Photo: Excel London / Google MapsLondon Book Fair 2027 Hotels and Accommodation
The London Book Fair 2027 runs 16 to 18 March at ExCeL London, London. 34,000+ publishing professionals
- Free-cancellation rooms
- Lock today's hotel rate
- Company invoice
- Book rooms for your team
Where to stay for The London Book Fair 2027: the closest hotels to ExCeL London are in Royal Docks and Canary Wharf, with Stratford a short ride away. Rooms near the venue sell out first, so book a free-cancellation rate early. Add your company name and tax number at checkout for an itemised company invoice.
The London Book Fair moves to ExCeL London for 2027, running from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 March after many years at Olympia in west London. Doors open 09:00-18:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday and 09:00-17:00 on Thursday. The fair is primarily a trade show for publishers, agents, rights professionals, booksellers and authors, and the organiser cites more than 34,000 publishing professionals. The new venue changes the hotel picture: if you have stayed in Kensington or Hammersmith for past fairs, look east instead. ExCeL sits on the Royal Docks, with its own hotels and Custom House station on the Elizabeth line, while Canary Wharf and Stratford are a short ride away and central London is a direct train journey. This page shows live hotel rates near the venue for your dates, so you can compare London Book Fair hotels by distance to ExCeL before rights-meeting diaries fill up.
Popular areas for attendees: Royal Docks · Canary Wharf · Stratford · Central London (Elizabeth line).
- London hotels for the London Book Fair sorted by distance to ExCeL London, from the Royal Docks to Canary Wharf and Stratford
- Live rates for 16-18 March 2027, with dates you can change to add pre-fair meetings or a weekend
- Free-cancellation rates shown where the hotel offers them, useful while your rights-centre schedule is still moving
- An itemised company invoice emailed at booking, plus a publisher or agency group quote within 24 hours via our enquiry form
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 16 Mar to 18 Mar 2027
- Venue
- ExCeL London
- City
- London, United Kingdom
- Airport
- LCY
- Attendance
- 34,000+ publishing professionals
Live rates near the venue
Hotels near ExCeL London for The London Book Fair 2027
Free cancellation first
Flexible rooms prioritised so plans can change without penalty.
Company invoice
Itemised invoice billed to your company, emailed the moment you book.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance to the halls.
Lock today's rate
Reserve at the current price and book several rooms for the team.
Plan your stay
Rates shown for the event window, Mon, Mar 15 → Fri, Mar 19 (arrive the day before, leave the day after), or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat, all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Booking hotels for a team or company?
Book several rooms near ExCeL London, keep every stay on a free-cancellation rate, and add your company name and tax number at checkout to receive an itemised invoice for your accounts, emailed the moment you book.
- Itemised company invoice, emailed instantly
- Bills to your company name and ABN / VAT / tax number
- Free-cancellation rates prioritised for changing plans
- Book multiple rooms for the team in one place
Send this page to colleagues so everyone books their own room near the venue, all at today's rate.
Exhibiting or sending a team? Tell us how many rooms you need and we will send a personalised quote within 24 hours, with the distance from every hotel to ExCeL London. If the closest hotels are nearly full, we split your team across neighbouring hotels a few minutes apart. Corporate accommodation for The London Book Fair
Free The London Book Fair Insider Guide
Do The London Book Fair the easy way. Get our curated guide, plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
We'll email your guide and occasional The London Book Fair hotel deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where should you eat during The London Book Fair?
ExCeL sits in the docks, but the Elizabeth line puts serious dining 15 minutes away. Book the client dinner in town and keep the dockside gastropub for post-show pints.
Photo: Da Terra / Google MapsDa Terra
Latin American-Italian tasting menus
Bethnal Green, ~25 min from ExCeL via Elizabeth line
Rafael Cagali's two-star room in the old Bethnal Green Town Hall: East London's most impressive client-dinner ticket and the closest two-star to the Royal Docks.
Tip: Last seatings ~8pm: leave the show floor by 7. Book before DSEI/WTM week.
