London has been the setting for many famous novels, but also the inspiration for numerous writers, poets and playwrights. For anyone who loves reading, London is full of fascinating literary sights and experiences.
This guide is in no way exhaustive – there are just so many places in London with literary connections. Rather it is a selection of my favourites, and also those closest to other sights and likely easiest for visitors to see. Many are free, and many are very central. So you can easily add a few to your London itinerary if you are ticking off spots from my London for First Timers guide.
Books to transport you to London (or for reading on the Tube!)
You can find all of these books in my “London list” on the wonderful Bookshop.org – an online service supporting local, independent book shops. 10% of every sale is given to independent bookshops.
The Best of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle – there are 56 short stories and four novels in the world of London’s consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. But I think this the best collection to start with.
London Fields by Martin Amis – part comedy, part murder mystery. Samson Young, a failed American writer, stumbles upon a young woman who seems able to see the future and is plotting her own murder.
Brick Lane by Monica Ali – the story of a young Bangladeshi girl who comes to London as a bride. Although really a story about relationships and belonging, I loved the insights into a London culture I knew little about.
Agent Running in the Field by John Le Carre – a classic spy thriller by perhaps the best spy writer. Set in contemporary London, it follows veteran spy Nat as he seeks to tackle a growing threat from Moscow. Le Carre died not long after this was published, so will be the last of his famous spy novels.
Londoners by Craig Taylor – I really love this book, which shares stories of Londoners from all walks of life. One of the things I love most about London is its diversity, and this is one of the few books that comes close to really capturing this.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens – Charles Dickens’ famous second novel follows the story of a young orphan, and the mischief he creates across London with a gang of pickpockets. A classic.
A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks – following the lives of seemingly unconnected characters over the course of a week leading up to Christmas. London is almost a character in its own right.
London: A Travel Through Time – A very readable introduction to the history of London. Six periods in the city’s history are used to illustrate its journey. If you are a serious historian, or really want to get into the history of the UK’s capital city, Simon Ackroyd’s London: A Biography is still hard to beat twenty years after it was first published.
Notes from A Small Island by Bill Bryson – not specifically about London, but rather the whole of the UK, this is one of my favourite books. No matter how many times I have read it, it still makes me cry with laughter.
WHERE TO GO
Shakespeare’s Globe – probably England’s most prevalent export and scourge of British school children for generations, Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into more than 100 languages. The original theatre was destroyed in a fire, and the location was lost until foundations were found under a carpark in 1989. It was meticulously rebuilt, and reopened in 1997.
The Theatre hosts plays between April and October, and tickets can be purchased online. The most authentic experience is standing to see the play just as Shakespeare’s contemporaries would have done. Tickets are £5 – although I’d really recommend choosing one of the shorter plays! Seats are (thankfully) also available.
The Globe has a firmly inclusive ethos, offering British Sign Language, audio described and relaxed (for those with autism or sensory disabilities) performances.
If sitting through a full play is not your idea of fun, they also have guided tours for £17.
Bloomsbury – the leafy garden squares here in large part owe their literary reputation to Virginia Stephen – later to become Virginia Woolf — and her sister, Vanessa, who formed the Bloomsbury Group at their home at 46 Gordon Square. In the 1920s and 1930s this area of London played host to the intellectuals, writers and artists of the “Bloomsbury Set”. The most famous members included Virginia Woolf herself, Mary Shelley and John Maynard Keynes.
Poets’ Corner – the South Transept of Westminster Abbey has become known as Poets’ Corner as over 100 poets and writers are buried or memorialised here. Numerous writers are interred here, including ‘father of English literature’ Geoffrey Chaucer (1343–1400), and Charles Dickens (1812–70). Many other have memorials including William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne), TS Eliot, William Wordsworth, Elizabeth Browning, Robert Burns, CS Lewis, Oscar Wilde and John Keats.
House of MinaLima – if Harry Potter is your thing, you must visit the gallery of the graphic designers responsible for the Harry Potter design work – Mirphora Mina and Eduardo Lima. They created the book covers, as well as many film props. (Free, daily 11am-6pm).
If you want a more in depth Harry Potter experience, the Warner Brothers Studio Making of Harry Potter Tour features full sets, costumes and experiences from the film franchise. Tickets must be booked in advance. (Adult ticket, £47. Daily, 0830am-10pm). The Studio is twenty miles north of London; regular shuttle buses run from Watford Junction.
LITERARY CONNECTIONS
Paddington Bear Statue – his statue in Paddington Station marks the spot that Mr and Mrs Brown found the little bear, and the reason he got his name. If you haven’t already seen the Paddington films you must. Both of them!
Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾ – the Husband is a big Harry Potter fan and assures me all aficionados must have a photo at Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station. There is also a souvenir shop.
