london tourist books

Best Sellers in London England Travel Books

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12 Books About London You Must Read + Where To Buy

As a massive book lover, I always try to read at least one book about the destination I’m heading to before my trip. And no… a guidebook doesn’t count.

The chances are high that you’re reading this blog post because you’re a little like me. In other words, you want to read a book or several books about London ahead of your own trip.  Am I right?

Either way, in this post, I’m going to share 12 books about London, plus a bunch more set in London that I believe (in my humble opinion) that you must read.

And once you’ve finished with those, I’m also going to suggest 5 charming bookshops in London that you should visit to indulge your literary obsession during your trip.

12 Books About London You Must Read

1. pretty city london: discovering london’s beautiful places.

For a beautiful and fresh take on London, you should definitely read Pretty City London: Discovering London’s Beautiful Places .

It’s written by Siobhan Ferguson who is also the curator of the hugely popular Instagram accounts: @prettycitylondon and @theprettycities , and is basically an all-around Instagram superstar .

It showcases lots of off-the-beaten-path places to visit in London, as well as stunning Insta-worthy locations that you’ll likely want to check out during your visit. It even has some tips inside for shooting your own beautiful photos in London and makes for a perfect coffee table book .

Buy Pretty City London: Discovering London’s Beautiful Places >>>

2. The London Encyclopedia

Now in its third edition, The London Encyclopedia promises to be the most comprehensive book about London… EVER !

From history and culture to sightseeing, maps and more, if you’re only going to have one London book on your shelf, then this should probably be it.

Buy The London Encyclopedia >>>

3. Do Not Pass Go: From the Old Kent Road to Mayfair

Named after the hugely successful Monopoly franchise, Do Not Pass Go: From the Old Kent Road to Mayfair creatively discusses the history of London (since the 1930s – aka when Monopoly was invented), as well as the history of the franchise itself in one fun-packed book.

Alongside reading about the history of the UK’s most famous game and London, you can also have a few giggles along the way as you follow the author, Tim Moore, on his hilarious escapades around London.

A must-read for London-lovers and Monopoly-lovers.

Buy Do Not Pass Go: From the Old Kent Road to Mayfair >>>

4. London’s Hidden Walks: Volumes 1-3

In case you’ve visited London before, or if you prefer exploring off the beaten path places, London’s Hidden Walks will be perfect for you.

It’s a pocket-sized three-volume series that contains maps and photographs of 12 walks in each book. The books also contain interesting facts and information about the points of interest you’ll see along the way.

If you fancy seeing a different side of London, these books are well worth a read.

Buy London’s Hidden Walks: Volume 1 >>> Buy London’s Hidden Walks: Volume 2 >>> Buy London’s Hidden Walks: Volume 3 >>>

Buy ALL 3 volumes of London’s Hidden Walks here >>>

5. I Never Knew That About London

Did you know the original London Bridge was built by the Romans in AD 52?  Or did you know that the British drive on the left due to archaic jousting rules?

I Never Knew That About London contains lots more useful… (or is it useless?) facts about London. One quick read and you’ll definitely be exclaiming over and over again “I didn’t know that!”

Buy I Never Knew That About London >>>

6. Georgian London: Into the Streets

Since the UK has been in existence for many hundreds of years, it should come as no surprise that there is so much historical wonder associated with it… and with especially the UK’s capital.

One period of history that has had a lot of influence over the UK and very much how it looks today is the Georgian era.

Georgian London: Into the Streets is a charming read all about this period of history and how Londoners during this time behaved. Worth a read if you’re interested in this particular era!

Buy Georgian London: Into the Streets >>>

7. Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground

Many people say that the only true way to discover a city is on foot.

The fact that there are several books about London in this list, which are related to walking tours and guides suggests that statement is probably true.

Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground tells the tale of Mark Mason, who decided to follow the entire length of the London Underground – above ground – before sharing what he found along the way, as well as what gossip he overheard.

Promising a deep look into London’s top sights, as well as local London life, this is a charming read.

Buy Walk the Lines: The London Underground, Overground >>>

8. London: A Travel Guide Through Time

In it, you’ll find interesting facts, stories and anecdotes related to London and Londoners throughout the time of the Middle Ages, Shakespeare, the Great Plague of London, the reign of Queen Victoria, the Blitz and London life during Joseph Merrick’s (aka The Elephant Man’s) life.

Buy London: A Travel Guide Through Time >>>

9. Londoners: The Days and Nights of London Now – as Told by Those Who Love it, Hate it, Live it, Left it and Long for it

Ignoring the impossibly long title, Londoners (for short) is a fun read.

The author, Craig Taylor, shares anecdotes, stories and private conversations from a full spectrum of London life including young and old, rich and poor, men and women.

It promises to provide plenty of insight into exactly what makes Londoners tick and what they really think about living in London.

Buy Londoners >>>

10. 84 Charing Cross Road

Spanning two decades of an endearing friendship and passionate love affair, 84 Charing Cross Road is based on the true story of when a woman from New York wrote to the owners of a shop (found at 84 Charing Cross Road in London), which specialised in rare and secondhand books at the time.

The story is told via a series of letters originally sent between the pair (starting in the 1940s), which also give a clue into what London was like back then and how Londoners behaved.

Today, there is a McDonald’s at 84 Charing Cross Road (a little less poetic perhaps) , but there is a nod to the original shop, thanks to a plaque on the front of the building, which reads:

84 Charing Cross Road. The booksellers Marks & Co. were on this site which became world renowned through the book by Helene Hanff.

Buy 84 Charing Cross Road >>>

11. Tired of London, Tired of Life: One Thing A Day To Do in London

Packed full of interesting, unique and fun things to do in London throughout each day of the year, Tired of London, Tired of Life is the perfect read for locals and first time visitors alike.

A couple of my favourites include finding Aphrodite in the British Museum on Valentine’s Day and drinking in a bar made entirely of Swedish ice… basically, with this book on your coffee table, you’ll never be short of finding new things to do in the UK’s capital.

Buy Tired of London, Tired of Life >>>

12. Literary London

What could possibly be better to end this books about London round-up than with a book all about the literary side of London?

Literary London allows you to follow in the footsteps of Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, Lord Byron and many more literary greats as you learn how they spent their days in London, where they got their inspiration from, and where you can visit today to get another step closer to each of them.

I think you’ll agree that this is an absolute must for book lovers living in or visiting London!

Buy Literary London >>>

RELATED:  20+ Very British Souvenirs From London

5 Books Set in London Also Worth a Read

1. the cormoran strike series.

Written by J.K. Rowling (under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith), the Cormoran Strike novels follow the trials and tribulations of London-based Private Investigator, Cormoran Strike.

Throughout the books, he solves multiple crimes in London… but don’t let this put you off from visiting! The books are cleverly written and will keep you guessing as well as turning the page.

Buy The Cuckoo’s Calling (Book 1) >>> Buy The Silkworm (Book 2) >>> Buy Career of Evil (Book 3) >>> Buy Lethal White (Book 4) >>>

Buy ALL 4 books in the series here >>>

2. Wolf Hall

Steeped in intrigue, secrecy, treachery and politics, Wolf Hall, is a great read for those interested in Tudor history and Tudor court life in London.

Buy Wolf Hall >>>

3. The Bridget Jones Series

Aside from Harry Potter, Bridget Jones’s Diary is possibly one of the UK’s most iconic novels of the 21st Century.

There are four books in the set in total, which follow the trials and tribulations of ditzy Bridget Jones who gets herself into all sorts of trouble… much like Scott and I do when we go travelling!

But given Bridget owns a flat in London and is incredibly British, the books are a fun little read for London book lovers!

Buy Bridget Jones’s Diary (Book 1) >>> Buy Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (Book 2) >>> Buy Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Book 3) >>> Buy Bridget Jones’s Baby: The Diaries (Book 4) >>>

4. The Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Possibly one of the most famous fictional detectives of all time, Sherlock Holmes, has inspired many a visit to London.

The Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes are a collection of short stories that follow Holmes and his sidekick, Doctor Watson, as they solve murder mysteries throughout London and beyond.

While we’re on the subject of Sherlock, you should also make it your mission to find the Sherlock Holmes Statue on Marylebone Road, as well as the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street during your next trip to London.

Buy The Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes now >>>

5. The Shopaholic Series

Despite the movie edition (Confessions of a Shopaholic) being set in New York, the original ‘Shopaholic’ books actually follow the financial disasters of a London local (who also used to live in my hometown of Bristol!)

The books are fun and quick reads, and will definitely make you feel miles better about your own financial situation… with or without the London price tag.

Buy The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic (Book 1) >>> Buy Shopaholic Abroad (Book 2) >>> Buy Shopaholic Ties The Knot (Book 3) >>> Buy Shopaholic & Sister (Book 4) >>> Buy Shopaholic & Baby (Book 5) >>> Buy Mini Shopaholic (Book 6) >>> Buy Shopaholic to the Stars (Book 7) >>> Buy Shopaholic to the Rescue (Book 8) >>>

Finished Reading Those? Here Are 5 Charming Bookshops in London You Must Visit

1. daunt books, 83 marylebone high street.