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Photo: Galvin La Chapelle / Google MapsGalvin La Chapelle
French-Mediterranean
Spitalfields, Elizabeth line from Custom House (~15 min)
A soaring converted Victorian chapel holding its Michelin star since 2011: one of the easiest genuinely impressive rooms to reach from ExCeL.
Tip: The set lunch is strong value for a starred room between sessions.
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Photo: Max Gruber / Google MapsRules
Traditional British · since 1798
Covent Garden, ~30 min from ExCeL
London's oldest restaurant: game in season, steak and kidney pie year-round, beneath gilded art-crammed walls. The definitive old-London experience for international colleagues.
Tip: Upstairs cocktail bar for a pre-dinner martini; book evenings.
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Photo: The Hiwaymann / Google MapsSt. JOHN
British nose-to-tail
Smithfield, Elizabeth line to Farringdon (~15 min)
Fergus Henderson's whitewashed smokehouse has defined modern British cooking since 1994: Michelin-starred, unfussy, and beloved by every chef you'll meet.
Tip: Roast bone marrow and parsley salad; zero dress-code anxiety.
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Photo: The Fox, Excel / Google MapsThe Fox Excel
Gastropub
Royal Victoria Dock, 2 min walk from ExCeL's west entrance
A converted tobacco warehouse beside the ExCeL entrance: the default for post-show pints, casual client catch-ups and decent pub food without leaving the docks.
Tip: Slammed within an hour of halls closing: grab a table before 5:30pm.
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Photo: Izzie Peskett / Google MapsWatchHouse Cabot Place
Specialty coffee
Canary Wharf, one Elizabeth-line stop from Custom House
The polished specialty roaster's Canary Wharf outpost: excellent espresso and laptop-friendly seating, the best serious coffee minutes from ExCeL.
Tip: Before 8:30am on show days to beat the Wharf commuter rush.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: London
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after The London Book Fair: bookable experiences in London, same account, same checkout.
While you're in London
Few cities pack more world-class sport and entertainment into a business week than London, from Premier League nights to West End-scale arena shows.
Premier League football (Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, West Ham)
With several top-flight clubs inside the city, there is usually a Premier League fixture within reach on any given trip during the season.
Find ticketsWimbledon Championships
The world's most famous tennis tournament is a bucket-list experience, and the daily ticket queue makes it possible even on short notice.
Find ticketsNFL London Games
Regular-season NFL games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley give US-facing travellers a familiar spectacle with a London twist.
Find ticketsThe O2 Arena concerts
One of the world's busiest arenas, The O2 almost always has a major artist, comedian or show on during your stay.
Find ticketsSix Nations rugby at Twickenham (Allianz Stadium)
England's home Six Nations matches are huge occasions, and hospitality packages suit client entertaining perfectly.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
How do you get to The London Book Fair?
From London airports
- London City Airport (LCY) is less than a mile from ExCeL, with UK and European flights
- From Heathrow (LHR), the Elizabeth line runs direct to Custom House for ExCeL's West Entrance, with no change needed
- From Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or Southend, take the airport train into London and connect to the Elizabeth line, Jubilee line or DLR
- Taxis and ride-hailing apps use the drop-off and pick-up point at the west end of the venue
By rail and road
- Elizabeth line trains from Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street run direct to Custom House
- Eurostar travellers can take Thameslink one stop from St Pancras to Farringdon, then the Elizabeth line to Custom House
- ExCeL's Orange Car Park is for pre-booked customers only during the fair, so reserve a space if you plan to drive
- London's Congestion Charge and ULEZ apply in parts of the city; check them before driving in
How do you get around during The London Book Fair?
