Autumn in London | A Visit to Waterstones Piccadilly, the biggest bookshop in Europe

[@the_exiled_soul]

Autumn has truly arrived in London. So, I decided to have a peaceful Saturday visit to Waterstones Piccadilly in Central London. It was so crowded that it was difficult to film. However, I hope this little chaotic 😊 video will give you a taste of how this biggest bookstore in Europe looks like inside. Wishing you a very peaceful week ahead!

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I'm finally going to London for the first time and I'm ecstatic to be able to say I've been to Waterstones. I don't know if I'll able to go to the other bookstores like The Strand, because I'm going with my parents and I don't know they'll be as interested spending they day at various bookstores.

[@the_exiled_soul]

I hope you will have a lovely time in London. Waterstones Piccadilly is a great place to visit and it’s huge. Just nearby there is also the oldest bookstore in London called Hatchards, located in 187 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9LE (closest Underground station: Piccadilly Circus and Green Park). It’s literally 5 minutes’ walk from Waterstones Piccadilly. It’s worth just popping in there for a few minutes as the building is one of the most beautiful ones in Central London. Also nearby there is a small bookstore called HEYWOOD HILL where famously Nancy Mitford worked during the 1940s. Heywood Hill is located in 10 Curzon Street, London W1J 5HH (the nearest underground station: Green Park). In less than an hour you can visit Waterstones Piccadilly, Hatchards, Heywood Hill. I would also recommend a visit to the most beautiful bookstore in London called Daunt Bookstore located in 83 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4QW (closest Underground station: Baker Street, Bond Street or Marble Arch Station). While there you can also visit Sherlock Holmes Museum located in 221b Baker Street, London NW1 6XE. It’s just 15 minutes ‘ walk away from Daunt Bookstore. Another gem I would highly recommend is Waterstones in 82 Gower Street, WC1E 6EQ (closest Underground station: Gower Street, Warren Street, Euston Square, Euston Station or Tottenham Court Road Station). The gothic building in which this Waterstones is located is just breathtaking. It’s a great bookstore. While there, you can pop in to Welcome Collection and relax in their Reading Room (entry is free). It’s located in 183 Euston Road and just near to the British Library. While visiting Waterstones Gower Street, you can also visit Foyles in 107 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DT (closest Underground station: Tottenham Court Road Station). There are 5 floors filled with books and a lovely cafe on the 5 or 6th floor. This is one of my favourite bookstores - it’s very modern. If you walk down Charing Cross Road from Foyles you will be able to visit many second hand bookstores including famous Any Amount of Books in 54 Charing Cross Road and Henry Pordes Books in 72 Charing Cross Road. Once you reach Leicester Square Station, it’s also worth visiting Cecil Court - a street with many old bookstores and antiques shops. Also, London Review Bookshop is worth visiting. They have many interesting events and meetings with writers. There is also a lovely cafe with a nice courtyard where you can relax after doing some sightseeing. It’s located in 14 Bury Place, London WC1A 2JL (closest Underground station: Holborn Station, Tottenham Court Road Station or Russell Square Station) which is literally next to the British Museum. I hope you will have a delightful time in London.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

@@the_exiled_soul Oh wow, thanks for the suggestions. I'm traveling with my parents, so I don't if they'll have the interest to visit to multiple bookstores. I might be going by myself. 😜 There's so much I want to do on our first visit, but the first day should be easy since I'll be exhausted from the flight.

[@the_exiled_soul]

@@jackiesliterarycorner 🥰

[@philstevens5100]

Formerly 'Simpsons of Piccadilly' originally a large retail Menswear Store, opened in 1936. A Grade 1 listed building. Sold to Waterstones in 1999.

[@the_exiled_soul]

Oh, I didn’t know that - thank you so much for sharing this! 🙏🙏🙏 I literally spend my life in bookstores. My favourite one is Waterstones in Gower Street. Daunts in Marylebone High Street is also lovely. 💜❤️💜❤️

[@philstevens5100]

@@the_exiled_soul Yes, bookstores can be fascinating places. Next time you visit Waterstones in Piccadilly, look for the 'Simpsons' nameplates at each end of the front of the building entrance (ground level).🙂

[@the_exiled_soul]

@@philstevens5100 thank you !!! I will definitely look for this Simpsons nameplate. Thank you again! Super interesting 🌸🌺🌷🙏❤️