In recent years we’ve seen indie authors from indie publishing houses receive everything from Booker Prize nominations to Nobel Prizes. It’s a fine time for all of these incredible indie book publishers.

The best Indie Publishing Houses in the UK

The indie publishing houses listed here, in particular, have impressed us endlessly through either their achievements or the standard of books they’ve put out in last few years. These are our top ten indie publishers in the UK, a list that we’ll be updating often.

Red Circle Authors

As they explained to The Japan Times, Red Circle Authors are less about being a part of the ocean of publishing companies and more about being a home to Japanese and Japan-based writers. And that idea of a home, in true Japanese fashion, comes through in the quality of their authors’ writing, the translations, and even the aesthetics and feel of the books themselves.

With two directors and a handful of Japanese authors – Koji Chikatani, based in Tokyo, and Richard Nathan, based in London – Red Circle Authors are already carving out their niche in the world of indie publishing; and what a different niche it is.

In 2019, Red Circle Authors published a small collection of three short story chapbooks: Red Circle Minis. Three tales by three authors.

Each of them is an infinitely memorable and poignant work of its time – truly contemporary, honest, and insightful. Red Circle Authors have already done so much with so little, and we’re eagerly anticipating so much more from them.

Drawn & Quarterly

For years now, Drawn & Quarterly have been at the vanguard of top-quality comics and graphic novels. The quality they maintain is astonishing – you can pick up anything published by them and be assured that it will be a smart, beautiful book worthy of your time.

But why was 2019 so special for them as one of the great indie publishing houses? Well, they published a ground-breaking, boundary-shaking Korean graphic novel: Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-kim, translated by the aggressively talented Janet Hong.

This book alone is reason enough for us at Books and Bao to sing Drawn and Quarterly’s praises a hundred times over. But this book was also release on the heels of another incredible 2018 Korean graphic novel, also translated by Janet Hong: Bad Friends by Ancco.

This upward trajectory has us more grateful than ever for what D&Q is accomplishing with its indie authors – and this is what makes it one of the best publishing companies of 2019.

Strangers Press

In 2017, this small indie publishing house, based in Norwich UK, release a set of Japanese chapbooks known as Keshiki: a collection of fantastic Japanese short stories by some of the best writers of modern Japan.

Two years later, Strangers Press brought us the logical follow-up to Keshiki. Shifting their gaze from Japan to Korea, Stranger Press gifted the world with Yeoyu; another set of chapbooks, this time from some of the best Korean writers and translators in the business.

These writers and translators include such legendary authors as Han Kang and beloved translators like Sora Kim-Russell and Deobrah Smith (owner of Tilted Axis Press, which we’ll get to shortly). Keshiki put Strangers Press on the map as a publisher of original Japanese short stories. Now, in 2019, Yeoyu has cemented their place as a very special kind of indie publishing house.

Guts Publishing

Their tagline is “ballsy books about life” and that sums them up rather well. As their name implies, London-based Guts Publishing is one of those rare indie publishing houses that takes a fluffless, aggressive approach to life. They put a spotlight on the voices of working class poets and writers with a story to tell.

Uncensored and raw, the poetry and memoirs published by Guts Publishing detail the lives of their writers without a filter, giving them a voice that would be denied by any of the larger publishing houses.

Take Fish Town by John Gerard Fagan or Euphoric Recall by Aidan Martin — two memoirs by two working class Scottish men who have unique perspectives on youth, work, and politics. These voices are rarely heard in today’s political climate but, thanks to Guts Publishing, they have a platform of their own.

Oneworld Publications

In 2019, Oneworld published An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, which went on to win the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019. While that is a wonderful and deserved achievement all on its own, it’s Oneworld’s dedication to publishing excellent works of translated litertature that garnered them a place on this list.

In 2019 they published Mouthful of Birds by Samanta Schweblin (translated by Megan McDowell), a book of weird and wonderful short stories from early in the year which we were chilled and stunned by (and which was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize 2019).

Other fantastic literature in translation from Oneworld in 2019 include: In The Shadow of Wolves by Lithuanian author Alvydas Šlepikas (translated by Romas Kinka) and Zuleikha by Guzel Yakhina (translated by Lisa C. Hayden). In short, Oneworld is doing magnificent work in the world of translated literature.

Influx Press

London-based indie publisher Influx Press pride themselves on publishing fiction and non-fiction “from the margins of culture” and this is certainly an apt description.

