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My Favourite Art & Craft Stores in London

Art Supplies & Crafts

Ranking

1
L. Cornelissen & Son
2
Stuart R. Stevenson
3
Russell & Chapple
4
London Graphic Centre
5
Cass Art
6
GreatArt London

Fabrics & Embroidery Supplies

Ranking

1
MacCulloch & Wallis Ltd
2
The Fabled Thread
3
Liberty London

Master Map

Art Supplies & Crafts

No #
1

L. Cornelissen & Son

Art Supplies & Crafts
District
Bloomsbury
Close To
The British Museum

POV

  • My top 3 picks are highly recommended for a visit - especially for their long history in England, beautiful storefront and interior
  • I truly appreciate their effort in retaining the antique Victorian cabinets which are still in use today
  • It has a "cabinet of curiosities" atmosphere as I browse through this cozy shop and I love it
  • p.s. I like this store so much that I bought their tote bag with storefront print as souvenir

Facts

  • Established in 1855
  • One of London's oldest art supply shops
  • Renowned for its original Victorian cabinetry
  • Specialises in rare pigment powders, genuine gold leaf in multiple shades and materials for colourmaking, supplies for printmakers, gilders, and calligraphers
  • Some rare materials are kept behind the counter for specialists
No #
2

Stuart R. Stevenson

Art Supplies & Crafts
District
Clerkenwell
Close To
Farringdon / Barbican Station

POV

  • Lovely experience visiting a traditional, family-run art supplies store
  • The tinkle of the shop bell upon entry is mesmerising :)

Facts

  • Established in 1980
  • A family-run business
  • Specialises in high-quality art supplies, specialist gilding tools and restoration materials
  • Holds a Royal Warrant (a mark of recognition for supplying artist and gilding materials to the British Royal Household for years)
No #
3

Russell & Chapple

Art Supplies & Crafts
District
Bloomsbury
Close To
The British Museum

POV

  • Top quality of fine art canvases for painting and other purposes
  • While their specialty products might not be for everyone, it's worth visiting a long-standing brand that had sold bespoke fabric and theatre curtains since the 18th century
  • It's within 7 minutes walking distance to L. Cornelissen & Son

Facts

  • A legacy dating back to 1770 at Seven Dials (Now moved to Drury Lane)
  • Specialises in high-quality artist’s canvas, stretching, with extensive range of fine canvases in linen, cotton, and polyester
  • Offers bespoke framing solutions and framing materials through their framing workshop next door
No #
4

London Graphic Centre

Art Supplies & Crafts, Stationery
District
Covent Garden
Close To
Seven Dials Market

POV

  • I considered it a department store of art supplies and stationery because of the vast variety of products they stock
  • Whenever I'm in the neighbourhood, I'd go in and browse even when I'm not aiming anything
  • This is where you will find almost everything you need (and don't need, haha)

Facts

  • Established in 1973
  • 15,000 square feet and spans across two floors
  • Vast array of creative supplies from fine art and graphic design to model making and stationery
  • Large range of pens, markers, technical drawing tools
  • Features the first Leuchtturm1917 flagship shop-within-a-shop, specialises premium notebooks and diaries
No #
5

Cass Art

Art Supplies & Crafts
District
Westminster / Charing Cross
Close To
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square

POV

  • Cass Art has been my go-to brand for Soft Pastel chalks / pencils, Drawing Pads and papers, even pen refills (which I mostly shop online then 'Collect in-store')
  • Good price and frequent discount offers
  • Occasionally host free art workshops (Check their website for booking)
  • If you are here for a short stay, I'd suggest ordering online and collect in-store

Facts

  • Opened in 1984
  • Cass Art's first store - Charing Cross Rd
  • The site has been an art store for over 125 years, having seen famous figures like Monet, Hockney and Churchill
  • Other branches located in Kensington High St., Soho, Islington
  • Hosts exclusive product launches, art sets
No #
6

GreatArt London

Art Supplies & Crafts, Stationery
District
Shoreditch
Close To
Hoxton Overground Station, Colombia Road

POV

  • A "grab-and-go" store for me with a shopping list ready. Good price and variety

Facts

  • Art superstore that spans 8,500 square feet over two floors
  • Wide selection of fine art materials for painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and graphic art
  • Stocks niche brands, experimental acrylics, new printmaking materials, and specialty brushes and surfaces
  • Hosts workshops, community art events occasionally

Fabrics & Embroidery Supplies

No #
1

MacCulloch & Wallis Ltd

Fabrics & Embroidery
District
Soho
Close To
Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road

POV

  • Worth a visit for genuine British haberdashery, professional-grade materials
  • This store is a "living archive" to me browsing through their collections of high quality fabrics and tools
  • must-see for anyone passionate about DIY-ing and fancy a "traditional" London textile shopping experience

Facts

  • Established in 1902, serving London’s fashion trade for over a century
  • Famous for its extensive range of fabrics, haberdashery, and trimmings, plus high quality knitting yarns
  • Trusted by theatre, film, and TV costume departments, as well as professional tailors and students
  • Survived and evolved through major historical events, supplying materials during wartime and Covid
No #
2

The Fabled Thread

Fabrics & Embroidery
District
Islington
Close To
Angel station

POV

  • I appreciate them for designing products kits that are accessible and approachable to customers of all skill levels
  • The welcoming atmosphere the moment you step into the store elevated my whole shopping experience
  • They also make great efforts hosting creative events within the community which I also appreciate
  • Perfect for anyone seeking creative inspirations or a gift for friends/family

Facts

  • Founded by Eppie Thompson in 2020, inspired by family needlework traditions
  • Offers over 100 embroidery and needlepoint kits designed in-house, plus framing and painting kits
  • Emphasizes mindful creativity and workshops—studio space filled with colour, pattern, and stitched art
No #
3

Liberty London

Fabrics & Embroidery
District
Soho
Close To
Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Carnaby Street

POV

  • Liberty London's "Fabric Department" is a historic landmark cannot be missed if you are keen to see some Iconic British fabric
  • Features fascinating interiors: carved animals, historic staircases, WW2 memorials, glass chandelier
  • They have had a lasting impact in British fashion scene with imported silks, creating in-house original designs inspired by the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, Liberty fabrics have been used by fashion houses (e.g., Yves Saint Laurent, Loewe, Cacharel, Vivienne Westwood, Manolo Blahnik)
  • The trendsetter role Liberty has had make the brand so unique and it has been my must-go place whenever I'm in the neighbourhood

Facts

  • Established in 1875; store is a landmark for its mock-Tudor exterior (built 1924)
  • Home of the world-famous Liberty print fabrics, with over 50,000 quintessentially British designs
  • Renowned for its collaborations with designers/artists, and legacy in fashion and textiles
  • Extensive six-floor department store with fabrics, haberdashery, luxury gifts, homewares
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