Notebooks & Notepads

Best Notebooks & Notepads in the UK: Stylish Picks from Good Tuesday, Nordic Nest and More

Why the right notebook changes everything

Have you ever reached for a notebook and felt a tiny thrill? That feeling isn’t trivial — the right notebook can boost focus, spark creativity, and make everyday planning feel satisfying. Whether you’re scribbling meeting notes, mapping out a novel, or sketching an idea, the physical page still wins for many of us. Think of a notebook like a reliable coffee mug: it’s personal, comforting, and part of your daily ritual.

Spotlight: Good Tuesday — playful, bright, and practical

Good Tuesday is known for cheerful stationery that blends fun with functionality. Their range includes colorful to-do pads and patterned notebooks that are perfect for anyone who wants productivity to feel less like a chore and more like a treat. If you love bold colors and optimistic messages, these picks will speak to you.

To-Do List Pads — small but mighty

To-do list pads from Good Tuesday come in compact sizes that fit on a desk or slip into a bag. These pads are ideal for daily task lists, grocery runs, or quick brain dumps. If you prefer a focused, single-day list, a pad with sections for priorities and checks makes crossing off items genuinely satisfying.

A5 Notebooks — portable and versatile

The A5 Hot Pink Stripe Notebook from Good Tuesday is a lively choice. An A5 notebook measures about 5.8 inches by 8.3 inches, which strikes a great balance between portability and writing space. It’s small enough to carry but big enough to record detailed meeting notes or sketches, and the striped cover adds personality to your stationery stack.

Reading Journals & themed sets

Good Tuesday Reading Journal (A5 hardback) is a lovely companion if you love tracking books and reflections. Hardback journals protect your notes when thrown in a bag and feel sturdy on a desk. Their Cherry & Peach Three Notebooks Set is another winner for people who like to color-code projects or keep separate notebooks for personal, work, and creative ideas.

Spotlight: Nordic Nest — minimalist Scandinavian design

Nordic Nest brings Scandinavian simplicity to the notebook world. If you prefer clean lines, timeless typography, and muted palettes, Nordic Nest’s Design Letters personal notebooks are a great match. The minimalist aesthetic is calming, which helps some people focus by reducing visual distraction.

Design Letters collections — typography-driven charm

Design Letters notebooks often feature single-letter covers and classic typeface styling, perfect for monogramming or organizing by initial. These notebooks work beautifully as gift items or personal journaling tools. Their sizes are typically compact — think similar to A5 (about 5.8 by 8.3 inches) — making them practical for daily use.

Why Scandinavian stationery appeals

There’s something about Scandinavian stationery that feels intentional and calm. The restrained design frees up mental space, so your notes and sketches become the hero. If a clutter-free desk helps you think, Nordic Nest offers options that marry form and function.

Other top UK shops to consider

If you’re exploring beyond Good Tuesday and Nordic Nest, the UK has a thriving stationery scene. Here are a few stores that consistently deliver variety, quality, and value — whether you want affordable basics or beautifully crafted premium journals.

Paperchase — trend-led and varied

Paperchase is a high-street favorite for vibrant covers, planner ranges, and seasonal collections. They offer everything from pocket notebooks to large planners, plus special editions that reflect pop culture and current trends. If you like variety and frequent new drops, Paperchase is a good stop.

WHSmith — reliable and accessible

WHSmith is a go-to for everyday essentials. Their notebooks cover a broad range of sizes, rulings, and price points. If you need a dependable notebook quickly — maybe between meetings or while traveling — WHSmith is usually easy to find and offers functional options that don’t break the bank.

Ryman — office-focused choices

Ryman focuses on office supplies and has a strong selection of professional notebooks, pads, and meeting books. Look here if you need notebooks tailored for business use: hardbacks, bound meeting pads, and refillable options designed for long-term organization.

Muji — minimalist and tactile

Muji is loved for its understated, high-quality paper goods. Their notebooks are simple, durable, and often have friendly paper weight for fountain pens. If you want no-nonsense design with excellent paper quality, Muji is worth exploring.

John Lewis & independent makers

Department stores like John Lewis stock premium stationery brands and seasonal notebooks, while independent makers and UK-based Etsy sellers offer bespoke options and handmade journals. These can be ideal if you want artisanal touches or customized features like hand-stitched binding or unique covers.

How to choose the perfect notebook

Choosing a notebook is more than picking a cover you like. Think about how you’ll use it: Will it live on your desk, move with you, or be a keepsake? Here are the key factors to match your notebook to your needs.

Size matters — what to pick

Size affects portability and focus. For daily carry, a notebook around 5.8 inches by 8.3 inches (A5) is ideal. For heavyweight journaling or sketching, a larger notebook that gives you two columns of writing or wide sketches might serve better. And if you want something pocketable, aim for a notebook roughly 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches.

