<img http:="" class="img-fluid" alt="The facade of Piccadilly Bookshop, Hatchards” width=”1024″ height=”807″ src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretldn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/11165933/shutterstock_2065573439-min-1-1024×807.jpg”/>
Credit: Alla Tsyganova, Shutterstock
London has rare bookstores, hidden bookstores and even floating bookstores, but if it’s the bookshop older that you are looking for, then you must pay a visit to Hatchards.
This venerable bookshop has held a place in Piccadilly for ages 225 years and many satisfied customers have come and gone from its beautiful green facade over the years. She was even visited by Royal Family – and there’s no greater accolade than having the royal seal of approval, right?
Credito: Olivier Guiberteau, Shutterstock
Opened in 1797Hatchards is almost as old as the United States (and exactly as old as the top hat, for the record) and has sat happily at its Piccadilly address since 1801. From the outside, the place has an inviting, retro look, with bay windows and one of three Royal Warrant displayed above the entrance. That’s right, this venue proudly displays Royal Warrants of not one, not two, but well three members of the UK’s most famous family (one of whom hails from re Carlo III in person). We’re saying Hatchards is literally fit for a king.
Inside, the shop is dominated by an impressive four-story staircase, which leads to the various levels filled with literature. The decor tends towards ‘functional Waterstones’ rather than ‘beautifully historic’, although this is unsurprising given that Hatchards it is actually owned by Waterstones. However, small nods to the store’s past are scattered among the shelves. In addition to the Royal Warrants, there are historical photographs, old catalogs and an anonymous painting purported to be by the founder John Hatchard.
Credito: Chris Lawrence Images, Shutterstock
As graceful as that is, we’re obviously here for books and in this industry Hatchards non delude : There’s everything on the shelves, from modern bestsellers to heavy stories. The most interesting aspect is that the store boasts a number of first editions by authors of the caliber of Margaret Atwood, Samuel Beckett, Ted Hughes, DH Lawrence and Iris Murdoch. The regular parade of autographs and author events allows for regular purchases signed copieswhich is always a plus.
In case you were wondering, Hatchards is also a nominee for the “longest wait to open a second branch” award (if such an award existed). In 2014, just… 217 years after its opening, it has finally cut the ribbon on a second location in St Pancras station, for travelers looking for holiday readings.
In an age dominated by Netflix, ebooks and dwindling attention spans, there’s nothing better than finding a cozy corner in a bookshop to indulge in your next read, so let’s hope that Hatchards has (at least) another 200 years of life.
