The best London stationery stores
Stationery stores appeal to all ages, and London's coolest offerings are sure to inspire your inner creative
Present & Correct - stationery heaven in Clerkenwell
They say the pen is mightier than the sword, and one quick stroll around London's fab stationery shops is enough to make you believe it. Those who despair about the digital takeover of everything need only pop into these papeteries to be transported to a world of minimalist desk decor, vintage European stationery brands and quirky design artefacts.
Smiggle these aren't.
Not only are these stationery shops self-care havens for grown-ups in need of a new notebook, set of notecards, wrapping paper or writing implement, they might just inspire your child to pick up a pen and paper. In fact, if they need a pen-pal, new subscription service Banjo Robinson features a jet-setting cat writing to your little one from far-flung destinations, encouraging their wanderlust and urging them to write back.
Here are our fave stationery shops that you won't be able to resist - beyond the usual faves like Smythson.
Present & Correct
Present & Correct
23 Arlington Way, Clerkenwell, EC1R 1UY, Tues-Sat: 12pm-6:30pm
Present & Correct is very much the stationery shop that makes you feel your life could change with any purchase: a 2020 paperback agenda will suddenly make you organised, an Ace ballpoint pen will inspire that bestselling book you know you have inside you (or at least get you to write, well, anything), while a Block Shape stamp set will elevate craft time with your toddler to a Picasso-worthy art project.
Everything is irresistible, and this shop has it all, whether you need funky metal paper clips or a book on the aesthetic of coffee table lids.
Want to be a smug, non-plastic toy kind of parent? Wonderful - you'll also find quirky toys and gifts like an abacus from the 1960s, retro picture sorting cards, wooden puzzles and kaleidographs.
Lead Tin
Lead Tin
30 Webbs Road, SW11 6SF
Lead Tin is SW11's most exciting opening of 2019: the stationery store and workspace sells everything from Sennelier oil pastels to Viarco pencils to Hahnemühle artist papers to inspire every budding writer and artist you know. They also have what it takes to satisfy the customer looking for handmade card or wrap, or the parent wandering in with a school-kid (there are plenty of sub-£5 treats like pencils, rubbers, sharpeners and stamps).
The shop also has a backroom that's used for a variety of classes and workshops, including yoga for kids and adults, music classes, breathwork and meditation and life drawing.
Labour & Wait
Labour & Wait
85 Redchurch St, Shoreditch, E2 7DJ, Mon-Fri: 11am-6:30pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-6pm
While not strictly a stationery store (Labour & Wait has all manner of household goods and useful items, from kitchen essentials to stylish takes on household items like toolboxes), the offerings here won't fail to impress. Everything is minimalist and beautifully made and you can stock up on chalk from Kreiden, Germany's oldest chalk factory, founded in 1870, waxed paper envelopes, fountain pens, rotary pencil sharpeners, exercise books and even salami string - a great alternative to ribbon for wrapping presents.
kikki.K
kikki.K
5-6 James St, Covent Garden, WC2E 8BT, Mon-Sat: 11am-7pm, Sun: 11am-8pm (further outposts in Fortnum & Mason and St. Pancras)
This is a great shop to know about for funky diaries, notebooks, journals and accessories, as well as stationery essentials, from pen sets to tape dispensers. Most items come in a soothing and covetable pastel and rose gold palette, making it ideal for gifts for tween/teen girls and new mums who want to keep a log of those heady baby days. Bonus: you can personalise items like diaries for an extra special gift.
Choosing Keeping
Choosing Keeping
21 Tower St, WC2H 9NS, Mon-Sat: 10:30am - 6:30pm, Sun: 11am - 5pm
Notebooks and diaries and decorative papers, oh my! From glass paperweights with dried flowers to watercolour sets, ceramic pen pots to rice starch glue, Choosing Keeping is a treasure trove of stationery goodies for the poet, illustrator and architect in your life. You'll find a present for everyone on your list here.
Oh Squirrel
Oh Squirrel
This online card and stationery shop has a wonderful selection of stylish and inspiring cards for any and every occasion, as well as wall art prints, mantra pencils, personalised pencil cases and a range of goodies designed to kit out any mamas-to-be for baby showers or soon-to-be-wed hens.
Papier. Photo: Luke Fullalove
Papier
This online shop is your go-to for diaries and notebooks to suit every aesthetic taste and need. You'll find collaborations with favourite brands from Desmond & Dempsey to Disney, as well as notepaper sets, calendars, nursery prints and wedding stationery. Papier will also transform those photos living on your social media accounts into glorious photo books and framed pictures for your walls.
