Jun 07, 2017 word on the water the only floating bookshop in london. Those of you who were here in london in the late 80s might remember kings cross as downandout, disreputable, unsavoury, dangerous and allaround not recommendable, but as you know, kings cross is now a new shiny, cultured, vibrant place and not just for art students. All aboard londons fabulous floating bookshop word on the water. London book barge saved from closure london itv news. On the left, is a coffinshape dedicated to charles dibdin, grimaldis mentor, and on the right is a coffinshape for joseph grimaldi. Past events reveal london walks london, united kingdom. Word on the water, a floating bookshop in london kings. The interior of word on the water is probably exactly what you are. Dec 08, 2014 f ielding was limping along the canal towpath last week to visit his favourite boat, the floating bookshop word on the water. Canal, but its now taken up permanent residence by granary square in kings cross. The best things to do in kings cross time out london. Tony bell that is to say, it is a thing of use and craft repackaged by design and marketing so as to soak up some of the surplus. Londons only floating bookstore takes readers on a bit of a journey, a quirky one says coowner paddy, the doctor, says. Kings cross barge bookshop to stay afloat after reaching.
The 100year old barge is moored just next to granary square in kings cross and also hosts a number of. In just over a decade a slick new station, the relocation of st martins art. On this tour you will see two very different train stations, the newest street in london, the oldest church, a floating bookshop, a gorgeous building with an unkind nickname, yet at the forefront of scientific research for a brilliant future, cutting edge architecture, some secret hidden and quaint streets, canals, bridges and gardens, haunted. I may receive a small commission if you use the links which costs you no extra, but helps keep this blog going. Thomas heatherwicks coal drops yard shopping in the. The best thing about kings cross is that everything that has recently been built up and all the best things to do in kings cross are really close to the station. Word on the water has been bobbing on the waters of london since 2011, and like the pirate ships of old, its hauling some sweet booty. Word on the water floating bookshop, regents canal towpath, kings cross, camden, london, n1, uk word on the water bookbarge or floating secondhand book shop on the regents canal at. Its a 1920s dutch barge and stocks around 4,000 books so theres something for everyone. Londons fleet of bookshops has a funky addition, and its floating on regents canal. Granary square is known to be the most buzzing one near kings cross station, and is one of the most enjoyable things to do near kings cross in summer. Well, at this beautiful place you can witness the sight binding dance of the over fountains that dance throughout the. Londons canalboat bookstore finds a berth, and success the. Krokatsis said, i wanted to create something that is constantly changing, a joyous interlude from the silence of death.
Londons only floating bookshop finally has a permanent home. Dec 27, 2019 the whole idea of a floating bookstore is just so quaint and charming. This bookshop is located upon a floating barge so is often referred to as londons floating bookshop. Things to do in kings cross london brunch in kings cross london. Kings cross square, kings cross, london, uk plantbased pit stop is the uks first entirely vegan food hub, and its right by the station, making it the ideal place for vegan commuters to pick up some grub. Word on the water, a floating bookstore on a 1920s dutch barge, was founded in 2011 by paddy screech and jon privett. Enjoy these free and unusual things to do in kings cross london. Londons only floating bookshop has been saved from closure after finally being offered a permanent home. Word on the water the only floating bookshop in london. Its hard to imagine kings cross was once londons red light district. The familyrun foyles book shop has been in the book selling business since 1906. I like to start the day with brunch and so does london in general. New and used books can be found in abundance both above and below deck. Jun 30, 2018 the kings cross st pancras area is a good place for rest as there are plenty of eat places in the stations and granary square is a great place to people watch.
Word on the water is londons only floating bookshop. Its varied cast of characters ranges from art students slouching to central. Here youll find word on the water, a floating secondhand bookshop which stocks thousands of. Word on the water, a floating bookshop in london kings cross, regents canal. World class hotels nestle side by side with quirky gems, like a floating bookshop in a 1920s dutch barge, and a peripatetic cafe cooking up food grown on site. The proposal of permanent mooring a few paces from granary square means that the famous king s cross bookbarge. Mar 29, 2018 as libraries go, word on the water is in ship shape. Mingle with the merry maker on his trike, who will be peddling personalised poems.
It was saved from closure after a passionate campaign and is now moored permanently at granary square near king s cross station. A bookshop to float your boat on board londons only bookshop barge, anoosh chakelian discovers a vibrant alternative world of poetry, music and novel browsing. Head round the back of kings cross station and make your way to granary square, which sits by the grand union canal. Situated below ground, in between kings cross and london st. At hatchards st pancras we are proud to continue and build upon the tradition and prestigious history of our piccadilly flagship, the oldest bookshop in london. Set inside a grade 1 listed building, we aim to be the bookshop for your journey to and from kings cross. This wonderfully unique floating bookshop is fairly new to the canals and waterways of london, so if you fancy checking it out and discovering what it feels like to shop on water, check its twitter feed to find out where itll be dropping anchor next. A floating bookshop, great books, friendly dog, warm stove, poetry slams and live music on our roof stage. This once derelict building is now one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. The nearest station is kings cross st pancras, then follow signs to the regents canal. For a small flat fee per item, you can store your bags for as little or as long as you like.
Word on the water is a floating secondhand bookshop, moored near to granary square. Im more looking for places that are crammed from floor to ceiling with the prices written in pencil inside rather than a waterstonesesque place with multiple copies of a book all neatly ordered on shelves. It is currently moored in regents canal in king s cross, london. The kings cross outpost of caravan not only boasts a large industrial dining room but a separate coffee bar and onsite roastery. Search results for floating bookshop stock photos and images. Kings cross area guide best things to do, eat and see.
