In today’s paperless society, the importance of stationery might appear to be waning. Reducing paper consumption helps protect forests and, ultimately, our planet. However, stationery is not only about paper. It includes office supplies for business branding tools, and stationery stores attract customers searching for keepsakes and arts and crafts.
My work requires a laptop, but it’s far more rewarding and convenient to rely on a humble pen and notebook to jot down thoughts and sightings on top of a mountain. I love an opportunity to browse stationery stores, and some of the best stationery shops are in London. In the words of the English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword.’
The Best Stationery Shops in London
London is bursting with independent and chain stationery stores. So if you want to stroll around six of the best stationery stores in London, here is our guide.
1. Choosing Keeping – History and Nostalgia
Since 2012, Choosing Keeping has retained their passion for stationery, undeterred by the digital age. It is about the memories rekindled by your first school pen or an old writing desk. Their enthusiasm is rooted in the cultural and historical meaning of stationery. It drives them to choose small, independent suppliers that share their sentiments.
As you walk through the door, something is likely to grab your eye. You might have gone in to browse, but suddenly you need a hard-backed composition ledger notebook for £25.00, available in an assortment of colours. No two books are identical, as hundreds of patterned papers make up the item.
There is a good selection of fountain pens, including the iconic German-made Lamy Safari, at £25.00.
The shops sell a small range of premium Japanese paintbrushes, starting from £16.00 for a natural bristle craft paintbrush.
Choosing Keeping sells exquisite stationery in Covent Garden. The stock is beautifully displayed, and the staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
Address: 21 Tower Street, London, WC2H 9NS
Telephone: 020 7613 3842
Related: 7 Japanese Shops in London: Knifes, Books, Food & Clothes
2. The Journal Shop – One Pen At A Time
The Journal Shop started in 2004, disappointed when they could not find their desired quality in stationery items. Their mission was to make a difference to fellow enthusiasts and bring well-designed merchandise from independent suppliers to the market.
The Journal Shop stocks stylish stationery to suit all budgets and offers a range of eco-friendly and vegan products.
They have great gift ideas. A stylish Copper and Brass Memo Board Magnet set by Ystudio for £19.99 is an excellent alternative to Blue Tak.
A traditional choice premium fountain pen is a Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen for £230.00. Or a Kaweco Liliput Fountain Pen for £47.00 towards the lower-end price bracket.
For a quality Italian notebook, the Ciak Eco Recycled Leather and Paper A5 notebook are £19.99.
The Journal Shop is a small shop selling a variety of luxury stationery in London. The store also has a popular online shop where items are delivered quickly and well-packaged.
Address: Unit 6, Boxpark, Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY
Telephone: 020 4538 3941
3. Postmark – Independent and Award Winning Card Shop
From humble beginnings and a leap of faith in 2004, they opened their first card shop in Balham, London. Today, Postmark has six stationery shops across South and West London. They run a successful online shop and have picked up numerous awards along the way. Postmark claims to supply the UK’s most extensive range of quality branded greeting cards.
Postmark stocks stationery and gifts, with a card type for every occasion.
Unique card ideas include A Certificate of Awesome card by Rifle Paper for £3.50.
Designed with happiness and world peace in mind, the light-humoured range, Gin and Frolics from Rosie Made A Thing, are available from £2.65.
A Jellycat Larry Lobster stuffed toy gift is £30.00.
Postmark have some of the best card shops in London. They sell unique and quirky cards, wrapping paper, and soft toys. Their online card shop sells a wide selection of cards and receives high praise for their speedy delivery.
Address: 123A Balham High Road, London, SW12 9AR
Telephone: 0208 675 7272
4. Present and Correct – Trigger a Memory
The saying Present and Correct might trigger memories of school headcounts. That is the aim of the stationery store to spark a memory and a smile with fond recollection. As longtime stationery enthusiasts, they have noticed the constantly evolving trends and reflect this in their stationery shop in London and online shop.
Present and Correct display products neatly in their bricks and mortar shop to simplify browsing. A Giant Pencil filled with pencils is currently for sale at £24.50 from the Heritage Collection by Musgrove Pencils, a US-based company originating in 1916.
