Ah, the ubiquitous corner shop. Purveyor of off-brand items and incredible convenience for lazy…read moredays. When you have a good one nearby it's like a shining beacon of hope regularly saving the day when you need to snag something in a hurry. The staff here is a healthy mix of friendly and distrustful which pleasantly reminds me of my bodega encounters in NYC. The shelves are packed with at least 1 of anything you need. It may be from a brand you've never heard of before, but it'll work in a pinch. Forgot the wine on your way to a date. They got you. Missing some ingredients for a laid back Sunday breakfast. They got you. Need to feed your scratch-off and tobacco addiction. They got you. Seriously, I find myself at this place several times a week and it's always a fun time. The people watching alone makes the sometimes hurried dash into the store totally worth it. I've never had a bored moment while waiting in the queue to pay.

When I have a break in-between lectures I normally come here to dream of all the books I wish I…read morecould buy! They also do amazing stationary and cards. I sometimes buy books from here if I need it in a hurry. But although they do 3 for 2 offers on books, the prices are just too expensive for me as a student. They also do book clubs here, and also a children's reading club every week. It really is a lovely shop.

I ordered a book from Halcyon using AbeBooks. The sale was confirmed and Halcyon took payment…read more($100usd). I was then informed that the price was "incorrect" and they canceled the sale. I followed up with AbeBooks and learned Halcyon has relisted and re-sold the book (at what I assume was a higher price). It is disappointing dealing with people who stoop to these kind of sleazy business practices.

Halcyon Books is a charming little bookshop located directly opposite Greenwich railway & DLR…read morestation. It specialises in second hand books but also dabbles in hunting down rare or out of print books if you require, ideal if you are looking for a gift of that nature. It is one my "must visit" shops in which I enjoy browsing whenever I am in Greenwich and before I know it I have easily lost half an hour simply browsing through their shelves. The place has a relaxed feel, a traditional rustic bookshop with makeshift shelving in places which makes Halcyon individual and gives it a real sense of identity. It even has a bell on the door which for some reason I found endearing. What they stock is normally quite good with a wide variety of genres, some recent releases and some older editions, all organised quite clearly around the shop. The quality is good too considering most of the books are second hand. They're not in perfect condition but they will last and will certainly add character to your bookshelf. Price wise many of the items are a steal and cost a fraction of what you would pay brand new on the High Street. As you would imagine with a small book shop the staff are passionate about books and are willing and able to jump to your aid if required. They do not accept card payments but are always happy to reserve your book until you have the cash, even if that means them waiting for you for a few days. However, I cannot review this shop without sharing a story which gave Halcyon a place in my heart forever. A year ago I read The Damned United by David Peace and found myself fascinated with Brian Clough. I entered Halcyon in the hope of finding his autobiography which I did (a bargain at £2). When I opened it up on the train home I found that it had been autographed by the great man himself! This is one example of the types of one-off bargains you can find at Halcyon.

Greenwich Shoppe is a newsagents which is aimed at the tourists of Greenwich. I browsed some…read moreoverpriced postcards of London attractions before grabbing the cold drink and snack that I came in for. I joined the queue but watched on in anger as a man came in, made his way to the front of the queue and was served first. The woman behind the counter made no apology to me or other customers and served us in silence making for a cold transaction. I can't say I was impressed by the standard of service at Greenwich Shoppe and it seems like they only care about getting money in their till. Granted the fact that it's bang in the centre of Greenwich means it's convienient but after that expereince I'd rather walk down the road to get my refreshment in the future.

Greenwich Book Time is a real gem specialising in selling remainder books at knock down prices…read more Locals may remember this place as "the £2 bookshop" but since its takeover a number of the titles have increased in price. Nevertheless, there are still bargains to be had as many of the books still retail at full price in the High Street chains. They stock everything from keep fit books to cookery books, celebrity biographies, children's books and classic fiction. The only downside is that their stock levels are inconsistent and there is no guarantee that if you see a title for sale one week that it'll be there again the next. They are also unable to order specific books in if you require them and they also do not accept National Book Tokens or credit/debit cards. This shop trades in CASH ONLY. Don't worry if yo have forgotten your card as there is a cashpoint in the bank next door. Being a small shop it does tend to get a little overcrowded easily, especially when they put a clearance table in the middle of the floor but don't give up on it. Hustling and bustling your way around the shop to see the full selection can be of benefit to you as you are bound to spy titles that at such a low price become irresistible purchases and you can easily leave with an armful of books for under a tenner. If crowded shops aren't your thing then it is possible to browse later in the evening where you can pretty much roam the shelves undisturbed. The shop serves another somewhat cheeky purpose. They also sell greetings cards (most of which are blank) and gorgeous wrapping paper and makes an ideal stop off if you've forgotten to buy someone a card or gift. Other items that are stocked include calenders, note books, postcards, address books and a small selection of games and puzzles. Greenwich Book Time is a 3 minute walk from Greenwich Railway/DLR station and Cutty Sark DLR Station. Parking outside the shop is impossible as directly outside is a bus lane monitored by cameras. Car parking is available in surrounding roads although they are all either residents parking permit spaces or on a meter. Car parks are also within walking distance but if it's a flying visit you're making then short term free parking (1 hour) is available by Maze Hill station on the opposite side of the town which is around a 10 minute walk away but gives you a great opportunity to check out Greenwich Park en route to the shop.

This is one of those clever shops that doesn't pick up second hand books, but rejects from…read morepublishers. This means that they'll have a spelling mistake on page 214 or something. Bonus for us as we pick them up for £2! wahey! Some of the stuff in here is rubbish. But I've also picked up some great bargains. Such as a Katharine Hepburn biography which is one of the best things I've ever read. A copy of Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes which started a bit of an obsession with him. That said, I've picked up some tat too. There are some books I'm drawn into buying that I've never read. They look great on my bookshelf though. But it's £2. If you don't like the book, you haven't really lost anything. And it's great for getting random presents for people. Three books makes you look very generous indeed when really, you were being a bit cheap.

All your ex-pat needs in one totally random place!…read more Hot News has shelves full of Australian, New Zealand and US foods and drinks to satisfy your homesick cravings. And I'm not just talking Vegemite. This place has all the obscure cereals, chocolates, beers, spirits and snacks you've been missing, and if it's not on the shelf, you can ask the friendly owner to order it in for you. It is pricey, but no way near as much as the old Australian Shop in Covent Garden. We spent £50 and got: Nutri Grain, 2x Kraft peanut butter, Cherry Ripe, Summer Roll, 3x Twisties, Cheezels, Violet Crumble, Chicken Crimpys, and a 6 pack of VB. If you aren't Australian, that may sound like nonsense, but believe me when I say, finding this place has made me a far happier Aussie in London :)

This is such a tucked away spot, in the basement of a sort of mini-mall, but perfect if you're…read moreheading to the Cineworld opposite and want something a lil more interesting to eat. They have super basic sandwiches and cheap drinks if you're on a budget, but also imported snacks from the US and Australia. These are a little more costly but worth it for the experimental value. Reese's cereal with Hershey's chocolate milk? (Way better than you'd expect!) Even if you just want to browse, you'll find lots of intriguing items to look at. And best of all, the staff are really friendly: not your typical newsagents - and I speak from experience ;)