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London is a place teeming with literary inspiration. It’s been a home and a muse to some of the greatest writers of all time, so it’s only right that it has some of the finest bookshops on the planet. Whatever kind of read you’re after, London’s bookshops are there to oblige – and there’s one in particular that has earned global stardom.
Researchers at language learning platform Preply analysed TripAdvisor and Google reviews of more than 100 popular bookstores and libraries around the world and revealed that a London shop is the number one favourite of book lovers everywhere. And it just so happens to be our favourite, too.
According to Preply, the most popular book shop on the globe is none other than Daunt Books Marylebone.
With its guidebooks, history books, travelogues and novels all arranged by country, Daunt is supposedly the first custom-built bookshop in the entire world.
Preply called the shop ‘an emblematic bookstore known for its warm atmosphere and Edwardian architecture’. Besides all the books, inside the Marylebone High Street landmark, you’ll discover oak balconies, viridian-green walls, conservatory ceilings and stained-glass windows. Gorgeous.
The second-most popular bookshop in Preply’s ranking was El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Argentina, followed by State Library Victoria in Australia.
This is officially the best bookshop in London, according to Time Out.
Need reading recommendations? We spoke to five authors about the books that capture London best.
Plus, these are the best book clubs in London for lit lovers.
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