In this era of highly developed electronic media, everything moves electronically, including music, books, and documents. However, for many students who love to read, paper books are still not part of the existence of books. After all, books held in the hands of the kind of page-turning feeling can never be replaced. But I’m sure we all know how expensive books are in the UK, so today, we’re recommending some second-hand bookshops in London.
London Second hand bookshops
Judd Books
Judd Books is a second-hand bookshop in London with an extensive collection of over 50,000 books on two floors. The bookstore is mainly academic, with literature, art, film, media, architecture and music on the ground floor and history, philosophy, psychology and economics in the basement. As a second-hand bookshop, the price is Judd Books’ most significant advantage. Many books are much cheaper than new books by half, and the student card has a half-price discount; in addition to buying ten times, you can get a discounted price of £10; in short, it is super affordable.
🏬 82 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AG
Book Mongers
Bookmongers is a very famous second-hand bookshop in Brixton, London, which has been situated here since it opened in 1992. A lot of people in the neighbourhood usually come here to read or buy books when they have nothing else to do. The shop has many books, including literature, history, philosophy, music, science fiction and economics. The owner also has a dog, so if you’re there by chance, you might run into him. Book Mongers also buys second-hand books, which can be purchased through the official website.
🏬 439 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8LN
Any Amount of Books
Since the publication of American author Helena Hanff’s 84 Charing Cross, London’s Charing Cross has become a popular destination for book lovers. And if you’re on the street, remember to visit Any Amount of Books. This second-hand bookshop offers a wide range of books in literature, art, poetry, history, literary criticism and academia, as well as some vintage and leather-bound books. Any Amount of Books has a selection of literature, art, poetry, history, literary criticism, academic books, and a selection of vintage and leather-bound books. One of the best features of the bookshop is the bargain section, which is available for as little as £1, so don’t miss out on this place if you’re looking for books.
56 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0QA
Skoob Books
Located not far from the British Museum, Skoob Books has a collection of over 55,000 books, including the most extensive collection of second-hand academic books in London. It’s a must-visit if you want to explore academic literature.
In addition to academic books, there is also a lot of literature, history, philosophy, politics, economics, politics and other types of books. Skoob Books is more special in that the books are not classified according to the category but according to the title of the book in alphabetical order, so it may be challenging to find the book. None of the books in the bookshop are expensive, the average price is around £10, and there are additional discounts for students.
66, The Brunswick (off Marchmont St), London WC1N 1AE
Foster Books
Foster Books has a long history, having opened more than 50 years ago. The second-hand bookshop’s decoration is very characteristic. The dark green door has a very quiet feeling, which is super suitable for reading. The books in the bookstore are mainly out-of-print and antique books, and there are a lot of first editions, so if you would like to collect them, you can come and have a look, but the price is costly. Some regular second-hand books are also available for as little as a few pounds. Foster Books also regularly supplies vintage books for film and television productions, such as the James Bond series and Blade Runner 2049, to name a few. The bookshop offers online purchases and free postage in some parts of London.
183 Chiswick High Road, London W4 2DR
Hurlingham Books
Hurlingham Books in South West London is also one of the oldest second-hand bookshops, opening in 1968. For over fifty years now, many people come here for second-hand books. The bookshop has a wide range of book types, and not far away, there is a separate bookstore that claims to have a collection of over a million books, most of which can be found here. In addition to this, the bookshop also offers a rental service. The bookstore has an online bookstore and also acquires second-hand books.
91 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JS
Halcyon Books
Halcyon Books in South East London is a second-hand bookshop and cafe in one. It’s run by a husband-and-wife team, so it has a great atmosphere. The bookshop is also very well decorated, with big red grilled windows that look very eye-catching.
Halcyon Books sells second-hand books, records, CDs, maps, old magazines, old comics, and more. In addition to coffee, the owner’s wife makes many desserts, such as lemon icing cake, banana cake, and so on. The bookshop also has a backyard where you can read a book on a nice day.
266 Lee High Rd, London SE13 5PL
Word on the Water
Word on the Water is a second-hand bookshop that, as its name suggests, is situated on the Water. The bookshop has been converted from a 1920s Dutch cruise ship, which once floated on the River Regent and now stays in one place. The shop is not that big, with a few bookshelves, a sofa and a small fireplace, where you can sit by the fire and read quietly in winter, with the bookshop’s dog lying at your feet so that the atmosphere could be better. Word on the Water is also an exciting bookshop owner who plays some jazz and sometimes holds live performances, instantly turning it from a bookstore into a concert.
Regent’s Canal Towpath, London N1C 4LW
Quinto Bookshop
Also a second-hand bookshop in Charing Cross, Quinto Bookshop has a long history as a branch of the London bookshop Francis Edwards, which has been around for more than 160 years. Quinto Bookshop specialises in vintage books in various genres, including history, travel, children’s books, literature, screenplays and more. It’s also the most traditional second-hand bookshop in Charing Cross, and both the décor and atmosphere reveal a taste of old times. Although it is a second-hand bookstore, many of the books are vintage and not cheap, so there are not many customers; most of them are book collectors and enthusiasts, and the atmosphere is quieter than that of a modern bookstore.
72 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB
Archive Bookstore
Located in West London, Archive Bookstore is in a residential area. The shop is so unassuming that it’s easy to overlook if you don’t pay attention, but inside, something else is happening. There are a variety of books on the ground floor and a variety of second-hand music in the basement.
There’s a wide range of books, with cheaper titles such as the UK’s Penguin Classics series, which covers authors such as Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Dickens, Dante and many more, most of which cost less than £10. There are also vintage books on the more expensive end of the spectrum. The second-hand music sheet music in the basement of Archive Bookstore covers both pop and classical music, and you’ll find pieces by pop stars like Adele and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
🏬 83 Bell Street, London NW1 6TB
FAQ
How to open a second hand bookshop in UK?
Opening a second-hand bookshop in the UK requires passion, dedication, and a visionary approach, but with the right guidance, your dream of curating a haven for book lovers can become a reality.
1. Embrace Your Vision
2. Research and Plan
3. Secure Funding
4. Find the Perfect Location
5. Curate Your Inventory
6. Create an Inviting Space
Are textbooks expensive in the UK?
Textbooks in the UK are costly. The average cost of study materials for an academic year is around £500. Therefore, the UK has many second-hand bookshops.
Are there many second-hand bookshops in the UK?
Yes, there are many second-hand bookshops throughout the UK, ranging from small independent stores to larger chains. These bookshops offer a wide variety of used books across different genres, catering to diverse tastes and interests.
