✨ Must-Visit Bookstores & Museums in London!

These are my absolute favorites—I stop by every time I'm in London! 👀 1️⃣ The Courtauld Gallery 🎨 📍 Address: Somerset House, Strand (near Covent Garden, en route to the Thames) A hidden gem combining an art museum + gallery shop! ▪️ Upstairs: Paid exhibitions (but less crowded than the National Gallery!) ▪️ Downstairs: FREE gift shop (my personal obsession! 🛍️) Why I love it: ✅ Small but exquisite—features Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso! ✅ The basement shop is a design lover’s paradise—affordable, stylish, and full of unique finds. ✅ Perfect for a quick but high-quality art fix! 2️⃣ Waterstones 📚 📍 Multiple locations (I love the one near V&A!) Yes, it’s a chain—but hear me out! Best for: ▪️ Books: Superbly organized, with a great mix of fiction, non-fiction & niche topics. ▪️ Jigsaw puzzles: Galison puzzles galore! 🧩 (I snagged their Christmas & Winter Lights collections here—always up-to-date!) ▪️ V&A Museum merch: No need to trek to the V&A—they sell those iconic printed tote bags here! (Though the V&A is still worth a visit 😉) Why I keep going back: ✅ Cozy, quiet corners for reading ☕📖 ✅ Puzzle heaven for enthusiasts like me! ✅ One-stop shop for books + gifts. #BookLover #ArtNerd #LondonTravel #HiddenGems #ShopLikeALocal 🇬🇧