Often touted as one of the most beautiful bookshops in London, the Daunt Books flagship store on Marylebone High Street is housed in what used to be an Edwardian bookshop, complete with skylights, oak wood panelling and huge windows. Their speciality is travel, so this is where you should come in London if you need guidebooks, language books, travel memoirs, maps and more.

2. Heywood Hill, 10 Curzon Street

Specialising in rare books and collectors items, the independent book store, Heywood Hill is a real treat for bibliophiles. If you have some extra cash to flash, they even offer a bespoke service of building your own unique library of books… one day dear friends, one day…

3. Persephone Books, 59 Lamb’s Conduit Street

View this post on Instagram A rare snowy day in Bloomsbury. #londonsnow A post shared by Persephone Books (@persephonebooks) on Feb 28, 2018 at 4:33am PST

Based in Bloomsbury, Persephone Books is an independent publisher and bookshop, which was founded in 1999 by Nicola Beauman. The store’s unique selling point is that it reprints forgotten fiction and non-fiction works by female writers, and redresses each of them in their (now iconic) grey cover.

4. Goldsboro Books, 23-27 Cecil Court

View this post on Instagram What a crowd we had here last night for Crime in the Court. Thanks everyone for coming – such fun! A post shared by Goldsboro Books (@goldsborobooks) on Sep 23, 2016 at 12:58am PDT

Specialising in first edition books, collectors items and signed editions, Goldsboro Books has been operating out of their London-based shop for nearly twenty years. One of their largest claims to fame is that they were once the only bookshop in the world to have signed copies of The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (pseudonym of the infamous J.K. Rowling herself).

5. Hatchards, 187 Piccadilly

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Claiming to be the oldest bookshop in the whole of the UK, Hatchards was founded in 1797 by John Hatchard and is now a branch of Waterstones. The shop is still trading today – there’s even a portrait of John Hatchard himself hanging above the stairs!

Well, there you have it: 12 books about London you must read, 5 books set in London also worth a read, and 5 bookshops in London you must visit… don’t say I don’t give you anything! 😉

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Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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What about John Sando off the KIngs Road in Chelsea?

Thanks for the suggestion Susan! We’ll have to check it out the next time we’re in London for the day 🙂 xoxo

Skoob Books, and Judd Books round the corner in Marchmont St could be worthwhile additions to your bookshop list. Surprised there’s no mention of Iain Sinclair’s writing, pondering etc. And, how about resurrecting Peter Jackson’s strip cartoons of London; the Evening News published a couple of compilations in the 1950s.

Thanks so much for these suggestions, Rob! We hadn’t come across these, so we’ll be sure to check them out and update the blog post with our findings 🙂 Best, Justine

Hi, I'm Candace

Candace Abroad

A London & Travel Blog

London , London Travel Tips & Inspiration , Travel · August 16, 2023

8 Best London Travel Books to Fuel Your Wanderlust in 2024

Table of Contents

Looking for the best London travel book? Well, I couldn’t choose just one. So here’s 8!

This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my  Disclosure & Privacy Policy  for more information.

With 2020 bringing travel to an abrupt halt let’s just say the wanderlust has been real.

If you’ve been daydreaming of trading your four walls for cobblestoned roads, sleepy villages, and a bit of London charm, you’re in good company. Here are 8 books to fuel your London wanderlust as you await your next adventure across the pond.

The Rough Guide to England

A comprehensive travel guide on everything England, this Rough Guide is unmatched for detail. Spanning from the capital to sleepy Cotswold villages you’ll find the best seasons to go, destination highlights, and insider tips only a true England expert could get their hands on.

Rick Steves London 2020

Stuffed with the best of London eats, sleeps and sights Rick Steves London 2020 is a tourist saver. Filled with self-guided tours and day trips to match this guide book is a one-stop-shop to your London vacation.

Quiet London

As someone who prefers the nooks and crannies of London, this book has been an absolute gem. Quiet London: Quiet Corners shares all the serene spots of the city to take a break from the hustle and bustle and appreciate the tranquil side of London.

Not For Tourists Guide to London

True to its name Not For Tourists Guide is your ultimate guide to London finds -– unflocked by tourists. Though there is an ironic Starbucks recommendation or two it’s a lovely pocketbook to have for a day of local wanderings.

Secret London: An Unusual Guide

To discover the secret London you’ll want to get your hands on this unusual guide . Written lovingly by two locals they’ve complied bounds of places and spaces in London easy to miss, but worth exploring none the less.

The 500 Hidden Secrets of London

Apt to the theme (and my apparent love for the lesser-known London ) 500 Hidden Secrets of London doesn’t disappoint. Packed with the cultural nooks, weekend activities, and amusing London facts and tidbits it’s a great add to your London travel reads.

Pretty City London

The perfect coffee table book Pretty City London by Siobhan Ferguson is a must-read. With words strung together like beads and pictures to match Siobhan transports you to the pretty streets, mews, cafes, and hidden corners of London. And is, (in my very subjective opinion) the best London travel book.

Well, there you have it. The best London travel books on offer. Let me know which book you’ll be using to fuel your London wanderlust on Instagram @candaceabroad . Or of course, pop around the blog for more London inspiration.

Happy reading,

While you’re here why not read up on some tips for your future London trip!

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Best travel and guide books about London (Top 20)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: October 26, 2021

Are you planning to visit London soon? As well as many articles which you can find on this website (and its sister site UK Travel Planning ) to help you plan your UK trip I have put together this guide to the best books about London.

This focuses primarily on non-fiction books all about London. If you are looking for travel inspiration for London or simply want to learn more about the UK capital you will find a book in this list to help you.

I have a general travel guide book post for England too if you are travelling further afield in the country and an article which focuses on the best kids books about London.

In this article, you will find the best travel and guide books about London covering a number of topics including history, shopping, less well-known places to visit in London (hidden gems) and much more.

This post may contain compensated links meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read our  disclosure  for additional information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Best books about London

A selection of fantastic books all with one thing in common - LONDON.

Whether you are planning to visit London or just want to learn more about this fabulous city this selection of best books about the capital will give you loads to choose from.

Great gift ideas for the travel lover too!

Rick Steves London 2020 (Rick Steves Travel Guide)

I love Rick Steves and enjoy listening to his podcasts. If you are a fan of his check out his latest guide book for London. It includes comprehensive information to help any visitor make the most of every day and every dollar!

Rick Steves Pocket London

Want a smaller version of Rick Steves London? This pocket sized compact version includes a fold out map and lots of great info to help you make the most of your time in London.

Secret London - An Unusual Guide (Local guides by local people)

This guide opens up the secret side to London if you want to discover the less well known side of London this is the book for you!

The 500 Hidden Secrets of London Revised and Updated

Another great book for visitors who want to avoid the usual tourist spots and for residents who are keen to track down the city's best-kept secrets.

prettycitylondon: Discovering London's Beautiful Places

From secluded mews to undiscovered cafes, flower markets, and tree-lined streets,  prettycitylondon  champions the quiet, gentle moments that allow you to escape in a huge capital city like London.

London: The Biography

Follow two thousand years of London’s history. The city comes alive in Ackroyd's biography of the great city.

Fodor's London 25 Best 2020 (Full-color Travel Guide)

This fully updated and redesigned best of London 2020 by Fodor includes beautiful photographs, useful tips and information to make the most of your trip.

Clued In London: The Concise and Opinionated Guide to the City 2020

An interactive e-book with lots of great tips and information to keep you clued up when visiting London.

Streetwise London Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of London

Useful map of London - laminated too which I highly recommend. Great to keep in your pocket when exploring the capital.

Knopf MapGuides: London: The City in Section-by-Section Maps

This opening fold-out contains a general map of London to help you visualize the 8 large districts discussed in this guide, and 4 pages of valuable information, handy tips and useful addresses.

City Walks London: 50 Adventures on Foot

A selection of 50 cards detailing walks to take in London. If you want to explore London on foot (really the best way!) these cards will give you some great ideas.

DK Eyewitness Family Guide London (Travel Guide)

The perfect guide for families this child-oriented guide is organized around "hubs"--major sights around which to plan your day. It gives child-friendly eating options, age-range suitability info, places for letting off steam, detailed maps, and activities for rainy days, all approached from a family-friendly angle.

Insider London: A Curated Guide to the Most Stylish Shops, Restaurants, and Cultural Experiences

This selection of 200 not-to-be-missed destinations includes major retailers, specialty boutiques, hotels, cultural venues, restaurants, cafes, and bars.

111 Places in London That You Shouldn't Missed

Find out about some of the more unusual places (or unusual aspects of popular sights) to visit in London in this guide to 111 places you really shouldn't miss!

London Precincts: A Curated Guide to the City's Best Shops, Eateries, Bars and Other Hangouts

This book features the best eating, drinking and shopping across 19 London precincts, including Covent Garden, King's Cross, Soho and Piccadilly.

National Geographic London Book of Lists: The City's Best, Worst, Oldest, Greatest, and Quirkiest

The 140 lists in this eclectic and hugely entertaining illustrated compendium of London cover the city’s best, worst, highest, smallest, first, last, and everything in-between. 

