Daunt Books Marylebone

We love traveling to find new and unusual bookstores. Daunt Books was our first bookstore in London. What an absolute treat! The staff were extremely helpful and fun. Visually, this place is stunning!! Stocked and sorted with anything you could want. Don't miss an opportunity to pop into Daunt Books.

What a treat. A bookstore very dedicated to travel books and everything travel related. Beautiful store and such friendly stuff. Even making jokes. And yes we don’t only wandered around we also scored a beautiful book about drinks and food down under.

Gorgeous bookstore! The area segregated by countries is a little confusing though. I thought it was sorted by author’s nationality but seemed like it could also based on the book’s setting. Love the selection on the display tables. If only I had unlimited luggage space! Managed to buy a couple of books as well as their cute tote bag.

Daunt Books in Marylebone is warm, cosy, and full of charm. A bit crowded, but absolutely worth a visit for any book lover or London explorer. The old oak shelves and soft light create a timeless, photogenic atmosphere. Beautifully curated and unique books.

Most Iconic Bookshop in London! 🥹 Such a beautiful bookshop! I’ve been there twice, and I love the cozy atmosphere and how the books are arranged by country. The wooden interior makes it feel so warm and inviting. Will definitely come back again and again!

An absolute gem of a bookshop tucked away in the heart of Marylebone. Daunt Books is a haven for book lovers — not only does it have a beautifully curated selection of titles across travel, fiction, history, and more, but it also offers a lovely range of gifts, high-quality cards, and elegant wrapping paper that make it a great stop for thoughtful presents. The real magic, though, is in the architecture. The Edwardian interior, complete with oak-panelled galleries, soaring stained-glass windows, and skylights that bathe the space in natural light, gives the shop a timeless, almost enchanted atmosphere. It feels like stepping back in time — quiet, warm, and full of discovery. We spent ages just browsing the shelves and admiring the details. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to offer recommendations without being pushy. A must-visit if you’re in London, whether you’re looking for a good read or simply want to soak in one of the capital’s most beautiful bookshops.

A charming little bookshop. While the front offers a general selection of fiction and non-fiction texts, the real magic lies deeper inside. The 'travel and history' sections are a delightful labyrinth, grouping books by country and cleverly weaving in philosophy, science, and more. Browsing is a pure delight. The multi-level layout, with its basement and upper platform, adds to the cozy, exploratory atmosphere. A perfect place to discover your next favourite read!

This is a great bookshop. It's very unassuming from outside and despite having 3 floors, it's not huge. However, the books are displayed on shelves across both sides, with some books on small tables in the central area, so it gives the illusion that it's much bigger than it actually is. The building itself is absolutely delightful. It has an old-fashioned charm about it, with rustic wooden flooring, shelves and bannisters. The large window at the back of the building and the large glass ceiling let in lots of natural light. Due to the layout, it is very easy to browse and find what you're looking for, even when the shop is busy (and it is always busy!). The queues at the tills can be quite long, but I've always been served reasonably quickly. It's worth visiting this bookshop for the large selection of books, but it's equally worth visiting just to appreciate the impressive building.

I could browse this book store for hours. The organization makes it easy to go from section to section. There are so many different genres to choose from & it is so beautiful inside.

Absolutely beautiful bookstore!! Highly recommend coming to buy a few books and supporting. The staff was incredible kind, books organized well, super cute tote bags. Snagged a few cute classics for myself. Can't wait to come back!

What a lovely book store! Unusually, books are organized by region rather than a more typical Dewey decimal based system, and that means the browser will find delightful connections between fiction and various non-fiction books. For example, one might find a guide to Marylebone architecture alongside 'The Complete Sherlock Holmes'. Any book lover in London would be well advised to save a few hours for a visit to Daunt.

Such a beautiful bookstore with a wide variety of not only genres, but also other wares like games, knick knacks, postcards, etc. It's so aesthetic with all of the natural lighting. It's definitely a spot to drop by if you're a big reader.

