Hatchards - Piccadilly
London
Established in 1797 on Piccadilly right next to Fortnum & Mason, Hatchards is celebrated as the UK's oldest bookshop and an official bookseller to the Royal household. The five-story shop features grand wooden staircases, exclusive Hatchards Library editions, custom stationery, and a dedicated top floor for rare and first editions. Visitors like Sofia Coppola praise its charming, historic atmosphere as an ideal spot to spend an entire day browsing.
Commenters hold deep affection for Hatchards, consistently praising it as a favorite bookstore worldwide and a quintessential London bucket-list stop. Book lovers celebrate its authentic century-spanning heritage, fond memories of browsing rare first editions, and charming gift wrapping. Overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive and reverent toward its historical prestige.
- Explore the top floor specifically for rare, signed, and first edition books
- Look out for exclusive Hatchards Library editions and custom stationery
- Request their signature gift wrapping when purchasing books as gifts
- Combine your trip with a visit to Fortnum & Mason located right next door
- Set aside plenty of time to navigate all five floors of shelves
Summaries are created based on reviews, notes, and social media posts.
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