John Sandoe founded the shop in 1957 and, though he has passed away, his legacy is one of the best local independents in London with a loyal and ever-growing clientele, professional staff and enviably broad stock. New and classic releases rub spines with more unusual items – books with no ISBN or that have been privately printed, for example.
These are bought safe in the knowledge that certain customers will be interested – a testament to the personal relationship here between staff and visitors. There’s a high proportion of quality hardbacks, a very full travel section upstairs and a fun children’s section in the basement. Half the ground floor is devoted to art, photography and architecture.