Beautiful book store with helpful staff who helped me find what I needed very quickly. Selection of books is quite broad and it made for a fun experience perusing the selection. Expect to pay sticker price for books there. It was quite crowded with tourists taking photos but overall a lovely experience!

I spent multiple hours browsing all the books in this place. Recommend stopping in for the amazing vibes and wide selection of books!

No book lover's trip to London is complete without a stop at Daunt Books! I visited the flagship location in Marylebone and was very impressed. The entire store was clean, bright, and well organized. Make sure to head downstairs to see the extensive travel section. Staff were friendly and very helpful when I wanted to order a book that was out of stock. I'll definitely be back!

Beautiful three-level bookstore in London that has an amazing travel section! Was really pleased with my findings there regarding travel. Large selection of other genres of books as well.

Favorite bookstore in the world! Books are organized by region and provide a good balance of travel guides, books by authors from that region, or general books about the region. Favorite place to stop by prior to taking a trip to somewhere new!

If you're a fan of bookstores, then make sure you check out Daunt while in London. The store looks small when you walk in, then you realize the backside houses more selections including a second floor area that overlooks the main shop. Makes for some cool photos. Not only does the business have a wide variety of specialty and new releases, there's hard to find options and unique titles that you won't find at other big box stores too! The entire shop is clean and well organized, making it easy to navigate whatever reading category piques your interest. Prices are reasonable and it makes you miss the days of local bookshops in the States.

oh i adored Daunt Books! i loved the layout of the store and the selection of books they have. also the gorgeous architecture is a must-see! the staff were very friendly and helpful as well. and the tote bags!!!! the tote bags!!! the tote bags!! (also you get a free Daunt Books bookmark with every book you buy!)

Not a WH Smith or a Borders, this is a real bookshop. Loaded with all sorts of eclectic and one-off items, all neatly displayed on tables and on shelves. Prices are generally at cover price, but that's okay because you'll be hard pressed to find these anywhere else. I liked the organizational system that they had laid out and if you're looking for something specific and can't find it, the staff is more than happy to help. Try that at Amazon or WH Smith! I picked up two books that I never knew that I really wanted until I saw them here - Simon Pegg's autobiography "Nerd Do Well" and a history of the Great Western Railway (the one that goes from Paddington to Reading).

Haven't seen an actual book store other than barnes and noble in a really long time. So thankful I stopped by this really cute book store. The people are super friendly and the atmosphere is great for a book nerd like me. Love love loved it! 5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE books and I love beautiful book stores like this one! If you are a book lover then you need to go here. It's like stepping into all the stories at once.

My favorite bookstore in the world. I nearly walked into traffic when I noticed this beautiful and quaint bookstore. The place was immaculate. It is clean, carpeted, lined in shiny wood, and full of books galore. The selection of books are astounding. Some would say, some of the titles and authors were edgy or controversial. Nothing you'd find in an American bookstore. People crowded the bookstore with books in hand while some debated which was better. It was a dream. It was a home for information full of intellectual guest. This is one of my most memorable moments of London. You must go to Daunt in Maryleborne. (Great high tea place nearby)

Probably my favourite bookstore ever (maybe second to my childhood corner manga stand that has disappeared many years ago, mmm hard to decide). It's "designed for travelers who like reading" (raising my hand eagerly) . Famous for it's travel book collection, but definitely a gem for literature books as well. Their travel books are way beyond just travel guides, although there are many of them for sure. Categorized by country and region, you can find books on: history, arts, food, culture, film, literature, and many more topics of the region. It's absolutely fascinating. My favourite is the London literature section near the entrance. Very tasteful selection and it's a pleasure just to read a few paragraph while you browse (and I always end up buying, which is rare because I usually buy books online, but I just can't resist). The interior is beautiful. Classic wooden counters, wooden floors, shelves and tables of book organized nicely, bright natural lighting, reading tables and chairs at the back, every time I passed by I had to make a stop there (and it usually turns out longer than I planned). Staff are helpful and friendly, and they also have cute stationaries for sale all around the store (my fav is cards of book illustrations). I love the convenience of Amazon but bookstores like this just cannot be replaced. And they should never be.