Jun 06, 2015 a famous london floating bookshop has been saved from closure, having finally found a permanent home after four years. We are a literary oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of the station and have recently moved to a bigger and brighter location right at the heart of the shopping concourse. Books on a broad range of subjects from fiction and poetry to philosophy, biography, science, cookery, sport, health, graphics, art, travel, london guides and childrens titles are stocked. The bookshop is set against the backdrop of a former 1920s dutch barge that has since been converted into a storefront. Mar 06, 2012 a bookshop to float your boat on board londons only bookshop barge, anoosh chakelian discovers a vibrant alternative world of poetry, music and novel browsing. Kings cross barge bookshop to stay afloat after reaching crowdfunding target published. Things to do near kings cross st pancras station london 2019. Its stuffed full of affordable books and hosts live music and poetry events up on the roof of a restored 1920s dutch barge. Word on the water, a floating bookshop in london kings cross. No idea how good it is but its a a floating bookshop. The floating bookshop really was the most wonderful venue to do a reading.
Well, at this beautiful place you can witness the sight binding dance of the over fountains that dance throughout the day and light up in the dark. Save word on the water, the wonderful floating bookshop. The tiles on grimaldis grave are tuned so that hot codlins a song he often performed can be played. The whole idea of a floating bookstore is just so quaint and charming. An oasis of peace and calm right next to kings cross station. Word on the water floating bookshop, regents canal towpath, kings cross, camden, london, n1, uk word on the water bookbarge or floating secondhand book shop on the regents canal at kings cross in london. The 100year old barge is moored just next to granary square in kings cross and also hosts a number of evening events too, from poetry to music. A 1920s dutch barge has been lovingly transformed into a floating bookshop. The best guide to kings cross london on the inside.
So much to explore both inside and outside and run by the warmest people, it was an absolute joy from start to finish. Now permanently resident on the canal at granary square, its an atmospheric spot to browse new and used books and listen to jazz on sunny afternoons. It is stuffed with reasonably priced books, his favourite music drifts. Why the word on the water bookbarge is now a permanent. Two young couples inspecting books at the word on the water floating bookshop, regents canal towpath, kings cross, camden, london, n1, uk recent searches. The interior of word on the water is probably exactly what you are imagining. Stasher is the sharing economy alternative of traditional kings cross luggage lockers. Foster books chiswick high street would be worth a visit too. Buzz around kings cross with bee trails from the skip garden 105pm. Pick up something to keep you entertained while youre whisked to paris and beyond. Bobbing upanddown in london, england at regents canal, is the utterly unique word on the water bookshop. Londons floating bookshop word on the water saved from closure. As it is, the buildings have been largely preserved and over the past decade king s cross has undergone a transformation that has been social as well as architectural. This barge book boat is worthy of a wander around and is the capital citys only floating bookstore a history of word on the water.
The canals survived because of that, and so will books and bookstores. This may seem like a very odd thing to encourage but its really only one grave where this is a good idea. While reading is such a solitary activity, you have the support of millions of likeminded folk. Find out where to browse for second hand editions, vintage copies and more. As libraries go, word on the water is in ship shape. Kings cross station interior and shops theres a floating bookshop. Stasher is a secure, affordable, and userfriendly luggage storage service.
Kerb kings cross is right next door, so you can pair that book. Second hand bookshops in london are amongst some of the best and most beautiful bookshops in the world. Stephen petrey december 27, 2019 the whole idea of a floating bookstore is just so quaint and charming. Mar 29, 2018 have you visited londons floating bookshop. Londons colourful history has played out upon its stage from the days of the industrial revolution when it was the largest station in britain and the epicentre of all trade into london to the years of seedy abandonment and onwards to dizzying allnight 80s warehouse raves. A famous london floating bookshop has been saved from closure, having finally found a permanent home after four years. F ielding was limping along the canal towpath last week to visit his favourite boat, the floating bookshop word on the water. Londons only floating bookstore takes readers on quite the quirky journey, says coowner paddy, the doctor. Stroll along to word on the water, the floating bookshop with live acoustic jazz on the roof. This incredible venue is the most unique bookshop in london that i know.
The kings cross st pancras area is a good place for rest as there are plenty of eat places in the stations and granary square is a great place to people watch. Word on the water bookstore in london inhabitat green. It used to travel along regents canal, but its now taken up permanent residence by granary square in king s cross. While there are plenty of bars and restaurants to keep the foodies happy, i wanted to highlight the free and unusual things to do in the king s cross area so you can find what others may well miss.
Mar 19, 2012 the first watermark bookshop in europe has opened in the new london kings cross concourse with 7,000 books available for sale across the 1,100 sq ft shop. Word on the water, londons only floating bookshop, has found a permanent home in kings cross after some heavy local campaigning to save it from closure. The nearest station is kings cross st pancras, then follow signs to the. Paddingtons loss was kings crosss gain when development forced this fabulous floating bookshop to set sail in 2015. Enjoy these free and unusual things to do in kings cross. The word on the water is second hand bookshop, a little gem in the kings cross area with an amazing atmosphere, a great collection and even a stage to perform. Peruse the selection of books on this charming barge and if you happen to visit in the evening, you may even catch a live jazz performance. As it is, the buildings have been largely preserved and over the past decade kings cross has undergone a transformation that has been social as well as architectural. Along with coowners john privett and a mysterious boat owner referred. Word on the water the london bookbarge home facebook. This 1920s dutch barge is now a floating bookstore. Get cultural in kings cross london city breaks eurostar. Bookshop in london hatchards st pancras waterstones.
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