Daunt Books Marylebone - Beautiful Edwardian Bookstore In London

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If you’re an avid reader, you have most definitely heard of the beautiful Daunt Books Marylebone.

It’s one of London’s famous independent bookstores, set in a stunning Edwardian building with oak galleries, skylights, and William Morris prints.

It specialises in travel books and so if you have a travel bug or want to find something to inspire your wanderlust, then this is the book haven for you.

Here is a complete guide on how to visit Daunt Books Marylebone, the most beautiful bookstore in London.

Table of Contents

Daunt Books history

Daunt Books is a chain of popular independent bookstores that can be found across London, founded by former banker Achilles James Daunt in 1990.

The most famous is the original Daunt Books store in Marylebone which is set in a beautiful Edwardian building from 1912.

They now have branches in Cheapside, Holland Park, Hampstead, and Belsize Park. Also, The Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town.

Plus, you’ll find Daunt Bookshops outside of London in Essex (Hart’s Books), Marlow (The Marlow Bookshop), and Oxford (Daunt Books Summertown).

Why visit Daunt Books Marylebone?

Daunt Books for travellers is a haven for bibliophiles who have the travel bug.

It’s filled to the brim with travel books, location guides, geographical maps, and references.

Although Daunt Books was founded in 1990, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as soon as you enter this gorgeous Marylebone bookshop.

This Edwardian building was constructed in 1912 and was previously an antiquarian bookshop called Francis Edwards.

It is often referred to as the first custom-built bookstore in the world.

You may notice a large walk-in safe whilst you’re here. Apparently, this was where the most valuable volumes were stored.

It has long oak galleries with creaking floors, Edwardian lamps, beautiful skylights, and William Morris prints on the shelves.

There is also a basement treasure trove of tomes and a mezzanine floor providing sweeping views of the stained glass windows.

You’ll most likely have seen these views on social media. It’s quite famous and is a bit of an Instagram superstar these days.

What books do Daunt Books Marylebone sell?

True to its original purpose, you’ll find this beautiful shop has been crammed with travel guides and volumes from around the world.

As a travel blogger, I often read books from or about the destinations I’m about to visit to make me feel inspired and excited.

The books are arranged by country and/or continent, so if you have some travels coming up, this will be the perfect place for you.

I particularly liked their Greek section. I’ve got a bit of an obsession with mythology retellings at the moment, and they had so many.

As well as fictional stories from around the globe, they also had non-fiction books, auto-biographies, and travel guides.

There was a huge classics section, a feminism space and an LGBTQIA+ area. Also, you’ll find Young Adult and Children’s books.

The only thing they didn’t have, which I was quite let down by, was their fantasy/Sci-Fi sections.

But I was assured that Cheapside had a wider choice. On that note, the staff is incredibly helpful with recommendations, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Wrapping paper, prints, and more

As well as offering an incredible range of books, you’ll find far more than the written word in Daunt Books Marylebone.

If you walk towards the back of their main floor near the beautiful stained glass window, you’ll see gondolas filled with beautiful wrapping paper.

They have gorgeous travel-themed wrapping paper if you’re buying your books as a present.

There is also a selection of cards and prints to browse too whilst you’re here. They make wonderful gifts.

Don’t forget to buy a Daunt Books bag

I don’t know what it is about book bags, but I love buying them when I shop for books in famous bookstores these days.

The trouble is, I have so many book bags, I have to rotate them to make sure they actually get used.

I saw so many people around London and Marylebone High Street carrying Daunt Books bags that I was definitely influenced.

They had a lovely range here that would easily transport your books safely home.

There were large totes and small ones in all different gorgeous colours.

I should hope that we’re all trying to be environmentally conscious these days, so buying a reusable bag is the way to go.

Daunt Books events

Beyond selling books and bookish merchandise, Daunt Books regularly holds events throughout the year.

The most popular are their talks with authors that usually include a drink and nibbles. But note that these events sell out quickly.

Also, every year there is a Daunt Books Festival that takes place in their Marylebone store. It’s two days of events for bibliophiles of all ages.

You can join book talks, storytelling, and guided walks of Regent’s Park. There are even limited-edition festival tote bags up for grabs.

Usually, events are individually priced, or you can buy an all-access event pass to see everything.

You can keep up to date with their latest events here

How to visit Daunt Books Marylebone in London

Marylebone is a district of West London in the City of Westminster, just north of Oxford Street.

You’ll find this travel-themed branch of Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street.

The easiest way to travel around London is a mix of walking and the Tube, or the London Underground.

The closest tube station to Daunt Books Marylebone is Baker Street.

You can access Baker Street on the Circle, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines. From there, it’s only a ten-minute walk.

Plus, you have some major attractions nearby like the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussaud’s.

Daunt Books’ address is 83-84 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4QW. Click here for a Google Pin.

Daunt Books opening times

Daunt Books is open from:

Monday to Saturday: 9 am – 7.30 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm

If you want a more peaceful shopping experience, I would try to visit during the week and earlier in the morning.

In the afternoons, at rush hour, and at weekends, Daunt Books Marylebone can get very busy as it’s such a famous bookstore.

Daunt Books FAQs

A popular independent bookstore chain and publisher found in London and around the UK.

They are a thriving independent bookstore chain that continues to grow, which is rare these days. Their flagship Marylebone store is the most famous due to it being so beautiful and regularly goes viral on social media.

No, but James Daunt, who founded the book chain, became Managing Director of Waterstones. He’s also the CEO of Barnes & Noble. However, Daunt Books is very much a privately owned, indie bookshop and publisher.

Achilles James Daunt.

Yes, it’s an independent bookshop chain and publisher based in London.

Marylebone, Cheapside, Holland Park, Hampstead, Belsize Park. Also, The Owl Bookshop in Kentish Town. They also have branches outside of London in Essex, Marlow, and Oxford.

Looking for more independent London bookshops?

If you’re looking for some incredible bookshops to visit in London, you will be spoiled for choice.

Did you know that London has a magical floating bookshop? It’s called Word on the Water, or The London Bookbarge.

You can find it moored near King’s Cross station, which is a pilgrimage for Harry Potter fans.

If you take a stroll on Regent’s Canal, you can walk the plank onto their canal boat and browse a diverse range of new and used books.

Related Post: How to Visit Word on The Water in London

If you want to visit a real-life Diagon Alley, then you can head over to Cecil Court near Charing Cross.

This shopping street is supposedly the inspiration for the Wizarding shopping street from the Harry Potter books.

In true Diagon Alley fashion, you’ll find lots of bookshops worthy of Flourish and Blotts like Travis & Emery and Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Harry potter Cecil Court London Diagon Alley — *Cecil Court*

Book tours & tickets for London

Harry Potter guided walking tour

Harry Potter Studio tour with transfer

Tower of London & Crown Jewels tickets

Thames River Cruise

Looking for more things to do nearby?

Marylebone is a very trendy, chic, and ‘posh’ area of London. I mean, it’s the highest price to buy land on the UK Monopoly Board after all.

But there are plenty of things you can do in this area of London near Daunt Books Marylebone:

The Wallace Collection – a free art museum that is displayed in Hertford House, which was the former residence of the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace.

Regent’s Park – One of London’s eight Royal Parks, Regent’s Park covers 410 acres of the city. It has beautiful greenery, foliage, and a wetlands area.

Sherlock Holmes Museum – London’s most famous address, 221 B Baker Street, can be found just a 10-minute walk away from Daunt Books.