From lowly beginnings in 1982, Waterstone's has become the United Kingdoms most successful specialist bookshop with over 200 branches throughout the country. A couple of years ago they took over what was then Europe's largest bookstore - Dillons.

Last year Waterstone's opened what is now Europe's largest bookstore. Situated on Piccadilly the new bookstore is housed in what was previously the famous menswear store, Simpson's. Simpson's itself was built in the 1930s and opened on 29th April, 1936, a little over a year after work began. The range of services on offer was astounding. A pet shop was there, featuring a menagerie of dogs, cats and a marmoset monkey. There was a theatre ticket concession, a branch of Thomas Cook the travel agent, a sporting goods shop, a golf range, a barber, a flower shop, a tobacconist, a milliner and several restaurants and snack bars.

In its time, Simpson's was a ground-breaking shop and for many decades, the menswear store remained a landmark in the heart of the city. However, changing styles and tastes meant that it died a natural death as the millennium approached. Waterstone's, as is their way of working, have done little to alter the original architectural features of the building. They have however restored large parts. The bookshop itself is housed on 5 floors not including a basement.

Unlike many London bookstores the floor plans are open and spacious. Rather than having books closing in on you from every nook and cranny there is a feeling of openness. Different sections have their own coves and sprinkled in between are seating areas and counters to break up the pattern and to ensure that the customer is not overwhelmed by the sheer volume of books. It is quite normal to find people sitting comfortably on the comfortable sofas looking through two or three books at leisure. This is clearly a culture geared to make book-lovers out of even the casual browsers.

Of course with 6 floors of books you will not find a more comprehensive accumulation of books. If you are looking for a book, this is probably the best place to find it. If you can't find it staff will be happy to order it for you and if you like the book can also be delivered to your closest branch of Waterstone's. In keeping with the trend for stores nowadays, Waterstone's on Piccadilly is more than simply a bookshop though. There are events scheduled for every month. There are book readings, talks by authors, launches and signings, storytelling for children as well as music and sometimes even dance! Going to Waterstone's is truly an experience in itself and with the internet threatening traditional bookshops that's the way to stay ahead of the competition.

In addition, Waterstone's has on its premises a restaurant, a café, a juice bar and a lounge bar. The lounge bar, where you can take a book and browse through it over a cup of coffee is particularly nice providing views of the city from the top floor. There is also a gift shop on the lower ground floor. You can easily spend a whole day at Waterstone's browsing through a wonderful array of books, having a snack, attending a reading, and then maybe finishing up with dinner at the restaurant!

You really can't do much better than that. Visit them online.