From the vintage collection is a 1970s 12-pack of oil pastel sticks for £18.50. Japanese produced for a US branch of Sakura Color Products, a company manufacturing today in Osaka.
Kaweco, a German brand, are renowned for fountain pens, with a reputation for quality and precision. Present and Correct have a decorative glass fountain pen, super-sized at 200mm long. It would make a beautiful gift for a stationery lover, priced at £29.50.
Present and Correct is a stationery devotee’s idea of paradise. They have a wide selection of stationery from around the world. The shop is neat and peaceful, with helpful staff. Presently based in Arlington Way, one of the best stationery shops in London is about to relocate to larger premises in Bloomsbury.
Address: 23 Arlington Way, London, EC1R 1UY
Telephone: 020 7278 2460
5. Smythson – Luxury Handcrafted Stationery
Established in 1887, Smythson has a reputation for unrivalled craftsmanship where quality is never compromised. Over the years, Smythson’s prominence has been recognised by Royalty, gaining four Royal Warrants. Other influential clients have included Sigmund Freud and Sir Winston Churchill.
Examples of their luxury are Notebooks ranging from their Panama Leather bound Wafer notebook for £40.00 to a Hand Painted Chelsea In Bloom Portobello Notebook in Panama Leather for £345.00.
Twenty-five sheets of Kings Bordered classic writing paper is available for £20.00.
A beautiful pen to add to the collection could be the Smythson Fountain Pen presented in a Smythson box for £890.00. Or try the Smythson Ballpoint Pen for £390.00.
Smythson supplies personalised stationery to match your personality or brand.
If you want something extra special, Smythson’s design team can create Bespoke Commissions, such as ring boxes or wedding favours.
Smythson is the definition of luxury stationery in London. Their reputation for quality craftsmanship and customer service has stood the test of time.
Address: 131-132 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2TB
Telephone: 020 3535 8009
6. Papersmiths – The Shop for All Your Stationery Dreams
Papersmiths specialise in the tools of creation carefully sourced from around the globe. In 2013, co-founder Sidonie embarked on a journey to bring together the gems of the stationery world back to their bricks and mortar stationery shops in London, Brighton and, new to the scene, Bristol. The mission is to drive the creative imagination of their clients.
Papersmith is a stockist of hand-picked designers from Japan, France, Germany and many more, as well as their own Papersmith brand.
Self-awareness and improvement are growing trends, and to help you on your voyage of discovery, Papersmiths sell daily and weekly Purpose Journals from £13.00.
To keep you motivated with your journaling, you will need a pen. A German Kaweco Aluminium Sport Rollerball Pen is available for £65.00
If your writing inspiration comes from the great outdoors, try a notebook made of stone. It has a super-hydrophobic coating making it waterproof. Created by Karst, it is an eco-friendly and acid-free paper of groundstone and recycled plastic. A Karst A5 Notebook is available for £22.00. The responsibly made product is a receiver of the Cradle to Cradle Certification.
Papersmiths is an online store with physical stationery stores in London. They offer a range of high-quality products that give you a sense of satisfaction. Therefore, the products are collectable in style, chosen for their keepsake and functionality.
Address: 170 Pavilion Road. Chelsea, London, SW1X 0AW
Telephone: 0207 730 3433
6 Tips to Consider When Buying Stationery
- Quality. The quality and standard vary significantly with stationery products, and the price does not always reflect this.
- Suitability. It is essential to consider the suitability of the product. An item for personal use will likely have different requirements than for office use.
- Cost. If you are buying supplies for office use, you might want to spend less than purchasing a personal keepsake. However, if you choose high-quality stationery to match your company’s brand, you might want to spend a little more.
- Buying in bulk is an essential factor in keeping business costs low.
- Purchase eco-friendly products. More environmentally-friendly products are available on the market and for reasonable prices. Caring for the planet is a high priority for many people, and customers look for businesses that share their regard.
- Which country is famous for its stationery? Japan has a reputation for superior stationery. Some think it is the best stationery in the world.