The literature that Influx Press publishes ranges from marginalised stories by black writers to international gems of experimental translated literature. Many of the books they’ve published (such as Plastic Emotions by Shiromi Pinto and Boy Parts by Eliza Clark) have been prize-winners, either in the UK or in their country of origins.

If you’re looking for a publisher that promotes and lifts up marginalised voices, Influx Press is who you’re looking for. From ever spectrum of race, culture, class, gender, and sexuality, they celebrate diverse voices in literature and, in turn, they deserve to be celebrated by readers all over the UK and beyond.

Dead Ink Books

Like Influx Press, the Liverpool-based Dead Ink Books is one of the indie publishing houses that aims to raise up and champion smaller voices in literature. They support new authors who might be ignored or overlooked by the mainstream publishing industry.

It’s these voices that often prove to be the most revolutionary and important. Radical in their thinking, their approach to writing, and their narrative voice, the writers published by Dead Ink Books are experimental, fresh, and exciting.

If an author has been published by Dead Ink Books, it’s usually a sign that they have something unique and important to say through their literature. That they will provide readers with a unique reading experiences that pushes the boundaries of form and narrative. Look no further than Harriet Mercer’s Gargoyles for proof of this.

Comma Press

Comma Press initially caught our eye through their ‘A City in Short Fiction’ series, in which a selection of short stories by local authors are picked and curated as a literary symbol of a city, summing up what one of Earth’s cities is in terms of art and literature. In 2019, they have released several of these, with their Book of Tehran and Book of Cairo being our favourites.

In 2019, they also released one of the year’s most important books: Refugee Tales III, a selection of short stories by refugees in the UK. Hot on the heels of that book, they also released an incredible Palestinian short story collection by Nayrouz Qarmout: The Sea Cloak (translated by Perween Richards).

Both this collection and Refugee Tales III demonstrate the importance that Comma Press place on the voice of the unheard. Comma Press give a platform to communities, cultures, and individuals who often go unheard, and they deserve all the success going forward as they continue on with their incredible mission.

Tilted Axis Press

For several years now, Tilted Axis Press have been at the vanguard of literature in translation. They are press which began in the UK with Deborah Smith, legendary translation of Korean to English and co-winner of the Man Booker International Prize with Han Kang for The Vegetarian.

Tilted Axis is now run by people based all over Europe, and it keeps turning out ground-breaking works in translation from the world over.

2019 was perhaps their biggest year yet, with the release of Hamid Ismailov’s new novel: Of Strangers and Bees (translated by Shelley Fairweather-Vega) and the insane smash hit Tokyo Ueno Station by the powerful rebel author Yu Miri and translated by the insanely talented Morgan Giles.

If 2019 is anything to go by, Tilted Axis will continue steadily taking over the world for years to come. And, truth be told, without Deborah and TAP, there wouldn’t be a Books and Bao.

Peirene Press

Some of our favourite publishing houses focus on one specific genre or style. Others zero in on a world region and mine it for its finest books and authors. Peirene Press does exactly this.

This phenomenal publishing house has the uncanny and wonderful ability to find the most unique, challenging, and exciting short works of literature coming out of Europe right now, before having it translated into English by the best in the business.

Just look at the recent Snow, Dog, Foot for a prime example. Peirene Press is one of those rare publishing houses whose books don’t need to be scoured. Just close your eyes, pick one up, and you’re guaranteed to enjoy it. Thanks to publishers like Peirene Press, it is such an exciting time to be a lover of world literature, as they work so hard to bring obscure works of literary genius to English shores.

And just look at those covers. Between Peirene, Tilted Axis (above) and Charco Press (below), we are living in a golden age of indie book design, with each and every one effortlessly taking your breath away.

Cipher Press

London-based Cipher Press is one of the most vital indie publishing houses the UK has. This is a UK publisher that promotes and celebrates queer writers of all times. Publishing both fiction and nonfiction, the books of Cipher Press are written by gay, lesbian, transgender, and otherwise non-cisgender and non-heterosexual authors.

Ranging from Brontez Purnell’s 100 Boyfriends — a collection of queer Black short stories set in modern America — to Alison Rumfitt’s Tell Me I’m Worthless — a haunted house novel about transgender identity and fascism — these are books as queer activism, and they’re the reason Cipher Press deserves so much love and celebration.

