Why Hatchards is a must-visit for every book lover in London
Winding staircases, dark wood panelling, five storeys of bestselling, rare and first edition books - Hatchards is the place to visit for book lovers and history enthusiasts in London.
Located at 187 Piccadilly, Hatchards was founded in 1797 by publisher John Hatchard, and is the oldest bookshop in the UK. It’s kept its same location since its founding and is now owned by Waterstones, but has retained its unique identity and timeless, traditional charm.
Some photographs of Hatchards' earliest days
Selection of books
Hatchards is home to an impressive collection of rare and first edition books, including fiction, non-fiction and children’s modern bestsellers and classics. If you’re looking for something extra special, or a collector’s item, you’ll also find signed editions and first editions, from authors like Margaret Atwood and Grahame Greene.
The travel section is on the top floor, and contains maps, guide books and travelogues on London, the UK and beyond. Of course I also had to take a look at the classics section as a former student of Classics, and it was well stocked with Penguin’s beautiful clothbound series. In the end, I decided to buy my first Terry Pratchett book from the Discworld series, The Colour of Magic.
Royal connections
Hatchards holds three royal warrants, meaning they supply books to the British royal family - Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, was actually one of their first customers. The Royal Warrants are a symbol of the long standing relationship Hatchards has with the monarchy and is awarded as a mark of recognition from the British Royal Family, as a bookseller to Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and King Charles III. This connection has undoubtedly cemented Hatchards’ reputation as one of the most distinguished bookshops in the world!
Literary events
Hatchards regularly hosts author signings, book launches, readings groups and book talks. Renowned authors visit Hatchards to discuss their latest launches and to sign copies, and you can sign up for these events on their website. They also hold special themed evenings in collaboration with publishers, as well as panel discussions, private shopping events and Christmas events. If you’re someone who loves connecting with others over your favourite reads, then definitely take a look at their upcoming events.
History section
How to get to Hatchards
The closest stations are:
Piccadilly Circus Station (3 minute walk)
Green Park Station (7 minute walk)
Leicester Square Station (10 minute)
A 2nd Hatchards now exists, at St Pancras International - pop in while waiting for your next train. It has a much lighter and airier feel than Piccadilly, but still has that Hatchards charm to it. Do you have a London bookshop recommendation?