Everything You Know About London Is Wrong 

Packed with details on real London history, this highly entertaining read explodes a range of misconceptions about London.

Covering the city’s arts, entertainment, food, drink, landmarks, royalty, traditions, and politics, it gives you a fascinating insight into the true capital.

Literary London: A Street By Street Exploration Of The Capitals Literary Heritage

An absolute must for book lovers this guide to London explores its literary heritage.

London Theatres

A must for fans of the stage! Take a tour of London's 45 theatres in this beautifully illustrated guide.

London Pocket Precincts: A Pocket Guide To The City'S Best Cultural Hangouts, Shops, Bars And Eateries

London Pocket Precincts is your curated guide to the city's best cultural, shopping, eating and drinking experiences.

Slip this guide into your pocket and head off on an adventure, experiencing the hippest places in London and surrounds like a local.

Plan your trip to London

If you are planning a trip to London check out my London Planning Guide on my UK and Travel Planning dedicated website which has lots of tips, resources and inspiration to help you make the most of your visit.

This includes the best places to visit in my ultimate London bucket list!

UK AND LONDON TRAVEL PLANNING GROUP

Are you planning a trip to London? Why not join my free London and UK travel planning group on Facebook ? Join other travellers from the UK and abroad and find out helpful hints, tips, inspiration and practical advice to help you plan your visit!

15 Must-Read Books Set in London to Read Before you Visit

This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a commission at no additional cost to you.

London has always been an inspiration for all kinds of art, including literature. Many writers have used the attractions and streets of the city as a setting for the lives of their protagonists.

If you are one of the many who dream of traveling or moving to London and want to learn more about London before you go why not read some of these great books to prepare for your trip?

There are thousands of books that have London as their setting, and I would say that it is almost impossible not to have never read one of them.

This list includes both fiction and non-fiction titles for adults as well as some popular novels that should appeal to everyone. Here are the best books set in London that will transport you there!

Grab these fantastic books set in London here:

• Sign up for a free trial of Audible:  Get 30 days of free access to thousands of audiobooks, and one free premium title of your choice. Perfect for listening on the go!
• Sign up for a free trial of Kindle Unlimited:  Get 30 days of free access to unlimited ebook reading on any device. You will unlock access to over two million titles instantly!
• Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime:  Get 30 days of a free trial offering free two-day shipping on all purchases, plus access to hundreds of new ebooks each month.

Novels and Fiction Set in London

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

If you want to read a great novel set in London, this is a good option. It is the fourth novel by the English writer, published in 1925.

The story tells in parallel the lives of Miss Dalloway, a fictional high-society woman, and Warren, a First World War veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress. Everything happens during a single day in 1923.

On one hand, you attend the preparations for the protagonist’s meeting at her house in Westminster, and on the other, you witness Warren’s psychological discomfort.

Buy on Amazon | View in Goodreads

Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

This is one of the best books set in London and its iconic Baker Street. Through these pages, Holmes and his friend, Dr. Watson, will walk the streets of a Victorian London turned into a labyrinth of false leads.

He faces all kinds of mysteries and crimes, leaving the reader immersed in an explosive mix of crime, suspense, and revenge.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Dickens recreates the beginnings of the social and political revolt of the French Revolution. The story takes place between London and Paris. Want more books set in Paris ?

The first city symbolizes in some way peace and tranquility, simple and orderly life; while the second represents turmoil, challenge, and chaos. And the conflict between two worlds in a time when drastic social changes are announced.

The acts of violence carried out by the French people at the beginning of and during the revolution are among the most memorable scenes in the book. Dickens rejects revolutionary violence in its two forms, both in its popular form, by the masses, and in its institutionalized form, such as terror.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

This novel is a classic of English literature, an extremely emotional story that allows you to feel the characters and makes you discover life in England through the eyes of an innocent child who will be corrupted by society.

Oliver Twist is an orphan boy who must start earning a living on his own from a very young age, he is employed and mistreated at a funeral home, from where he decides to escape to London.

In the big city, he joins a gang of child thieves who are forced to steal for Fagin, until Oliver is injured in a robbery, and his life changes forever.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

In this book, you will feel as confused as if you were Richard Mayhew himself, a normal man who lives in London, who has plans, a girlfriend, a job, and who considers himself happy.

One day, overnight, he will find himself trapped underground in London where he will have to embark on a journey to be able to recover his life and where he will discover that world full of magical beings and unknown dangers. This urban fantasy novel was published in 1996 and republished in 2015. 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer

This novel was translated into more than 20 languages, it is a classic that teaches us about the power of the word and the value of literature as a refuge and consolation in difficult times.

It is set in a past London that was devastated by the terrible wounds of the Second World War, both the streets are littered with rubble and its inhabitants trying to continue their pre-war routines.

While touring Britain to launch her new book, writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger living on the island of Guernsey who is reading a book by Charles Lamb that had previously belonged to Juliet.

From the exchange of correspondence, Juliet learns about the literary society, which was created in difficult circumstances of the war and she is invited to participate in it, this meeting will give life to her new novel.

1984 by George Orwell

One of the most shocking dystopias of this century is this work by George Orwell.

London, the year is 1984, in a world in a constant war between the 3 superpowers that dominate the map: Eurasia, Oceania, and East Asia.

Winston Smith, an official who works in one of the Ministries in which the government of London is divided and, who serve to obey the will of the Party, decides to rebel against this totalitarian government that controls each of the movements of its citizens and punishes even those who commit crimes with their thoughts.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Since its publication year, 1813, this work by Austen has not ceased to captivate readers of different generations.

It is a portrait and a social critique of the world in which Jane Austen lived, some of the issues it deals with are the class difference in Victorian England, the exaggerated dependence of women on men, the pressure of marriage, and the economic and social difficulties that love has to face.

The novel depicts about a year in the life of a group of young people living in the country near London at the turn of the century (from the 18th to the 19th), and with the arrival of the rich and handsome Mr. Darcy in their region, the lives of the Bennets and their five daughters are turned upside down.

London by Edward Rutherfurd 

If history is what interests you most, this novel is like taking a walk through two thousand years of London history with the help of an archaeologist who uncovers the history of this city layer by layer.

The main protagonist is the city of London itself, and within this novel, there is everything: the history of the Celts, Romans, Normans, the construction of emblematic buildings, the passage of figures such as Shakespeare or the different kings, the fire of 1666, plagues, wars, invasions…

Non-Fiction Books About London

Londoners by Craig Taylor

If you want to know London told by Londoners themselves, I recommend you read this book. The book portrays the city through 80 stories containing stories, complaints, memories, and dreams of London men and women. It is a celebration of one of the most wonderful cities in the world.

A People’s History of London by Lindsey German and John Rees

This chronicle tells the story of London’s rebellions and riots, the forgotten story of the world’s capital of the revolution.

For nearly 2,000 years, the city has been home to radical ideas, thinkers, heretics, and rebels, from John Wycliffe to Karl Marx. It has been the site of clashes that changed the course of history, such as the Levellers’ freedom fight after the Civil War or the Battle of Cable Street.

London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd

Peter Ackroyd has masterfully succeeds in transmitting to readers a genuine and intense passion for London.

Through a surprising tour of its history, which does not shy away from the darkest episodes, the most dangerous neighborhoods, or the darkest and least known aspects.

Ackroyd uses his brilliant prose to shed light on a city characterized by mist and to show us even its most peculiar details.

Children’s Books Set in London

Mice in the City: London by Ami Shin

If what you are looking for is a fun book for children, this is a good option. Play and learn with the London mice: those dressed in elegant clothes on their way to work, those who are baking cakes or fishing, or the artistic ones who perform magic tricks.

Each page is full of surprises and the illustrations are a wonderful way to discover the most famous monuments of London.

Young Adult Books Set in London

A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria E. Schwab

This is the first book in a trilogy. Set in a different London depending on the universe…

There is a Gray London, without magic. A Red London, where life and magic are honored and where Kell comes from, and a White London, where the fight to control magic left the city in ruins. And long ago, there was also a Black London, but nobody mentions it anymore.

The main character is Kell and he has the ability to travel from one world to another. Officially he is responsible for carrying correspondence between the nobles of each London, but unofficially he is a smuggler in the service of those willing to pay for items from worlds they will never see.

Between these trips, a thief and a mysterious character will intervene who will bring out a dangerous magic that will endanger all the universes.

Although it is aimed at young people, do not rule it out if you are passionate about fantasy.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Devices Series)

It tells the story of Tessa Gray, who travels to London to live with her brother but is captured by a secret organization until the Shadowhunters rescue her.

The rest of the book is based around her discovering the Shadow world and making a life with the new people she encounters.

Fantastic beings, modern London, a love triangle, and mysteries to solve in a story that you won’t be able to stop reading.

More In The Infernal Devices Series:

Clockwork Prince (Book 2) by Cassandra Clare Clockwork Princess (Book 3) by Cassandra Clare

Have you read any of these books set in London? Do you have any favorite books set in London that I should add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Plan Your Visit To London

Once you’ve read some of the books on this list, you’ll be excited to visit London. If so, you’ll want to check out the following.

• Best Travel And Guide Books About London
• The Best Things To Do In London

Know someone else who wants to read books set in London? Then please pin this post.

