Founded by former banker James Daunt the first Daunt Books opened on Marylebone High Street in 1990. The beautiful Edwardian building was previously home to Francis Edwards' antiquarian bookshop. The shop has long oak galleries lined with custom-built bookshelves, an antique walk-in safe, and huge skylights filling the space with light.

Originally specializing in travel books, titles are arranged by geographic location that include relevant guide books, language phrasebooks, culture, travel writing, and fiction relating to a specific destination.

Daunt Books offers a full calendar of author events, monthly subscriptions for adults, children, and cooks, as well as library building and wedding gift services. Since Daunt Books opened in Marylebone, eight further bookshops have opened across London and the U.K.

The shop has long oak galleries lined with custom-built bookshelves, an antique walk-in safe, and huge skylights filling the space with light.