Tim Bryars

If you’re visiting or living in London, don’t leave without a visit to Tim’s charming store in the quaint Cecil Court.
Tim stocks beautiful maps, rare books and other antiquities for a range of budgets. He is also a fountain of knowledge about the history of London.
If you’re after something quite specific like we were, Tim will endeavour to source it for you. Tim spent months looking for an old map of the City of London for us before we returned to Australia to live. The map is from the early 1800s and shows where we lived while we were residing in London. The map also had a linen backing and could be easily folded up and brought back with us on the plane home which was really ideal (after shipping lots of boxes between London and Sydney!). The map is the best thing we brought home with us from London.
Since we’ve been back, we’ve had the map framed and proudly displayed on one of our apartment walls. Guests and family who visit spend a lot of time in front of the map asking questions and discussing the map. We’re also able to pass on some of Tim’s knowledge about the history of London. The map is a wonderful reminder of our time living in the great city and we have the pleasure of enjoying it every day.
Tim’s store is centrally located in London and Cecil Court is a lovely serene oasis within the busy city. Definitely pop in for a visit if you want to take home an authentic piece of London history.

Pop in and have a chat with Tim in Cecil Court, he is a lovely chap and has a very comfy chair. Browse around the early tube maps, ancient charts and old prints of London and around the world. If what you are looking for is not here, I am sure he will be able to tell you where to look.
These are original antique maps — do not expect anything cheap here — but some are exquisite.
Come and have a look, and if you are not then come anyway, Tim really knows his stuff and is lovely to talk to.
Pro: great history in each item
Cons: you may walk away having bought more than you planned.