Cosiest reading spot recommendations London?

[thiccapricot]

Hi! I am looking for recommendations for the cosiest reading spots in London.

Preferably looking for hidden gems with comfortable couches / chairs, somewhere quiet, (a fireplace would be a bonus!) that feels homely. (But not my actual home 🙃)

I love the British library but it's still a little cold and large. I also really like Piccadilly Waterstones and Daunt books although Daunt is more of a shop than an actual reading spot iyswim.

Thank you!

I've had a nice read before in the bar at the BFI on Southbank (the one inside rather than the Riverbank Bar).

I hear the Wellcome Collection library and reading room are also good spots.

Thank you! I'll be checking these out for sure

This is an odd request... do you travel around the city with a book? Can you not read in your own home, or local cafe?

The reading room at the Wellcome Collection is amazing. I'd quite like to move in. Make sure you go to the reading room and not the library.

This is like someone asking for a restaurant reservation and the response being 'Can't you eat in your house?'.

Sometimes people like a change of scenery, to go out, surely that can't be beyond your understanding?

Love this thread! Great idea OP!

Agree with Waterstones Piccadilly. Hatchards and Foyles also good.

In among the tree ferns outside the basement bar at the Royal Academy. With a G&T in the shade on a hot day. Or inside on a cold one.

The Flask pub, Highgate. Ditto The Angel (has a fire, from memory)

The BFI Kitchen on Stephen Street.

The October Gallery, Bloomsbury.

The Blue Bar at Claridge’s. With a champagne cocktail.

On the bench in the middle of Hammersmith Bridge, wrapped up with a hot chocolate.

The V&A.

The London Library.

The House of St Barnabas (members only)

The Wallace Collection.

The Ned. With a pot of tea.

The Charlotte Street Hotel.

So many amazing spots… I love London!

Thanks everybody! @ginandheels that's my next few weekends booked up! :)

Also - the Library Lounge at the Standard London - absolutely beautiful

The Poetry Library in the Southbank - it has a children's reading room just outside the main library which isn't much used and has a little reading nook

Great suggestions! Adding them to my list. Thanks @thiccapricot@SquirmOfEels @Woadicea and@Plexie I have found my people…

This is such a lovely thread. My two have already been said - the BFI library bar and the reading room at the Wellcome.

Any more recommendations for cosy corners for a coffee, cocktail or meal with a book would be very gratefully appreciated!