No other UK publishing house is paying so much attention to, and thus raising up, the voices and experiences of LGBTQ writers from around the world. These are queer stories that transcend race, class, and gender, bringing us important stories both fiction and nonfiction from beyond the binaries and borders of sex and gender.

Charco Press

Charco Press are one of the great independent publishing companies of the last ten years. We at Books and Bao love them to pieces. Why? Because Latin America is where so much of the best literature in the entire world is coming from right now.

If you’re looking for the very finest, most thought-provoking, challenging, genre-bending literary fiction, you’ll find it across Latin America. And Charco Press, based in Edinburgh UK, take that literature and bring it to you. Every single book published by Charco Press is award worthy.

They have an astonishing eye for talent, get the best translators on board, produce stunning cover art and quality paperbacks, and through all this prove themselves to be one of the great indie publishing houses In 2019, Charco Press published our favourite novel of the year: The Wind That Lays Waste by Argentinian author Selva Almada (translated by Chris Andrews).

They’ve also brought us a slew of other incredible books, including Loop by Brenda Lozano (translated by Annie McDermott) and An Orphan World by Giuseppe Caputo (translated by Juana Adcock and Sophie Hughes). For the sheer staggering and consistent quality of these books, Charco Press deserve the world.

Galley Beggar Press

We are comfortable, if a little embarrassed, to admit that, before 2019, we had never come across Galley Beggar before. But then came Ducks, Newburyport.

Lucy Ellmann’s 1,000-page epic, often compared to Joyce’s Ulysses, was longlisted for the Booker Prize (and shafted – if they were going to have two winners, Ducks should have been one of them), and at the time of writing is also shortlisted for the awesome Goldsmiths Prize.

Ducks, Newburyport has been the most talked-about underdog novel of 2019: an absolute literary sensation, and a book that has skyrocketed Galley Beggar’s popularity.

We could not be happier for them, and this is why they take the number two spot. While their publications are not part of the Books and Bao ‘niche’, we have adored Ellmann’s novel as much as everyone else has, and we look forward to seeing all the success that Galley Beggar find in the future. They’ve earned it, and more.

Fitzcarraldo Editions

Fitzcarraldo Editions are the indie publishing darlings of 2019 and have proven themselves for two years in a row (at least) to be an unstoppable force – frankly, one of the best publishing companies on Earth. In 2018, they published Flights by Olga Tokarczuk (translated by the staggeringly clever Jennifer Croft), which went on to win the Man Booker International Prize.

Flights was an astonishingly clever and powerful book that left a lasting impression on us. If that wasn’t enough, Tokarczuk then went on to be awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature, spotlighting Fitzcarraldo’s amazing ability to discover and publish only the finest literature from around the world.

Fitzcarraldo publish both fiction (in their now iconic blue covers) and essays (in their white covers). One of these essays, Annie Ernaux’s Happening (translated by Tanya Leslie) was one of our favourite reads of early 2019. Quite simply, Fitzcarraldo can do no wrong. They have gone from strength to strength, publishing both English books and works in translation – works that push boundaries and become instant classics. They are a sensation.

Read More: How East Asian Designers Created Honford Star’s Unique Covers

A London Itinerary for Bookworms

It’s safe to say that bookish London is our speciality so here are our best-loved literary places and bookish themed spaces in and around London, our favourite city and home. Get ready to be enchanted by this literary London four day itinerary plus bookish day trips.

Day One: Leicester Square, Covent Garden

Wandering the Leicester Square and Covent Garden area is an ideal way to get maximum bookish fun within a small area. There’s seriously so much to see here along with being one of the most vibrant spots in the city. You can mix and match which order you want to do these things in but I recommend starting in Covent Garden and ending at Leicester Square as there is plenty to get up to in the evening after.

Roam Covent Garden

Check out our Bookish Guide to Covent Garden for everything you can do here, (there’s a lot) ranging from independent bookshops to Alice in Wonderland and Moomin souvenirs, and even a library members club where you can get literary cocktails and drink amongst the books! It’s also a really pretty area so it’s perfect for colourful photos!

Wander the market before heading to nearby Cecil Court. Consider lunch at Rules, the oldest restaurant in London where many notable authors have dined and tea or cocktails in gorgeous bookish surroundings at Teatulia.

