Why Daunt Books in London, England Is One of My Favorite Bookstores
Daunt Books in London, England is one of the most beautiful and special bookstores I’ve ever visited. I write a lot about the bookstores I visit when I travel, and this is by far one of my favorites.
Located in the charming Marylebone neighborhood of London, this bookstore is one that you definitely should not miss. It combines two of my favorite things in the world — books and travel!
So it makes sense that I found so much delight in visiting Daunt Books. If you’re anything like me, you could spend hours wandering through the travel-themed shelves at this quaint bookstore.
In fact, that’s just what I did the first time I came here. Now I always make sure to pop back into Daunt Books whenever I’m in London (I’ve ended up there quite a few times over the years!)
Here is everything you need to know about visiting this popular London bookstore yourself.
History of Daunt Books
Daunt Books was founded by businessman James Daunt in 1990. Although James Daunt has served as the managing director of the British bookstore chain Waterstones and the CEO of the American bookstore chain Barnes & Noble, Daunt Books maintains the feeling of a smaller, independent bookstore.
It was initially founded to specialize in travel books, and still today, you will find one of the best selections of travel books in the world at Daunt Books. This makes it very unique among independent bookstores.
Another special aspect of Daunt Books is the building it’s housed in. The main location in Marylebone is located in a former Edwardian bookstore dating back to 1912. Once a bookstore called Francis Edwards that specialized in rare and antique books, the building was purchased by James Daunt in 1990.
The interior is absolutely stunning, with vaulted glass ceilings and oak-paneled galleries. With three different levels of books to browse, you can easily spend an hour or more inside this bookstore.
Although the Marylebone store is the original and has the largest selection of books, five other Daunt Books locations have opened up around London and Oxford in the past couple of decades.
Visiting Daunt Books: What You Should Know
The main Daunt Books location is in the Marylebone neighborhood of London.
Address: 83-84 Marylebone High Street, London
The nearest Tube stations are Regent’s Park and Bond Street.
Daunt Books is open every day of the week from 9 AM until 7:30 PM, except for Sundays when it is open from 11 AM to 6 PM. They often have special events and visits from authors in the evenings.
Every spring, the bookstore hosts the Daunt Books Festival.
This month-long festival highlights authors and celebrates diverse works of literature. There are plenty of events, author signings, speakers, and other activities going on at this time.
You can visit their website for more details right here.
What Kind of Books Can You Get Here?
Daunt Books sells all kinds of books, but they have a special focus on travel books.
This includes everything from travel memoirs to guidebooks to language books to travel writing to history and nonfiction to translated works and more. The focus on travel books is one of my favorite things about Daunt Books, and any travel lover could easily spend a whole afternoon browsing here.
There are various sections within the store, divided up by region, that contain lots of books from and about that part of the world. Most bookstores have a tiny travel section, so I loved the variety at Daunt Books.
You’ll also find standard sections by genre, as well as a collection of rare books.
Other Daunt Books Locations
While the original location in Marylebone is the most popular (it’s the one that you will see countless photos of on Instagram due to its striking architecture), Daunt Books has a handful of other locations.
All of the other bookstores are located around London, with one additional location in Oxford.
While I have not personally visited any of the other locations myself, they are surely worth stopping in if you’re in the area. Here’s where you can find the other Daunt Books locations:
- Holland Park: 112-114 Holland Park Avenue, London
- Cheapside: 61 Cheapside, London
- Hampstead: 51 South End Road, London
- Belsize Park: 193 Haverstock Hill, London
- Summertown: 247-249 Banbury Road, Oxford
The Marylebone location is the largest and most impressive, so be sure to make time to visit it!
Things to Do Nearby: My Top Picks
Marylebone is a great neighborhood in London, and there are many things to do nearby. I actually stayed in Marylebone for five days on one of my trips to London, and really enjoyed the area.
First of all, for more literary things to do, be sure to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street. It’s just a short walk away from Daunt Books and a must-visit for fans of the fictional detective.
It’s located at 221B Baker Street, the address where Sherlock Holmes lived, and is very fun to visit.
Another great place to visit in Marylebone is Regent’s Park. This is one of my favorite parks in London, and it is stunning to walk through during any season with its tree-lined pathways and elegant formal gardens.
Marylebone High Street is also home to plenty of high-end boutiques and cute cafes if you’re looking for somewhere to eat. The Chiltern Firehouse, a boutique hotel and restaurant, is also in Marylebone. If you’re lucky enough to score a dinner reservation, chances are high that you’ll spot a few celebrities.
Why I Love Daunt Books
Wrapping things up, Daunt Books is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It was on my “bookstore bucket list” for a while (am I the only person that has one of those?!), and I was glad to be able to visit it. If you are in London, you will definitely want to make time to add this to your itinerary.
Daunt Books is a must for anyone who loves books and travel. I’ve been to many bookstores in London, but this is the one that stands out the most, and I keep returning every time I’m in London.
Enjoy your visit to Daunt Books!
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