This curious Edwardian bookshop is perfect for those with a severe case of the travel bug.
Before I begin, it’s important to note that there are actually quite a few branches of Daunt Books, but the Marylebone offshoot is the O.G., and therefore the one that will hog the limelight in this article. (Header image: @u_ra_0121)
Housed in a former Edwardian bookshop built in 1910—which is believed to be the world’s first custom-built bookshop—the building flaunts some gorgeous skylights and long oak galleries. It was bought by James Daunt in 1990 and originally specialised in travel books and literature. Since the 90s, its USP has never changed: the books are all arranged by country, no matter what their genre, which is sure to evoke some serious wanderlust in even the most nonchalant of browsers.
When Daunt first came to own the premises, it gained a loyal set of customers pretty quickly – and by the end of the 90s, two more shops had opened: one in Belsize Park and one in Hampstead. There are now six Daunt Books shops, plus three others that have opened under different names. Find your nearest branch here.
Location: You’ll find the flagship store at 84 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW. Nearest stations are Baker Street or Regent’s Park. See it on Google Maps. (To find their other branches, head to the website.)
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 9am–7:30pm. Sundays, 11am–6pm.
More information: on the their website.