Paper weight and bleed-through

Paper weight influences how pens behave on the page. For fountain pens or markers, look for heavier paper — measured in pounds on the continent but commonly experienced as thicker, less flimsy sheets in stores. Heavier paper prevents ink bleed and ghosting, so your notes stay crisp on both sides.

Binding types — spiral, stitched, glued

Binding determines durability and ease of use. Spiral-bound notebooks lie flat and are excellent for sketching or note-taking. Stitched bindings (sometimes sewn) are durable and look refined, while glued pads are convenient for quick lists but may fall apart with heavy use. Choose what fits your writing habits.

Ruling options — lined, dot grid, plain

Your ruling choice affects how you think on paper. Lined paper is great for prose and notes. Dot-grid pages balance structure and freedom, perfect for bullet journals and mixed media. Plain pages are best for drawing and freeform ideas. Many UK stores stock multiple rulings, so you can experiment.

Matching notebooks to your daily tasks

Notebooks can be specialized tools. Here’s how to match a style to what you do every day.

For work — polished and practical

At work, a hardback notebook or a professional-looking stitched journal projects confidence. Choose a medium size (around 5.8 x 8.3 inches) that fits in a briefcase and has enough pages for meeting notes. A notebook with pre-printed sections or index tabs can make retrieval fast.

For students — durable and affordable

Students need notebooks that withstand a full term in a backpack. Spiral-bound or glue-free options with perforated pages are useful for handing in assignments. Look for cost-effective packs if you like organizing different subjects into separate books.

For creatives — freedom and texture

Sketchers and mixed-media enthusiasts often want heavier paper and lay-flat binding. Plain or lightly textured paper invites pencils, ink, and markers. Large-format journals let ideas breathe; think of them as canvases for daily creativity.

Eco-friendly and sustainable notebook choices

Sustainability matters more now, and many UK brands respond with recycled paper, FSC-certified materials, and eco-conscious packaging. If reducing environmental impact is important to you, look for labels that indicate recycled content or responsible sourcing.

Recycled and FSC options

Recycled paper reduces waste, while FSC certification ensures wood-based paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Some brands also use vegetable or soy-based inks for printing covers, which is an extra eco-friendly touch. These options often feel just as premium as conventional alternatives.

Refillable notebooks

Refillable notebooks are brilliant for long-term use. You keep the sturdy cover and replace the inner pages, cutting waste and saving money over time. Many high-street and online UK retailers offer refill systems, especially for popular leather or fabric-covered journals.

Styling, storage, and accessories

Your notebook isn’t just a tool — it’s part of your desk aesthetic. Small choices can make notebooks last longer and feel better to use.

Protection and storage

Keep journals in a protective sleeve or a simple box to avoid scuffs. If you carry multiple notebooks, use a zip folio or elastic band to keep them together. Storing your notebooks upright on a shelf like books protects their spines and keeps your desk tidy.

Accessories that upgrade the experience

Consider pen loops, notebook bands, and sticky tabs. A quality pen will glide better on good paper, and tabs help you find sections instantly. Plus, pockets inside covers are useful for receipts, tickets, and small ephemera you want to keep.

Where to buy and how to compare choices

When shopping, compare store assortments, paper weights, and cover materials. High-street shops let you feel the paper before you buy; online stores often carry wider ranges and limited editions. If you like to try before you commit, buying a small notebook from a brand you love is a low-risk way to test their paper and binding.

Try-before-you-invest approach

If you’re tempted by a fancy journal, try a smaller or cheaper item from the same brand first. That way you learn whether the paper suits your pens and whether the binding feels right. If it passes the test, you’ll feel confident buying the larger or pricier version.

Final tips for notebook lovers

Keep it simple: buy what you’ll actually use. Color and cover matter because they invite you to write, but paper quality and binding determine how long the notebook will serve you. Rotate notebooks by purpose — one for work, one for ideas, one for personal reflections — and you’ll notice your productivity and creativity climb. Like any good habit, a great notebook makes the small rituals of daily life feel intentional and rewarding.

Whichever brand you choose — whether it’s the sunny designs from Good Tuesday, the minimalist charm of Nordic Nest, or a dependable option from Paperchase, WHSmith, Ryman, Muji, or independent makers — the best notebook is the one that helps you capture and act on your ideas. Treat it well, and it’ll return the favor.

Conclusion

Notebooks are more than paper and covers: they’re tools for thinking, planning, and creating. From the playful to-do pads of Good Tuesday to the typographic elegance of Nordic Nest, the UK stationery scene has options for every taste and purpose. Consider size, paper weight, binding, and your daily habits when choosing. With the right notebook in hand, small rituals become meaningful, ideas become tangible, and productivity becomes a pleasure.