Wonderful Waterstones Bookshop Gower Street London WC1

Wow, Waterstones Bookshop on Gower Street, London WC1, is exceptional. It’s Europe’s most significant new second-hand bookshop, featuring an extensive academic and specialist collection. This literary haven is not just a bookshop but a cultural landmark, home to an award-winning events program, the eclectic Gower Records vinyl store, and the cosy Dillons Coffee shop. There’s a Ryman and a dedicated art store for those with a penchant for stationery and art supplies. Waterstones Gower Street exudes an academic and intellectual atmosphere in the heart of Bloomsbury, London’s literary and university district. Whether you are searching for the best bookshop in London, a charming coffee spot, or a well-stocked vinyl store in WC1, this place is an absolute must-visit.

What You’ll Find At Waterstones Bookshop

Established as Dillon’s University Bookshop in 1956 by Una Dillon, Waterstones Gower Street has retained its commitment to scholarly, academic and bookselling excellence. It has grown from a small ground-floor space to occupy all five floors of Charles Fitzroy-Doll’s Franco-Gothic masterpiece. This Grade 2 listed building has become a sanctuary for many locals who love to lose themselves in its cosy corners, surrounded by knowledge.

When it comes to books, Waterstones offers a treasure trove of both old and new titles. Their second-hand collection includes classic vintage orange Penguins and signed first editions, while their new book section boasts an impressive 200,000 titles.

You’ll discover the Gower Street Gallery in the basement, where various events are hosted. There’s also an art supply shop and sections dedicated to film, music, TV, second-hand, rare and antiquarian books, fashion and design, photography, art, design and architecture. For all your stationery needs, Ryman is also conveniently located here.

The ground floor continues to impress with many books on history, Roman and Greek classics, and London. Additionally, there’s a comprehensive selection of cards, board games and gifts.

You’ll also find the Gower Records vinyl shop, a vinyl-only haven on the ground floor. The shop carries both new and second-hand stock and covers various genres. Adjacent to the shop is a large selection of music books, providing the perfect environment to discover and discuss new artists with dedicated staff or enjoy listening to classic LPs on headphones.

Dillons Coffee is located on the ground floor. They offer a welcoming retreat for those seeking a place to unwind. You can savour a cup of ethically sourced Union coffee while working. Dillons serves a variety of alcoholic, soft and hot drinks, along with hot and cold food and freshly baked cakes, including gluten-free and vegan options.

As you explore further, the first floor reveals an extensive collection of fiction, crime, science fiction, fantasy, manga, graphic novels, literary criticism, essays, classics and children’s books. The second floor houses books on cooking, biography, sport, health, mind-body-spirit, humour, indoor games, gardening, nature, travel, transport, popular science, environment, reference, business and economics. The third floor is dedicated to medical, computing, social sciences, cultural and media studies, gender studies, race studies, psychology, counselling, teacher education, law, religion, philosophy, politics, education and study guides, biology, chemistry, physics, geography, linguistics, learning English and languages. Phew! That’s a lot of books!

I loved my visit and found this an inspirational place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. Students, tourists and nearby office workers frequent it, looking for coffee, books, vinyl, stationery, art supplies and more.

Watch My Waterstones Gower Street Video

Helpful Information About Waterstones Bloomsbury

For further information, visit the Waterstones website. They are located at 82 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6EQ. Russell Square, Euston Street, and Warren Street stations are all nearby. Opening times are Monday to Saturday, from 8.30 am until 9.00 pm, and Sunday, from 12 noon until 6 pm.