“History of Shops” is a new research project about the shops and businesses of Herne Hill, London SE24.

As the project builds during 2024 and beyond, in-depth descriptions of many local shops and their proprietors since the 19th century, with historic photographs and other images, will become available on this website. Customers will be able to scan a QR code at each participating shop, or browse this website, to find out about its history.

Copyright notice: if you wish to reuse or repost any of the texts or images on this website, please contact us first (see below).

Feedback is welcome through our Contact Us form.

Herne Hill Books at 289 Railton Rd, Herne Hill

289 Railton Road

This shop is currently home to Herne Hill Books. Today, it is an independent bookshop… but over its lifetime this premises has served many purposes, and for many years was a tobacconist’s. It was originally known as 25 Lett Street, but following street re-numbering in 1888 became 289 Railton Road. Lett Street comprised the stretch…