and the town has so many independent bookstores and I'm super hype

[@sarahdippity]

Ooooohhh I wish I saw your vlog before my visit to London last year! I would have spent hours at that PENGUIN CLASSIC corner!!!! Love your bookstore vlog Ariel!! More please!!!!!!!!

[@rosepeppermint]

OMG - I needed this guide last year when I was going to London... :) Last year I only went to Foyles, however this was an amazing experience. I used multiple hours in there. LOVED their section with Barnes & Noble books. Love your videos.

[@NickVelasco]

I'm from London and that is the first time I've seen that Waterstones! Foyles is my favourite bookstore in London 😁. Great video!

[@CosminaG]

AHH this video is making me miss London so much! I did a whole bookshop crawl when I first went there and ended up coming home with way too many books.

[@miageorge858]

omg I'm definitely going to come back to this vid if I ever visit London, all these places look so nice!!

[@isakevorkian3635]

This made me so excited for my trip to England this summer, Ariel! I like the look of Hatchards the best :) Thank you for uploading!!!

[@ArielBissett]

Isa Kevorkian I hope you have a great trip!!!

[@brittneycray]

I love this video and can't wait for the haul!💕

[@kadeesirak8016]

This was such an informative well done video. I hope you do more like it!

[@literaryliekki8341]

Perfect timing! I'm going to London at the end of June and I plan to get all the books!

[@siennanotes]

this is such a nice video. definitely adding those bookshops to my bucket list

[@Danielkallus]

Such a great video!! 💗 The bookstores are so cool! The filming was great 👍

[@sboulton996]

this!! video!! was!! wonderful!! i am from london but have been living in philadelphia for the last year so feel like i have just spent a day out in all my favourite book shops - so thank yOU!! can't wait to return to london and get myself down to that foyles on TCR!!!

[@ArielBissett]

Eeeeeee!!!! I'm so glad you got a little nugget of home!!!

[@brunads3286]

ooh Ariel, you enlighten my day with these beautiful bookshops and your sense of humor. Very nice video, thanks ;)

[@Maria_Efe]

I love these videos! The bookshops are one of the most important reasons I want to visit London someday!