Inside Hatchards Piccadilly, London's Oldest Bookshop

Nestled in the heart of Piccadilly since 1797, Hatchards is more than just a bookshop. It is a treasured British institution with a rich literary heritage. Founded by John Hatchard, a prominent publisher and anti-slavery campaigner, Hatchards has proudly held the title of official bookseller to the Royal Household for generations and is London’s oldest bookshop.

Hatchards’ booksellers is renowned for its knowledge, expertise and reading recommendations. It remains a literary haven for authors and a sanctuary for book-lovers. The flagship store is spread across five elegant storeys offering author events, signed editions, rare and first editions and a subscription service. It is a place where history and literature meet, and where the joy of discovering books is celebrated every day.

In a continued tribute to its founder’s publishing roots, Hatchards presents The Hatchards Library, which publishes a few titles each year, all limited, numbered and reissued with a bespoke dust jacket. In 2025, this includes Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, Elizabeth Bowen’s The Heat of the Day, Tom Sharpe’s Riotous Assembly and a new title from the Hatchards exclusive Paddington Bear collection. 

This summer has seen the exciting launch of  the Hatchards Children’s Library, a curated collection  of beloved children’s books. The inaugural title, Judith Kerr’s When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, remains a timeless classic for both young readers and adults alike. Hatchards’ legacy extends beyond Piccadilly. In 2014,  a second shop was opened at St Pancras International, perfectly situated next to Fortnum & Mason, further deepening a partnership dating back over two centuries.

Then, in 2022, Hatchards opened its third location in  the literary heartland of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, home to the world’s longest-running literature festival. Eight generations of booksellers and readers have passed through the doors of 187 Piccadilly, but the essence of Hatchards remains unchanged: a commitment to excellence in bookselling and a love of literature that spans centuries.

hatchards.co.uk