London has no shortage of glorious bookshops. We Londoners are truly a literature-obsessed populace (even if some of us buy more books than we read sometimes…). As such, our city is home to some of the world’s most beautiful bookshops, and even a secret alley full of curious shops selling old tomes. Heck, you’ll even find the oldest bookshop in the UK right here in London. And adding to London’s plethora of literary novel-ties is Word on the Water – London’s only floating bookshop.
Word on the Water has been happily bobbing along on Regent’s Canal since 2011, and is a veritable treasure trove (pirate ship?) of books. The collection of new and used books fills every nook and cranny of the ‘London Bookbarge’. You’ll find stacks of books inside as well as shelves lining the outside. Does anything echo the thrill of discovery and anticipation that each book brings quite like stepping aboard a 1920s barge to find said book? It’s surely one of the most original and exciting ways to browse literature in London.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the shop, though. At one point, before they were able to secure a permanent mooring, canal authorities forced them to relocate to a different mooring point every two weeks. As if that wasn’t enough, the barge nearly sank a few years back when the interior of the floating bookshop flooded!
Fortunately, Word on the Water was able to secure a permanent mooring and has since dropped anchor for the foreseeable future.
More than just books at Word on the Water
Now, obviously, books are the emphasis at Word on the Water. It couldn’t exactly be a bookshop otherwise. But the team also runs plenty of events throughout the year. These range from talks on topics such as politics, art, feminism, and technology to open mic sessions. The latter finds musicians and performers taking to the roof of the barge to entertain attendees and passers-by. There are also occasional book readings and poetry slams, and they’ve even got their own Word on the Water book club.
All that to say, it’s a gorgeous spot to while away a few hours. Browse the titles (you’ll end up buying more than you expected to), or settle in for an evening of entertainment. Plus, who can resist the allure of a bookshop that looks THIS cute in the winter?
Credit: @word.on.the.water via Instagram