London’s Stanfords – A Beautiful Bookshop in Covent Garden

A local’s visit to Stanfords in Covent Garden, a historical travel and map bookshop with a secret cafe – one of the most beautiful bookshops in London!

It’s no secret I love coming across new beautiful bookshops in London, and I’ve actually shared quite a few of them with you here on The Working Line.

Recently, I told you about the famous Daunt Books in Marylebone, and the more upscale Maison Assouline on Piccadilly, right in the heart of Central London.

Well, should you be looking for more beautiful spots to visit and happen to find yourself in Covent Garden, you’d do well to add the Stanfords bookshop to your bucket list.

London’s Stanfords – A Beautiful Bookshop in Covent Garden

Stanfords in Covent Garden is located on Mercer Walk, just behind Long Acre.

You can easily reach it via Slingsby Place, which is another aesthetic street to visit for some pictures when you’re in the area.

Founded in 1853 by Edward Stanford, a cartographer who saw the demand for maps during the age of exploration, Stanfords is a specialist bookshop for travel books, globes and maps.

Edward Stanford began his business by buying out a prior map shop, and, in 1862, published his own detailed London map – still iconic and used to this day.

Stanfords is not only one of the oldest bookshops in the city – it’s also filled with beautiful titles that make you feel like an adventurer as soon as you pass the threshold.

On the shelves?

Old and new maps, maritime charts, globes galore, travel books, and travel literature, including memoirs and travel stories.

Those looking for unique things to buy in London will love the collection of maps, compasses, journals and other gift ideas.

In a nutshell, whatever you’re hunting for, if it’s travel-themed, you’re bound to find it at Stanfords.

The original Stanfords bookshop was situated on nearby Long Acre, a famous shopping street right outside Covent Garden Station, and moved in 2019 to its new location on Mercer Walk.

From its establishment in 1853, Stanfords became one of the most important map shops in the world: it supplied cartography for explorers, historical figures like Florence Nightingale, and even for the British Army.

Like many historical sites in London (ie St Dunstan in the East, St Pancras Church Gardens, Reflection Garden), the Long Acre building was bombed during WWII – the densely packed collection helped protect it from being destroyed.

While the Stanfords bookshop is hidden from the curious eye, it’s nonetheless one of the oldest independent shops in London, and even houses a cafe inside the shop.

With a few seats you can spot on your right as soon as you enter Stanfords, it’s map-themed and cozy, with fresh cakes and locally roasted coffee.

London’s Stanfords Bookshop, Covent Garden Photo Gallery

London’s Stanfords – A Beautiful Bookshop in Covent Garden

I can’t recommend a visit to Stanfords enough – especially if you’re looking to follow a literary itinerary in the heart of Central London.

Close by, there are lots of hidden gems in Covent Garden you’ll love to visit, like The Yards, where Stanfords is located; a wonderful shopping and dining court.

A short walk away is also located Cecil Court, one of the most secret alleys of London, closer to Leicester Square, and filled with old bookshops, boutiques and antique print and map shops.

That’s also where you’ll find London’s only Alice in Wonderland bookshop, Alice Through the Looking Glass, and nearby, the Leicester Square art trail with cartoon and movie character sculptures.

If you’re into mews streets and other cobblestone streets, do pop by Neal Street and, of course, Neal’s Yard to find one of the most colorful places in the city!