Daunt Books Marylebone

Consistently touted as one of the most beautiful bookshops in the city, the Marylebone branch of Daunt Books is indeed a classic example of this endangered retail species.

There are several Daunt Books branches around town, but with its Edwardian setting, long oak balconies, skylights and stained-glass window, Daunt Books Marylebone is undoubtedly the prettiest one of them all. It was built in 1910, supposedly as one of the first custom-built bookshops in the world, and bought by renowned businessman James Daunt in 1990 as the first of his fledgling chain. Today, the store serves as the flagship location of Daunt Books, hosting numerous events and signings in addition to the stacks of books all around.

At Daunt Books Marylebone, you can find all sorts of fiction and non-fiction books, classics and newcomers, obscure titles and bestsellers. There’s a clear nod to the store’s former specialisation in travel literature, however – even now, the books are arranged not by genre, but by country. The friendly and well-trained staff are on hand to help you out if you find yourself stymied by the unusual system.