Discover Cecil Court

One of the most charming things you can get up to in the Covent Garden area is Cecil Court, London’s tucked away book street! It’s full of specialist bookshops, bookish souvenirs, secondhand bookshops and the loveliest shop owners you’ll ever meet. 

Wander Charing Cross Road

A visit to Charing Cross Road could keep you busy for hours, most famously for bookish folk is Foyles, the five-floor bookstore with impeccable taste in books. They also a cafe with hot food and delicious desserts and their carrot cake is to die for!

They hold lots of author events and book talks to check their website for more details. While you’re on Charing Cross Road, pay a visit to The House of Spells for the largest selection of Harry Potter merchandise in London! From jewellery to clothes, figures and books it’s all here. It’s also a beautiful shop and worth having a look either way! Here’s our guide for more Harry Potter Souvenirs in London.

Head to Leicester Square

Visit the hidden Second Shelf Books, one of the cutest bookshops selling rare books written by women, if you’d like to know more you can read our article all about this lovely shop. You’re also in the theatre district so if you want to finish the night with a show then go ahead, you can even explore China Town and chow down on some delicious  East Asian desserts!

Tip: There are also some wonderful Japanese restaurants in the area so if you’re as obsessed with ramen or katsu curry as we are then you’re in the right place.

Read More: 27 Must-Try British Snacks and Where to Find Them

Day Two: Marylebone, The British Library, and Regent’s Canal

From one of the world’s most famous libraries to a bookish barge, day two of our London itinerary completely epitomises quirky bookish London. Start at Baker Street Station and pay a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Statue right outside.

Discover the Sherlock Holmes Museum

Visit 221b Baker Street and get lost in the first museum dedicated to Sherlock Holmes related stuff in the world. It’s full of fun items from the films and tv shows as well as antiquarian copies of the books.

Also: If you’re a Sherlock fan, you might like this four-hour Sherlock Holmes London Tour, where you’ll see sights from the TV show, films, and books. Or this two-hour Sherlock walking tour.

Visit Daunt Books

Walk ten minutes to Marylebone High Street to find another one of the most photographed bookshops in London, Daunt Books with its grand staircase and gallery plus an amazing selection of books. Books are separated by country and you’ll find translated literature next to the travel guides. We love Daunt Books!

Tip: Stop off on pretty Marylebone Lane for a coffee!

Learn more about Daunt in our Independent Bookshops in London guide

Browse The British Library

Walk 30 minutes or take a 20- minute bus to The British Library! You probably already have this on your list as a bookish person in London but make sure you stop by, browse and grab a coffee at their cafe, The wealth of literature here is just…astounding.

It’s the largest library in the world with collections from around the world. Seeing those first edition books and manuscripts in the flesh. Not just books, you’ll be able to see old newspapers, hear sound recordings, patents, prints and drawings, maps and manuscripts.

Find Word on the Water

Books on a barge on Regent’s Canal! Just six minutes walk from Kings Cross Station, you have to go book shopping on this picturesque canal boat with second-hand books both in and outside, a lovely dog, and woodburning stove. 

Tip: From here, you’re in a great location to spend the evening in Camden Town, a hub for alternative lifestyle and live music. Or go to one of the great nearby restaurants, Dishoom for the most glorious Indian cuisine with a stunning interior or The Temple of Seitan for epic vegan food. If you’re not after nightlife, the Everyman cinema is also nearby!

Day Three: Holborn & South Bank

Get ready for a day of culture and head towards south London, you’ve got everything from museums to theatre, food and bookstores here.

Visit the Charles Dickens Museum

Visit the house of the man himself, if you love Dickens then this museum is a must-do on any London itinerary. There’s a store attached with books and trinkets related to Dickens and Dickensian London as well as a cafe. Inside, you’ll be able to explore the whole house and learn about Dickens and his life.

Tip: If you’re interested in learning more about Dickens, you can take this handy London Dickens Walking Tour.

Shop at Persephone Books & Gays the Word

Two of our favourite independent bookshops in London are super close to each other and near the two museums above, a perfect day in London for book lovers!

Persephone Books is a charming store and possibly one of the most photographed storefronts in London with its quaint grey facade, they sell out of print female writers who didn’t get the attention the deserved as well as a range of bookish souvenirs and paper products.

Note: Persephone Books has now moved to the city of Bath, UK.

Gay’s the Word specialises in queer fiction and the range of literature there, you just wouldn’t believe. They’re really friendly and host loads of interesting events in the store.

