Muswell Hill Bookshops: The Best Places to Buy Books Locally
If money were no object, I’d live in Muswell Hill.
There’s something about this pocket of North London that feels different to the rest of the city.
It has a distinct village-y charm with wide pavements, Edwardian architecture, and independent shops.
And somehow, in this relatively small area around Muswell Hill Broadway, there are four brilliant bookshops – all within a few minutes’ walk of one another.
You can easily visit every single one in a single afternoon.
Add in a coffee stop and maybe an evening film at the local Everyman, and you’ve got one of the loveliest low-key London days out.
Here’s my guide to the best bookshops in Muswell Hill.
Muswell Hill Books & Parlour
Let’s start with one of the most characterful spaces in the area: Muswell Hill Books & Parlour.
Housed in a former funeral director’s parlour, this second-hand bookshop has been thoughtfully transformed into a warm, welcoming literary haven.
The decor and building itself gives it added charm – high ceilings, large curved windows, and coloured globes hanging from the ceiling.
The shelves are stocked with pre-loved fiction and non-fiction, and I found myself lingering in the classics, fantasy and sci-fi sections.
There’s something about browsing second-hand fantasy that feels particularly satisfying – I love flicking through well-thumbed paperbacks with slightly retro covers.
I left with an old film tie-in edition of The Lord of the Rings for just £3, which I was very pleased with.
There was also a dangerously tempting collection of second-hand Folio Society editions calling my name from one corner. If you’re a collector (or aspire to be), you’ll want to approach that shelf with caution.
This is the kind of place you pop into “just for a look” and emerge from half an hour later, clutching something you didn’t know you needed.
Address: 72 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 3HN
Opening hours: Typically Tuesday–Sunday (hours can vary — check before visiting)
Website: https://muswellhillbooks.co.uk
The Children’s Bookshop
Next up is an award-winning Muswell Hill bookshop, The Children’s Bookshop, which has been a Muswell Hill institution for decades.
Even if you don’t have children, it’s worth stepping inside.
I don’t have children, but there was a fairly large section dedicated to young adult or slightly more ‘adult’ reads, so I still enjoyed browsing these shelves.
The shop is expertly laid out, with a bright, welcoming feel and books for every age, from sturdy board books and picture books to middle grade adventures and thoughtful teen fiction.
I was especially impressed by the range of diverse fiction on offer. It was rare to read diverse literature when I was younger, especially about children with East Asian heritage who are growing up in the West, so I was pleased to discover Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang.
I couldn’t help thinking how much I would have loved seeing more books like this when I was younger.
There’s something very reassuring about seeing thoughtful, contemporary stories like this proudly displayed.
If you’re shopping for a gift for a child, this is a great place to look.
The staff are known for excellent recommendations, and the displays make it very easy to keep adding to your pile.
Address: 29 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 3HP
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 9:30am–5:30pm; Sunday 11am–5pm (subject to change)
Website: https://www.childrensbookshoplondon.com
House of Books
I was already familiar with House of Books, as its sister branch is my local, but this Muswell Hill location is much larger and feels almost like its big, confident sibling.
This is your classic excellent independent bookshop: a wide-ranging selection of new releases and backlist titles spanning pretty much every genre you could want.
Fiction, non-fiction, memoir, cookery, history, fantasy, romance – it’s all here.
The children’s room at the back is set apart in its own (very large) section and wonderfully colourful. I also loved the decorative alcove filled with plants, which was really aesthetic and made this shop feel cosy and homey rather than commercial.
If you only had time for one new bookshop on the Broadway, this would be it, as you’re very likely to find what you’re looking for.
Address: 147 Muswell Hill Broadway, London N10 3RS
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm; Sunday 11am–5pm (subject to change)
Website: https://www.houseofbooks.co.uk
Oxfam Books
Finally, there’s Oxfam Books Muswell Hill, which is one of the better Oxfam bookshops in London.
The selection is broad and well organised, with strong fiction and non-fiction sections, a solid classics shelf, and a dedicated children’s and young adult area.
It also stocks vinyl records and DVDs, so this bookshop is perfect for those interested in all things pop culture, not just books.
As with all good charity bookshops, the joy is in the unpredictability. You never quite know what you’ll find, which makes it the perfect final stop on a Muswell Hill bookshop crawl.
If you’re trying to keep your book-buying budget under control (no promises), this is where you might strike gold for just a few pounds – all while supporting a good cause.
Address: 135 Muswell Hill Broadway, London N10 3RS
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 9:30am–6pm; Sunday 11am–5pm (subject to change)
Website: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/oxfam-books-muswell-hill
Why Muswell Hill Is Perfect for a Bookshop Crawl
One of the things I love most about Muswell Hill is how walkable it is.
All four of these bookshops are clustered around Muswell Hill Broadway and its surrounding streets. You can move between them in a matter of minutes, which means you’re never rushing across town or hopping on tubes in between stops.
Instead, you can browse slowly or stop for a coffee in between visits to local independent shops.
It feels like a small-town high street, but with the added bonus that you’re still in London.
Four strong bookshops in such close proximity is rare anywhere in the city, let alone in a neighbourhood that feels this picturesque.
So, if you’re planning a literary day out in London, add Muswell Hill to your list.
It’s proof that you don’t need to be in central London to find brilliant independent bookshops – sometimes the best clusters are tucked away in less talked-about neighbourhoods.
Looking for more London bookshops? You may also love these indie bookshops:
