Best Books Set in London

Whether you're planning a trip and want some inspiration, you left a piece of your heart in this wonderful city, or you just want to be transported to the beating heart of the UK, grab a cuppa, kick back, and have a read of some of the best books set in London.

I had the great joy and privilege of living and working in London, UK from 2011-2012. This city is pure magic and you continually feel like you are in a novel or on a movie set. Some of the greatest artists have lived in or used London to their advantage. From the double-decker buses to Buckingham Palace to the many landmarks, museums, and galleries, London is iconic and full of history both grand and gruesome.

Let's take a look at some of the best books set in London - in my opinion anyway!

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding

If you haven't read this yet, stop everything and request it at your local library. You will be in stitches, and although it's similar to the wonderful movie made with the same name, I believe it is so much more! Written diary style with many UK-isms you may have to look up if you live on this side of the pond, Fielding creates the most wonderful narrative of this endearing woman just trying to get by in this crazy world. It's a MUST read.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Set in Regency era London, this historical romance will have you turning pages so fast you may need a band-aid (or a plaster if you want to really immerse yourself in British culture). Of course, you may know this title as the inspiration behind the Netflix show Bridgerton, but what you might not know is that it is followed by eight other books! I doubt they will make 9 seasons of the show, so if you want to enjoy the full width and breadth of Quinn's London/UK scenery and lifestyle circa the 1800's, you'll need to add these to your Goodreads list.

Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Doyle penned over 50 short stories about this quirky detective and his trusty sidekick, Watson. Sherlock lived at 221B Baker Street in Marylebone, London, and his investigations took him all over the illustrious city! A Study in Scarlet will give you the back story of how this dynamic duo came together, their origin story in essence, and then in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes you will find a number of wonderfully mysterious stories of crime, intrigue, villainous intent, and clever intellect showcasing the pair romping through the twinkling capital.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

While much of the Harry Potter story takes place at the magickal school, Hogwarts, there are scenes in London in almost every book. Harry Potter lives with his aunt and uncle in Surrey, which is a part of Greater London, but he also heads into the city centre to enter Diagon Alley, access Grimmauld Place, the Ministry of Magic, ride the Knight Bus and other fun adventures. These books need no introduction from me, but they will transport you to both London and other beautiful places real and imagined in the UK.

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

This is another classic piece of fiction and has a London family finding a talking bear at Paddington Station in London with a note around his neck stating, "Please look after this bear. Thank you!" How could you not scoop him up and take him home?! This first book takes Paddington and his new family, The Brown's, through many adventures around London including the underground, antiques shops in Portobello Road, department store shopping, the theatre and more. Paddington is a London icon and one of the sweetest bears out there (only second to Winnie the Pooh in my heart).

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Another renowned piece, but perhaps a little less popular in today's culture than Harry Potter, is Woolf's detailed and delightful peek into a day in the life of an upper-class London woman circa 1923 as she prepares to host a party that evening. Woolf uses stream of consciousness storytelling in this novel, making it feel very intimate and giving you pause to consider your own inner monologue throughout the day. Clarissa's day has her running errands in the city, resting and preparing in her posh London home, and gives you a peek into what post-war life might have been like for the elite in the city.

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie

I have loved Christie's murder mysteries since I was very young and this one features the charmingly quirky Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. In this story, we find Poirot's dentist dead as well as a patient - questions abound as the story gets out, and to solve this mystery, Poirot travels about the city in search of answers. From the Savoy hotel to Chelsea Embankment, Hampstead, Battersea and more, this novel bounces around some of London's famous corners while Poirot zeros in on our story's killer. Will you be able to solve the crime before Poirot? I never can.

There are SO many other amazing novels set in London, and here I chose just a few that I really enjoyed. This iconic city is a wonderful setting for stories to not only be told, but to be made. If you haven't made it there yet, I can assure you it's worth a visit.