The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London For Cheap Books

A local’s guide to the best used and second hand bookshops in London, from independent shops to charity shops – the best places to buy cheap books!

Finding the best second hand bookshops in London is one of my favorite things to do in the city.

First of all, there are countless charity shops in London, but when you come across a charity bookshop filled only with CDs, DVDs, and used books, you’ve won the jackpot.

Found the Holy Grail.

Hit it right out of the park.

I’ve written a lot about the best scented candle brands here, but not so much about second hand bookshops in London, even if buying new books and searching for the perfect second hand book is one of the things I live for.

So I’ve set out to share the very best used bookstores in London with you.

From the quirky Word on the Water to the Southbank Centre Book Market near London Bridge, you’ll find lots of amazing places to buy second hand books in London today.

The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London For Cheap Books

When you study abroad in London, you need to know about things of life.

That means tips to live in London, like places to buy the cheapest food, the best bookshops including second hand bookshops, places where to connect with other students and freelancers, fun things to do as a student in London, and some of the most affordable restaurants in the city as well.

So, little by little, I have decided to share more than just coworking spaces and second hand bookshops in London, and broaden the scope of The Working Line with lots of cool lifestyle guides as well, with beauty, fashion, food, lifestyle, and candles.

For now, let’s focus on the best bookshops for used books whether you’re looking for fiction, art, or design!

If you would like to locate all the best second hand bookshops in London a little bit better, take a look at the map below:

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Skoob Books

One of the best second hand bookshops in London will always remain Skoob Books, and if you’re ever around King’s Cross or the British Library, you’re just a stone’s throw away.

I remember the first time I ever stepped foot inside Skoob Books – I was in awe at just how many used books they had displayed there.

There’s a bit of everything in this huge bookshop from language books to art books, fiction, and quite anything you could be looking for.

Since it’s located in the Brunswick Centre, you could literally pay a visit to Skoob Books to get one or two new reads before you head on over to the best quiet study spaces in London, like the nearby British Library or a Pret cafe to work.

The staff at Skoob Books is really friendly and knowledgeable about the collection of discounted books they have. 

Yet, what really tops it all is that this is one of the second hand bookshops in London that is open seven days a week.

Perfect if you’d just like to treat yourself before lying down on the grass with a good used book.

Read: The Best Nontouristy Things To Do in London

Second Hand Bookshops in London: Hurlingham Books

I’ve always loved Hurlingham Books – that’s one of the best second hand shops in London, all things bookish .

I remember the first time I went there; I was doing makeup for a photoshoot and instead of getting off the Tube at the station I should have, I went off at Putney Bridge.

Since Putney Bridge is quite far from Central London, it is only normal that the area looks village-like, all cute and small.

In fact, right in front of the station, you’ve got the River Café, a quite large and quaint cafe where you can get a Full English Breakfast, or just a slice of fresh cake with tea or coffee.

I sat down there a little bit, then went on to explore the area. Little did I know that I’d come across one of the best second hand bookshops in London, with its black windowshop filled with books to the brim. 

There is anything you might wish for at Hurlingham Books – classic literature, children’s books, fiction…

I remember asking for three or four different titles, and they had almost all of them. One of the best used books shops in London, and definitely worth the trip on the Tube.

Usually, when I’m back from Hurlingham Books, I’ve literally spent almost all day traveling to and back from the shop.

When I go back home, I’ll start work again, or read a book while burning a scented candle, and that’s the perfect life for me!

Read: The Best Tips For Homemade Meal Prep

Second Hand Bookshops in London: Oxfam Bookshop Bloomsbury Street

One of the best second hand bookshops in London will always remain Oxfam Bookshop, on Bloomsbury Street.

It is so located that you can be hanging around Tottenham Court Road station, choose one of the Starbucks cafes to work at the end of Oxford Street, and then get on with your day by treating yourself with some good new used books.

I love finding new charity bookshops in London, and to be honest, in all my time living in London, I was also a student for some time.

As such, it is very important for me – and if you study abroad in London – to know where the charity bookshops are.

Oxfam has some of the best second hand shops in London, and this bookshop is filled with fiction, music and fashion used books, children’s books, art books, travel titles… 

I have found some really good economics and psychology books at Oxfam Bloomsbury Street, so if that’s what you’re studying, you might want to check out this charity shop.

