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Vinyl sales are skyrocketing, and Britain’s love for vintage records has never been stronger, making now the perfect time to explore a record store for yourself.
A hub of all things creative, it’s no surprise that London has some of the best vinyl shops. Dotted around just about every area of the capital, there is plenty of choice, so which one will you visit during your next trip to London? To help you decide, we’ve pulled together some of the best record stores in London.
The best record shops in London
From rare vinyl and classic albums to the latest releases and unique finds, these record shops are among the very best places in London for music lovers to explore and expand their collections.
Sounds of the Universe, Broadwick St
7 Broadwick Street, Soho, London W1F 0DA.
This record store has been described as one of the “Top 100 Record Stores in the World”, “Retailer of the Year” and “The World’s Best Record Stores” by various publications. If worldwide music is your jam, Sounds of the Universe will be right up your alley. Offering everything from Reggae, Dubstep, House and Disco to Funk, Soul, Brazilian, Latin and African, it’s the best place to go for a taste of music from around the world. The store has a fantastic selection of books, CDs and DVDs on offer, many of which are imported and rare, but it’s the original vinyl that takes centre stage, with many popular classics and indie numbers to choose from.
How to get there: Sounds of the Universe is a 30 min walk from London Waterloo, or take the direct 5–7 min Bakerloo line Tube to Piccadilly Circus.
Sister Ray, Berwick Street
75 Berwick St, London W1F 8TG.
Soho-based Sister Ray, renowned as one of London's top vinyl shops, has everything you could ask from a record store. Named after the Velvet Underground song, it started at 94 Berwick Street before merging with Selectadisc and settling at its current spot, famously pictured on Oasis's (What's the Story) Morning Glory? album cover.
You will be greeted by toe-tapping tunes and enthusiastic staff happy to share their music knowledge from the moment you walk in. Offering new releases and in-store exclusives, there’s something for every music lover at Sister Ray.
How to get there: It’s a 33-minute walk from London Waterloo to Sister Ray. Alternatively, hop on a 6-8 minute northbound Northern or Bakerloo tube to Tottenham Court Road.
Rough Trade East and West, Talbot Rd and Brick Lane
Rough Trade West London: 130 Talbot Rd, London W11 1JA.
Rough Trade East London: Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL.
Rough Trade is one of London’s most popular record stores, selling a vast collection of vinyl, vinyl accessories, books, merch, stereos, posters, prints, and more. But in true Rough Trade style, the stores are much more than just a place to buy music. Both the East and West Rough Trade stores are at the heart of the live music scene in London, hosting music and signing events throughout the year and welcoming some of the most celebrated artists. Providing such intimate venues, Rough Trade is a great place to see your favourite artists perform and even meet them afterwards.
How to get there: To get to the Brick Lane branch, catch the District line tube from Waterloo station to Aldgate East and walk 10 minutes to Old Truman Brewery 91, Brick Ln, London E1 6QL. To get to the Talbot Road branch hop on the Bakerloo line tube from Waterloo to Baker Street. From there, get a Circle line tube to Ladbroke Grove, then walk 8 minutes to 130 Talbot Rd, London W11 1JA.
Second-hand record shops London
Second-hand vinyl is a treasure trove for music lovers, offering rare finds, classic albums and nostalgic favourites. These record shops across London are perfect for discovering pre-loved gems and expanding your collection.
Flashback Records, Islington
Nothing beats a vintage, secondhand vinyl, and Flashback Records has a whole shop full. The Islington store is the oldest in the Flashback chain, since opening in 1997, offers a real sense of nostalgia as you walk through the door. The ground floor showcases new vinyl, CDs and DVDs across all genres, while the basement is a well-organised treasure trove of second-hand and collectors vinyl, a true crate digger's paradise spanning old-school hip-hop to progressive jazz.
How to get there: To get to the Islington branch of Flashback Records, catch the train to Vauxhall, then switch to the Victoria line to Highbury & Islington. It’s then a 14-minute walk.