Have a drink and a pub dinner at The George Inn

Not far from Shakespeares Globe, The George Inn has been frequented by such esteemed patrons as Charles Dickens and Shakespeare. It’s also a great way to make sure you get a London pub experience under your belt! Grab a drink and something to eat and know you’re sitting in a galleried national trust landmark.

See a play at the Globe

Can you really say you visited Bookish London without visiting Shakespeare’s Globe? There’s always something on and watching a play while looking up at the stars is really special. You can cheap yard tickets, if you’re okay to stand, making this one of the more budget-friendly theatre experiences in London!

Tip: You can also visit the nearby Southbank Centre as part of your London itinerary as they hold lots of evening book talks and creative evening events.

Day Four: Hampstead Heath

Ah, Hampstead! As Zadie Smith said, it’s: ’where Keats walked and Jarman fucked, where Orwell exercised his weakened lungs and Constable never failed to find something holy.’ Hampstead Village honestly doesn’t feel like the rest of London.

Much like Richmond, there’s a sense of peace and tranquillity and you can easily get lost in the narrow streets and historical buildings.  Wander along the pretty eighteenth-century promenade Church Row for literary history and Flask Walk: a tiny cobbled street with restaurants, antiques, a secondhand bookshop, and florists.

There’s a wealth of literary history to explore in Hamstead. You can pay a visit to the romantic poet Keats’ house, go plaque hunting for the many famous writers who’ve lived there, like Daphne Du Maurier who lived there for two years (her father and grandfather are buried in the local church), George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley. Not to mention, plaques for history’s other greats like Anna and Sigmund Freud can be found.

Hampstead was even featured in novels like Dracula:

“Lucy lies in the tomb of her kin, a lordly death house in a lonely churchyard, away from teeming London, where the air is fresh, and the sun rises over Hampstead Hill, and where wild flowers grow of their own accord.”

Hampstead also has a number of bookshops, charity shops like the Oxfam Bookshop, vintage stores, handmade craft spots, cafes, and is a hub for antique shopping. Plus if you want a beautiful walk and one of the best views over London, stroll up Hampstead Heath, 790 acres of park, fields, and woodland.

*To get there, take the northern line to Hampstead Station.

Tip: If you have time, pay a visit to Highgate Cemetry where you can visit graves of famous writers like George Eliot, Christina Rosetti, and Douglas Adams. It’s also beautifully romantic in a gothic sort of way. Check this guide for other dark and unusual things to do in London.

Read More: Visit Dracula’s Castle on a Daytrip from Brasov, Romania

Days Five and Six: Take a Literary Day Trip

There are so many amazing literary day trips you can take from London, here are a few favourites to get you on your way.

Downton Abbey

If you love Downton Abbey or just gorgeous stately homes, then head over to Highclere Castle where the series was filmed! It’s a couple of hours outside London and so worth it. Here’s an easy Downton Abbey Tour to get you there (plus you see Downton Village, Church, and Yew Tree Farm) since it’s quite difficult by public transport.

Find out more books like Downton Abbey in our list of Books for Downton Abbey Lovers! Or if you’re a big fan of period homes then you can hop over to Blenheim Palace in Oxford which is another beautiful day out! Here’s our Guide to Blenheim Palace.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Birthplace of arguably the world’s greatest poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a delightfully maintained tutor town full of historic pubs and shops. It’s so wonderfully fitting that the town where Shakespeare was born is one that has remained looking so Shakespearean at its heart.

It’s also the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), so when you visit Stratford make sure to check what’s on and go see a play. Get tickets to Shakespeare’s family home and birthplace.

Bath

Hopping on the train to Bath from London is so easy and you can learn all about Jane Austen and go book shopping! Jane Austen lived in Bath for a while so you can see her house, visit the Jane Austen Museum and find all those places mentioned in the novels.

We listed all the great Independent Bookshops in Bath to help you on your way. We also highly recommend Bath for lovely cafes and excellent vintage shopping!

Oxford

Home of the world’s most famous and beloved university, Oxford is a historic town of gorgeous stone buildings and welcoming locals. Oxford also has ties to so many of our most treasured writers, most famously Philip Pullman and J.R.R. Tolkein. Exploring the university buildings and going book shopping for a day in Oxford is truly one of life’s great pleasures. We also love Cambridge if you have visited oxford before.