Smiggle these aren't.
Not only are these stationery shops self-care havens for grown-ups in need of a new notebook, set of notecards, wrapping paper or writing implement, they might just inspire your child to pick up a pen and paper. In fact, if they need a pen-pal, new subscription service Banjo Robinson features a jet-setting cat writing to your little one from far-flung destinations, encouraging their wanderlust and urging them to write back.
Here are our fave stationery shops that you won't be able to resist - beyond the usual faves like Smythson.
Present & Correct
Present & Correct
23 Arlington Way, Clerkenwell, EC1R 1UY, Tues-Sat: 12pm-6:30pm
Present & Correct is very much the stationery shop that makes you feel your life could change with any purchase: a 2020 paperback agenda will suddenly make you organised, an Ace ballpoint pen will inspire that bestselling book you know you have inside you (or at least get you to write, well, anything), while a Block Shape stamp set will elevate craft time with your toddler to a Picasso-worthy art project.
Everything is irresistible, and this shop has it all, whether you need funky metal paper clips or a book on the aesthetic of coffee table lids.
Want to be a smug, non-plastic toy kind of parent? Wonderful - you'll also find quirky toys and gifts like an abacus from the 1960s, retro picture sorting cards, wooden puzzles and kaleidographs.
Lead Tin
Lead Tin
30 Webbs Road, SW11 6SF
Lead Tin is SW11's most exciting opening of 2019: the stationery store and workspace sells everything from Sennelier oil pastels to Viarco pencils to Hahnemühle artist papers to inspire every budding writer and artist you know. They also have what it takes to satisfy the customer looking for handmade card or wrap, or the parent wandering in with a school-kid (there are plenty of sub-£5 treats like pencils, rubbers, sharpeners and stamps).
The shop also has a backroom that's used for a variety of classes and workshops, including yoga for kids and adults, music classes, breathwork and meditation and life drawing.
Labour & Wait
Labour & Wait
85 Redchurch St, Shoreditch, E2 7DJ, Mon-Fri: 11am-6:30pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-6pm
While not strictly a stationery store (Labour & Wait has all manner of household goods and useful items, from kitchen essentials to stylish takes on household items like toolboxes), the offerings here won't fail to impress. Everything is minimalist and beautifully made and you can stock up on chalk from Kreiden, Germany's oldest chalk factory, founded in 1870, waxed paper envelopes, fountain pens, rotary pencil sharpeners, exercise books and even salami string - a great alternative to ribbon for wrapping presents.
kikki.K
kikki.K
5-6 James St, Covent Garden, WC2E 8BT, Mon-Sat: 11am-7pm, Sun: 11am-8pm (further outposts in Fortnum & Mason and St. Pancras)
This is a great shop to know about for funky diaries, notebooks, journals and accessories, as well as stationery essentials, from pen sets to tape dispensers. Most items come in a soothing and covetable pastel and rose gold palette, making it ideal for gifts for tween/teen girls and new mums who want to keep a log of those heady baby days. Bonus: you can personalise items like diaries for an extra special gift.
Choosing Keeping
Choosing Keeping
21 Tower St, WC2H 9NS, Mon-Sat: 10:30am - 6:30pm, Sun: 11am - 5pm
Notebooks and diaries and decorative papers, oh my! From glass paperweights with dried flowers to watercolour sets, ceramic pen pots to rice starch glue, Choosing Keeping is a treasure trove of stationery goodies for the poet, illustrator and architect in your life. You'll find a present for everyone on your list here.
Oh Squirrel
Oh Squirrel
This online card and stationery shop has a wonderful selection of stylish and inspiring cards for any and every occasion, as well as wall art prints, mantra pencils, personalised pencil cases and a range of goodies designed to kit out any mamas-to-be for baby showers or soon-to-be-wed hens.
Papier. Photo: Luke Fullalove
Papier
This online shop is your go-to for diaries and notebooks to suit every aesthetic taste and need. You'll find collaborations with favourite brands from Desmond & Dempsey to Disney, as well as notepaper sets, calendars, nursery prints and wedding stationery. Papier will also transform those photos living on your social media accounts into glorious photo books and framed pictures for your walls.
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
Receive free tickets & insider tips to unlock the best of London — direct to your inbox