Treadwell’s Books, Store Street, London
Store Street, in Bloomsbury, used to house offices of the British Library, and is now home to Treadwells book store, founded in 2003.
The only word to describe this shop is “esoteric”. When I visited last week, there was a display of Russian literature near the door, and there are also miscellaneous books on travel, history, poetry and biographies. Its real speciality though is cultural history and esoteric belief. You’ll find books on paganism, fortune-telling, folklore, occult text, paranormal study journals and tarot cards. In addition to the books, there are old engravings, candles, incense, ceremonial daggers, wooden wands and ethnic jewellery.
At the back of the store is a cosy sofa where you can sit and browse, and the staff are more than happy to help with your choices. Those doing research in areas of pagan and esoteric belief, there is expert help on hand, and if they can’t help with your questions they can put you in contact with a man (or woman) that can.
The store is open seven days a week and also organises a busy programme of events. There is something on most evenings, ranging from walking tours to astrology classes to talks, films and plays. You might even happen across an incense making workshop and of course tarot readings, for which they are highly regarded.
They will also be appearing at the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire this August.
Treadwells, 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS
Originally published on our sister website Shop with Intent in April 2013.
Linked to Sundays in My City.
Travel with Intent 
I love bookstores and this one looks amazing! Could spend hours (and a lot of money!) in one… 🙂
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It looks like something out of Harry Potter. 😀
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Shopping specialty and older bookstores is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. My husband and I always seek out the part of the town that has small galleries and bookshops.
🙂
Traci
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I love bookstores! : ) My book club is meeting this afternoon and I am super excited! I asked for book recommendations on facebook and have 37 good choices. YIKES! I have no idea what we will pick.
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I love esoteric bookstores. This one looks wonderful!
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Who doesn’t love a funky, local bookstore?!?!
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I love bookstores like this. They are indeed magical
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I love browsing in ’boutique’ bookshops, as opposed to same old, same old chain stores, and I’m going to have to look this one up on another journey into London..,.
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Oh, I would have lots of fun there Debbie and will stay there forever! Great shots hon. Love the crow. 😀
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If you ever get over here, I’ll do you a tour. Would be fun! x
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Deal! 😀
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Wow, that place sure sounds like a unique visit! I wish I lived near London…. What am I saying? I wish I lived in England. But since that won’t be happening anytime soon… I would love for a shop like this to be near me! 🙂
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OMG – this has brought back a bizarre memory! I met up with this guy in Bloomsbury once for a date. He’d written some book about Talismans, and he dragged me to this bookshop to impress me with his pride and joy displayed there on a shelf. I later declined to take him back home with me for him to show me his other pride and joy and he (in all seriousness!) wished the black boils on me with one of his…erm… magic spells! Still waiting for them to appear…
Maybe I should write this up in a proper post, lol. If I do, I’ll have to link it to yours 😉
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Oh you should write it up. I bought some normal books in there, there was even a display of classic Russian literature at the entrance, but I did find the stuffed crow a bit unnerving! Glad you avoided the same fate!
On Sun, Feb 23, 2014 at 12:21 AM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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I’m actually looking at two of my old notebooks right now to see if there’s anything in there that will jog my memory!
Russian literature, I see what’s lured you in there 😉
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This looks like the kind of place I would love to browse in. Can never resist a good book shop, one that has character not like the sterile high street chains.
Jude xx
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