Southbank Book Market
Southbank Book Market
3.5
About
This is an outdoor market devoted almost only to books. It's located under the Waterloo Bridge and continues along the Thames.
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The area
Neighborhood: Southbank
Big time attractions such as the London Eye and a thriving theatre scene (compliments of the National Theatre and the Young Vic) are but a few of the reasons that Southbank is such a collectively cherished part of town. With plenty of family friendly activities and venues lined up along a pedestrianized river bank between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, visitors can always expect a casual and festive atmosphere. On top of all the fun stuff to do at Southbank is the opportunity to simply sit back and admire photo-op views of iconic landmarks like Parliament and St Paul's Cathedral, just on across the Thames.
How to get there
- Waterloo • 5 min walk
- Embankment • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
61 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
24
Average
15
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Ahmet Ozerek
Rainham, UK59 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
We visited this book market, in July 2024, as part of a day visit to London. The market turned out to be somewhat smaller than expected with only a limited number of stalls. Despite arriving there just before lunchtime the stalls were not fully open the vendors were still putting books out. When enquiries were made help was limited and customers were left to browse for what they were after amongst books randomly placed on the tables. The selection was limited and pricing not value for money for second hand books. If you are in the area it may be worth a visit for the experience but I wouldn’t make a special trip just to look for books, as the chance of you finding what you are looking for is limited and a dedicated trip not value for money. You would be better off going to your local second hand bookstore or charity shops. You do however get a close up view of the London Eye.
Written July 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland30,988 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
The Southbank Book Market is a sight to be seen. Been there for years. Shows you that people still like to read paper books!
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
firuzakhan
Mumbai, India469 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
One of my favorite past time in London is browsing for books, especially at the open air South Bank Book market. I have picked up countless old books for a song - books on history, art, architecture, novels, historical romances as well as old cards, maps, paintings etc. No trip of mine to London is ever complete without visiting the book stall on the South Bank or even walking down the South Bank. The benches on the South Bank are perfect places to relax on, with the recent books purchased and to watch the boats glide down the Thames! A perfect spot for bibliomaniacs!
You may start from below Waterloo Bridge and walk eastwards till you reach Southwark Bridge or walk westwards towards Lambeth Bridge and on both sides the experience is quintessential London.
You may start from below Waterloo Bridge and walk eastwards till you reach Southwark Bridge or walk westwards towards Lambeth Bridge and on both sides the experience is quintessential London.
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D P
Wellington, New Zealand8,043 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Masses of discounted books, second hand and barely read. Also old maps and postcards on sale.
Reasonably price and laid out over dozens of tables there is pretty much every genre covered here so something for everyone!
Just note the letter on the inside cover next to the price and pay at that lock box at the end of the tables as each table is owned by a different person.
Reasonably price and laid out over dozens of tables there is pretty much every genre covered here so something for everyone!
Just note the letter on the inside cover next to the price and pay at that lock box at the end of the tables as each table is owned by a different person.
Written July 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RustonTraveller
Bossier City, LA279 contributions
May 2017 • Family
Interesting visit. You never know what you're going to find. The books are laid out on a series of tables, not necessarily with a lot of organization. You have to hunt through the books to find--that's part the adventure. it's also a great place to find out period prints and posters.
We went on a Sunday--it was busy.
We went on a Sunday--it was busy.
Written May 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AtergNnud
London, UK1 contribution
Feb 2016 • Friends
Well, it certainly wasn't open today (February 8, 2016) and a cafe nearby said it hadn't been open for a while... very disappointing and no information if and when it will be open again.
Written February 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jankensan
Thirsk4 contributions
Nov 2013 • Family
I went to this market on a recent long weekend and we both found something to buy. The tables are neatly laid out and you can see everything easily. There is plenty of space around the tables so you're not cramped or getting pushed into. The prices ranged from £1.50 to £4 for a paperback, with special editions and older books going anywhere between £5 and £30. Not the cheapest place to buy second hand books but well worth a look, just for the experience. The staff were also very friendly even though it was a frigid cold day!
Written November 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kingstar
Arkansas City, KS8 contributions
Sep 2019
great place to enjoy on a good day i love to grab a book and just relax so this was great for me to sit by the river and read my favourite novel
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zopinnell
Greater London, UK1 contribution
May 2018 • Friends
A man supervising the market informed me that I was ‘reading the book wrong’ and corrected me, which I would’ve been fine with if he hadn’t also added an annoyed ‘Jesus christ’ and called me an idiot. Complete over reaction from a rude man, also felt a bit targeted since there were many others around me holding the books in the exact same manner. Not returning and definitely would NOT recommend.
Written May 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arnt Olav
Sigdal Municipality, Norway472 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Second hand market for books and maps. Books from all over the world mostly from the 19th and 20th century.
Old maps, or copies of old maps. You need a good eye to get a good bargain...
Old maps, or copies of old maps. You need a good eye to get a good bargain...
Written July 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duru Hakkaçırmaz
Türkiye
When does the market open and close?
Written June 27, 2018
It generally opens from around 10 in the morning till around 7 in the evening. Different sellers open on different days (depending on the weather) but you can catch all of them open at the weekends.
Written September 17, 2019
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