The good thing is that there is also one of the best Pret cafes to study in London nearby, and if you are ever looking for a free museum in London, the British Museum is just a short walk away.

Read: The Best Cafes To Study in Paris

Second Hand Bookshops in London: Oxfam Bookshop Muswell Hill

When you study abroad in London, one of the things you’re going to look up on Google at one point or another is the areas for the best second hand shops in London.

One of my favorites is one of the best charity bookshops, the Oxfam bookshop on Muswell Hill Broadway.

Located in North London, it is filled on every wall with some very clean used books at a very discounted price.

Since I used to live in North Finchley, Muswell Hill is an area I know quite well since I pass by it when I take the bus towards Highgate and Tottenham Court Road.

It is a very nice family area that hosts some of the best second hand shops in London whether you are looking for books, CDs, DVDs, or second-hand fashion.

There are also lots of small family bakeries in Muswell Hill.

That means that you could treat yourself to some really good books (some of them brand new) before you start reading at a nearby cafe.

The great thing is that the Oxfam bookshop in Muswell Hill is open 7-days a week.

The children’s selection is also quite large, so if you’d like to get a little gift to your kid, a nephew, or a niece, this is one of the best second hand bookshops in London to start looking.

Read: The Best Charity Shops in Muswell Hill London

Best Second Hand Shops in London: Amnesty Bookshop

I definitely think that Kentish Town is one of the best areas of London, especially if you’re looking for discount and used books.

Some of the best charity shops in London are located around Kentish Town Road and Camden High Street.

Fortunately, one of the buses that go goes straight to Central London from my house also passes by Camden Town and Kentish Town.

That means that more times than I can count, I have hopped on the bus just to visit some of the best second hand shops in London and find myself a nice little treat.

One of these great bargain shops is called Amnesty Bookshop.

If you want to buy used books but want to do so in charity bookshops because of the message it gives back to the world, then Amnesty Bookshop on Kentish Town Road is definitely one of the used bookstores you’re going to want to visit.

Plus, when you study abroad in London, you’re more than certain to find yourself in Camden Town partying with fellow students or shopping for some edgy fashion at one point or another.

Unlike other charity book shops in London, the Amnesty Bookshop looks pretty much like a ‘normal’ bookshop, if I may say so.

All the titles are laid out in a very clean way, and the atmosphere of the bookshop is very heartwarming.

That is bound to make you feel at ease from the moment you step into the shop. If you’re lucky, you might find some latest book release at a crazy good used book price.

Read: The Most Inspiring Stationery Stores in London

Best Second Hand Shops in London: Bookmongers Brixton

I especially enjoy hanging out in the Brixton area because it feels so different to all the areas of London I have lived in so far, including North Finchley, Bethnal Green, Seven Sisters, or Greenwich.

It is lively, colorful, and Brixton has some of the best second hand shops in London all around.

One of them is called Bookmongers, and it has been open for 30 years. There, you will find a lot of used books but you can also come across the odd new title at a fraction of its usual price.

If you’ve just moved to London, studying abroad away your country, you might want to cook some ethnic food at some point; Asian, African, Caribbean… that kind of delicious food. 

Well, just a stone’s throw away from Bookmongers and it’s amazing used books selection, you have have Brixton Village where you’ll be able to get amazing staples for your dishes.

You can also find black soap, shea butter, and other amazing products for your skin and your body there.

Almost right outside of the tube station, you’ll have one of the best second-hand shops in London. 

However, if you don’t want to travel all the way to Brixton, Bookmongers also sell their second hand books online on their own website and on Amazon.

Still, when you set foot inside Bookmongers, you’ll understand straight away why it is widely recognized as one of the best used book shops in London.

Read: The Best Branded Notebooks To Get Inspiration For Work

Second Hand Bookshops in London: Any Amount of Books

If you’re looking for tips when studying abroad in London, then I’ll let you in on one secret: Charing Cross Road is one of the best streets in London.

It goes from Trafalgar Square up to Tottenham Court Road, passing by Soho, Chinatown, and the oh-so-lively Shaftesbury Avenue.

And on Charing Cross Road, you’ll find some of the best second hand bookshops in London, one of them being Any Amount of Books.

This is not one of the biggest book shops in London at all, however, Any Amount of Books carries one of the greatest ranges of used books in the city.