I object. The organization of Daunt Books rubs me the wrong way. Books are sorted largely by country. So far, fine. But Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden? Japan. Carlos Ruiz Zafon? Spain is accurate, but he is also an author of literature. Same with Haruki Murakami - he does not write guidebooks of Tokyo, he writes awesome novels. I dislike that authors from non-US non-UK countries are classified by country of origin as if their writing would only appeal to people of non-European descent. Otherwise, though, Daunt has a nice set-up, with large floors filled with books. The selection of (European and American) literature is very good and well-edited. I picked up a signed copy of Jonathan Franzen's new novel, though interestingly, the cashier expressed doubts as to its authenticity despite aggressive advertisement of signed copies on the part of the bookstore. If I lived in the area, I suppose I would browse Daunt now and then despite my fundamental objection. It is a pleasant bookstore, so if you have no problem with perceived insults to beloved foreign authors, you should probably check it out.

This is an beautiful old-style bookshop. Very English, with green carpets and wood carvings, but enticingly charming. It's like an old man's library but filled with great quality books from old classics to contemporary works. Every subject is covered and effectively classified. I was very surprised by their choice to order book sections by country, but as I sifted through this method I quickly realised that it worked immaculately. Each country was equipped with a travel section, guide books and general information, then came the local history books explaining the country's roots, then a series of local and related fiction books which often explain a country's culture better than anything else ever could. Apart from that, they also have a great selection of fiction titles, a very decent assortment of specified subjects and children books, as well as stationary. I quickly noticed that the downstairs area had aptly dedicated a whole little table to one of my favourite authors, Haruki Murakami. This is genius, and can only mean the very best about Daunt Books!

One of my favourite bookstores in London, just because they have such a huge travel section. They have every country you can possibly go to. Hours can be spent in here!

I found a book mark in the library for Daunts. I been curious to see Marylebone High Street for a while as it was so I decided on a trip. Daunts is midway up the street, which is a charming part of London. The book shop is really quite beautiful built with a glass roof in the main room. There is a general fiction section, but the main section of the bookshop is divided into country by country sections of travel books and important fiction (e.g. the Japan section has Nicolas Bouvier's Japanese book as well as Kenzaburo Oe). The best place I know to go book shopping, particularly if you want inspiration for a trip, or want to get into a particular country's literature.

I've seen pictures of this library in magazines and guides, but actually being here last Sunday was pretty amazing. One of those places where time stood still, and you wish your own time would stand still to be able to see everything and walk in every single corner. It's one of those venue that make you feel very small...and I loved that. 2 things that really stood out during my short visit here: 1) The super welcoming staff 2) Their gigantic travel collection...which made me think it's their domain of expertise. Planning you next travel around the world? Surely Daunt Books have everything you're looking for. A must-go if you're in the area.

A great independent travel book store, with outlets also in Holland Park & Hampstead. This (original) store is a wonder to behold. Of Edwardian design it features long oak galleries & a vaulted sky-light ceiling. The shop is flooded with loads of natural light, making it extremely condusive to browsing & exploring. You'll also find large sections devoted to gardening, cookery, style and interior design. Great destination for all things travel related, this store has survived/been successful through excellent, friendly service.

Beautiful bookstore in Marylebone; the building itself is Edwardian, a lovely traditional shopfront with lots of wood panelling and carvings. Inside the books are arranged by country, so you will find travel books, novels, biographies sitting together. There is a lovely, quiet but inspiring atmosphere in this store. A great alternative to the great but predictable offer of the Waterstones of this world.

I wandered unknowingly into a magical place! This bookstore sells a wide array of books, but also makes you feel as though you're in another world. It's special. The wooden interior and creaky floors make you want to stay a while and explore. And you'll notice that when you wander back, there's a downstairs that's very intriguing! Additionally, there is a narrow staircase leading upstairs to even more books and allows you to look over the entire store. It's a beautiful place. The staff is friendly as well.

