Quinto sells second-hand books. I spend a lot of time here and have found some inspiring books over the years, both at Quinto and the other shops on this road. Koenig Books on the corner is good for art books, too.

It has such a special vibe, it is very near Columbia Road and Broadway Market It is surprising to find a farm in the middle of the city! Very recommended having English Breakfast there :)

The V and A houses a public collection of prints and drawings of every kind imagineable from old master drawings to photographs, playing cards, fashion plates and wallpapers. You have to select what you want to see from the collection http://collections.vam.ac.uk/and book in advance. The behind-the-scenes route up to the study room of v and a is a treat alone (pictured)

THE place for birthday presents and bookcases (mine was 50p).

This is the stuff nightmares are made of. Good nightmares. A perverse Aladdin's cave of treasure and artefacts.