The shops first owner was John Hatchard, who was also a publisher, putting out tracts about politics and slavery.

Stepping into the bookshop is like stepping back in time, the architecture and ambiance is that of an exclusive old world library.

The staircases are lovely and the original fireplaces are a charming sight. You could really just wander its four floors just enjoying the atmosphere and browsing through the stacks.

The store holds three Royal Warrants and has had such celebrated customers through the ages as Disraeli, Wellington, and Oscar Wilde.

This grand old shop is well known for its extensive collection of history books and nobody has a better collection of books about royalty than they do, and they also carry antiquarian books about Winston Churchill.

Topics of special interest include Gardening, Art, and Biography. The shop also now has an extensive religious books section, as the specialty religious bookseller A.R. Mowbray moved to the store in 2006.

Something rather interesting is their Wedding List, where couples can register their book preferences as wedding gifts instead of the usual house wares and such.

The store also attracts many big name authors such as J.K. Rowling who love to come to this most antique of bookshops to do their signings. It has many signed editions and special editions for sale as well.

The children’s section is on the top floor and is a charming collection of hardback editions of the classics as well as more modern popular fiction for young people.

The staff is friendly and accommodating, and will be pleased to help you find whatever you need, or recommend something new for you to try. They are all professional booksellers with an extensive knowledge of the books on hand.

This is a wonderful old bookstore with a rich history, and just what you’d expect in a London bookshop.

Hatchards

Address: 187 Piccadilly, St James's, W1J 9LE

Telephone: 020 7439 9921

Opening Times

Monday to Saturday 9.30am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm

Photo courtesy: ahisgett

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