The bookseller and publisher John Hatchard founded this world famous bookshop in 1797. The shop has been located at the present site since 1801.

It was an immediate success and quickly became as much a meeting place as a bookshop. Papers were laid out for customers to meet and it soon gained the atmosphere of a gentlemen’s club.

The shop also soon gained royal favour, and for many years it was the proud holder of a royal warrant. Since 1989 the shop has been part of the Dillons chain, although it does still retain a unique atmosphere all of its own.