Pen Shops In London

[pocclondon]

Pen Shops in and around London are getting harder to find - especially if you want something other than your bog basic range of Parker, Cross or Waterman. A few more stationery shops are beginning to sell Lamy Safaris, but in one of the world's major cities, proper, specialist pen shops are pretty thin on the ground or indeed, a thing of the past.

 

Anyone got any good recommendations for good brick and mortar shops with a wide range of 'different' pens? In particular, does anyone know of a shop in London that sells Chinese pens? I used to sometimes make a trip out to Andy's in Tonbridge, but sadly, that has now closed too. If I want to buy a Chinese or Indian pen (partly because of price, partly because I love those extra fine nibs) my only option is online - but then I can't see it, feel the size, weight balance etc.

 

One of the reasons I'm asking is that I have just lost my pencil case, containing my Hero 'Parker 51' copy, and Wality 77 (really cheap piston, but one of my favourite pens!) and want to replace them. I don't necessarily want to buy the same models - I'd like to look at and compare a few pens and see what feels right.

 

But in what is supposedly a great City, where do I go to buy this sort of pen?

 

Thanks in advance for suggestions (and sympathy!)

 

[Sasha Royale]

Sadly, fountain pen people, though venerable and beloved, are not "mainstream". I remember the stores called "stationers". Few survive in our digital world. I remember a lovely, little shoppe in Kings Row, and the well-stocked department at Selfridge's. That was a half century and one ocean ago.

 

Help, please !

 

Herbert George Wells, with your time machine.

Current London-based FPN membership.

Edited May 9, 2017 by Sasha Royale

[SteveE]

Sasha - I was in London last spring. The little shop in King's Row is, I believe, still there (forgot their name), but sadly I was there on a Sunday and all were closed. Selfridge's still had a pen department, but only the higher-end mainstream brands.

 

I did find one great pen shop, but it was in Dublin - The Pen Corner. I could have spent all day (and all of my pocket money) there. People know their pens and love to talk with enthusiasts.

[akellens]

I visited London a couple of weeks ago, and went to "the Pen Room" at Harrods.

 

While perhaps not exactly what you are looking for, it might be worth to stop by there.

 

They have a wide selection of affordable (and a lot less affordable pens), and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the staff who were inviting, didn't mind a chat, and even showed me some of the high-end Montegrappa pens, although I made it clear from the start that I wouldn't be buying a pen that day.

[Martinsroom]

Very little is the honest answer, penfriend in Burlington Arcade has recently closed and apart from the stuff described above I know of little else. The Pen Shop has a few branches but tend to be a little on the high side of price.

[my63]

If you are in London why not visit Henry Simpole he does not have a shop but has a stall in an arcade on Saturdays he mainly specialises in vintage pens and his overlay pens. I am sure he has a number of Parker 51s,

No connection just a satisfied customer.

[dapprman]

Very little is the honest answer, penfriend in Burlington Arcade has recently closed and apart from the stuff described above I know of little else. The Pen Shop has a few branches but tend to be a little on the high side of price.

I found that out on Saturday.

 

BTW to the OP - Andy's may be closed but his online store is still up and running.

[merepuffery]

I live in London and have struggled to find a good brick and mortar store. The only ones I know of have already been mentioned in the posts above. You might have better luck outside of London - for example, I know the people who are behind The Writing Desk (www.thewritingdesk.co.uk) have recently opened a store in Bury St Edmunds (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer!)

[twdpens]

I live in London and have struggled to find a good brick and mortar store. The only ones I know of have already been mentioned in the posts above. You might have better luck outside of London - for example, I know the people who are behind The Writing Desk (www.thewritingdesk.co.uk) have recently opened a store in Bury St Edmunds (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer!)

Thanks for the mention .

 

As we reported yesterday in our e-newsletter, we've experienced a few delays so our shop isn't quite open yet but decoration and fitting out are well under way. More news will follow soon and when we do open our doors we look forward to welcoming all you pen and stationery lovers. Bury St Edmunds isn't far from That London, you know!

 

Best wishes,

 

Martin & Anna

[merepuffery]

Thanks for the mention .

 

As we reported yesterday in our e-newsletter, we've experienced a few delays so our shop isn't quite open yet but decoration and fitting out are well under way. More news will follow soon and when we do open our doors we look forward to welcoming all you pen and stationery lovers. Bury St Edmunds isn't far from That London, you know!

 

Best wishes,

 

Martin & Anna

 

Oops, clearly got over-excited by the prospect of a day trip to Bury! Good to know that the opening is underway though

[mulrich]

Any pen shops open in London over the past year? Im heading there this week and hoping to visit a shop during my trip.

[almoore]

You could consider visiting Bureau Direct, their opening hours and address are listed on their site. A good range of stationery and inks.

 

Al

[bitterwonder]

Last August there was a pen shop in Liverpool Station; dont remember the name. I wasnt looking cor anything particularly but bought a yellow Lamy Safari.

[dapprman]

Last August there was a pen shop in Liverpool Station; dont remember the name. I wasnt looking cor anything particularly but bought a yellow Lamy Safari.

It's a branch of the Pen Shop chain - there's another one down the road in Leddenhall Market which used to be very good, though small selection - it's closed at weekends though.

[mulrich]

Very helpful advice from all. My wife said she also saw a Pen friend shop while wondering around today and said it looked open. Now I just need to convince her to spend time visiting these places with me. I ended up forgetting my pen case on an airplane, costing me a favorite pen and Im ready to make an impulsive purchase to make up for the loss.

[Ed_Usinowicz]

I ended up forgetting my pen case on an airplane, costing me a favorite pen and Im ready to make an impulsive purchase to make up for the loss.

 

Friend, you're only cheating yourself if you don't. May I suggest two?

[mulrich]

 

Friend, you're only cheating yourself if you don't. May I suggest two?

I think thats a grand idea, and in which case Ill definitely need to visit the pen shop without my wife.

[mulrich]

I hit both branches of the Pen Shop, leaving empty handed both times. They seem to cater towards corporate clients and not fountain pen fanatics. I also confirmed Pen friend is closed, even though the sign over the shop is still up. Ill try to hit Bureau Direct before I go but its a ways from where Im staying.

[dapprman]

Shame you weren't here at the weekend and I knew about it before hand as I would have dragged you and your wife over to the London Pen Club near Liverpool St Station. Not a good area for tourism on a Saturday except the near by Old Spittlefields Market - though on Sunday it's also by Petty Coat Lane (Middlesex St) - though that's really over-rated.

[Princeps Anglorum]

I think thats a grand idea, and in which case Ill definitely need to visit the pen shop without my wife.

 

 

A wife with an appreciation of fountain pens is a real boon.