Baker Street – the Sherlock Holmes Museum is located at the world-famous address of 221b Baker Street (really between numbers 237 and 241). The museum has faithfully recreated Sherlock Holmes study and Dr Watson’s bedroom. In addition, just outside Baker Street tube station is a nine-foot tall bronze statue of the famous detective. (Adult tickets £15; daily 1130am-430pm).
Peter Pan Statue – this lovely statue in Kensington Gardens is topped with Peter Pan, and its base covered in other charters from the stories. JM Barrie himself had the bronze sculpture erected in 1912 – he did it overnight so that children walking through the park the next day would think it was the work of fairies.
LONDON’S BEST LIBRARIES
British Library – as close as you can get to a literary temple. This is the world’s largest library, housing many original manuscripts with author’s handwritten notations. It is the UK’s national copyright library, and its collection is growing by around 3 million books a year! In total, they have over 388 miles (625 km) of shelves…
The permanent Treasures of the British Library Gallery is one of the world’s top exhibitions for history buffs. It includes the Magna Carta – the foundation of British law and democracy – Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook, Jane Austen’s desk and handwritten lyrics by the Beatles. You can prebook free tickets online.
The Library hosts workshops and talks throughout the year, many of which are free to attend.
V&A Library – the National Art Lit Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum is free, but you will need to show ID on your first visit to register. It holds around a million books relating to art, sculpture, design and photography. (Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5:30pm).
Lewisham’s Phone Box Library – close to St John’s station this iconic red phone box has operated as book exchange since 2013. You are free to take a book as long as you bring it back or replace it with another.
LONDON’S BEST BOOKSHOPS
Daunt Books – the Marylebone branch of this bookshop is housed in the first purpose-built bookshop in the world. The long oak bookcases make it feel like you have stepped back in time. The perfect place to mix a love of travel and literature – the books are arranged by country, irrespective of genre.
Foyles – Charing Cross is a mecca for book lovers, as it is awash with bookshops. Perhaps the most impressive is Foyles. Four miles of shelves contain 200,000 titles. The top floor has a café for settling in to read your purchases.
Hatchard’s – located in Piccadilly, this is London’s oldest bookshop (opened 1797) and has three royal warrants. They have a fantastic crime and thriller section, taking up a whole floor. There is a vast giant Agatha Christie section – my personal favourite!
Word on the Water – a floating bookshop on a barge in Regent’s Canal, near King’s Cross. They host a range of author talks, musical events and poetry evenings.
Lutyens & Rubenstein – sweet Notting Hill independent bookshop which hosts regular author talks and events.
South Kensington Books – my favourite bookshop in London. They have a great selection, and all at astonishingly good value.
Books for Cooks – combing two of my great loves, this Notting Hill shop sells every cookbook you could want. There is also a really lovely little café at the back.
John Sandoe Books – this bookshop is like something out of a Charles Dickens novel! It has been in operation for over sixty years, and stocks over 30,000 titles.
Hurlingham Books – fantastic second hand bookshop close to the river in Fulham. Over a million books are available, but you need patience to find the one you want – they are stacked to the ceiling!
Stalls under Waterloo Bridge – daily, between 10am and 7pm, sellers set up stalls of second hand books under Waterloo Bridge on the Southbank. Vendors vary each day, but expect to find a wide range of fiction.
Stanfords – established in 1853, this completely wonderful travel bookshop even got a mention in Sherlock Homes’ adventure The Hound of the Baskervilles. Anything you could want in travel writing, maps and travel gifts is here.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
There are many pubs and restaurants in London with impressive literary connections, but there are also lots of cafes that are simply lovely spots in which to cosy up with a coffee and good book. Check out my guide to London pubs if you are looking for a few more watering holes!
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – on the Strand, this seventieth century pub was once frequented by Samuel Pepys, Charles Dickens, Dr Samuel Johnson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The food is pretty average so come for pre-dinner drinks and soak up the atmosphere.
Sherlock Holmes – traditional London pub in Westminster, decked out with an impressive collection Holmes memorabilia. There is a complete recreation of Holmes’ and Watson’s study and living room.
The Fitzroy Tavern – the Victorian interiors in this Fitzrovia pub have hosted many writers, including Dylan Thomas and George Orwell.
Ella’s Place – adorable cafe in a florists cum deli in Parson’s Green. One of my favourite cafes to work from in London, and a lovely place to spend an afternoon with a book.
Chairs and Coffee – this quirky little café sources and roasts their own coffee. The scrambled eggs here are yummy.
Soderberg – good coffee, cinnamon rolls, chic Sandi furniture and USB ports. This Scandinavian café in Soho oozes cool so be sure to take something intellectual to read to fit in – or hide your trashy novel inside a philosophy textbook!
If you are a book lover like me, I hope that this has given you a few ideas to add to your London itinerary, or perhaps some thoughts for a day out if you are a London resident! Have a look at my other literary guides for more ideas!
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