What a great book store. Fantastic selection, awesome design. It was such a treat to stumble upon this place while on Vacation from America.

This is like a world encyclopaedia of books on every and I mean EVERY country you could travel too. This is awesome for someone like me. One to unwind an hour and read over and one to actually look over some great travel books that really seem dedicated to the art of global leisure.

Spoke with Thomas who was happy to help me with a gift. One he realized it was in the neighborhood, he even offered to drop it off on his way home to spare me from shipping fees! They also offer gift wrapping and personalized cards. The entire process took 4 minutes. 10/10 would recommend.

This is the book store you always wished you had as your local. It is located towards the top end of Marylebone High Street (equidistant between Baker Street and Bond Street Station) about 5 to 10 minutes walk from each. As I was saying it is the local book store you wished you had. I feel a sense of euphoria and elation every time I set foot into this place. It is always a pleasure going here... I never...never leave this place without buying at least two or three books...in fact I get so enthusiastic about this place I often buy books for other people. Much like the Tardis this place is bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside and because of this the range of books reference and fiction alike is vast.

When I grow up I want to be the owner of the Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street. Just this one, though. They can keep the rest. For this one is the thing of fairies and magic and unicorns. And all things shiny and glittery. Let's be honest; only on one of the poshest high streets in London could an independent bookshop specializing in travel books survive these dismal economic times. It's a unique space and is rewarded as such. It's nice to have a place where in-the-know tourists can experience this one-of-kind bookshop, while not disturbing the more regular clientele. There are few things I love more than spending a sunny afternoon perusing the London/England/Scotland/Ireland cat walk in the airy, two-story, solarium-style travel room. Two (very minor) gripes, however... 1) They should demand that I return some of their canvas bags. 2) The cookbooks are seriously overpriced. One last thing: does Daunt remind anyone else of the bookshop in Funny Face where Fred Astaire discovers Audrey Hepburn? Like I said before: magic, et al.

At the risk of courting hyberbole, Daunt Books is my favorite bookstore in the entire world. Everything, from the antique oak furniture, to the astounding number of titles they carry, to the way they organize their inventory by countries and regions, to the staff - who are superbly knowledgeable, not only about what Daunt carries but about books in general - is beyond compare. I want to be buried here when I go.

FABULOUS. Probably my favourite bookshop in London. The place is huge and the centrepiece is the fantastic travel section, with travel guides to every corner of the earth. I also liked that they had travel writing and novels referencing the area in which they were shelved (i.e. Naguib Mahfouz novels in the Egypt section, Khaled Hosseini in Afghanistan, etc). The upstairs balcony-esque section also has some very good, older second-hand travel books. Very nice set up, with books set out on tables as well, and despite the constant stream of people browsing in all the sections on a typically cloudy Saturday afternoon in London, I didn't feel crowded at all. Downside? It took me ages to figure out which literary treasure to purchase ... as a student, one's budget can only stretch so far!

I needed to wander and kill time while my husband and his charming and ridiculously handsome mate were catching up at a pub down the road. They did need to catch up, but honestly, my googly-eyed staring would be obvious, so I had to go. And so I chanced upon Daunt Bookstore, my true British crush. I like that the books are organized by country -- travel guides along with fiction and non-fiction so you can read up on a country's culture, history, politics, and every day life. Our stop in London was preceded by a trip through Slovenia and Croatia, so a book like "April Fool's Day" or "The Survival's League" would have been great to read along with a travel book. Bummer that I found the store after the trip. And what a beautiful space! If I were a woman of great wealth, I'd want a light-filled two story library just like this in my home.

