There’s little more enjoyable than snuggling up with a good book. One thing that probably pips it for most readers is the joyous trip to the heaven that is the bookstore! Being surrounded by fresh books that are itching to be read, unleashes something feral in most of us. Going just to bask in the comfort of a bookstore can very quickly turn into spending half your paycheck on books, even though there is half a bookstore unread on your own shelves already! But there is always space somewhere for more books and this is your excuse to go out and get them at one of these wonderful independent bookstores in South East London!
Halcyon Books
266 Lee High Road, Lee, SE13 5PL
In 1990 Halcyon was a stall in Greenwich market. Over 30 years later, via a stint as a store in Greenwich, Halcyon Books is still standing strong, now based in Lee, as a beloved bookshop! What could be more relaxing than a café in a bookstore? Not only can you revel in the joy of being surrounded by books, but you can enjoy it while having a lovely drink too! They have a vast range of books to offer but specialise in second-hand. Freshly printed books are fun, but there is a magic to knowing that someone has held the same book and been affected by the same words as you. Books are meant to be read, their extensive range of second-hand books breathes a new life into books that may otherwise have been consigned to tired shelves! You never know what masterpiece you might uncover! You can receive 10% off when you spend over £10, with your South London Club Card, which you definitely will want to do with all they have to offer!
Credit: Halcyon Books
Rye Books
47 North Cross Road, Peckham, SE22 9ET
An independent bookstore founded in 2011, Rye Books is a lovely bookstore and coffee shop in New Cross that has quickly solidified its reputation as one of the best around! They have a great range of books available both in-store and on their excellent online shop! They are a champion of diversity, highlighting often under-promoted books! They are unique in other ways offering several stunning services! They do zoom group reads that are open to everyone, often including a discount in-store and online for the chosen book! As well as this, author visits, and signings, you can sign up for ‘What The Book!’, their new bespoke subscription service. No two subscriptions are the same with each person getting books tailored to their tastes delivered to their door each month based on your answers to their questionnaire!
Peckham Library SE15 - Giclée Art Print
There's No Place Like Lee Unisex T-Shirt
Kirkdale Bookshop
272 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4RS
Kirkdale Bookshop is a locally renowned bookstore and cultural hub! Community is at the heart of what they do, having been a mainstay of the area since 1966! Their connections to the community are highlighted by some of the art they sell, collected through their relationships with the local art scene! They have a formidable range of books that traverses two full floors, with one store dedicated to second-hand books! Across their new and second-hand books they cover a wide scope of topics in non-fiction and all genres of fiction so there will always be something to spark your interest! If you use your South London Club Card you can get 5% off everything!
Beckenham Bookshop
42 High Street, Beckenham, BR3 1AY
Close to Beckenham Junction station lies one of South East London’s bookshop gems! Open 10-4 Monday to Saturday, Beckenham Bookshop is a friendly and fun bookstore! They take pride in their fantastic collection of books, particularly in the quality and diversity of children’s books they have to offer! This is the perfect place to bring the young ones in your life to start a fascination of fiction that Beckenham Bookshop can foster for years to come! Of course, they also have an excellent array of books for experienced readers too. If they don’t have the particular book that you are looking for, they can order books in with next-day delivery, where possible, and are adept at sourcing out-of-print books! The only thing that could make Beckenham Bookshop any better would be a discount… Oh wait, there is! You can get 5% off with your South London Club Card!
Bookshop on The Heath
74 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, SE3 0BW
There has been a shop on 74 Tranquil Vale since 1880. Until 1949, it had been used to sell various things, but since then it has consistently stayed an antiquarian bookshop! Though the store has changed hands several times, most recently in 2014, its charm has remained firmly intact! This shop is a real treat, offering an experience unlike most others! They specialise in antique books with a wide range of stock for all interests and budgets with everything from everyday reading copies to first edition prints! Though this is the ideal store for collectors, with some stock dating back to 1660! You can easily get lost in time perusing the wonders they have to offer. They are as happy for you to work your way looking through their five rooms and two corridors stacked with books, as they are for you to ask their staff if you are looking for something particular! They also stock some local art, particularly local maps and prints, though their antique books are the undoubted stars of this store, especially when you use your South London Club Card to get 10% off books in-store!
Blackheath 90s Style Unisex T-Shirt
Beckenham Is Where The Heart Is Mug
Dulwich Books
6 Croxted Road, West Dulwich, SE21 8SQ
For more than three decades, Dulwich Books have been serving their local community. They stock a fantastic range of books for people of all ages to enjoy! They also offer next-day delivery to the store for books that are in-stock and ordered before 5pm, so there is virtually no limit to what they can provide! The only thing that makes buying a book from Dulwich Books any better is the 10% off you can get off your next haul by using your South London Club Card! Though buying books isn’t all they’re about, they are a pillar of their local community - offering guidance to teachers and librarians about books for schools and can organise free author visits and delivery of books to local schools! If you are a burgeoning wordsmith, they are happy to consider books from independent authors and have had great success with people in similar positions in the past! Keep an eye out on their busy events schedule so you don’t miss their book openings and author visits!
Tales on Moon Lane
25 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, SE24 9JU
Tales on Moon Lane is the best children’s bookshop about! Though you don’t have to take it from us! They are a multi-award-winning bookstore having accolades such as 2017, 2020, and 2021 Children’s Bookseller of the Year, London’s Top Independent Bookseller 2017, and UK Book Retailer of the Year 2021, to their name! Entering their store is like jumping into a new world of fun! They are a brilliant bookstore that are passionate about children’s enjoyment of books and reading while being utterly dedicated to raising equality in the children’s books industry. Alongside their regular events, they now have a YouTube channel called Moon Lane TV, that is brimming with engaging content that doubles as being both educational and fun! We are so lucky to have such a behemoth of the children’s bookstore world right on our doorsteps in South East London!
Herne Hill Books
289 Railton Road, Herne Hill, SE24 0LY
The sister-store to Clapham Books, this independent bookstore is a bastion of the independent business community in Herne Hill. Conveniently located only a few minutes walk from Herne Hill train station, this bookstore proves that size doesn’t matter! Despite being small, they carry a wonderful range of both modern and classic books! They also offer a service where you can order books to the store and their terrific team is renowned for their ability to help source hard-to-find prints! If you’re struggling to decide what to read, check out their website to see their staff’s favourite reads of 2021! With your South London Club you can get 5% off everything and 10% off purchases over £30!
WHAT IS THE SOUTH LONDON CLUB?
The South London Club is a local discount card to help support small independent businesses across South London whilst saving all who live, work & play in South London money! With over 850+ local discounts to choose from, you will discover & explore all the best hidden gems in South London. Join over 7,000 of us & celebrate all that's independent & South London!