Planning a trip to London?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Piccadilly, London
"Awesome selection of books & a fantastic atmospheric cafe"(8 Tips)
"Brilliant book shop with a great coffee shop in the basement"(6 Tips)
"One of the best bookstores in London for book discovery"(3 Tips)
"Also good cafe's and a nice bar to meet your friends at."(18 Tips)
148 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- books
- café
- coffee
- scenic views
- comfortable seats
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Living in a non-English speaking country, I never leave Waterstones without buying a book or two - and adding four or five to my read list! Huge space, great selection, cozy spots to read.
Anna PanteliaJune 22, 2014The terrace is not open but still feels nice. The hot drinks are a bit dear but mini cream tea (scones, clotted cream and jam plus tea or coffee) for £5 is a good bargain.
Hani ESeptember 26, 2018The sheer size of it is something to behold. Book shopping is a great experience here, but check out other bookshops in the area and in Charing Cross Road.
Upvoted 1 week ago
One of the biggest/best bookshops in London. My favourite Waterstones to visit as there are floors upon floors of book selections! The staff are very friendly and helpful here!
Sheel KohliJuly 22, 2018Comprehensive selection of books, knowledgeable staff and a couple of nice cafes to browse while having a latte!
Kursad AlbayraktarogluJuly 27, 2019A well-organized, excellent bookstore with a huge variety of books on every subject imaginable. I was particularly impressed by the art and design section.
- Mahdi HosseiniFebruary 7, 2018I can spend days and days here. Calm and perfect to find, read and buy your favorite books with friendly and helpful staff.
Antonia StrotdreesApril 2, 2018Love this place, you can spend an entire day here! Books over 6 floors and a nice little cafe with views over Westminster
Bekir KayaNovember 5, 2018Always liked bookshops but this Waterstone bookshop is probably one of my favourite bookshop in London. Spacious, lots of titles, clear display, oh and really a good caffe shop in basement.
My favourite place on earth. Either a tourist or local, you should visit this great bookstore to feel the deep atmosphere of the books. Heaven for bookworms. 📚
TFebruary 13, 2022There is so much good stuff I so often never make it past the ground floor, but definitely browse the other floors if you have time! Wonderful to explore books by category.
S AMarch 26, 2018One of the best in the world. As far as bookstores go, this remains strong. Whatever niche subject or topic you want, this place most likely has is.
WaterstonesMay 2, 2013Now Europe's largest bookshop with 150,000 titles in stock and over eight and a half miles of shelving, you should be able to locate just what you are looking for - if not, ask a bookseller! Read more
WorldbizOctober 24, 2016Huge bookstore with every kind of book imaginable! 3 lovely cafes esp the LG one with many quotes on the walls
- Journey City GuidesFebruary 11, 2015This bookseller is a landmark in Piccadilly. Great selection and expert advice. Make sure to check the view of London at the top-floor café
Muzna AlOctober 26, 2014Largest bookshop in Europe and without doubt the best in London. The cafe downstairs is a perfect spot for reading.
Ieva AndrukaitytėMay 25, 2016The best bookshop there is. A grand selection of fantasy, sci-fi, crime and many more. Comfy seats to read a book or just relax.- Matt Ta-MinAugust 24, 2015Massive selection of books. Lots of sofas to relax and read your choices. Also good cafe's and a nice bar to meet your friends at.
Shaun WestonOctober 1, 2016Flippin' love this place. Acres of space, sofas, books, books and books. It's sometimes difficult checking barcodes on Amazon because of poor signal.- Bijan YoungApril 17, 2016My favourite book shop in London. Not necessarily for content but style, attitude and relaxed atmosphere. Really good cafe too.
Basma AAugust 7, 2014This bookstore is my heaven! Truly spectacular, and they have everything. And the staff are super friendly, just ask them anything!
Dave MarshallOctober 29, 2015One of the best bookstores in London - the friendly service with a great coffee shop onsite. Bookclub meets here.
MayApril 10, 2016Beautiful library, such a nice atmosphere and is extremely organized. I'd be surprised if you don't find what you're looking for!
