Osterley Bookshop

I'm no big fan of shopping but if I was ever asked to name my 'best places to buy things' this bookshop would certainly be there up in the top three.
The Osterley Book Shop has been around forgoodness knows, I can remember it when I was a teenager.
Parked on the brow of a slight incline just over half way down the salubrious Thornbury Road coming off the Great West Road it sits in an old railway signal box with a segment of the Piccadilly Line running underneath it.
In good weather the owners have a table with bargain books and oddities for sale placed just outside the front entrance to the left. Walk inside and the old bookshop odour immediately hits you as you confronted by piles and piles of books stacked to the ceiling.
It goes without saying that if you love old books (and knick knacks) you'll love this place. The owners, as you would expect are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, no hurry browsing is actively encouraged and you're almost certain to find a bargain.
Lastly small trivia item, one of the shop owners is Pennie Smith the Rock photographer famous for the iconic shot of Paul Simonon, bass guitarist for the Clash, smashing his axe on the floor. It was used for a Levi jeans commercial years later.
Boom boom!

Great collection of books. Been going there for years, and whether it's one of the owners there or one of the students who work on the weekend, it's always lovely. You won't necessarily find exactly what you're looking for, but you might just find books you never quite realised you were looking for.

Close to the entrance gates of Osterley Park is this wonderful and eccentric little second-hand bookshop.


The shop's tagline, the shop that has fans, not customers seems very appropriate: the interior is cramped and chaotic, and many of the shelves are lined two-deep with books, making this a place to rummage rather than browse. But that's part of the charm, and also makes it possible to find the odd bargain, hidden away (as I did).


They also sell an extensive line of reasonably-priced greetings cards, a selection of small antiques - and their own honey. Eclectic indeed. The staff are helpful in a nice, laid-back sort of way.


Eagled-eyed visitors will spot of the unusual design of the building: from 1884 until 1934 this was 'Osterley Park and Spring Grove' station on the District Line, until replaced by the present Osterley station, half a mile away. The bricked-up access to the footbridge can be seen at the back of the shop, and the platforms are still in place.

A used bookstore in an old train station just a few minutes walk from one of Robert Adam's greatest masterpieces Osterley Park House. A) How could ANYTHING go wrong with this equation, and B) What more do you need to know? Just go!

A true book shop. This looks, smells and feels like it's a bookshop from the 50's.


Although it looks un organized it is in a unique order so always ask for help.


Normally go there searching for Ian Fleming 1st editions. Have found a few and go back as often as i can

Lovely little bookshop that my boyfriend introduced me to a few years ago. I drive past it quite alot and it always looks very inviting.


It is the best place if you like rummaging through older second hand books, hoping to find something unique - they have a massive range of books, all filled into the quite small space of the shop. I really liked it when I went.

Very goo book shop . Lots of collection

I loved this shop when I lived near to it and, since moving some hundreds of miles, I have not found another bookshop to equal it. Whenever I'm in town, I always make time for a visit. The owners have been running it for at least 22+ years and are knowledgeable and laid back and friendly. It isn't 'Waterstones' thank goodness. A must visit if you love books. The mix of antiques and bric-a-brac is varied and an old telephone still has pride of place at home. Easy to get to from the 'tube' just around the corner.