Notting Hill is known for quite a few things: Portobello Road market, Notting Hill carnival, and rows upon rows of colourful houses (oh so pretty, oh so expensive!). It’s also known for that book shop in that movie, of course…
…but it’s another bookshop I want to talk about today.
At a glance...
Notting Hill Book Exchange: books and lots of comics
On the stretch of road that leads to Portobello Road, you’ll find Notting Hill Book Exchange, one of the coolest second-hand bookshops in London. It used to be called Notting Hill Book and Comic Exchange, before the Comic part was moved into its dedicated store next door. It still sells lots of comics, though, racks after racks of them in the back room.
And books on all topics, of course. There’s an emphasis on popular culture (music, films, fashion) and counter culture, as well as genre fiction, but really, there’s something for most tastes and budgets. Oh, and they sell back issues of magazines, which is awesome. Lots of editions of Vogue (UK, French, Italian, you name it), lots of movie magazines, and I saw some early issues of The Face last time I was there.
A unique pricing strategy
It’s a two rooms affair with a cool grungy vibe (check out the wall of posters between the room!), with books organised thematically by section. The way the stock is priced is pretty unique: there’s a starting price, and then, on most items, that gets reduced periodically the longer the item is on the shelf. That seems to work pretty well for them, they’ve been around for what feels like forever.
Books and beyond in Notting Hill
And not just for books either: Notting Hill Book Exchange is part of an umbrella of second hand shops on Pembridge Road/ Notting Hill Gate (plus one outpost in Greenwich)As well as the aforementioned comics, there are 3 shops for second hand fashion (both designer and high street), and a music and video store.
Where to go from there?
If you feel peckish after all that shopping, may I suggest a hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun? And for another fantastic second hand bookshop, head to Crofton Books in Brockley. It’s a bit of a trek from Notting Hill, but I promise it’s worth it.
Or you could check the charity shops in Clapham/ Battersea and Pimlico – some of them have a terrific book selection!
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Notting Hill Book Exchange: practical information
Address: 30 Pembridge Road, W11 3HL
How to get there: the nearest tube stop is Notting Hill Gate (Central line). Notting Hill Book Exchange is about 3 minutes walk from the station (you need to take the right-hand side exit).
Website: https://mfeshops.com/pages/notting-hill-book-exchange
Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
Notting Hill Book Exchange on Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZSsXEavhNRYYgs1v5 (actually, it does.not.appear.at.all! on Google maps, for whatever reason, so the link is the sister comics store)
Good to know: they’ll buy your books and magazines, too, and you can choose to get your payment in exchange vouchers.