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11 best London guide books

From bustling bars in brixton to sight-seeing on south bank, make the most of your trip to the uk capital, article bookmarked.

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London is huge. Covering more than 600 square miles, it’s colloquially defined as being inside the M25 motorway. But looking a little closer, it’s made up of 32 boroughs – a word most outside of Britain struggle with, when it comes to both pronouncing and understanding as a concept that differs to neighbourhoods – but each has its own identity, from the hipster East in Hackney, to the touristy West End in the City of Westminster.

London is home to a fascinatingly diverse population of around eight million people, and has something for everyone – whether it’s losing yourself in its world-class galleries, luxuriating in your favourite hotel for high tea, or roaming its many beautiful Victorian parks. Whatever you’re after, London undoubtedly has it, and we’ve selected our favourite guidebooks to help you find it.

1. Insight Guides: Experience London: £9.99, APA Publications

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This book from Insight Guides offers people what they really want: experiences, and over 100 of them at that. At the front of the guide, there are 12 pages offering quick ideas for what you might be in the mood for, from something romantic to a night on the town – perfect for when you need a quick decision. The rest of the book is laid out in coloured-coded neighbourhoods and lists experiences with a detailed map in each section, including breakfast at The Wolseley in Mayfair to finding upcoming art at the Whitechapel gallery in the east. You also get a London destination app called Walking Eye , which is essentially the book on your phone.

2. London: Monocle Travel Guides: £12.99, Die Gestalten Verlag

You may be forgiven for thinking this hardback edition with a striking front cover looks like a coffee table book, but it’s pretty much the Bible of “hidden gem” guidebooks. Aimed at travellers who are spending a few days in the city – either for work or pleasure – it offers up specific itineraries and cool ideas, from the best areas for independent shops to where to take clients for superb cocktails. And there’s one thing the book specifically leaves out – sorry Madame Tussauds, you won’t be mentioned in here. It has a code system of letters to identify each type of sightseeing such as C for culture and W for walks, a monochrome map at the front and loads of colour photography throughout. Also included is a section of 12 essays, written by the author and Monocle staff on urban exploration.

3. Wallpaper* City Guide London: £6.95, Phaidon

Design magazine Wallpaper* has a reputation for being edgy, but this pocket-sized guide, at just 101 pages, doesn’t sacrifice substance for style. Aimed at the design-conscious traveller, it has sections on urban life and “architours”, where you go on the hunt for great buildings, including the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre on Sheffield Street to the National Theatre on the South Bank. Aside from London’s core attractions, it gives you an insider’s knowledge to the city. It suggests the coolest restaurants with fabulous interiors, new design-led hotels, lively nightlife spots and influential galleries – all with colour photography. There’s a section to write notes towards the back, and a fold-out map. And best of all, it has a little price tag to match its size.

4. Not For Tourists Guide to London 2017: £12.99, Not For Tourists

Screaming out to those who prefer to refer to themselves as “travellers” rather than the much-maligned “tourist”, the 2017 edition of this chunky book is crammed full of tips on where to eat, drink, dance and more, describing its selection as the “most delicious, intoxicating, awe-inspiring, groovy destinations” in the city (which may be a little over the top). Split into neighbourhoods which are more like areas, from Covent Garden to Hampstead Village, it gives details on what to do in each of the 60 or so areas in the form of an alphabetical list of attractions and amenities, all on one condensed page, with a full-page, detailed road map – it makes for a great directory. But what it lacks is actual photography.

5. Lonely Planet London: £14.99, Lonely Planet

One of the best go-to travel publishers is Lonely Planet. Husband and wife Tony and Maureen wrote their first guide 40 years ago, back when the world wasn’t quite as accessible as today. But still, the name stands, as does its reliable reputation. The London city guide is the most comprehensive guide in its range and is rather chunky, owing to its detail and breadth of coverage. Its oft-copied, simplistic layout means it’s easy to dive in and find what you want and how to get thee. But what makes these guides so useful is its way of splitting up areas, and numbering sights on the maps of each section. Although you won’t find much off the beaten track in the top 16 attractions, its detail goes as far as offering notes on key transport phrases so you won’t get your contactless and Oyster cards mixed up, while the best sections include suggested places to visit based on your interests, doing it like a local and doing things for free.

6. Secret London – An Unusual Guide by Rachel Howard and Bill Nash: £12.99, Jonglez

An unusual guide is exactly how this should be described. It’s most suited for second or third time travellers, unless you're not too bothered about ticking off Buckingham Palace et al the first time round, as this one avoids all the clichés. It shows you the often forgotten or dismissed parts of London, like the quirky architecture of Rudolf Steiner’s house, or the tropical garden of the Barbican conservatory, hidden within London’s brutalist landmark. It’s laid out in a very simple way: a full picture on the left with text on the right. The compact guide only has one map at the front, and only six areas which are grouped together, covering rather large areas starting with Westminster to Camden and finishing with South Bank to Brixton. It’s a great open-and-point option for exploring.

7. CITIx60: London: £9.99, Victionary

With the most gorgeous covers and tonal, hand-drawn, cartoonish maps to draw you in, you really can judge this book by its cover. It’s short, concise and big on beautiful pictures. The guide was put together by 60 local creatives, including illustrator Marta Długołęcka and architect Richard Scott. Each take a page to show and tell you the best parts of their city, and with a picture of their face and short quote, you almost feel like it’s a friend giving you suggestions. It could be used whether you’re visiting for a day, week, month or a year, as it’s easy to dip in and refer to. In its 12 sections, architecture and mementos (a more appealing word for “souvenirs”) feature prominently and are followed by street markets, locally crafted beer and even tattoos, with quaint cartoons depicting each section. But don’t rely on it for accommodation as there are only two pages of high-end hotels.

8. Frommer’s London Day by Day: £9.99, FrommerMedia

This day-by-day guide covers the best things to see and do, and how to do them in the most time-efficient way. Each of the tours – ranging from a full, all-encompassing day to a literary interest tour – uses a map that takes you from stop to stop. It begins with 16 of the best suggestions, which include the heading to the top of The Shard, afternoon tea at The Goring hotel and Shakespeare's Globe. The front map breaks down the neighbourhoods, postcodes and boundaries and boroughs, making it easy for people to grasp London’s geography. At the back, there is a tear-proof map, which is great for kids.

9. LOST iN London: A City Guide: £9.77, Lost in the City

LOST iN guides started just over two years ago and are all about “getting lost” in the sights, sounds and smells of a city. They’re written by locals, and all the better for it, described as being for people with open minds and creative souls. Revealing the uniqueness of each city, creative locals are asked for recommendations on everything from music and fashion to art and architecture. Looks-wise, it comes across as a mix between a guidebook and an Instagram account, with lots cool photos – some taking up the whole page. And accompanying the print edition is a mobile app, which allows you to plan your trip on the go.

10. 36 Hours: London and Beyond, by the New York Times: £7.99, Taschen

Ok, so it’s actually London “and beyond”, with sections on nearby locations such as Brighton and Cambridge, as well as the far-flung Isle of Skye, but as part of its 36 Hours series, which mainly features continents, the New York Times deemed London to be important enough for its second city-only guide. With a cloth-bound, racer-green cover, it’s certainly worth keeping to adorn your coffee table afterwards. The book is split into sections by area, with delightful added extras including “literary London” and “London with children 2, and gives excellent suggestions on where to eat cake or see an exhibition – two of London’s essential activities – with full-page coloured photography. But maps are small, so you might need to take another with you.

11. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide London: £14.99, Dorling Kindersley

With 440 pages, the Eyewitness guide is an extremely detailed edition aimed at first-timers – or for families with young children who might ask “what, where and why” about everything. And with this book, you’ll actually have all the answers, with 140 illustrations and cutaways revealing what’s inside the major attractions. The main bulk is dedicated to colour-coded areas – mostly north of the river – but most of the other sights are in the “further afield” section, from Kew Gardens to Queen Elizabeth Park. The guided walks give street-by-street directions and times. The food and drink section is small and sticks to the classics, with no mention of pop-ups and street food markets. There’s a pull-out map at the back, 22 pages of other detailed maps, and a trusty tube map, all of which will help you navigate with ease.

The Verdict: London guide books

The Insight Guide’s “new experience” format is great for people who want the best, well, experience, where you can almost tick off the list as you go, and are great for people who live in the city too. Lonely Planet never fails, and the London guide is no different, but for something different for creatives seeking a local’s view of a city that’s full of design and architecture, the Wallpaper* or Citix60 are both insightful.

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Best UK Travel Books for 2023 (Travel Guides & maps)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: October 8, 2022

Looking for a guide book to supplement all the great information available on this website? Look not further! Below you will find an updated selection of the best UK Travel Books available in 2022 covering the UK, London, Great Britain, England, Wales and Scotland!

The popularity of travel guide books is once again on the up and if you are looking for a resource to help plan your travels they are great place to start.

Combining a guide book or two with information provided on this website will ensure you have everything you need to start planning your trip.

In this article I have gathered together all the best guide books for UK travel including those for specific nations (England – Scotland – Wales – Ireland), as well as popular cities and regions.

