Central England is by far the largest area covered by our bookshop guide. Defining geographic regions is always a rather arbitrary business and I hope this arrangement makes some sort of sense.

Bedfordshire
With the closure of Premier Books & Prints I can only find four secondhand bookshops in Bedfordshire -- two of which are run by charities. However, The Eagle Bookshop in Bedford looks like it's worth a visit if you're in town.

Derbyshire
Book End have recently opened in Bakewell, Scarthin Books in Cromford are always worth a visit, and Tilleys Vintage Magazines is described as a Mecca for ephemera enthusiasts.

Herefordshire
The bookshops are few and far between in Herefordshire nowadays, but I rarely leave Ross Old Books empty handed. Castle Hill Books in Kington are always worth a look, as is Leominster Books in Leominster, and The New Strand in Eardisley is ... huge.

Hertfordshire
David's Bookshop in Letchworth is a must, and David Ford Books (above the Gillmark Gallery) in Hertford is worth a look, as is Eric T. Moore Books in Hitchin.

Leicestershire
Sadly, the Black Cat Bookshop in Leicester has now closed, but the owners still have a stall in Leicester Indoor Market. Interestingly, It seems that Leicester now has rather more shops than I remember - I'd better arrange a visit.

Northants
Seven shops in the whole of the county, and I have to confess, I haven't visited any of them. However, the two shops in Brackley have recieved good reviews, as has the Northampton Book Shop.

Nottinghamshire
Three independants, plus two Oxfam Books & Music shops in Nottingham make it the place to visit. Outside of the city it's thin to say the least - I can only find Lawrence Books in Newark and a few charity bookshops in the rest of the county.

Rutland
Returned as a county in 1997, although still a postal district of Leicestershire. The three shops in Uppingham are all worth worth a visit.

Shropshire
Simon Baynes is now in Shrewsbury, which is also home to Candle Lane Books. Wenlock Books in Much Wenlock holds the distinction of receiving 14 separate nominations in 2005 for inclusion in the Guardian's Shoptalk database of "the UK's finest independent bookshops, and Yarborough House in Bishop's Castle has received good reviews.

Staffordshire
Sadly, The Staffs Bookshop recently closed ending the 65 year tradition of bookselling on the site. Nowadays, your best bet is G & J Chesters in Polesworth and JTC Books - who have stock in The Old Chapel Antique Centre, Tutbury, and the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum in Lichfield.

Warwickshire
The Chaucer Head Book Shop and two charity bookshops are all that remains in Stratford Upon Avon. In Warwick I've always found interesting books in the Eastgate Bookshop, Astley Book Farm in Bedworth is huge, and Throckmorton's Bookshop (the sole survivor of the Atherstone Booktown debacle) is worth a look.

West Midlands
I find it hard to believe that England's second city can only muster three secondhand bookshops; and two of those are charity bookshops! Gosford Books in Coventry is still worth a look, but I have no personal knowledge of any of the areas other shops.

Worcestershire
Sedgeberrow Books (recently relocated and expanded) and Ian K Pugh Books make Pershore worth a visit. There's Bookworms in Evesham, The Malvern Bookshop and Books For Amnesty in Malvern, and Boars Nest Trading in Upton.