Bookstores in St Albans
If you judge a town by its bookshops, St Albans, Hertfordshire gives you 376 to judge by. That's 376 bookshops mapped around St Albans, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around St Albans (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Chapter 2 and Waterstones, plus Waterstones. If a bookshop's missing from St Albans's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The St Albans bookstore lineup
376 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Chapter 2
Bookstore
Chapter 2 — Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore.
Wildy & Sons Ltd
Bookstore
Wildy & Sons Ltd is Bookstore on Carey Street, London. Wildy & Sons Ltd also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:45-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Carey Street, London, WC2A 2JD
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:45-18:00
Phone: +44 20 7242 5778
Of Books and Love
Bookstore
Of Books and Love is Bookstore on 50 Cross Street, London. Of Books and Love also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:30-18:30; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
50 Cross Street, London, N1 2BA
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:30-18:30; Su 11:00-17:00
Ink @ 84
Bookstore
Ink @ 84 — Bookstore, found on 84 Highbury Park in London.
84 Highbury Park, London
Quinto Bookshop
Bookstore
Quinto Bookshop is Bookstore on 72 Charing Cross Road, London. Quinto Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
72 Charing Cross Road, London
Any Amount of Books
Bookstore
Any Amount of Books is Bookstore on 56 Charing Cross Road, London. Any Amount of Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:30-19:00; Su 11:00-18:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
56 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0QA
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:30-19:00; Su 11:00-18:30
Phone: +44 20 7836 3697
Henry Pordes Books
Bookstore
Henry Pordes Books — Bookstore, found on 58,60 Charing Cross Road in London. Also worth knowing about Henry Pordes Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:30-19:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
58,60 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0BB
Hours: Mo-Su 10:30-19:30
Phone: +44 20 7836 9031
Classic Bindings
Bookstore
Classic Bindings is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 158 King's Road in London. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 11:30-17:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
158 King's Road, London
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 11:30-17:30
Phone: +44 20 7351 2023
56a Infoshop
Bookstore
56a Infoshop is Bookstore on 56a Crampton Street, London. 56a Infoshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Sa 14:00-18:00; it has a website with more detail.
56a Crampton Street, London, SE17 3AE
Hours: Sa 14:00-18:00
Oxfam Bookshop
BookstoreRun by Oxfam
Run by Oxfam, Oxfam Bookshop is Bookstore, found on 22 Park Road in London. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
22 Park Road, London, N8 8TD
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 20 8347 7942
Oxfam Bookshop
BookstoreRun by Oxfam
Run by Oxfam, Oxfam Bookshop is Bookstore, found on 214 High Street in Epping. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
214 High Street, Epping, CM16 4AQ
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 1-5 Strand in London. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 12:00-18:00; it has a website with more detail.
1-5 Strand, London, WC2N 5EJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 12:00-18:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 11 Islington Green in London. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
11 Islington Green, London
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Pemberley Books
Bookstore
Pemberley Books — Bookstore.
Art Books
BookstoreRun by Marcus Campbell
Run by Marcus Campbell, Art Books is Bookstore, found on 43 Holland Street in London. Also worth knowing about Art Books: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
43 Holland Street, London, SE1 9JR
Phone: +44 20 7261 0111
Hatchards
Bookstore
Hatchards is Bookstore on 187 Piccadilly, London. Hatchards also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Su-Fr 09:30-20:00; Sa 12:00-18:00.
187 Piccadilly, London
Hours: Su-Fr 09:30-20:00; Sa 12:00-18:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Bargain Books
Bookstore
Bargain Books is Bookstore.
Stoke Newington Bookshop
Bookstore
Stoke Newington Bookshop is Bookstore on 159 Stoke Newington High Street, London. Stoke Newington Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
159 Stoke Newington High Street, London, N16 0NY
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Tindley & Everett
Bookstore
Tindley & Everett — Bookstore, found on 4 Cecil Court in London.
4 Cecil Court, London
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Natalie Galustian Rare Books
Bookstore
Natalie Galustian Rare Books is Bookstore on 22 Cecil Court, London.
22 Cecil Court, London
Marchpane
Bookstore
Marchpane is Bookstore on 16 Cecil Court, London. Marchpane also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
16 Cecil Court, London, WC2N 4HE
Phone: +44 20 7836 8661
Peter Ellis
Bookstore
Peter Ellis — Bookstore, found on 18 Cecil Court in London.
18 Cecil Court, London
Goldsboro Books
Bookstore
Goldsboro Books is Bookstore on 25 Cecil Court, London. Goldsboro Books also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
25 Cecil Court, London, WC2N 4EZ
Phone: +44 20 7497 9230
Tenderbooks
Bookstore
Tenderbooks is Bookstore on 6 Cecil Court, London.
6 Cecil Court, London
London Medal Company
Bookstore
London Medal Company is Bookstore on 13 Cecil Court, London.