Flashback Records, Shoreditch
131 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E2 7DG.
Flashback Shoreditch, the second branch of this second-hand chain after Islington, opened in 2013 and specialises in vinyl and CDs. It stocks two floors of new and second-hand vinyl, CDs and DVDs, including rare finds at decent prices. Listening stations let you preview purchases, staff buy old records, and regular in-store live performances add to the East End vibe.
How to get there: To reach the Shoreditch branch of Flashback Records, take the Northern line from London Waterloo to Bank station. From there, catch bus 388 and get off near Brick Lane. The shop is then a 5-minute walk away.
Other independent record shops in London
These independent record shops celebrate London’s vibrant music culture. Each store is run with passion, offering unique vinyl collections, local music gems, and a community-focused experience you won’t find in larger chain stores.
Eel Pie Records, Twickenham
44-45 Church St, Twickenham TW1 3NR.
Selling everything from new and second-hand vinyl to merch, books, turntables and more, Eel Pie Records has everything a music lover could need. Opened in 2017 by local friends Kevin Jones and Phil Penman, this independent Twickenham shop nods to the area's rock heritage where The Rolling Stones and The Who once played nearby. In true community style, they host "Third Thursday" socials to showcase new music, a great way to discover fresh bands and meet like-minded people.
How to get there: Eel Pie Records is an 8-minute walk from Twickenham station.
All Ages Records, Camden Town
27A Pratt St., London NW1 0BG.
All Ages Records London's 100% independent punk and hardcore shop since 2003, is well-known in Camden's music scene and caters to a very specific niche. Located in Camden Town, its records range from 70s hits to present-day tunes, and you can even browse a collection of vintage cassette tapes. Looking for merch of your favourite band? All Ages Records offers shirts, posters, books and badges for various bands and artists.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, hop on the northbound Northern line and get off at Camden Town. The address is 27A Pratt St., London NW1 0BG.
Banquet Records, Kingston upon Thames
52 Eden St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1EE.
Born out of the previous Beggars Banquet record shop and label, Banquet Records is the epitome of an independent record shop and one of the early pioneers of Record Store Day in the UK.
This small but mighty record shop certainly packs a punch; it’s at the centre of South West London's music scene and a favourite of many, pulling in shoppers from across not just London and the surrounds but across the country.
More than just a record shop, there are regular instore intimate gigs with artists of all genres. The store also hosts gigs for a selection of stadium-filling artists in venues across Kingston.
If you love live music, check out our guide to the best live music in London.
How to get there: Banquet Records is just a seven-minute walk from Kingston station. The address is 52 Eden St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1EE.
More of the best record shops in London
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If you can’t get enough of record stores, here are some more to check out in the UK’s capital:
Phonica Records, Soho – New and used records, t-shirts, vinyl cleaning products, turntables, headphones, speakers, books & magazines.
Casbah Records, Greenwich – Necords, CDs, memorabilia & new releases.
Maestro, Peckham – Peckham’s oldest record store selling vinyl, CDs, books, DVDs, merch & gig tickets.
Palace Vinyl, Crystal Palace – Set in the heart of Crystal Palace Triangle, this record emporium has over 30,000 records on offer, mostly in the dance music genre.
Roan Records, Teddington – Vinyl records in a variety of genres with an onsite coffee shop.
Supertone Records, Brixton – Brixton’s oldest record shop and the place to go for reggae records.
If you’re a fan of independent record stores, you might also want to check out London’s top independent bookstores.
Plan your trip to visit record shops in London with South Western Railway
Whether you’re a London local or travelling from beyond, the South Western Railway service can help you reach your destination. Discover cheap train tickets to your nearest record store by going off-peak. Passengers with a Railcard could save even more, while those travelling in a group could benefit from GroupSave or a Family and Friends Railcard.
Our Sunday Out and Semi-Flex return tickets give you extra flexibility if plans change on the day. For additional savings, check your eligibility for Railcards and discounts.
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