Tip: Short on time? See Oxford, Stratford, and the Cotswolds from London with this handy tour

Bookish Places to Stay in London

The Georgian House Hotel’s Wizarding Chambers — We loved staying here, it’s set up like Harry Potter’s room in the films and even if you’re not a fan the aesthetic is just amazing. They also offer a wizarding breakfast, wizarding cocktails, and afternoon tea. They even have a private cinema inside where, of course, you can watch Harry Potter amongst other things! It’s also one of the more reasonably priced boutique hotels in London.  Book Here.

Hazlitt’s — A boutique hotel in the heart of Soho, Hazlitt’s provokes the kind of atmosphere, and provides the kind of service and experience, that the gentry of the 17th and 18th centuries would have enjoyed in London. Staying here is like acting a major role in a period drama, with all the gallant luxury you could want. Book Here.

The Bloomsbury Hotel — A gorgeous and luxury Westminster hotel in the middle of London, which is just a short walk from Covent Garden (therefore exactly where you want to be for your literary itinerary), The Bloomsbury Hotel is a neo-Georgian delicacy of intensely beautiful architecture, and it is just steps away from all of the city’s best theatres and bookshops.

London for Literary Foodies

If you want your refreshments to be bookish themes too, you’ll have no problem in London, here are some of the best places to get coffee and afternoon tea to enhance your London itinerary even further!

5 London Literary Afternoon Teas:

If you have time to squeeze in one of these gorgeous literary afternoon teas then I wouldn’t hesitate! The hardest part is choosing which one.

Peter Rabbit Afternoon Tea at Le Méridien Piccadilly

Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard

Midsummer Night’s Dream Afternoon Tea at The Swan

Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at Sanderson

Wizarding Cocktails & Wizard Afternoon Tea

Five London Book Cafes:

Many of the bookshops in London will also have a cafe but if you want a dedicated book cafe to rest at, look no further.

Phlox Books – Books, booze, coffee, and literary events, what more do you need?

Tea House Theatre – A romantic little place with amazing cakes, a fireplace, books and tables on a stage. A real hidden gem.

Halcyon Books – A wide selection of used and new books plus coffee to drink while you browse.

The London Review Cake Shop – The London Review of Books’s very own tea, coffee and cake shop. As you might realise from the title, the cakes are really special here.

Books for Cooks – An adorable bookshop and cafe that focuses on cookbooks in Notting Hill, it’s a foodie heaven! But it’s also gorgeous inside so well worth a visit even if you don’t fancy buying a cookbook!

Five London Literary Pubs:

Marquis of Granby – A historic pub with a great selection of food. It was a favourite of poets Dylan Thomas and T.S Eliot.

The Lamb – Found in Bloomsbury, one of the literary hotspots of London thanks to the infamous Bloomsbury Set who frequented the pub along with Dickens and Virginia Woolf.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – One of the most famous pubs in the city with previous guests such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Samuel Johnson and Charles Dickens (yes, he frequented a lot of London pubs). This quirky pub in a listed building has hosted so many famous writers it’d be impossible to list them all. Plus there’s an open fire which is always great.

The Grapes – This pub ( owned by Sir Ian McKellen!) features in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock books which is pretty amazing. Read Ian McKellen’s history of the pub.

Mr Fogg’s Tavern – A Covent Garden tavern with Mr Fogg’s Gin Bar next door named after the character in the Jules Verne novel Around the World in 80 Days. The interior is themed, the drinks are great, and there’s food!

For More Bookish London: you can also check out this fun literary tube map which replaces favourite stations with famous novels based on the area they are set in. Or if you’re travelling around the UK, discover these strange and unique places to stay.

Covent Garden is also a haven for bookworms! Here, you’ll find some of the best bookshops in London, as well as a Covent Garden bar that serves literary cocktails, a pub named after Phileas Fogg, and blue plaques immortalising authors like Austen and Dickens. You’ll find all of this and far more in our ultimate bookish guide to Covent Garden!

Visit Quinto Bookshop

Right on the edge of Covent Garden, and a short walk north of Leicester Square station, is one of the most magical and pure bookshops in London. London, of course, is chock full of incredible bookshops, and so many of them are speciality shops: queer literature, socialist political texts, feminist classics.

But there’s something so pure and historic about Quinto Books. What makes this Covent Garden bookseller unique is its focus on antiquarian – often very valuable – literature. If you’re a collector of old tomes and first editions, popping into Quinto Books is like stumbling across a goldmine.

