I can’t remember exactly when it was that I first visited Ampersand Cafe Bookstore in Paddington – though suffice it to say it was an unseasonably cold day in Sydney, and thus the perfect occasion to while away an afternoon between the four walls of a beautiful bookstore, away from the bitter chill of the seasonal sea breeze.

Located in a pretty part of Paddington that boasts stylish boutiques, bakeries and pop-up shops a-plenty, Ampersand Cafe Bookstore is a bookish respite for anyone with a penchant for literature, good coffee or cakes. A three story heritage building, the shop manages retains an antique charm throughout, featuring well-worn vintage armchairs, eye-catching chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling shelves groaning with second-hand books.The ground floor is home to the bookstore’s cafe, where they serve a wide range of coffees hailing from Colombia. Sumatra, Brazil and `Guatemala – making it a go-to destination for caffeine aficionados in this well-heeled eastern suburb. So too do they offer a tasty array of breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, alongside a selection of sweet treats, perfect for pairing with a cup of their home made chai tea.

The literary offering is an equally impressive one, with a basement full of non-fiction reads, staircases lined with classic tomes, and a second floor with communal seating nestled around a feature fireplace and stacks of novels to choose from. And when the sun is shining (which it usually is in Sydney), patrons can sit outside under the striped awning next to the book-themed street art that adorns the alley-way walls.Brilliantly bookish, vibrant and atmospheric, Ampersand Cafe Bookstore is a surefire Sydney gem for anyone with a literary inclination.Ampersand Cafe Bookstore is a haven of tranquility, where shoppers can relax in a vibrant atmosphere, read a good book, drink their home-made chai tea or enjoy one of their delicious cupcakes.

Whether it’s an old favourite, something to read to the kids, or a beautiful antiquarian book, there’s something for everyone at Ampersand Cafe Bookstore. Serving everything from Eggs Benedict to their famous Apple & Berry Crumble, served with yoghurt and drizzled with honey and cinnamon, it’s a food lovers’ paradise too.

Richmond and its surrounds has long been one of my favourite parts of London. I love the wide open spaces of Richmond Park and the sprawling greens of Kew Gardens; I love the elegant townhouses, and the pretty cottages and the smart mews that skirt their way around this pretty part of south-west London. I love the Thames and how on a hot summer’s day in Richmond the pavements and the pubs crawl with merry makers; and I love the festivities and fairy-lights that take over the cobbled squares as Christmas fast approaches. And, of course, one of my favourite things of all about Richmond is the wealth of pretty bookshops that stand among the well-heeled boutiques and pavement cafes. From Richmond’s Open Book, to nearby Lloyds of Kew, I’ve rounded up Richmond’s best bookshops that will satiate the appetite of even the most voracious of readers.

Located just off Richmond Green, a stone’s throw from the Thames, The Open Book is a charming bookshop owned by Helena Caletta, and has long been a pillar of Richmond’s reading life. While seemingly small from the shop’s frontier, The Open Book stretches back into the depths of the building, and its many shelves are well-stocked with both new and signed books by local and world-renowned authors. With knowledgable staff, and eye-catching window-displays, this is everything and more a quaint and curious bookshop should be.

A treasure trove of a bookshop, Lloyds of Kew is the type of bookshop anyone with a penchant for perusing bookshelves could spend many-an afternoon in without getting boards. Higily pigildy and full of nooks and crannies crammed with books, its much-loved famous feature is a “Book tree” in the back room; a bookshelf made of pine, commissioned by previous owner Ulrike Bulle, and designed and constructed by Tim Vincent-Smith. The bookshelf now hosts a range of children’s books, including a selection of vintage books. The quintessence of the second hand bookshop Lloyds of Kew is lined with floor to ceiling wooden bookshelves, has an original Victorian shop front and is just about perfect in every which way.

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