In addition to the bookstores below, you'll also find well-stocked branches of the Dillon's chain around town, including one at 82 Gower St. (Tube: Euston Square).

Children's Book Centre--With thousands of titles, this is the best place to go for children's book s. Fiction is arranged according to age, up to 16. There are also videos and toys for kids. (237 Kensington High St., W8. tel. 020/7937-7497. Tube: Kensington.)

Foyle's Bookshop--Claiming to be the world's largest bookstore, Foyle's has an impressive array of hardcovers and paperbacks, as well as travel maps, records, videotapes, and sheet music. They have opened a hypermarket where you can buy original artwork off the shelf. Works by some three-dozen Spanish and French artists are for sale at prices beginning at £60. (113-119 Charing Cross Rd., WC2. tel. 020/7437-5660. Tube: Tottenham Court Rd.)

Gay's the Word--Britain's leading gay and lesbian bookstore offers a large collection, as well as magazines, cards, and guides. There's also a used-books section. (66 Marchmont St., WC1. tel. 020/7278-7654. Tube: Russell Sq.)

Hatchards--On the south side of Piccadilly, Hatchards offers a wide range of books in all subjects and is particularly renowned in the areas of fiction, biography, travel, cookery, gardening, and art, plus history and finance. In addition, Hatchards is second to none in its range of books on royalty. (187 Piccadilly, W1. tel. 020/7439-9921. Tube: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park.)

The Map House of London--An ideal place to find an offbeat souvenir. Map House sells antique maps and engravings and a vast selection of old prints of London and England, both original and reproduction. A century-old original engraving can cost as little as £6. (54 Beauchamp Place, SW3. tel. 020/7589-4325. Tube: Knightsbridge.)

Murder One--Maxim Jakubowski's bookshop is dedicated to the genres of crime, romance, science fiction, and horror. Crime and science fiction magazines, some of them obscure, are also available. (71-73 Charing Cross Rd., WC2. tel. 020/7734-3483. Tube: Leicester Sq.)

Silver Moon Women's Bookshop--This place stocks thousands of titles by and about women, plus videos, jewelry, and a large selection of lesbian books. (64-68 Charing Cross Rd., WC2. tel. 020/7836-7906. Tube: Leicester Sq.)

Stanfords--Established in 1852, Stanfords is the world's largest map shop. Many maps, which include worldwide touring and survey maps, are unavailable elsewhere. It's also London's best travel bookstore (with a complete selection of Frommer's guides!) (12-14 Long Acre, WC2. tel. 020/7836-1321. Tube: Covent Garden.)