Charing Cross Road is synonymous with one thing – books. The main chain bookstores are here, and you can enjoy a coffee while browsing at Books Etc’s large and comprehensive store. Perhaps the most famous shop is Foyle’s, five floors of an incredible range of titles, covering almost every subject imaginable. This place is packed to the rafters with books, sometimes just piled on the floor from the last person browsing. The filing system is somewhat confusing, and finding what you want takes time; it really helps to know at least what category you want to browse. However, the employees are walking bookworms and always happy to help guide you to the right area. There are also frequent events featuring famous authors talking about their works, well worth the $15 average ticket price and conveniently timed at 6:30 p.m. Booking in advance is essential. For that elusive, rare or out-of-print book, there are plenty of small shops along and around Charing Cross Road that might just have what you want. Shipley Specialist Art Booksellers at No. 70 sell both new and used items, while next door Murder One specializes in crime fiction. One door down, Zwemmers is a specialist in art, architecture and media books. Music lovers should dive down Denmark Street where the various World of Music shops stock not just sheet music and songbooks, but the kit to play them on as well. Although most guide books suggest Leicester Square as the best Tube stop for Charing Cross Road, it’s not. Go to Tottenham Court Road and walk down to the shops instead.