If you need academic books for your studies, you’ll find some great history and literature used books there.

The shop window is beautiful and really entices you to come in and treat yourself to a new discounted book.

The great thing is that in and around Charing Cross Road, you also have some of the best cafes to work in London, like Caffè Nero, Starbucks, and some great cafes to study in Soho as well.

It’s definitely always a great day out when I travel to Charing Cross Road, and if you ever want to treat yourself to a new book, you also have the Foyles bookshop closeby.

Read: The Most Inspiring Places To Study in Rome Italy

Second Hand Bookshops in London: Judd Books

If you’re studying abroad in London and are looking for a second hand bookshop where you can get academic books cheaper, you’re going to want to visit Judd Books.

That is one of the very best second hand shops in London when it comes to social sciences, film, history politics, psychology, and art books.

We all know that when you study abroad, you need to save money, especially if you are on a scholarship.

Well, Judd Books will be by your best friend when it comes to that, as you can get some amazing used art books there are at a fraction of the price.

Art books are usually among the most expensive books around, at several dozens of pounds each when new.

Being able to find the title you were looking for in one of the best second hand shops in London, right in Central, will definitely brighten up your day.

Read: The Best Cafes To Study in London Bridge

Second Hand Bookshops in London: Worlds End Bookshop

Worlds End Bookshop is not only one of the best second hand bookshops in London, but it is also one of the best bargain shops in Chelsea.

I’ve never talked much about the Chelsea area here aside from the best coworking spaces in Notting Hill, located not too far from this posh and amazingly beautiful area of London.

Yet, if you ever go around Chelsea or South Kensington, you will find some of the very best second hand shops in London there .

The books at Worlds End Bookshop are mostly rare books even if you can find the odd modern book here and there.

So, if you need one very vintage and specific book for a course or a paper, then you’re going to want to visit Worlds End bookshop.

If you’re in Chelsea, that’s definitely a place you’re gonna want to visit, but be aware it does have a different vibe from all the other used and charity book shops in London I’m mentioning here today.

It’s really a specialized thrift book shop with lots of out-of-print books, prints, and overall really nice treats for the book lover.

Read: The Best Charity Shops in North Finchley

Best Second Hand Shops in London: Walden Books

The last one of the best second-hand book shops in London in this guide is Walden Books, which ties book lovers to the thrift and trendy area that is Camden Town.

This is the second bargain bookshop in Camden I’m mentioning here today, and the 1979 established Walden Books shop clearly deserves every bit of highlight it can get.

There, you will find yourself in Ali Baba’s cave with books that range from less than £1 to several dozens of pounds for used rare books and out-of-prints.

The great thing about Walden Books is how friendly the staff is, and very knowledgeable about seemingly every type of book you could be looking for, be it literature or the occasional politics or history book.

One thing is for sure: Walden Books is one of the very best second hand bookshops in London and a one-stop shop whether you’re looking for collectibles or your next weekend read.

Also, if you’re looking to purchase used books online, Walden Books have their own website as well as Amazon and Abebooks, one of my favorite used books websites online.

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Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Quinto Bookshop

This second hand bookstore is now closed.

The Quinto bookshop is located in Seven Dials, close to all the best cafes to study in Covent Garden, and it shares the same locale as the Francis Edwards bookshop.

Unlike Francis Edwards which focuses on old, Antique and rare books, the Quinto Bookshop offers plenty of great second hand books that revolve around classic literature and fiction books at a very cheap price.

The charming display of books in the windowshop attracts masses, making Quinto Bookshop and its endless selection of second hand books one of the best places to buy used books in London.

Perfect to get yourself some new reads before heading off to one of the best restaurants in Covent Garden, or better yet, getting the most perfect fried chicken in London at Good Friend Chicken in Chinatown.

Read: The Best Cheap Pizza in London

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Southbank Centre Book Market

I’ve paid a visit to the Southbank Centre Book Market more times than I can count.

Although there is a cool Foyles bookshop located nearby, the Book Market under the bridge is oh-so-charming, and filled with second hand fiction and non-fiction books.

If you’re looking for second hand books for children, then the Southbank Centre Book Market is also a great place to buy used books, since they do have cool books for all ages.

Located under the Waterloo Bridge, the Southbank Centre Book Market has some very famous books in its collection.

