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Whether you’re a non-fiction fanatic, a lover of romance novels or a sci-fi epic expert, London has a literary store to scratch your bookworm itch.
Beyond the wordsmith heavyweights like Waterstones, Foyles and Daunt Books, the city is home to small booksellers aplenty. And now, we come to you with the indie to trump all indies.
Every year, the Bookseller takes on the challenge of finding the best of the best at its annual British Book Awards. Ahead of announcing the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year in May, nine regional and country winners have been revealed, and Backstory in Balham has been named London’s best independent for 2026.
Home to a wine bar as well as fully-stocked shelves, Backstory is more than a bookshop, acting as a third space and community hub for locals. Launched by former journalist Tom Rowley, who left the Economist to open the literary-emporium-turned-boozer, Backstory has been serving up great reads and tasty sips since its debut in 2023.
Backstory’s big win shows that patience pays off, because it finally took home the prize after appearing on the shortlist for three years running, beating eight other London sellers to the top spot.
Tom Tivnan, the Bookseller deputy editor, said 2026 had been a ‘record year for submissions’ to the awards. The victors were selected from the 76 finalists announced last month. The overall winner, announced on May 11, will receive a cheque for £5,000 and will go on to compete for Book Retailer of the Year.
Tempted by the thought of traversing some award-winning bookshelves? You’ll find Backstory at 71 Balham High Road, SW12 9AP.
Time Out’s guide to 45 brilliant bookshops in London to visit in 2026.
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