Best Pen Shops In London ?

[publishing guy]

A friend is traveling to London and would like to visit best pen shops there. Can anyone make suggestions?

[Beechwood]

This thread may help you:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/304537-london-pen-shop/?hl=harrods&do=findComment&comment=3568636

 

Penfriend is my suggestion. two shops, one in Burlington Arcade off Piccadilly, the other is a shortish walk from St Pauls on Fleet Street

 

http://www.penfriend.co.uk/index.php?route=information/contact

 

Harrods has a Writing Room;

 

http://www.harrods.com/boutiques/the-gift-guide/the-writing-room?viewall=yes

 

Harrods is a mecca for consumerism and doesnt suit everyone.

 

If they go to Penfriend in Burlington Arcade, across Piccadilly in Fortnum and Mason there is a small selection of pens and stuff, but Fortnums is worth going to anyway.

 

Shopping for pens in London isnt my cup of darjeeling because London is expensive and there are more enjoyable ways of spending a day, here are some ideas:

 

http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/101-things-to-do-in-london

 

Finding good coffee and snacks at reasonable prices often causes concern, I am a big fan of Pret a Manger, a chain of coffee/sandwich/cakes, there are many branches throughout the city and offer great value for freshly made food and good coffee.

 

https://www.pret.com/en-us

[Trom]

Pens are ex-pens-ive in London, but Costa Coffee is the coffee shop I like.

[peterg]

If you are there on a Saturday you must visit Henry Simpole's stall at the back of the Admiral Vernon Arcade in Portobello Road up to 14.00. There are a couple of other stalls that sell pens and the market is an experience in itself.

[amk]

I'd also suggest for a good selection of major brands, Selfridges' pen department - very friendly staff, helpful and knew their stuff. When I was there one of them got a few Carene nibs out from behind the counter for me to try, including a rather lovely stub.

 

I found Penfriend in Fleet Street also quite friendly, with a mix of new and vintage, and good selection of inks.

 

And +1 for the suggestion of Portbello Road. At the top of Portobello Road, there's a more 'junk shop' style market and some very, very good (and inexpensive) Lebanese caffs, unless things have changed since I was last there a couple of years ago.