I’ve found Harry Potter and Roald Dahl books quite a few times while browsing the stock, which is updated very regularly.

In addition to second hand books, the Book Market also has stunning art prints for sale, and while it’s an outdoor market, the books are very well protected under the large bridge.

If you’d like to find a place to work after shopping, the BFI Reuben Library, one of the best free and quiet places to study in London, is located just two steps away.

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Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers

If you’re looking for second hand bookshops in London around Euston Road and Kings Cross, you’ve got Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers, one of the best places to buy second hand old and rare books.

At Jarndyce, you feel as if you’re in the grand bookshops and libraries that you can only see in movies, as it’s still quite old – both the books and the decor have been kept as were.

Perfect for book lovers and collectors, Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers focus on 17th, 18th and 19th century editions of literature classics, among which Dickens and Alexandre Dumas.

The Holborn bookshop is located right in front of the British Library, one of the ultimate best free libraries to study in London.

Although the prices are nothing like what you’d expect in charity bookshops, Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers is very different in that you’re getting collection books to keep all your life.

A great lunch at Oodles Chinese nearby is perfect to recharge after spending hours roaming the rare and antique book racks at Jarndyce.

Read: The Best Places To Write in London

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Foster Books

Probably one of the most instagrammable bookshops in London, Foster Books is also one of the oldest shops in Chiswick, this utterly cute area in West London where coffee shops and nature blend.

Foster Books offers plenty of second hand books, that’s true, but if you’re looking for old and rare books, then that’s also a bookstore you should keep in mind.

The 18th Century facade of Foster Books remains unchanged, and when the weather’s hot, the bookshop exhibits countless books on tables in the front of the store.

If you’re looking for used books for children, you’ll find plenty at Foster Books, which offers fiction and non-fiction for kids and adults.

However, know that if you’re looking for first editions, old books and rare books, then that Chiswick bookshop is the place to be.

Read: The Cutest Cat Cafes in London & Pet Friendly Cafes

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: The Bookshop on the Heath

The Bookshop on the Heath is one of the most instagrammable second hand bookshops in London in my opinion, and has that cute little windowshop that fits perfectly in the Greenwich decor.

I lived in Greenwich for a while, and I always loved finding quaint little shops in the village-like streets.

And well, The Bookshop on the Heath in Blackheath near Greenwich and its great collection of second hand books could not get any more attractive.

In the range of used books at The Bookshop on the Heath, you’ll find everything from fiction to non-fiction, collectable rare books, first editions, and vintage books.

The prices vary greatly from charity bookshop prices to rare, antiquarian bookshops, but if you’re a bookworm like me, you’ll love browsing the shelves filled with second hand books.

Read: The Best Charity Shops in Chelsea London

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Paper & Cup

Paper & Cup isn’t only one of the best cafes to study in Shoreditch.

The coffee shop doubles as a charity bookshop and even sells clothes and accessories in addition to a good collection of secondhand books.

If you’re looking for used bookshops in Shoreditch, then Paper & Cup has plenty of fiction and non-fiction books on offer.

That one is a favorite, because I love places that multitask; plus, when you shop from Paper & Cup, you’re actually doing a good deed.

The perfect secondhand bookshop in London, where you can get new titles along with a slice of vegan cake and delicious coffee just a stone’s throw away from some of the best markets in Shoreditch.

Read: The Best Free Views in London

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Word on the Water

One of the most instagrammable second hand bookshops in London, Word on the Water is one of the hidden gems in London that only locals are acquainted with.

Built inside a floating barge, Word on The Water is located in Granary Square, behind Kings Cross station and close to all the best spots for brunch in Kings Cross.

Among the countless second hand books at Word on The Water, you’ll find fiction and non-fiction galore, with literature and even children books priced at a fraction of the regular price.

Inside, you’ll also find art and travel books along with stunning editions that you’ll want to keep forever.

Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Waterstones Gower Street

I think any book lover is acquainted to Waterstones, one of the best chains, and the biggest bookstores in London.

Did you know that Waterstones on Gower Street is also one of the best second hand bookshops in London?

Indeed, in addition to lots of classic, modern and new books, Waterstones is also the biggest new and used bookshops in Europe. Food for thought.

There is a rather large coffee shop inside Waterstones on Gower Street, called Dillons Cafe, where you can come to work and study with your laptop or just chill while reading a new book you’ve just bought.

