Hatchards

A proper bookshop dating back to 1797, Hatchards has that charming analog oldy-worldy atmosphere you might dream about while numbly riding up an escalator at a Borders or a Barnes & Noble. Now owned by HMV (along with sibling Waterstones, this Piccadillly institution nevertheless features hard-to-find edtions, signed books and a rather large section on royalty. And a lovely staircase. Former patrons include Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron. Others associated with Hatchards include J.K Rowling, Alexander McCall-Smith, Lauren Bacall, and Stephen Fry.