Shop at the Moomin Shop

One of the most unique things to do in Covent Garden is to visit the Moomin Shop. In case you’re not familiar, Moomins are a Finnish national treasure: a series of now iconic books and comics featuring these strange white hippo-like characters that toe a fine line between being completely adorable and slightly eerie.

Moomins have successfully built a home at the edge of the uncanny valley. And a second home in Covent Garden! In the heart of Covent Garden market building is this two-storey Moomin Shop full of books, plushies, posters, and all collectable things Moomin. It’s a dream, in more ways than one.

Read More: Our Guide to Five the UK’s most Literary Cities

Eat at Rules

Rules is one of the most essential Covent Garden restaurants. In short, this is because it’s the oldest restaurant in London! Established in 1798, Rules has been open for more than 220 years. It also doubles as one of the best Covent Garden pubs, serving some really excellent cocktail choices at their upstairs Winter Garden Cocktail Bar.

At Rules you can enjoy traditional English food at its absolute finest, including steaks, pies, soups, and the best game (pheasant, hare, duck) you’ll ever it. It’s a little pricey but you pay for the best. And Rules is the best of the Covent Garden restaurants.

Tip: If you have time visit The London Transport Museum!

Enjoy Bao at Buns and Buns

Yes, that is the restaurant’s real name. Buns and Buns, the most delightful of Covent Garden restaurants, is found in a glass box in the middle of Covent Garden market building. Reasonably priced and the freshest food around, Buns and Buns has something delicious for everyone.

As our site name suggests, we love bao. And at Buns and Buns you can enjoy the best bao in London. Or, if you want something European, their freshly baked pizzas are to die for. Basically, Buns and Buns is all about them quality carbs, making them one of the most fun and indulgent yet healthy of Covent Garden restaurants.

Read More: 11 Best Covent Garden Restaurants

Have Literary Cocktails at The Library Members Bar

Take a walk down Saint Martin’s Lane, just around the corner from Cecil Court (which we’ll come to in a moment) and you’ll find a small door with a single word above it: ‘LIBRARY’. Library is a lot of things: a hotel, an events venue, a cocktail bar, and a member’s club. The reason for its name is two-fold: it used to be an old public library.

The other reason is that it has kept that literary spirit alive by being one of the most original Covent Garden bars around. How?

Well, all of the drinks on its cocktail menu are named after authors. The cocktails do a fantastic job of capturing the tone of the authors, making this one of the most fun and unique Covent Garden bars. However, being a member’s club, it does cost £500 a year to join, or you can get a day’s entry for £20.

Read More: 8 Must-Visit London Bookish Cafes and Bars

Drink Coffee and Go Book Shopping in Stanford’s

Stanfords is one of the most original and awesome bookshops in London. Established while Victoria was still on the throne, Stanford’s is a travel bookshop that centralises around world literature, travel writing, travel guides, maps, and globes.

We first fell for Stanford’s when visiting their second branch in Bristol, where we used to live. These shops ooze charm and inspire an irresistible urge to head out on an adventure.

Located just around the corner from Neal’s Yard, Stanford’s also has its own lovely little cafe area where you can enjoy a latte and a fresh slice of cake as you flick through your newest read. Stanford’s doubles as a fantastic Covent Garden cafe and bookshop. What in the world is better?

Visit Cecil Court for More Book Shopping

The once brief home of Mozart and birthplace of the founders of Foyles, Cecil Court today is a haven for bookworms. It’s a single pedestrian street, lined with lamps and so many unique booksellers. One shop, Goldsboro Books, sells exclusively first editions. Another, Alice Through the Looking Glass, is themed after the same book.

Our favourite bookseller in Cecil Court is Marchpane. Though we aren’t huge lovers of children’s literature, the shop itself is an absolute delight and a treasure.

The Daleks are originals from the ‘60s and ‘70s, as are the Paddington Bear toys. There’s a selection of first edition children’s books. The staff are the most enthusiastic and charming people. Visiting this shop is how you cure a bad mood.

Read More: Discover London’s Best Independent Bookshops

Buy Alice in Wonderland Themed Tea Sets at Whittards

There are a lot of Whittards shops around the UK, but this one in Covent Garden market building has the best mood of them all. It feels at home there; it belongs in Covent Garden. Here, you can sample the teas, lemonades, and hot chocolate for sale, and browse some of the highest quality teas available.

