The Musical Box

When people describe somewhere as an institution, they’re usually talking bollocks. Not so in the case of The Musical Box. It is the oldest independent record shop in the country and it has the blue plaque to prove it.

The shop hasn’t even moved since it opened in 1947 and it’s now the fourth generation of the same music-loving family behind the counter. John Lennon and Pete Best used to buy their LPs here, so there’s a bit more history for you.

It’s not stuck in the past though. The Musical Box always takes part in Record Store Day and they’ve got a big stash of Taylor Swift special releases hitting the shelves (and then flying straight off them again probably) on Saturday 18 April 2026.

From Joan Baez to Kool and the Gang to Prince, Bowie and a whole load of Beatles, you can find almost anything at The Musical Box although not so much of the modern stuff.

There’s a gorgeous upstairs with chairs and a listening post with a gramophone so big and grand surely it makes everything sound sublime. Like Fleetwood Mac are right there in front of you playing their best gig ever and not even arguing.