I don't read books as often as I would like, or as often as I let other people believe I do.. I just don't have the time, and let's be honest, after doing MA coursework, I'd rather just put my brain on coast and read an OK magazine and catch up with Jordan's tan/breasts/divorce. I was brought into Daunt while strolling down the high st a while back and it's really just an inspiring place... it actually made me *want* to read something. Really, if you're anywhere near the shop, do pop in and just look around, even if you have a love/hate relationship with reading like I do. The inside of the shop made me gaze around like I remember doing as a kid seeing some new big store, when in fact it's not new, but the sight of a bookstore holding on to the vestiges of classic design charm is refreshing after spending so much time in libraries and (ick) chain bookstores/amazon.co.uk... There's a reason this is a top-review on Yelp, go see it for yourself.

I just love old fashioned book shops and this place really hits the nail on the head. The selection is wide and yet it maintains a really old fashioned vibe. The travel section (which was my target for the day) made me want to travel everywhere and had relevant novels as well as traditional travel books. I'll be coming here again for some peaceful browsing. If they had a couple of comfy arm chairs and coffees on order, I'd never leave.

Looking to pick up a parcel for the husband on my trip to London, I popped in here to see what I could get him. I wasn't expecting such a beautiful bookshop to be honest, I was really blown away. This is a very old-school kind of bookshop I haven't seen in years - but don't think that I mean old and run down, I mean classy and a real flair for shelf arrangement that makes you feel like buying everything your eyes spot. I wandered around the shop for a good 15 minutes before discovering the downstairs travel section which I had a quick peek at. I loved how everything was organised by country and there was more people than I expected browsing some seriously obscure countries. I picked up Lucky Peach magazine here which I hadn't seen before - it is a real treat. The staff were friendly and helpful, and I would love to have a bookshop like this nearby to visit more often! Note: I didn't get my husband a present here. Woops. I got too distracted!

Beautiful. Loved being in here, so much in fact that I went around the whole store twice just to stay inside longer. Yep, I arrived at the exit, stopped, cast my gaze back around the shop floor, then went back to where I stood when I first walked in and started again. Just a bit slower the second time. Loved it. I didn't buy anything though. Considered many books but bought none. Daunt sell everything at the RRP which is fair enough, they need to make money but there happens to be an Oxfam book and music shop not 5 minutes down the same road with plenty of books at a fraction of the cost albeit second/third hand. But still, new books are wonderful things and I'm happy to pay full price, just not as often. Daunt Books is deceptively larger than it looks, making good use of space in the back rooms with basement and mezzanine levels. Tastefully designed throughout, I believe I've found what is possibly my favourite full price book shop in London - I shall return. Daunt? No need, It's really quite nice, Ian

This original Edwardian bookshop has natual light in their long oak galleries, opening the sky of imagination, especially accompanied by their renowned travel books and maps, symbol of power, taste and influence. The design also reminds me the Harvard/MIT Coop, the balconies one can walk up to and discover new countries. As a board member of the Coop, I used to pay much attention to the business of books thinking like Meg Ryan of the Shop Around the Corner (You've Got Mail). These days I'm simply happy to be a visitor. Staff members are always smiling and helpful when I ask for specifics. Browsing various new titles are much fun as they're less of the main stream collections, e.g. The Left Bank: Writers, Artists, and Politics from the Popular Front to the Cold War. "Those titles you can't find in any other bookshops." My media friend commented. Randomly, hours passed. I enjoyed every encounter with the soul in this place.

A great little bookshop a million miles away from the teeming homogeneity of Oxford Street 5 minutes down the road. This place has shelf loads of charm and uniqueness in the form of wooden floors and a travel theme. Primarily aimed at the tourist and the wandering, the whole back section of the shop is grouped by country and region where the relevant time out guides, maps, national icons and local heroes are housed. The rest of the bookshop carries the usual mix of books but the nice thing about Daunt is their selection tables. It's always good when someone points you in the right direction (think how useful Tom Tom's are) but it's especially useful in somewhere like this where you know you want a whimsical, character based novel to read in bed but have no idea where to go from there. For further directions see address above.

