Stanfords
12–14 Long Acre Covent Garden London WC2E 9LP
Said to be the world’s largest travel bookshop, Stanfords has occupied these imposing premises since 1901, and it’s looking as good as it ever did, a wonderful, browsable bookstore of three storeys that remains the best place in London to pick up travel guides, maps, travel literature and picture books and travel-related objects of all kinds. It’s also good for gifts, with an eye-catching array of glowing globes and funky travel-related trinkets, and its digital division prints customized maps and aerial photos to order. Order a coffee and a sandwich from the lively, tiny Sacred Cafe on the ground floor, and pore over your purchases as you plan your next trip.