Rick Steves Guidebooks

Lonely planet, rough guides, dk eyewitness.

• Fodor's Essential

Which regions of the UK do you need a guidebook for?

Other things to consider, best uk maps, best guide books for london 2021 and beyond, best london maps, best travel guide books for great britain, best travel guide books for england, best travel guide books for scotland, best guide books for wales, best guide books – ireland, uk guide books – historical interest, uk trip planning.

Tips for choosing the best UK travel guidebook for your trip

What are the characteristics of the main guide books available.

Guide books are not all the same and you can find a wide variation of styles written for travellers with different interests and budgets.

For example do you prefer a guide book with lots of photos, one that is more text heavy, one that covers the main sites or perhaps one that includes off the beaten track destinations?

Rick Steves provides an excellent introduction to the main sights (which he rates in order of importance for visitors) plus his books offer sound practical advice.

Written for an American audience his popularity has led to many of the places (hotels and restaurants) he recommends often becoming overbooked.

If you want more detailed information for specific areas or are looking for hidden gems or off the beaten track destinations one of the other guide books may be a better option (or used to supplement Rick’s guides)

Quick picks – Top 3 Rick Steve Guide Books for the UK

• Great Britain – Rick Steves Great Britain
• London – Rick Steves Pocket London
• Edinburgh – Rick Steves Snapshot Edinburgh

Lonely Planet are the biggest publisher of guide books in the world. The have a good range of guide books for the UK which provide detailed information for all travel budgets.

I find their smaller pocket guide books particularly useful. The Lonely Planet Pocket Guide to London covers all the main sights with practical information and tips. As the name suggests it also fits into your pocket or bag for easy reference when out and about.

Quick picks – Top 3 Lonely Planet Guide Books for the UK

• London – Pocket Guide to London
• Main sights – Lonely Planet Best of Great Britain 
• Road Trips – 36 road trips around Great Britain

Rough Guides offer practical advice supplemented with beautiful photographs and useful maps.

They have produced some excellent guides to specific regions and areas of the UK written by those with a detailed local knowledge.

Quick picks – Top 3 Rough Guide Books for the UK

• Rough Guide to the Lake District
• Rough Guide to Yorkshire
• Rough Guide to Dorset

With beautiful photographs, maps and hand drawn illustrations the DK Eyewitness travel guides are my personal favourite. They are easy to use providing detailed and practical information about destinations.

The DK ‘Top 10″ series of guide books are excellent offering information in a concise, visual and user friendly way (and are small, light ad easy to carry around)

Quick picks – Top 3 DK Guide Books for the UK

• London – Top 10 London
• London – Family Guide to London
• Great Britain – DK Guide to Great Britain

Fodor’s Essential

Written by locals Fodor’s travel books have been around for over 80 years. They include detailed maps, itineraries and travel recommendations for all tastes and budgets.

As you will discover below there is a wide selection of guidebooks for UK travel. Some are pretty straightforward as they cover one nation, city or area of the UK such as

• Guidebooks for London
• Guidebooks for England
• Guidebooks for Scotland
• Guidebooks for Wales
• Guidebooks for Ireland (including Northern Ireland)

However there are also guidebooks which cover Great Britain . This means that they will include travel information for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland will not be included in these guidebooks as it is not geographically part of Great Britain.

• Check the date of publication – Buy the most up to date version to ensure access to current information.
• Check that the book covers the areas you plan to visit – especially when purchasing for the UK!
• If you are planning to take a guide book with you consider the weight and size! I often purchase a larger more detailed guide book to help with planning but pack a pocket size guide book for the trip. Many of the books are also available to purchase to download onto your Kindle or other e reader device.
• If you plan to take a map you may find that some guide books have a pullout map included.

Click links for prices – Marco Polo Map | Lonely Planet Planning Map | UK Scratch Map

Click links for prices: Rick Steves London | Fodor’s London Guide | Not For Tourists London | Rough Guide to London | Fodor’s 25 best London Guide | Eyewitness London | Frommers London | Thrifty Traveler’s London | Rick Steves Pocket London | DK Family Guide to London

A map of London is essential and I always carry one with me (and I have lived in the capital and visited many times!)

Click links for prices – Streetwise London | Lonely Planet London City Map | Street Smart London | Knopf Mapguides London | Streetwise London Underground Map | London Bus & Underground PopOut Map

Note that these guide books cover England, Scotland and Wales only.

Click links for prices – Rick Steves Great Britain | Back Roads Great Britain | Lonely Planet Great Britain | Lonely Planet Great Britain’s Best Road Trips | Fodor’s Essential Great Britain | Lonely Planet Best of Great Britain | DK Eyewitness Great Britain

There is a good range of guide books for England including those which are more area or city specific which may be useful if you are planning to spend some time in a specific area e.g the Cotswolds , the Lake District etc

Click links for prices – Rick Steves England | Lonely Planet England | Rough Guide to England | Fodor’s Essential England | Rough Guide to The Cotswolds | Rough Guide to Devon and Cornwall | Rough Guide to the Lake District

Click links for prices – Rough Guide to Scotland | Rough Guide to the Scottish Highlands and Islands | Lonely Planet Scotland | Rick Steves Scotland | Fodor’s Essential Scotland | Rick Steves Edinburgh | DK Eyewitness Scotland

Click links for prices – Rough Guide to Wales | Lonely Planet Wales | Wild Guide to Wales | Wales Coast Path Walks – Isle of Anglesey

Click links for prices – Fodor’s Essential Ireland | Everything travel guide to Ireland | Rick Steves Ireland | Back Roads Ireland

Click links for prices – Jane Austen’s England | The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England | Wales Castles and Historic Places | Castles, Palaces and Stately Homes of Great Britain

This guide to the best UK guidebooks will have provided you with the best options for your trip. As you have seen there are a lot of UK guidebooks to choose from but we are confident you will find the right ones for you and your itinerary.

If you enjoy reading about a destination before you go or simply want some reading inspiration my best books to read about England or best books to read about Scotland are a great place to start.

You can find more information to help you to plan your UK trip in these articles:

• London Travel Guide
• England Travel Guide
• UK Accommodation Guide (England, Scotland, Wales & N Ireland)
• How to plan your UK travel budget
• How to get around the UK (Complete Guide to Transportation in the UK)
• Best Gifts for Anglophiles

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A Perfect 6-Day London Itinerary for Book Lovers

By: Author Jess Esa

Posted on Last updated: 8th April 2024

London is one of the most bookish cities in the world, there’s no shortage of things you can get up to if you’re a fan of quaint bookshops, book cafes, literary museums and theatre! And that’s only scratching the surface. Home to Dickens, Orwell, Wiliam Blake and countless other literary greats, the historical sites alone could fill any London itinerary.

A London Itinerary for Bookworms

It’s safe to say that bookish London is our speciality so here are our best-loved literary places and bookish themed spaces in and around London, our favourite city and home. Get ready to be enchanted by this literary London four day itinerary plus bookish day trips.

Day One: Leicester Square, Covent Garden

Wandering the Leicester Square and Covent Garden area is an ideal way to get maximum bookish fun within a small area. There’s seriously so much to see here along with being one of the most vibrant spots in the city. You can mix and match which order you want to do these things in but I recommend starting in Covent Garden and ending at Leicester Square as there is plenty to get up to in the evening after.

Roam Covent Garden

Check out our Bookish Guide to Covent Garden for everything you can do here, (there’s a lot) ranging from independent bookshops to Alice in Wonderland and Moomin souvenirs, and even a library members club where you can get literary cocktails and drink amongst the books! It’s also a really pretty area so it’s perfect for colourful photos!

Wander the market before heading to nearby Cecil Court. Consider lunch at Rules , the oldest restaurant in London where many notable authors have dined and tea or cocktails in gorgeous bookish surroundings at Teatulia .

Discover Cecil Court

One of the most charming things you can get up to in the Covent Garden area is Cecil Court, London’s tucked away book street ! It’s full of specialist bookshops, bookish souvenirs, secondhand bookshops and the loveliest shop owners you’ll ever meet. 

Wander Charing Cross Road

A visit to Charing Cross Road could keep you busy for hours, most famously for bookish folk is Foyles, the five-floor bookstore with impeccable taste in books. They also a cafe with hot food and delicious desserts and their carrot cake is to die for!

They hold lots of author events and book talks to check their website for more details. While you’re on Charing Cross Road, pay a visit to The House of Spells for the largest selection of Harry Potter merchandise in London! From jewellery to clothes, figures and books it’s all here. It’s also a beautiful shop and worth having a look either way! Here’s our guide for more Harry Potter Souvenirs in London .

Head to Leicester Square

Visit the hidden Second Shelf Books, one of the cutest bookshops selling rare books written by women, if you’d like to know more you can read our article all about this lovely shop . You’re also in the theatre district so if you want to finish the night with a show then go ahead, you can even explore China Town and chow down on some delicious  East Asian desserts! Tip: There are also some wonderful Japanese restaurants in the area so if you’re as obsessed with ramen or katsu curry as we are then you’re in the right place.

Read More : 27 Must-Try British Snacks and Where to Find Them

Day Two: Marylebone, The British Library, and Regent’s Canal

From one of the world’s most famous libraries to a bookish barge, day two of our London itinerary completely epitomises quirky bookish London. Start at Baker Street Station and pay a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Statue right outside.

Discover the Sherlock Holmes Museum

Visit 221b Baker Street and get lost in the first museum dedicated to Sherlock Holmes related stuff in the world. It’s full of fun items from the films and tv shows as well as antiquarian copies of the books.

Also : If you’re a Sherlock fan, you might like this four-hour Sherlock Holmes London Tour , where you’ll see sights from the TV show, films, and books. Or this two-hour Sherlock walking tour .

Visit Daunt Books

Walk ten minutes to Marylebone High Street to find another one of the most photographed bookshops in London, Daunt Books with its grand staircase and gallery plus an amazing selection of books. Books are separated by country and you’ll find translated literature next to the travel guides. We love Daunt Books!

Tip : Stop off on pretty Marylebone Lane for a coffee!

Learn more about Daunt in our Independent Bookshops in London guide

Browse The British Library

Walk 30 minutes or take a 20- minute bus to The British Library ! You probably already have this on your list as a bookish person in London but make sure you stop by, browse and grab a coffee at their cafe, The wealth of literature here is just…astounding.

It’s the largest library in the world with collections from around the world. Seeing those first edition books and manuscripts in the flesh. Not just books, you’ll be able to see old newspapers, hear sound recordings, patents, prints and drawings, maps and manuscripts.

Find Word on the Water

Books on a barge on Regent’s Canal! Just six minutes walk from Kings Cross Station, you have to go book shopping on this picturesque canal boat with second-hand books both in and outside, a lovely dog, and woodburning stove. 

Tip: From here, you’re in a great location to spend the evening in Camden Town, a hub for alternative lifestyle and live music. Or go to one of the great nearby restaurants, Dishoom for the most glorious Indian cuisine with a stunning interior or The Temple of Seitan for epic vegan food. If you’re not after nightlife, the Everyman cinema is also nearby!

Day Three: Holborn & South Bank

Get ready for a day of culture and head towards south London, you’ve got everything from museums to theatre, food and bookstores here.

Visit the Charles Dickens Museum

Visit the house of the man himself, if you love Dickens then this museum is a must-do on any London itinerary. There’s a store attached with books and trinkets related to Dickens and Dickensian London as well as a cafe. Inside, you’ll be able to explore the whole house and learn about Dickens and his life.

Tip : If you’re interested in learning more about Dickens, you can take this handy London Dickens Walking Tour .

Shop at Persephone Books & Gays the Word

Two of our favourite independent bookshops in London are super close to each other and near the two museums above, a perfect day in London for book lovers!

Persephone Books is a charming store and possibly one of the most photographed storefronts in London with its quaint grey facade, they sell out of print female writers who didn’t get the attention the deserved as well as a range of bookish souvenirs and paper products.

Note : Persephone Books has now moved to the city of Bath, UK.

Gay’s the Word specialises in queer fiction and the range of literature there, you just wouldn’t believe. They’re really friendly and host loads of interesting events in the store.

Have a drink and a pub dinner at The George Inn

Not far from Shakespeares Globe, The George Inn has been frequented by such esteemed patrons as Charles Dickens and Shakespeare. It’s also a great way to make sure you get a London pub experience under your belt! Grab a drink and something to eat and know you’re sitting in a galleried national trust landmark.

See a play at the Globe

Can you really say you visited Bookish London without visiting Shakespeare’s Globe ? There’s always something on and watching a play while looking up at the stars is really special. You can cheap yard tickets, if you’re okay to stand, making this one of the more budget-friendly theatre experiences in London!

Tip : You can also visit the nearby Southbank Centre as part of your London itinerary as they hold lots of evening book talks and creative evening events.

Day Four: Hampstead Heath

Ah, Hampstead! As Zadie Smith said, it’s: ’ where Keats walked and Jarman fucked, where Orwell exercised his weakened lungs and Constable never failed to find something holy .’ Hampstead Village honestly doesn’t feel like the rest of London.

Much like Richmond, there’s a sense of peace and tranquillity and you can easily get lost in the narrow streets and historical buildings.  Wander along the pretty eighteenth-century promenade Church Row for literary history and Flask Walk: a tiny cobbled street with restaurants, antiques, a secondhand bookshop, and florists.

There’s a wealth of literary history to explore in Hamstead. You can pay a visit to the romantic poet Keats’ house , go plaque hunting for the many famous writers who’ve lived there, like Daphne Du Maurier who lived there for two years (her father and grandfather are buried in the local church), George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley. Not to mention, plaques for history’s other greats like Anna and Sigmund Freud can be found.

Hampstead was even featured in novels like Dracula:

“ Lucy lies in the tomb of her kin, a lordly death house in a lonely churchyard, away from teeming London, where the air is fresh, and the sun rises over Hampstead Hill, and where wild flowers grow of their own accord.”

Hampstead also has a number of bookshops, charity shops like the Oxfam Bookshop, vintage stores, handmade craft spots, cafes, and is a hub for antique shopping. Plus if you want a beautiful walk and one of the best views over London, stroll up Hampstead Heath, 790 acres of park, fields, and woodland.

*To get there, take the northern line to Hampstead Station.

Tip : If you have time, pay a visit to Highgate Cemetry where you can visit graves of famous writers like George Eliot, Christina Rosetti, and Douglas Adams. It’s also beautifully romantic in a gothic sort of way. Check this guide for other dark and unusual things to do in London .

Read More : Visit Dracula’s Castle on a Daytrip from Brasov, Romania

Days Five and Six: Take a Literary Day Trip

There are so many amazing literary day trips you can take from London , here are a few favourites to get you on your way.

Downton Abbey

If you love Downton Abbey or just gorgeous stately homes, then head over to Highclere Castle where the series was filmed! It’s a couple of hours outside London and so worth it. Here’s an easy Downton Abbey Tour to get you there (plus you see Downton Village, Church, and Yew Tree Farm) since it’s quite difficult by public transport.

Find out more books like Downton Abbey in our list of Books for Downton Abbey Lovers! Or if you’re a big fan of period homes then you can hop over to Blenheim Palace in Oxford which is another beautiful day out! Here’s our Guide to Blenheim Palace .

Stratford-upon-Avo n

Birthplace of arguably the world’s greatest poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a delightfully maintained tutor town full of historic pubs and shops. It’s so wonderfully fitting that the town where Shakespeare was born is one that has remained looking so Shakespearean at its heart.

It’s also the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) , so when you visit Stratford make sure to check what’s on and go see a play. Get tickets to Shakespeare’s family home and birthplace .

Hopping on the train to Bath from London is so easy and you can learn all about Jane Austen and go book shopping! Jane Austen lived in Bath for a while so you can see her house, visit the Jane Austen Museum and find all those places mentioned in the novels.

We listed all the great Independent Bookshops in Bath to help you on your way. We also highly recommend Bath for lovely cafes and excellent vintage shopping!

Home of the world’s most famous and beloved university, Oxford is a historic town of gorgeous stone buildings and welcoming locals. Oxford also has ties to so many of our most treasured writers, most famously Philip Pullman and J.R.R. Tolkein. Exploring the university buildings and going book shopping for a day in Oxford is truly one of life’s great pleasures. We also love Cambridge if you have visited oxford before.

Tip : Short on time? See Oxford, Stratford, and the Cotswolds from London with this handy tour

Bookish Places to Stay in London

The Georgian House Hotel’s Wizarding Chambers — We loved staying here , it’s set up like Harry Potter’s room in the films and even if you’re not a fan the aesthetic is just amazing. They also offer a wizarding breakfast, wizarding cocktails, and afternoon tea. They even have a private cinema inside where, of course, you can watch Harry Potter amongst other things! It’s also one of the more reasonably priced boutique hotels in London.   Book Here .

Hazlitt’s — A boutique hotel in the heart of Soho, Hazlitt’s provokes the kind of atmosphere, and provides the kind of service and experience, that the gentry of the 17th and 18th centuries would have enjoyed in London. Staying here is like acting a major role in a period drama, with all the gallant luxury you could want. Book Here .

The Bloomsbury Hotel — A gorgeous and luxury Westminster hotel in the middle of London, which is just a short walk from Covent Garden (therefore exactly where you want to be for your literary itinerary), The Bloomsbury Hotel is a neo-Georgian delicacy of intensely beautiful architecture, and it is just steps away from all of the city’s best theatres and bookshops.

London for Literary Foodies

If you want your refreshments to be bookish themes too, you’ll have no problem in London, here are some of the best places to get coffee and afternoon tea to enhance your London itinerary even further!

5 London Literary Afternoon Teas:

If you have time to squeeze in one of these gorgeous literary afternoon teas then I wouldn’t hesitate! The hardest part is choosing which one.

Peter Rabbit™ Afternoon Tea at Le Méridien Piccadilly

Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard

Midsummer Night’s Dream Afternoon Tea at The Swan

Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at Sanderson

Wizarding Cocktails & Wizard Afternoon Tea

Five London Book Cafes:

Many of the bookshops in London will also have a cafe but if you want a dedicated book cafe to rest at, look no further.

