Amidst the pastel doors, quaint markets, and vintage thrift shops, Notting Hill is abounding with charming bookstores. Given its long association with artists over the decades, the neighbourhood is brimming with poetry, prose, witticisms, and an ardent love for the written word.
The 9 Best Bookshops And Bookstores in Notting Hill
Bookstores are so quintessential to the neighbourhood that actor Hugh Grant’s character in the film Notting Hill played a bookstore owner. Needless to say, the locale has swiftly risen to become an idyllic literary haven for book lovers and a romantic getaway filled with rare printed works. Here are the best bookshops in Notting Hill for the bibliophile in you.
1. Lutyens & Rubinstein
The store, headlined “Books and other necessities,” was founded in 2009 by literary agents Sarah Lutyens and Felicity Rubinstein. Their shared love for books and dissatisfaction with the rampant commercialization and homogeneity of the industry led to the creation of this independent bookstore in the heart of Notting Hill.
The bookshop houses not only mainstream authors and bestsellers but also off-beat reads that have been recommended by visitors and loved ones. Every book in the store has been admired by someone before – thus, the chances of you picking up a good read are certainly high. Their collection of books has been curated based on how impactful the books have been on someone’s personal life, rather than what’s in vogue. The founders have stated: “At the Lutyens & Rubinstein Bookshop, we hope to offer a companionable and idiosyncratic experience for people who love books.”
In addition to books, the shop has other merchandise, such as bags, glasses, stationery, and cards. They also provide special services for school libraries (such as author visits and book fairs) and bespoke book-themed experiences for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries.
2. Books for Cooks
Books for Cooks is the ultimate literary and gastronomic escape. Filled with cookbooks of every conceivable cuisine, visitors are bound to leave the store armed with enviable techniques and cherished household recipes.
The bookshop also hosts an in-house kitchen, managed by the owner, Eric Treuillé, where recipes from the cookbooks are tried, tested, and indulged in by visitors. The bookshop kitchen has become so popular that people start trickling in for lunch as early as 11 a.m. – predictably, it fills up rather quickly.
3. The Notting Hill Bookshop
This is the iconic bookshop that inspired the famous rom-com Notting Hill blockbuster. Opened in 1979, it debuted by selling only travel books and gained prominence in 1999, when its interiors inspired the set design of the star-studded film. It wasn’t until 2011 that the store diversified its collection. Now, the venue is home to contemporary fiction novels, limited edition hardbound books, and satin-bound classics.
A nostalgic building for 90s film buffs, the store is startlingly recognisable even after two decades from the film’s release – the exact spot where Julia Robert proclaims her love for Hugh Grant is the shop’s most Instagrammable nook. Their children’s section is particularly impressive, arranged in a cosy corner under a glass roof. The collection of books and toys is curated to encourage readership and critical thinking at an early age. Unfinished wood interiors, haphazardly arranged books, the iconic navy blue frontage, and exposed brick panels are bound to, as promised by the bookshop owners, “make you fall in love with Notting Hill all over again.”.
4. Oxfam Bookshop, Portobello
A famous charitable organisation in London, Oxfam has its very own charity bookshop in the heart of Notting Hill. From fiction and leisure books to classics and rare finds, the shop has every genre to quell your thirst for knowledge. Additionally, donated music vinyls and CDs are also in stock. A true paradise for old souls with a penchant for all things analog, the proceeds from the bookshop go towards initiatives that alleviate poverty.
5. Daunt Books
Daunt Books is a popular chain of bookstores in London that first opened in Marylebone. It gained notoriety for its ginormous oak shelves, ornate Edwardian panels, and gorgeous antique fixtures. As the archetypal old-world English bookshop, it is guarding age-old secrets and is filled with dusty hardbacks.
The Notting Hill branch is relatively new and has a contemporary atmosphere. However, it certainly isn’t devoid of charm – its deep green frontage, timber panels, and endless shelves packed with books entice many tourists and locals. It arguably boasts some of the most extensive and eclectic collections in Notting Hill, covering most facets of fiction and non-fiction, as well as an exclusive children's range.
6. Notting Hill Book and Comic Exchange
A quirky establishment, the Notting Hill Book and Comic Exchange is known for its rare comics, second-hand artwork, and music paraphernalia. It is an artist’s paradise, full of hidden gems and creative avenues. Its cluttered appeal is highly reminiscent of comic stores in the 80s and 90s. A blog dedicated to London's best-kept secrets remarked: “The racks are bursting with stuff you’ve never heard of, the signs are all handwritten, and the vast majority of their stock harks back to a time when comics had lurid, over-the-top covers created solely to encourage kids to pick them up.”. Needless to say, the Notting Hill Book and Comic Exchange is an eccentric establishment, a charming remnant of the bygones.
7. Dechen London
Dechen in a Sakya Buddhist Centre in London, home to an impressive library of Buddhist literature. The Centre also conducts classes on Buddhist philosophy and meditation. Dechen is the perfect stop for individuals who are curious about Buddhist philosophy, its history, and its larger global impact. Titles by scholars like Lama Jampa Thaye, and texts such as “Bodhicaryavatra” (A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, composed by the philosopher Shantideva in 700 AD) are stocked in the Buddhist centre’s library. Dechen also hosts discussions, movie nights, and other cultural events.
8. Portobello Rare Books
A humble establishment, the store is packed to capacity with old manuscripts, lesser-known titles of famous authors, and limited-edition classics. Bibliophiles throng to Portobello Rare Books, hoping to stumble upon a literary treasure that has been swept under the rug and the first editions of notable works.
Lyndon, the owner of Portobello Rare Books, described the process of curating the store’s collection: “I created a comedy library collecting old scripts, biographies of Victorian music hall artists, and any antiquated theatrically related specimen I could lay my hands on….I also frequented second-hand bookshops, spending many afternoons searching for remote titles.”. This store is a treasure trove for vintage book collectors and connoisseurs – its latest finds include the first edition of Sylvia Plath’s “The Green Rock,” an 1881 illustrated edition of “Alice in Wonderland,” and Ernest Hemingway’s first edition of “Men Without Women.”.
9. The Travel Bookshop
Founded in 1979, the Travel Bookshop is a comely little stop for all things travel and exploration related. Portobello Road’s bohemian charm certainly hasn’t escaped this bookstore. Packed to capacity with travel books, maps, tour guides, and souvenirs, the Travel Bookshop’s rustic charm has won the hearts of many tourists over the years. This bookshop is contentious, as it has also claimed to be the inspiration behind the film Notting Hill. Film buffs have been attempting to decode which bookshop featured in the film, but the debates still ensue. As with the Notting Hill Bookshop, rom-com fans also throng to the Travel Bookshop, revelling in the nineties rose-hued nostalgia.
London is known for its wealth of literature, art, and historical libraries. Notting Hill undoubtedly embodies the city’s literary merit – boasting a treasure trove of rare finds, it truly is a voracious reader’s paradise. It’s time to read, ponder, and immerse yourself in vicarious adventures at Notting Hill’s bookshops.
