Address: 7 Mercer Walk, London, WC2H 9FA, United Kingdom
Phone: +442078361321
Rating: 4.7
based on 164 reviews.
Selection and Variety
Pros:
"Truly impressive selection of books."
"They stock absolutely every travel book ever written, whether it's a witty memoir or a gorgeous coffee table tome."
"An extraordinary bookstore that sells travel guides, books with themes about travel, maps, and even travel accessories."
"Definitely the largest selection of books and maps dedicated to travel I've seen."
"Great selection of travel books. Huge selection maps. Good selection of the latest travel writing."
"This place has a guide and map on every place you'd consider making your destination."
"Awesome books & maps shop! Definitely the place to go if you need a map for your next holiday."
Cons:
"The new shop is a real disappointment. Feels a lot smaller than the old one."
"Shocked by the new 'coffee house' (with bookshop stuffed into the basement)."
"The old shop was amazing, but this one seems to be much smaller and the map section is very much condensed."
"Oh how the mighty have fallen, this new location is smaller, off the beaten track and completely and utterly soulless."
"Gone are the wonderful floors with maps printed on them where you could walk between countries as you perused the store."
"It's lost a bit of the old charm from its old site just down the road."
"Now they moved to that new location. So shocked, the Wow factor is gone, I never go back there."
Staff and Service
Pros:
"The staff are also very helpful, willing to order in anything they don't have."
"Went in today and spoke to a great member of staff called Matteo, who was more than helpful and super patient with me and my requests."
"The staff is also very kind and helpful if you need any help or suggestions which makes your experience overall even more positive."
"Very helpful staff member went to basement and brought back a selection of travel books for me as I couldn't manage the stairs."
"Nothing is too much trouble for the very knowledgeable staff."
"As always an amazing store!! Always have the maps and guides I need. The staff are so helpful and have superb knowledge."
"The dedicated staff in the maritime section were very helpful."
Cons:
"Saddened to go to this renowned bookshop on Aug 2nd and encounter sultry, monosyllabic staff on both the till and the cafe."
"But, goodness, every single time the staff are grumpy, offhand and really give the impression that helping you is the last thing they’d like to be doing."
"The service in the cafe was surly. The coffee was not hot and when I asked for it to be heated, it came back just warm."
"The £40 worth of books ordered online never arrived and they refused to take responsibility so the online service is woeful."
"Great shop but truly too expensive. Why? If their management is not careful...this store will fold in the next two years."
"Hopeless to get through on the phone on a Sunday. I needed to know whether a particular map was in stock."
"Nearly killed myself going to the lavatory when I was tripped over a dog lead. Why allow dogs inside your cafe?"
Accessibility and Location
Pros:
"With walking distance from Covent Garden and Leicester Square stations."
"Stanford’s is a great little bookstore specializing in travel! It’s tucked away in a quiet area just off bustling Covent Garden."
"This is only a 5 minute walk from Covent Garden and the two worlds could t be further apart in terms of how busy nd noisy."
"Like the best museum gift shop you have ever been to."
"Remarkably for a map specialist, Stanfords new address, Mercer Walk is not shown on TfL's local area maps!"
Cons:
"Currently no lift downstairs so not suitable for wheelchair users."
"Nicely designed travel book shop. Note, those with mobility issues might struggle as stairs are steep."
"Truly impressive selection of books but despite moving to a new-build location there is no lift."
Ambiance and Experience
Pros:
"Stanfords is like a heaven for me - I really love it. Travel items, maps, gifts, all under one roof."
"One of my favourite places in all of London, you could very easily spend hours on end here."
"A dream for book lovers and travel enthusiasts. I could LIVE inside this store."
"The coffee shop is cozy; it offers a nice selection of coffee, tea and food; to enjoy while reading your book."
"I love a bookshop with a coffee shop inside and this one is small but comfy. Friendly staff, good choice of teas, decent coffee."
"A lovely bookstore that hides away endless journeys to get lost in. Travel writing is where it specialises and is topped off with a beautiful little cafe."
"It’s a lovely store to sit down and do some reading/ work or explore the aisles of products."
Cons:
"The new shop is a real disappointment. Feels a lot smaller than the old one, with none of the curious nooks and crannies."
"Shocked by the new 'coffee house' (with bookshop stuffed into the basement). Too small and not a patch on the previous premises."
"Oh how the mighty have fallen, this new location is smaller, off the beaten track and completely and utterly soulless."
"Gone are the wonderful floors with maps printed on them where you could walk between countries as you perused the store."
"It's lost a bit of the old charm from its old site just down the road, but it is a lot easier to get around and less cramped."
"Now they moved to that new location. So shocked, the Wow factor is gone, I never go back there."
"Management did find space for a cafe to extract maximum money though."