Hatchards is London’s oldest bookshop, and I love it for that reason alone. It was established in 1797 by John Hatchard and has been in its current Piccadilly building for over two centuries. It sits snuggly beside the elegant and rather grand Fortnum and Mason. Hatchards has always attracted an array of well known names from the world of literature, politics and cultural life. It also happens to have 3 royal warrants. Two are proudly displayed above its door, and the one from the Queen herself is on view behind the counter. It is said, this is where the Queen goes to stock up on Agatha Christie. I don’t know if this is true, but I imagine with a life as long as hers she must have read them all by now!
From the outside the book shop looks Dickensian with its curved windows and dark green facade. In my minds eye, I can see snow falling steadily onto Piccadilly as horse and carriages arrive at the entrance. The faces of young and old in Victorian dress are pressed up against the windows. Displayed inside are the latest copies of The Pickwick papers.
Step inside and the comforting aroma of fresh, new books pervades the air. A beautifully curated table of books greets you, and a curvaceous wooden staircase winds its way seductively from the ground floor to the book filled floors above.
Five floors are crammed with books from floor to ceiling, the dream of any bibliophile. Where to begin might be the only question, or perhaps where to stop. I defy anyone to leave this shop without at least one book under their arm. On my most recent visit I had 3!
I usually head to the crime section on the first floor. I’m not the biggest fan of contemporary crime but I do love a cosy crime novel and there are so many to choose from in Hatchards. It is here my love of Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple series of mysteries began. I have found these books hard to find elsewhere and so always make a point of buying the next one in the series when ever I am here. Of course the more general fiction section is excellent too. Tall dark wooden shelves are laden with contemporary and historical authors. The only dilemma is deciding which you want to read first.
There is also a very good travel and London section where all the best books on discovering London can usually be found. At my last visit I lost myself amongst the nature section, earmarking titles as Christmas presents for a little later in the year.
With its enviable literary connections Hatchards stock a large number of signed copies of books from a whole range of authors. They also have a large selection of first editions. Perfect if you are looking for something special for yourself or someone else.
In normal times, squashy, green leather sofas are on every floor, dented with the posteriors of many a book lover. The sofas are posed invitingly for shoppers to sink into with potential purchases. Although these are currently out of bounds it is reassuring to know they are still there.
The booksellers at Hatchards are warm, friendly and incredibly knowledgable. I have regularly heard them engaged in conversations with customers about the books they are buying or recommending other books they might enjoy. At my last visit I was looking specifically for ‘As I walked out one Midsummer Morning’ by Laurie Lee which I just couldn’t find. I asked one of the assistants who was able to tell me the exact shelf on which to find it 2 floors above the one we were one. As I said, they are very knowledgable.
Hatchards in London’s Piccadilly is one of those bookshops in which you feel instantly welcome and cosseted. Both qualities feature highly in my bookshop wish list. How could anyone not want to lose themselves in here.
Read about some of my other favourite London book shops here.