Downstairs, you’ll find cutlery and crockery. Most charming and sweet of all is the Alice in Wonderland tea set, which includes mugs and plates and a teapot, all designed with original illustrations from the book. You can even buy their Alice-themed collection online.

Read More: Take a Day Trip to Blenheim Palace

Drink Gin at Mr Fogg’s Tavern

Phileas Fogg, the protagonist of the joyous Jules Verne novel Around the World in 80 Days, has had his name proudly fixed to this most delightful of Covent Garden pubs Mr Fogg’s Tavern. The downstairs tavern area is the quintessential English pub with its aesthetics turned up to eleven: a fireplace, taxidermied crows, hanging ornaments like birdcages, and portraits adorning the walls.

Then, you can head upstairs to Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour! There’s something far more literary about gin over beer. And this gin parlour has over two hundred gins for you to choose from. The choice of tavern and gin bar makes this one of the very special Covent Garden pubs.

Tip: Visit More Literary London Pubs on the Historical Pub Tour

Visit Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop

You might know the name of this shop from the Dickens novel of the same name. But here’s a fun fact! Although the shop did inspire Dickens’ novel, the shop only took the name “The Old Curiosity Shop” after the book was published, giving them a sort of symbiotic relationship.

The Old Curiosity Shop can be found on the Western edge of Covent Garden, and it is still open today, making the shop almost four hundred years old! And what does it sell? Shoes! Lovely women’s and men’s shoes.

Explore Neal’s Yard

Ah, Neal’s Yard. This is a curious little area hidden down some back alleyways at the northern edge of Covent Garden. What makes it unique, as you can see from the photo, is its brightly coloured walls and how bohemian its aesthetic is.

Inside Neal’s Yard, you’ll find a sweet selection of places to drink both coffees and cocktails. At the front of Neal’s Yard is Monmouth Street. And on Monmouth Street is Monmouth Coffee, an utterly splendid Covent Garden cafe.

Go Literary Blue Plaque Hunting

The blue plaques of London are legendary. They showcase all the historical links and wonders of London. In Covent Garden alone you’ll find two Charles Dickens plagues, one of Margot Fonteyn, legendary ballerina, and Jane Austen! For a list of all the blue and green plaques of Covent Garden, see the official site right here before you go plaque hunting in Covent Garden!

Read More: Discover the Best Japanese Restaurants in Covent Garden & Soho

Watch The Woman in Black at Fortune Theatre

We all have our own first experiences with The Woman in Black. For many, it’s the Hammer Horror film starring Daniel Radcliffe and Ciaran Hinds. For others, it’s the original book by Susan Hill. For me, it was this play. Having now seen the film and read the book, I stand firm that the play is the best experience of the lot.

The Woman in Black is a truly clever, thrilling, and haunting performance. It is a play within a play that uses minimalist staging, clever lighting, a two-way cyclorama, and other savvy techniques to create the most memorable of theatre-going experiences. The Woman in Black is unmissable.

Catch a Show at the Royal Opera House

The London Royal Opera House can be found at the corner of Covent Garden, just at the edge of the market building. Pay attention to their website in order to see what performances are coming up.

If you’d rather not see a performance, the Royal Opera House is still worth a visit for its impressive interior design and architecture. And the gift shop is one of the most classy in London, with some great opera and ballet themed gifts, as well as a selection of books to pick up.

Enjoy a Cookie At Ben’s Cookies

Ben’s Cookies is a small company that has steadily spread across the world. But the Ben’s Cookies at Covent Garden was the first one we ever visited. What makes this particular Ben’s Cookies so unique is its design. The now iconic logo of Ben’s Cookies was designed by the owner’s friend, a legendary illustrator whose drawings have brought joy to millions of children for generations: Quentin Blake, illustrator of the books of Roald Dahl!

Enjoy the Calm of Teatulia

We’ve saved the best for last. Teatulia manages to be both the best Covent Garden cafe and the very best of the Covent Garden bars. How so? Teatulia serves the best teas and cocktails in the area! As well as delicious mocktails, if you prefer.

Teatulia also features an enormous wall of bookshelves which frame a comfortable sofa. When you visit, you’re encouraged to pick your drink, select a book from the shelf, and lose yourself in the book and the atmosphere while escaping from the busy bustle of Covent Garden. What a haven!

The spending money for this post was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are my own.