Irina LarsenMarch 28, 2016Thousands of books, free wifi and comfy couches. Pretty good souvenirs as well!
Pavel VulkanoffJanuary 30, 2016The combination between quality books and a café makes this place nice and relaxing oasis in the middle of busy London.
- One of the best bookstores in London for book discovery - many tables with all the different themes and content your heart desires
Aidan McQuadeAugust 24, 2013Lovely bookshop with nice coffee shops- recommend the mini cream tea on 5th floor- but toilet facilities need a great deal of improvement
Liesbeth Van VyncktMarch 31, 2019Amazing selection, for kids, grown-ups and everyone in between plus a very lovely staff.
Emit RemmusFebruary 7, 2013The best book store in England. Five floors entirely of books, you definitely gonna find whatever you want in here. Nice cafeteria.
Fatih KuranMay 18, 2015The best and biggest bookstore in central london. You can find almost any book of your interest
veronica shleinaOctober 31, 2012This store is a wonderland for any book-lover:) huge enough to get lost in it. Moreover, there are some armchairs to sit comfy and deepen in reading.
Holly BassettAugust 14, 2014With it being one of Europe's largest bookstores I'm certain you'll find that book you've been searching for!
dianaApril 22, 2013one of the best bookstores :) 4 floors full of books and sofas.. a cafe on 5th floor offers amazing view. .- Sara 37October 12, 2022This bookstore is amazing. I always find a good book. There is also very nice coffee shop.
Carl GriffinFebruary 5, 2016Incredible selection of books. This is one of the world's largest bookshops.
As well as excellent bookshop recommend rooftop restaurant. Nice food and view!- Omer TekeliDecember 29, 2016love this bookstore , i think it is one of the biggest book shops around central London.
Linnea PeitersenJune 14, 2013The cafe at the 5th floor has a nice view of the rooftops and serves very good snacks and coffee
Chiara F.May 3, 2013When in London I always stop at Waterstones for my book shopping. Refreshments on top floor with stunning view over London. Love it!
Iunius MardoniusApril 21, 2015Careful Happy Hour is Weds-Fri 5:30-9:30 ONLY!!! Great view, good finger food, busy 7/10
Veneta NedeltchevaApril 20, 2014Great place to chill, read a book or play some board games in cafe on 5th floor.
This store is huge with a massive selection of books. Often hosts book launches.
Paul LoisonJanuary 25, 2016Very complete in the section related to languages. Nice choice of books in russian.
- Theo ZhOctober 10, 2016Love this place. Brilliant book shop with a great coffee shop in the basement
- S AApril 3, 2018Take your time browsing and ask any of the staff for assistance. Do not rush through here.
814 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Waterstones is the UK's leading High Street and online bookseller, providing the widest choice, great value and expert advice from teams across the country who are passionate about Bookselling,
Open until 10:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- 9:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Sun
- 11:30 AM–6:00 PM
+44 843 290 8549
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Wi-Fi
Yes
See More
Places inside Waterstones
- 6.5
"Nice bar, 2 mins from the crowded Picadilly Circus and lovely place to have a drink after buying some books"
Sandrine B. - 8.1
"A really nice cafe in a really central location. The scone I had was really good and the coffee is a good quality."
Matt Short 
"Escape the noise of london city in this lovely quite cafe in Waterstones 9/10 ps. Get the lemon poppyseed muffin ❤️😍🍋"
Senite8
You might also like
- 9.3
"the most knowledgeable staff, lovely book signing evenings & just a lovely place to browse!"
Jeffrey James - 9.4
"My favourite bookstore ever. Great selection of books and awesome cafe."
Reza Lotun - 7.9
"Surprising what you can find here - not just books, but some fine prints of a variety of subjects, too."
Chris Phillips
Appears on 591 lists
London's Best Bookstores - 2013
Created by Best of Foursquare
10 items • 45 followers
Created by AskMen
125 items • 1,137 followersCreated by Kortney B
200 items • 31 followers