Phlox Books – Books, booze, coffee, and literary events, what more do you need?

Tea House Theatre – A romantic little place with amazing cakes, a fireplace, books and tables on a stage. A real hidden gem.

Halcyon Books – A wide selection of used and new books plus coffee to drink while you browse.

The London Review Cake Shop – The London Review of Books’s very own tea, coffee and cake shop. As you might realise from the title, the cakes are really special here.

Books for Cooks – An adorable bookshop and cafe that focuses on cookbooks in Notting Hill, it’s a foodie heaven! But it’s also gorgeous inside so well worth a visit even if you don’t fancy buying a cookbook!

Five London Literary Pubs:

Marquis of Granby – A historic pub with a great selection of food. It was a favourite of poets Dylan Thomas and T.S Eliot.

The Lamb – Found in Bloomsbury, one of the literary hotspots of London thanks to the infamous Bloomsbury Set who frequented the pub along with Dickens and Virginia Woolf.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – One of the most famous pubs in the city with previous guests such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Samuel Johnson and Charles Dickens (yes, he frequented a lot of London pubs). This quirky pub in a listed building has hosted so many famous writers it’d be impossible to list them all. Plus there’s an open fire which is always great.

The Grapes – This pub ( owned by Sir Ian McKellen!) features in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock books which is pretty amazing. Read Ian McKellen’s history of the pub .

Mr Fogg’s Tavern – A Covent Garden tavern with Mr Fogg’s Gin Bar next door named after the character in the Jules Verne novel Around the World in 80 Days. The interior is themed, the drinks are great, and there’s food!

For More Bookish London : you can also check out this fun literary tube map which replaces favourite stations with famous novels based on the area they are set in. Or if you’re travelling around the UK, discover these strange and unique places to stay .

I’m so glad! I think sometimes it helps to have a theme with London, there’s so much to do!

Yay, I’m so glad! I love how bookish London is, it makes me never want to leave even though I want to travel…

What a fun way to travel a city! This gives me some great ideas for when I next travel to London.

Great post! I love London and books, so this was the perfect post for me. I love the British Library and think it is such an underrated sight in London. I’m def going to save this post for next time I’m in London!

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Bookish London Itinerary: 13 Unique & Secret Places to Visit

By: Author The Working Line

Posted on April 17, 2024

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London is filled with secret places which many a writer has trodden at some point, and book lovers find themselves especially at ease in the city’s old streets.

I have had this bookish London itinerary in the works for quite some time, and between beautiful bookshops and gorgeous places used as a background in some famous books, like the Da Vinci Code, you’ll find many must-visit spots to add to your bucket list.

For the purposes of this guide, I thought I would share with you some of London’s prettiest bookstores, but beyond that, I also wanted to share some historical places that almost feel inspired by magical stories.

If you’re traveling on a budget, you might also want to check out the guide I wrote some time ago about some incredible free things to do in London .

Budding writers or readers, you will find inspiration in all the spots I’ve shared, and will find some more in all the secret places I wanted to tell you about today!

Beautiful Bookshops in London

Beautiful bookshops in london: stanfords bookshop, covent garden.

Undeniably one of Covent Garden’s best shops , Stanfords is a map and travel bookshop that you have to visit at least once during your trip.

It’s tucked away between secret alleys which are all worth a visit, and if you only have the time to visit a couple, I would recommend both Floral Street and Rose Street, paved, with a vibe that will take you back in time.

The Stanfords bookshop, with its colorful balloons, globes and countless maps, is a really cute specialty bookshop, and in addition, there is also a small coffee shop inside.

However, if you don’t want to have a bite there, try the Bageriet bakery nearby, a Scandinavian bakery, tiny, with the tastiest Princess cake and cinnamon buns around.

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in South London

Beautiful Bookshops in London: Maison Assouline, Piccadilly

Another one of the most secret places to visit in London for book lovers is the unassuming-on-the-outside Maison Assouline, on Piccadilly.

A mix between a coffee shop, an afternoon tea place and a sophisticated bookshop, Maison Assouline is the perfect spot for fashion and travel table books.

The wooden decor and brightly colored books look especially beautiful with the light filtrating from the high windows – it’s a must for an aesthetic and bookish London itinerary!

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street

Beautiful Bookshops in London: Hatchards Bookshop, Piccadilly

The oldest bookshop in London, Hatchards on Piccadilly is located close to the aforementioned Maison Assouline, and offers anything from literature to fiction.

Hatchards was founded in 1797 and it’s a great place to visit to enjoy beautiful Christmas shop windows , when the time is right.

In addition to books, the historic shop also offers a myriad of gift options, from beautiful stationery to puzzles, and much more.

By the way, if you’d like to visit some of Central London’s most unique shops , you would do well to make your way to Santa Maria Novella, higher up towards Green Park.

It is one of the best perfume shops in London, and another very historic place, as it was founded in 1221… and offers really delicate fragrances.

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in East London

Beautiful Bookshops in London: Daunt Books, Marylebone

Daunt Books in Marylebone is nestled in one of the prettiest streets in the area, and from travel books to literature, fiction and thrillers, they have it all.

If you use social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest , chances are you will have come across the Daunt Books shop at some point – a visit there will blow your mind away.

At least, that’s what happened to me as I was looking for new secret places I’d never visited, and remembered Daunt Books was on my bucket list.

Beautiful architecture, fresh flowers and countless books? Yes, please.

When you are done shopping, and if you get hungry, FishWorks Marylebone is located only a couple of minutes away, and a great place to eat the freshest fish and seafood in London.

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in West London

Bookish London Itinerary: Secret Places to Visit and Book Locations

Secret places in london to visit: southwark cathedral church garden.

Book lovers will love to know that there are a few Shakespeare places in London, what with the enormous impact the playwriter has had on English, and worldwide literature.

Southwark Cathedral and its secret church garden is one such place, in which you will find a sculpture representing the writer.

This is not the only Shakespeare statue in town, and we will see another one below, but it is a striking sight with the cathedral and The Shard in the background.

If you find yourself in the area, you will also find lots of other hidden gems in London Bridge , Bermondsey and Southwark, from cafes to sculptures and shops – pay them a visit to make your trip even more inspiring.

The first of these secret places you should visit if you enjoy literature is the Globe Theatre nearby, another enduring landmark of the city.

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair

Secret Places in London to Visit: Romeo and Juliet Mural in Shoreditch

New Inn Yard in Shoreditch is home to a huge Romeo and Juliet mural, and another Shakespeare spot where you will see a statue representing the author.

This is not due to chance, neither in Shoreditch nor in Southwark – indeed, both places used to be famous for their theaters.

The many Shoreditch street art spots will most probably lead you to New Inn Yard at some point, and the mural is so detailed you can spend a long time observing it.

Then, if you’d like to see something different, there are a few really cool places to visit in Shoreditch I would recommend (not necessarily bookish):

• Paper and Cup, a great second hand bookshop with a cafe inside
• Song Que Cafe, one of the best places to eat Vietnamese pho in London
• Aida Shoreditch, one of the best places to get a colorful latte in London
• Bethnal Green Road, as well, with its many charity shops and cafes

Read: The Most Unique Shops in London

Secret Places in London to Visit: Soho Neighborhood, Central London

The Soho neighborhood was used in more novels than you could count, and this include Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

You will find many secret places and hidden gems in Soho , which, despite is famous streets like Dean Street and Greek Street, is filled with tiny alleys and street art pieces.

Saying that a visit to the Soho area is something unique is not completely true if you tread the beaten path.

However, if you know of the small vintage shops, streetwear shops and other cute bakeries and cafes, you can see Soho under a whole new light.

In addition to the bookish vibe of Soho, here are a few spots you might want to check out:

• Cafe de Nata, for some of the best pastel de nata in London
• Stussy and Supreme, two really great streetwear shops
• Criss Cross, for some of the most colorful croissants in London
• And nearby Chinatown Bakery , in Chinatown, for incredibly fluffy cakes

Read: How to Live in London on a Budget

Secret Places in London to Visit: Temple Church, City of London

Pictured in Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, Temple Church is one of the oldest, and most beautiful churches in the City of London;

Dating back to the Middle Ages, Temple Church and the surrounding Inner Temple Gardens is one of my favorite places to visit for a literary London itinerary.

The Inner Temple Gardens are one of the most secret gardens in London , completely free to visit, and Temple Church only costs 5 pounds to enter – whether you are a book or history fan, you will want to check it out.

You will find many other hidden gems on Fleet Street and nearby areas, which I would also heavily recommend:

• The St Dunstan in the West church
• The Lincoln’s Inn Chapel and its impressive columns
• Temple Place, one of London’s most beautiful buildings
• Somerset House and its striking architecture, and terrace with a free view on the Thames river

Read: How to Save Money on Groceries in London

Secret Places in London to Visit: Highgate, North London

Another one of my favorite secret places to visit in London as soon as I get the chance is Highgate – the picture above shows you Holly Village, a hidden gem in North London few people know about.

Not only was the Highgate neighborhood used as a background in novels, it is also a historic area that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you’re visiting it.

