London – as with any other big city - is full of good mainstream and wonderful specialist bookshops. If you head along Charing Cross Road from Tottenham Court Road, there are plenty of bookshops one after another. Below are some of the biggest chains:

Waterstone's
This is one of the main bookshop chains in the UK, with it’s largest European store located in Piccadilly Street - 5 floors of book paradise. They usually have ongoing offers and can order in whatever you are looking for. The shop in Covent Garden is famous for having a lot of art and design books.

Blackwells
All around town, a good option when you cannot find something in Waterstone's is Blackwells. They have previously won Chain Bookseller of the Year, and have a particularly good academic section.

Borders & Books ETC
Another competitor of Waterstone’s, Borders and Books Etc are located in most shopping centres and some high streets. They also usually have a Paperchase stationary shop within them and occasionally a coffee shop.

HMV
HMV stocks music, movies and books related to the world of music and films.

MAGMA
This store stocks all you need about art and design, plus some gadgets too. The shop can be a little overpriced (you can often find cheaper prices at Waterstones, Amazon or even the Tate Modern), but they are good on their subject, and organise brilliant events and exhibits.

Maps & Travel Bookshops
Stanfords, near Covent Garden is a big shop catering for all your travelling needs including books, maps, globes and information for your next adventure.

The National Map Centre is hidden in a small street a few minutes from St.James Park tube station.