13 Cecil Court, London, WC2N 4EZ
Watkins Books
Bookstore
Watkins Books — Bookstore, found on 19 Cecil Court in London. Also worth knowing about Watkins Books: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
19 Cecil Court, London, WC2N 4EZ
Phone: +44 20 7836 2182
Bryars & Bryars
Bookstore
Bryars & Bryars is Bookstore on 7 Cecil Court, London.
7 Cecil Court, London, WC2N 4EZ
The Rock Bookstores
Bookstore
The Rock Bookstores is Bookstore.
Quaker Bookshop
Bookstore
Quaker Bookshop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Quaker Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00
Phone: +44 20 7663 1030
Collinge & Clark
Bookstore
Collinge & Clark is Bookstore on 13 Leigh Street, London. Collinge & Clark also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 11:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
13 Leigh Street, London, WC1H 9EW
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-18:00
Phone: +44 20 7387 7105
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Forbidden Planet Camden
Bookstore
Forbidden Planet Camden — Bookstore, found on 18 Inverness Street in London. Also worth knowing about Forbidden Planet Camden: it has a website with more detail.
18 Inverness Street, London, NW1 7HJ
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 45-46 The Mall in London. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:00-20:00; Su 10:30-17:30; it has a website with more detail.
45-46 The Mall, London, E15 1XE
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-20:00; Su 10:30-17:30
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on South Street in Bishop's Stortford. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; PH 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
South Street, Bishop's Stortford
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; PH 10:00-16:00
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 36 High Street, High Wycombe. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
36 High Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2AR
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1494 525011
Blackwell's Bookshop
Bookstore
Blackwell's Bookshop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Blackwell's Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on 36 High Street, Royston. TGJones also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
36 High Street, Royston, SG8 9AG
Lubavitch Bookshop
Bookstore
Lubavitch Bookshop — Bookstore, found on Stamford Hill in London.
Stamford Hill, London
Big Green Bookshop
Bookstore
Big Green Bookshop is Bookstore on Unit 1 Brampton Park Road, London. Big Green Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Unit 1 Brampton Park Road, London, N22 6BG
The Kew Bookshop
Bookstore
The Kew Bookshop is Bookstore. The Kew Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-17:00
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 1 Clock House Parade in London. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
1 Clock House Parade, London, E11 2AG
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
National Gallery Bookshop
Bookstore
National Gallery Bookshop is Bookstore.
Woolfson & Tay
Bookstore
Woolfson & Tay is Bookstore on 39 Bear Lane, London. Woolfson & Tay also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
39 Bear Lane, London, SE1 0UH
Books Islamia
Bookstore
Books Islamia is Bookstore on 15 Station Road.
15 Station Road
Jarndyce
Bookstore
Jarndyce is Bookstore. Jarndyce also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Maghreb Bookshop
Bookstore
Maghreb Bookshop is Bookstore on 45 Burton Street, London. Maghreb Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
45 Burton Street, London, WC1H 9AL
Herne Hill Books
Bookstore
Herne Hill Books — Bookstore on 289 Railton Road. Also worth knowing about Herne Hill Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 09:30-16:00.
289 Railton Road
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 09:30-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 60;62 Saint Ann's Road. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
60;62 Saint Ann's Road
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 11:00-17:00
British Library Shop
Bookstore
British Library Shop is Bookstore.
Wellcome Book Shop
Bookstore
Wellcome Book Shop is Bookstore.
Skoob Books
Bookstore
Skoob Books — Bookstore, found on 66 The Brunswick in London. Also worth knowing about Skoob Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 11:00-19:30; Su 11:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
66 The Brunswick, London, WC1N 1AE
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-19:30; Su 11:00-18:00
Phone: +44 20 7278 8760
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore on 1 The Green. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
1 The Green
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
What the map tells us about bookstores in St Albans
142 of the 376 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
232 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 3 of them sit on High Street, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
4 of the shops are tagged as selling used books — the second-hand shelves are where out-of-print gems and first editions turn up for pocket change.
The St Albans bookstore crawl
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: Chapter 2, Waterstones, Waterstones, Wildy & Sons Ltd on Carey Street, Of Books and Love on 50 Cross Street, Ink @ 84 on 84 Highbury Park, Quinto Bookshop on 72 Charing Cross Road, and Any Amount of Books on 56 Charing Cross Road. That's 376 stops on the St Albans bookstore crawl. 368 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for St Albans
The regulars' playbook for St Albans's bookshops:
- Look for local history at Chapter 2. The local-interest shelf tells you what a town thinks of itself. Great for visitors, better for new residents.
- The used section is underpriced everywhere at Waterstones. Books are heavy and slow to sell, so used shelves price to move. First editions hide here regularly.
- Don't skip the small press section. The weird, wonderful stuff lives here. Small presses take the risks the big publishers won't.
- Kids' sections are goldmines. Even without kids. The picture-book art alone is worth the browse, and the middle-grade shelves hold genuine classics.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around St Albans — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in St Albans can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 376, or a bookstore we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 376 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for St Albans: 376 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.