I love the whole sort of old-fashioned, elegant and classy feel about this place. If I have to compare it to a person, it would be a very smart, well-educated and sophisticated teacher who is adored by all her students, sitting in class, watching her graceful manners and listening to her eloquent speech with gaping mouths. The selection of books is obviously more than extensive. I spend hours here, browsing and sniffing the books, wanting to buy everything. I never leave without treating myself to a book and I simply can't wait for my next visit here, my next date with the beautiful and wise lady.

I love a bit of bookshelf porn. The bookshelves here are awesome. The structure and the steep staircase. The wood. The shaft of light down the middle. Just beautiful. I need something like this in my fantasy house in the clouds. I needed to get a gift for a friend and just landed up here as the closest bookshop from work which had the book I was looking for. I was so shocked/surprised I hung around for more than an hour late into the day just taking it in. I think I'd give it a 5 if I had gone back a second time. But haven't got round to it yet.

This beautiful Edwardian bookshop in the middle of Marylebone High Street is full of style and substance. Gorgeous wood interiors and skylights, excellent book selection, helpful & friendly staff, and a wonderful shelving system that encourages browsing, serendipity, and discovery. I adore the way they organise travel books in groupings with non-traditional travel titles. In those groupings you'll find not just the box standard Lonely Planet guides, but also works on the particular region's food, literature, folk cultures, art, novels, you name it, it is probably there. A wonderful place to visit when you want to feel that moment of elation and excitement when you come across a "book in the wild" that you weren't searching for, but non-the-less needs to come home with you right then and there.

Since moving to London I have rather fallen in love with my neighborhood, ok so I live on Marylebone High Street so its perhaps not a surprise that this would happen. One of Marylebones institutions is Daunt Books, roughly split over three levels, once you wandered right the way through this is a book shop from a time now lost. With both on just about anything its easy to get lost in a section perusing the books. For me my recent found adoration for 19th century Russian authors has been well fed here and if you are ever unsure about anything the staff are attentive and knowledgeable. If you need a book and nobody else can help you.....maybe you can find Daunt books :)!

Very beautiful book store. They dont have many copies of the same book. So if its popular it might not be there. Still a great shop to check out.

If you're in the area, bop inside and look around for a bit. If you're looking for a travel book, Daunt probably has what you're looking for. But in my opinion, it's basically just a bookstore, not a must see.

I love coming here before I go on holiday because their travel section is really the best of its kind in London. Books are arranged by continent and then by country and each section has a selection of travel guides, fiction and history books - everything you need for a full appreciation of whichever culture you're visiting. It also looks really nice with the natural light coming from the glass ceiling and wooden shelves, it's a bit like being in a library in a period drama. The rest of the shop is great too with a good arts section and excellent fiction selection. The staff are also knowledgeable and each purchase comes with a bookmark tucked inside.

I can't but join the fans, this books store is incredible. I love its old-styled elegant looks, the wooden self's and of course, the endless selection. A rare thing to find. I went to look for simple travel book from Chile but I ended up finding so many interesting Novels from authors from Chile. What a brilliant idea to stock books by coutry.

When I was working in a travel magazine some years ago, I had the great pleasure of editing a section of the best shops in London and this is how I got to know Daunt Books. It is the prettiest bookshop I've seen in my life1 It's more like a library, only you can't borrow the books. It is so well stocked there is slim to non-chance of not finding what you are looking for. And if by chance you didn't find your book, be sure they will get it for you. It is the best books shop in London.

Daunt Books is a bit daunting, simply due to the range of books on offer. It is any book lover's dream. And it's gorgeous to boot. With an amazing range of books in every category imaginable, I have found some absolute gems here that I have not been able to find elsewhere. Staff are helpful, knowledgable, and so very passionate about books. They're also really good at ordering rare books in for you, and delivery is really quick.

This is one of the best book stores in London as far as I can tell. You can literally (pun intended ;) ) spend a whole day long there wondering and sampling the books on display. Not to mention their huge collection of the travel books, guides, history books, etc. The place in Marylebone High Street is a very convenient space with a lot of room for nerdy bookworms like me :)