The Second hand department at Waterstones hosts countless antique books, vintage and rare books alongside art and design books, perfect if you’re a student at the nearby UCL or SOAS.

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Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Henry Pordes Books

Henry Pordes Books is one of the best second hand bookshops in London, and it’s mostly due to the fact that its huge range of used books, collectibles and academics are available in the heart of Charing Cross Road.

Nearby, you’ve got some of the best cafes to study in Soho, along with my favorite bakery in London, Chinatown Bakery and its huge, fluffy cakes.

At Henry Pordes Books, you’ll find anything you might wish for whether you’re a student, a collector or just want to find new used books to buy in London.

The number of first editions, vintage books and collectibles at Henry Pordes Books near Covent Garden is intoxicating, but there are lots of second hand modern books for sale as well, which obviously cost a fraction of the price of these old and rare books.

Read: The Best Cafes in London To Work: Pret, Starbucks, Caffè Nero

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Black Gull Books

There are two Black Gull Books branches of second hand bookshops in London; one in East Finchley not too far from Second Chance, and one in Camden Market.

In both bookshops, you’ll find basically what you would come across in other used bookstores in London; a lot of fiction and non-fiction books that range from classic literature to DIY books.

The bigger second hand bookshop is the one in East Finchley, where you can literally spend hours roaming around the bookstore in search of new titles you may not have spotted before.

Really fun second hand bookshops in London where you can find absolutely anything, where the decor is just as fun as the selection of books.

Read: The Best Cafes To Study in Camden

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Halcyon Books

The family-run Halcyon Books in Lewisham could have been included in the guide to the best bookshop cafes in London, since beyond offering lots of amazing second hand books, the bookstore also has a cute little cafe where you can either study or read the new books you’ve found.

I love the Lewisham area for all the shops and cute cafes it hosts, and Halcyon Books is definitely a great addition to the scene of second hand bookshops in London.

There, you can buy or sell your books, and you will find in the huge range of books (more than 40.000 titles to date!) fiction, non-fiction, literature classics and quite anything you might wish for, really.

Read: The Best Charity Shops in London

Best Second Hand Bookshops in London: Pages of Hackney

Located in Lower Clapton very near Hackney, Pages of Hackney is probably one of the most underrated second hand bookshops in London.

You’ll find there lots of new books at street-level, but go down to the basement and you’ll find more second hand books than you had ever imagined.

The titles at Pages of Hackney revolve around social matters; politics, psychology, feminism, and you’ll also find in the range of used books amazing second hand books and vintage books.

On par with the social lifestyle of the Hackney area, Pages of Hackney hosts bookish events regularly, every month.

One more reason to visit one of the best second hand bookshops in London, before going off to Brick Lane and tasting the best hot chocolate in London at Dark Sugars.

Read: The Best Vegan Doughnuts in London

Best Charity Bookshops in London: Jambala Bookshop

Jambala Bookshop is one of the best charity shops in Bethnal Green, located close to Quarantacinque, one of my favorite Italian cafes in London to get coffee and a proper Italian breakfast.

Beyond being just a charity shop, Jambala Bookshop offers rows upon rows of second hand books that range from fiction to non-fiction, used books, social matters, and more books than you could ever wish for.

The windowshop of the Jambala Bookshop on Globe Road makes for one of the most instagrammable bookshops in London, and you’ll get lost in the rows of second hand books as soon as you pass the threshold.

This is one of the best second hand bookshops in London not only for the collection of books, but the atmosphere as well.

After buying your used books, a visit to nearby Lama’s Pyjamas and Ayoka are necessary to find amazing, artsy, vintage and secondhand clothes.

Read: The Best Free Coworking Spaces in London

The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London For Cheap Books

There you have them, the very best second hand bookshops in London, all categories blended.

I visit charity bookshops pretty often in my day-to-day life, whether I’m looking for something specific like an empowerment or productivity book, or simple fiction to brighten up my day.

In this guide, I have listed only the best second hand shops in London for used books.

I highly recommend you pay a visit to all and any of them as soon as you can, especially if you’re a bookworm like me.

Later on, I will write about the biggest book shops in London as well as the best bookshops with cafes to work in the city, but for now, you’ve got all the best places to buy second hand books in London!

Until next time!