Bookshops
The Marylebone High Street branch is housed in a former Edwardian bookshop with long oak galleries, graceful skylights and William Morris prints. The older section of the Marlyebone shop was completed in 1912, and was originally an antiquarian bookshop called Francis Edwards. It is alleged to be the first custom build bookshop in the world. A large, walk-in safe is also visible near the entrance to the travel gallery, and is where expensive volumes were once stored. The shop was bought by former banker James Daunt and renamed Daunt Books in 1990, now focussed on first-hand titles (especially travel-related material).
The company has branches in Chelsea, Holland Park, Cheapside, Hampstead and Belsize Park.
Specialising in travel, Daunt Books arranges its sections geographically - with guides, phrase books, travel writing, history and fiction grouped by their relevant country. Reviews have mentioned its customer service and knowledgeable staff.
Each branch organises talks by authors, with discussions. Previous events include talks by Alexander McCall Smith, Hilary Mantel, and Michael Palin.
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