We’re here in one of the poshest areas of London , and if you have the time, do visit the Highgate Cemetery, a great spot to see nature .

This is one of the most famous – and beautiful cemeteries in London, especially with the Egyptian Avenue inside, and one I always recommend visiting at least once.

The Gothic architecture of the Holly Village buildings is great to admire before Highgate Cemetery, as it already sets the tone for a day filled with history.

Read: How to Move to London – and Survive as an Expat

Secret Places in London to Visit: Barbican, City of London

The Barbican neighborhood, much closer to Central London , is another one of the secret places that feel like they’ve been built following some type of Harry Potter or Peaky Blinders’ pattern.

Walk around the Barbican Centre to find St Giles Cripplegate, one of the City of London’s secret churches and a breath of fresh air with the artificial lakes around.

Behind St Giles Cripplegate, you will also come across one of the Roman Wall sites in London, which are other favorites of mine when treading the city.

Other hidden gems in Barbican you should look out for are these:

• The Charterhouse, an old monastery and almshouse
• The St Bartholomew the Great Church and churchyard
• The 41-42 Cloth Fair house, the City of London’s oldest house

Read: How to Eat in London on a Budget

Bookish Places to Eat in London

Secret places in london to visit: mariage frères, covent garden.

Afternoon tea at Mariage Frères is another really cool bookish adventure to spend, this time, in the Covent Garden area.

We’ve already talked about the Stanfords bookshop earlier, and Mariage Frères, with its location in one of the oldest streets in London, makes for a cool addition to a literary bucket list.

And while it doesn’t have any proper ties to the book world, Covent Garden was itself used as a background in several London-based books – and even shows and movies such as The Little Princess.

Read: How to Make Friends in London

Secret Places in London to Visit: Donutelier, Charing Cross Road

Donutelier on Charing Cross Road, close to both Covent Garden and Leicester Square, is not that much of secret coffee shop anymore, what with its extremely colorful and delicious doughnuts .

However, close to Donutelier, you will find Cecil Court, which is but one of the London alleys filled with bookshops, from rare to second hand books.

Since the Alice Through the Looking Glass bookshop is located in Cecil Court, I thought that the Alice in Wonderland themed spot went quite well with the mindblowing creations at Donutelier.

Then, if you would like to find other cool bookshops or even book cafes, further up on Charing Cross Road, the Foyles Cafe is a great place to read or study with deliciously fresh cakes!

Read: The Prettiest Villages in London

Bookish Places in London to Visit: Cutter & Squidge, Soho

Lastly in our guide to secret places to visit in London for book lovers, is one you really cannot miss if you are a fan of Harry Potter – Cutter and Squidge, in Soho.

The Potions Room afternoon tea at Cutter and Squidge is one I was given to try out a few months ago, and I mainly loved the fact that despite all the cakes in the buffet being vegan, every single one of them was especially delicious.

The decor is curated, with brooms, books and cauldrons in the background that enhance the magical feeling you have as soon as you step into the room.

Read: The Best Harry Potter Things to Do in London

There you have them, all the very secret places to have on a bookish London itinerary!

Whether you were looking for book locations or places that would remind you of books you have read in the past, you’ll hopefully have found here new unique spots to visit.

London is filled with hidden gems, and from Harry Potter locations to other colorful cafes , there is so much to do here that a week or two are never enough to visit them all!

Until next time!

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The Working Line

Sam is a certified fashion makeup artist, a freelance writer, a blogger and a digital nomad. Since 2019, she roams around the world, from London to Rome and shares her knowledge about makeup, scented candles, travel, blogging and the digital nomad lifestyle.

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Woman's World

Best 'Armchair Travel' Books: Escape to Paris, London, Italy and More Without Leaving Home!

Posted: January 14, 2024 | Last updated: January 14, 2024

Fans of When Harry Met Sally will delight over this wildly funny and tender rom-com set in sunny Palm Springs. When they met in college, wild-child Poppy and straight-laced Alex didn't hit it off. Then after doing a car-share for summer break, the unlikely pair became best friends. Now, years after college, Poppy works in New York City while schoolteacher Alex stayed in their hometown - but every summer, for a decade, they've taken a vacation together. Until two years ago, when they ruined it all. They haven't spoken since, but when Poppy gets a work travel assignment and asks Alex to join her, he agrees. Can they fix their friendship and address the truth that's been hiding in plain sight for so long?

Bestselling author of In Five Years, Rebecca Serle is known for her powerful stories that tug at the heartstrings - and this novel, set on the colorful coastline of Positano, is unforgettable. When Katy's mother, Carol, dies, Katy is shattered. To make matters worse, their mother-daughter trip to Positano - the magical town where Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy's father - is already planned, so Katy decides to go alone. As soon as she arrives at the Amalfi Coast, she’s warmed by the charming local residents, the delicious food and beautiful cliffside views. Katy even starts to feel her mother's spirit and comes to learn that those we love never leave us. 

Readers will fall in love with this lush, picturesque novel that follows Anna as she runs away to Greece in a last-ditch attempt to hide from a failed relationship, a stagnant career and a complex family. After learning she has inherited a dilapidated summer house from her estranged father, she arrives in Santorini with its lovely villas, blue-tiled roofs and turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. Soon, Anna begins to rebuild the house - and her life -but in the process, she begins to uncover life-altering family secrets. Will these secrets threaten her blossoming romance with Nikos, the handsome and so-charming local?

Set in 1938 Paris, The Paris Mystery is a new novel, the first in the Charlotte ‘Charlie’ James series, written by Australian author Kirsty Manning. It’s 1938 and fearless Aussie reporter Charlotte ‘Charlie’ has arrived in Paris eager to make a fresh start. As a new corespondent for a British newspaper, she’s chasing her first big scoop. To make new contacts, she befriends Lord and Lady Ashworth. Lady Eleanor knows people in Parisian high society. So when she invites Charlie to her decadent annual party, a Circus Ball, it’s the perfect place to meet everyone. The ball is full of glitz and glamour…that is until there’s a murder. Now, Charlie vows to crack the case - while searching for clues at lavish parties, wine bars and couture houses. Will she uncover the culprit still lurking in the City of Lights?

This tale about family secrets and forgiveness by bestselling author Sarah Jio sparkles with heart and wit. When Valentina Baker was 11 years old, her mother, Eloise, fled to her native London, leaving Val and her father in California. Now a divorced librarian in her thirties, Val is still not over her mother's abandonment. In a twist of fate, she receives news that Eloise has died, leaving Val the deed to her mother's Primrose Hill apartment and the Book Garden, the quaint bookshop she opened almost 20 years prior. Though the news is tragic, Val takes the chance for a new beginning and hops a plane to London. A story about making peace with the past, uncovering secrets and finding hope for the future.

Glamorous scenes, family drama and luxurious moments abound in this international bestselling novel by Kevin Kwan. The story follow professor Rachel Chu, who is traveling with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, back to his home city of Singapore for his friend's wedding. It’s also an opportunity for her to finally meet his family for the first time. Before long, Rachel is facing a meddling mother, crazy rich relatives and a shocking truth that may derail her future with Nick.

This sweeping historical novel written by bestselling authors Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White allows readers to step foot into beautiful Newport, Rhode Island - in the past and the present. Andy Figuero is currently in Newport to produce a reality show about restoring historic homes. But as she takes on the task of documenting the crumbling Sprague Hall, while being banned from speaking to the elderly owner, past secrets arise. Spanning three time periods - and the secrets hidden in each - the story of Sprague Hall and its inhabitants is interwoven into the lives of America's royalty (the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, and others). A sumptuous story that covers a century of juicy history from the Gilded Age to the present day!

In this iconic New York Times bestseller, chef, poet and travel writer, Frances Mayes takes readers into her Tuscan home called Bramasole. Bought as a fixer-upper, Frances moved into a Tuscan villa as a way to show people the power of embarking on their own journeys that they believed would make her happy. Filled with recipes, beautiful descriptions and inspirational messages, this classic and memorable book always has something for everyone.

Stunning coastal settings and a warm cast of characters…this novel whisks readers away to the beaches of North Carolina. Following a betrayal, Kayana Johnson moves back to lovely Coates Island to help her brother run the Seaside Café. After Kayana meets two patrons, Leah and Cherie, who feel like kindred spirits, they start a book club. Soon, the trio unpacks the drama in their books and their lives. It is a tale of love, friendship and new beginnings.

Filled with beautiful scenery, emotion and Italian charm, this captivating debut novel written by Francesca Giacco follows Emilia, who arrives in Rome reeling from a broken heart. She dreamily wanders every corner of the city, eating food, drinking wine and reflecting back on memories. Then, while climbing a hill near Trastevere, she meets John, a handsome American expat. As their initial connection deepens, Emilia finds herself on a journey of true self-discovery.

Heartfelt, charming and fun, the latest saga by best-friend author duo Christina Lauren is a stand-out page-turner! As the daughter of a treasure hunter, Lily Wilder now uses her father's maps to guide tourists on hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. But when she runs into the long-lost love of her life, Leo Grady, in the canyons, the duo have a chance to take another kind of adventure­ - rekindled romance.

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