The 5 best shops for art materials, paper and prints in London

A true heaven for stationery addicts, this smart and beautifully organised modern shop (founded by two graphic designers) stocks a carefully selected range of office essentials, paper products, pens, notepaper, graphic design books and inspiring archival ephemera. Each item they sell is an understated super-functional design gem.

This shop near to the British Museum was opened in 1855 and is one of the most beautiful in London with its green exterior and original wooden shelving and storage units. They sell thousands of artists’ materials of every kind, many of which are hard to find anywhere else.

Choosing Keeping is a fine emporium for all kinds of stationery and art materials, each item meticulously selected for its aesthetic quality and sourced or commissioned from small, independent producers, whether wax seals, paperweights and inks or fountain pens, pastels and decorative papers.

Magma’s smart concept store is a combination of gallery space, bookshop and designer gift shop. Downstairs is a gallery for print or photo exhibitions and a large selection of creative periodicals. On the ground floor there’s a great selection of design, fashion, photography and kids’ books and a wide range of prints, gifts and stationery, including their excellent own brand designs.

This traditional, family-run shop sells a huge selection of artists’ supplies and graphic materials. They specialise in gilding materials such as gold and silver leaf, powders and tools for which they have been awarded a royal warrant. In total there are more than 60.000 products stacked floor to ceiling.