5 Best Music Stores in London (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Denmark Street has been London's music-shop street for decades, and two names on this page, Rose Morris and Wunjo Guitars, sit almost side by side there with a combined 1,748 Google reviews between them. The music stores below range from a records-and-film megastore with nearly 2,500 reviews to a specialist guitar shop with a 4.9 rating, so the right pick depends on whether you're browsing or buying.

Short answer: FOPP leads on rating and volume at 4.6 across 2,495 reviews, prized for its vinyl, CD and film stock at low prices. For instruments, Rose Morris on Denmark Street holds the highest rating at 4.9 from 932 reviews, known for patient staff and a strong pre-owned guitar selection.

Jump to a business

1. FOPP
2. Yamaha Music London
3. Rose Morris
4. Sister Ray
5. Wunjo Guitars
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From Denmark Street to Soho: how they compare

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	FOPP	4.6 ★	2,495	Vinyl, CDs and film at low prices	View ›
2	Yamaha Music London	4.6 ★	1,676	New instruments / pianos and brass	View ›
3	Rose Morris	4.9 ★	932	Guitars and pianos / personal service	View ›
4	Sister Ray	4.6 ★	1,379	Vinyl records / new releases	View ›
5	Wunjo Guitars	4.7 ★	816	Vintage and international guitar orders	View ›

Our picks for records, instruments and gear

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

FOPP

4.62,495 Google reviews

FOPP in Covent Garden, run under the hmv brand, sells music, films and books at discounted prices across multiple floors, including a large basement movie collection. It's positioned as a destination for physical media collectors who want depth of stock rather than a boutique curated selection.

What people praise

Well organised across genres, decor and distributors
Deep vinyl and CD selection called out by multiple reviewers
Strong film collection in the basement
Staff consistently described as friendly and knowledgeable

Worth knowing

Selection for heavier or niche music genres is thinner than the mainstream stock

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume2,495 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown73% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest review volume on this page by a wide margin, and it holds a strong rating to match, making it the safe default for physical media.

Website +443333238418 Directions

1 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LL

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Yamaha Music London

4.61,676 Google reviews

Yamaha Music London is the brand's flagship UK store in Soho, spanning multiple floors of pianos, keyboards, guitars, brass and woodwind instruments. Staff let customers try instruments hands-on without pressure, and the store hosts live demonstrations comparing sound differences between models.

What people praise

Genuinely hands-on demos, not just a sales pitch
Unmatched range from beginner keyboards to grand pianos
Staff take time explaining tone and technical differences
Welcoming to complete beginners as well as experienced players

Worth knowing

Larger store means it can take longer to find a specific niche item

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume1,676 · 92th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown77% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick for anyone buying a new instrument who wants to properly test it first, especially pianos, brass and woodwind.

Website +442074324400 Directions

152-160 Wardour St, London W1F 8YA

#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Rose Morris

4.9932 Google reviews

Rose Morris on Denmark Street is a long-established guitar and piano shop stocking new and pre-owned instruments across a wide price range, from budget starter guitars to rare vintage pieces. Reviewers repeatedly name staff member Mike for his patience with first-time buyers and negotiating fair prices.

What people praise

Highest rating on this page at 4.9
Strong pre-owned and vintage guitar selection
Staff let customers try multiple instruments without pressure
Praised for working with young or nervous first-time buyers

Worth knowing

Saturday-only weekend hours, closed Sundays

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume932 · 75th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown95% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A standout for guitar buyers specifically, backed by a near-perfect rating and reviewers who name the same helpful staff repeatedly.

Website +442078360991 Directions

8 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LS

#4🕑 Open 7 days

Sister Ray

4.61,379 Google reviews

Sister Ray in Soho is a dedicated record shop with over 30 years in the trade, stocking new releases and second-hand vinyl across genres. It's known internationally, with the shop describing itself as one of the world's most visited record stores.

What people praise

Deep second-hand vinyl stock in good condition
International shipping praised for reliability during high-demand sales
Cosy, dedicated record-shop atmosphere

Worth knowing

A few reviewers found staff attitude inconsistent during busy periods

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume1,379 · 81th

Confidencevery high

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown70% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A genuine specialist for vinyl collectors, though the reviews suggest service warmth varies more than at the guitar shops on this page.

Website +442077343297 Directions

75 Berwick St, London W1F 8TG

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Wunjo Guitars

4.7816 Google reviews

Wunjo Guitars on Denmark Street is an independent retailer of acoustic, electric and bass guitars, including a dedicated vintage bass section in its basement. It ships internationally and stocks brands including Fender, Gibson, Gretsch and Guild alongside effects pedals and accessories.

What people praise

Vintage bass selection in the basement called out specifically
International shipping handled smoothly, per multiple reviews
Staff connect the guitar to an amp so buyers can properly hear it before buying
Welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere for trying instruments

Worth knowing

Also trades under a similar name to Rose Morris nearby, worth confirming you're at the right Denmark Street shop

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume816 · 69th

Confidencehigh

Recency5 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown85% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A close second to Rose Morris on Denmark Street, with a particular edge for vintage bass guitars and international orders.

Website +442073790737 Directions

5 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LP

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Watch: 5 Best Music Stores in London (2026)

How we score

Rating is each shop’s live Google average. Review volume measures how many customers actually left a review, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, and recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much do instruments cost in London? (2026)

Prices vary hugely by instrument and whether it’s new or pre-owned. Rose Morris and Wunjo Guitars both carry pre-owned stock that runs cheaper than new instruments, while Yamaha’s flagship store covers everything from entry-level keyboards to professional-grade pianos.

Serving central London

Denmark Street, still nicknamed Tin Pan Alley, is home to both Rose Morris and Wunjo Guitars, while FOPP, Yamaha Music London and Sister Ray cluster around Soho and Covent Garden a short walk away. If you’re searching for a music store near me in the West End, this stretch covers records, new instruments and vintage gear within a 15-minute walk.

What to ask before buying an instrument

Can I try the instrument in-store before buying?
Is this stock new or pre-owned, and what’s the condition?
Do you offer part-exchange on my current instrument?
What’s included, case, strap or accessories?
Do you ship internationally, and what are the costs?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these music stores?

We compared music stores in London using real Google ratings, review counts and what customers say in their reviews, then ranked them on that public data.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects Google data verified in August 2026 and is refreshed periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Where can I buy a guitar in London?

Denmark Street is the traditional hub, home to both Rose Morris and Wunjo Guitars, each stocking new and pre-owned instruments.

Where’s the best place for vinyl records in London?

FOPP and Sister Ray both carry substantial vinyl selections, with FOPP holding the higher review volume on this page.

The bottom line

FOPP is the safe default for records, CDs and films given its scale and consistent rating. For an actual instrument purchase, head to Denmark Street: Rose Morris holds the highest rating on this page and reviewers keep coming back.

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