Getting to ExCeL London each day
- The Elizabeth line to Custom House, which connects directly to the West Entrance, is the quickest route from central London
- Alternatively, take the Jubilee line to Canning Town and a Beckton-bound DLR train to Custom House (West Entrance) or Prince Regent (East Entrance)
- From Greenwich, the London Cable Car crosses the Thames from North Greenwich to the Royal Docks
- Cycle route CS3 runs nearby, with bike racks at the East and West entrances
Around London
- Pay as you go with a contactless card or phone on the Tube, DLR, Elizabeth line and buses; daily fares are capped
- Canary Wharf is one Elizabeth line stop from Custom House and has many restaurants for client dinners
- Many publishing parties and receptions still happen in central London, so check where your evening events are before choosing a hotel
- March weather in London is cool and changeable, so bring a light waterproof
Do you need a visa for The London Book Fair?
Visa-free / visa on arrival
- British and Irish citizens do not need a visa or an ETA
- Most visitors who do not need a visa, including EU, US, Canadian, Australian and Japanese nationals, must hold a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel
- An ETA costs £20, covers multiple visits of up to six months and lasts two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
- Most ETA decisions arrive within minutes in the UK ETA app, but the Home Office advises applying at least three working days before travel; without one, your airline or ferry can refuse boarding
eVisa / visa required
- Nationals of countries such as India, China, Nigeria and Pakistan need a Standard Visitor visa to attend the London Book Fair
- Apply online on GOV.UK and book a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre; allow several weeks, longer in busy seasons
- Visitors may attend trade fairs, meetings and conferences, but may not take up paid work or sell goods directly to the public
Documents to carry
- A passport valid for your whole stay, the same one used for your ETA or visa
- Your the London Book Fair registration confirmation and hotel booking, in case the Border Force officer asks about your visit
- A letter from your employer setting out the business purpose of the trip and who is paying for it
Entry and visa rules change; check current requirements on GOV.UK before you book.
First time at The London Book Fair?
- The 2027 fair is at ExCeL London, not Olympia, so check the venue on any older bookings or travel plans
- Register through the organiser's visitor guide before you travel and keep your badge confirmation on your phone
- Book rights and agent meetings weeks ahead; tables in the rights centre are in heavy demand
- Buy lunch before or after the midday rush, as the organiser itself advises, to avoid long food queues
- Thursday closes at 17:00, so plan last meetings and travel home around that
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Royal Docks hotels connected to ExCeL fill first; Canary Wharf and Stratford are short train rides and offer more choice
- The Elizabeth line makes central hotels near Farringdon or Liverpool Street workable for daily trips to the fair
- If you know Olympia from past fairs, allow extra time on day one to learn ExCeL's East and West entrances
The London Book Fair travel FAQs
Where is The London Book Fair held?
The London Book Fair is held at ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom. The nearest airport is LCY.
Where should I stay for The London Book Fair?
The most convenient areas for The London Book Fair are Royal Docks, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Central London (Elizabeth line), all close to ExCeL London. Book a free-cancellation rate early, as hotels near the venue sell out first.
How do I choose a hotel near the 2027 London Book Fair venue?
The 2027 fair is at ExCeL London in the Royal Docks, so start with hotels around ExCeL and Custom House station for the shortest trip. Canary Wharf and Stratford are short train rides away, and hotels near Elizabeth line stations in central London, such as Farringdon or Liverpool Street, run direct to Custom House.
Is the London Book Fair still at Olympia?
No. For 2027 the London Book Fair is at ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL, from 16 to 18 March.
What is the nearest station to the London Book Fair?
Custom House, on the Elizabeth line and DLR, connects directly to ExCeL's West Entrance. Prince Regent on the DLR serves the East Entrance.
Which airport is best for the London Book Fair?
London City Airport is less than a mile from ExCeL and suits UK and European flights. Heathrow has a direct Elizabeth line service to Custom House for long-haul travellers.
Can I change the hotel dates?
Yes. You can change the check-in and check-out dates in the hotel search to match your own schedule, for example to arrive on the Monday or stay on after the fair.
Can you arrange London Book Fair exhibitor accommodation for a team?
Yes. Tell us your dates and room numbers through the enquiry form and we will reply with a group quote within 24 hours.
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More to plan and book around London, all on Event Escapes.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with The London Book Fair or its organizers. Dates and venues can change. Verify with the official event site before booking travel.