| Allhalland Books 
7 Allhalland Street
BIDEFORD Devon EX39 2JD map
tel: 01271 479084
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.30 (4.00 on Wednesday)
A small general stock with some interesting titles. However, these either seemed to be rather optimistically priced, or not priced at all. When I inquired about the latter, I was told, "They are being researched". - TBG 31.07.08.
Barnstaple Flea Market
The Pannier Market
Butchers Row
BARNSTAPLE Devon
tel: 01271 379084
Open: Wednesdays only.
A handful of booksellers and other stalls with books.
Three booksellers in the Pannier Market deserve a special mention. Sennash Books specialise in Henry Williamson, Exmoor and aviation, but also have general books on their stall. John Wilkinson, who deals in collectable children's books and toys, and Golden Books who had some high end West Country topography, as well as more general stock. - TBG 31.07.08.
Some of the personnel seem to have changed but there are still lots of books, ranging from holiday reading to collectable stuff. Worth a visit. - TBG 17.07.10.
Book Aid
Rebecca Springs
NADDERWATER Devon EX4 2JH map
tel: 01392 213002
Open: Wednesday and Thursday 10.00 - 6.00. Other times by appointment.
Charity selling secondhand and some out-of-print and collectable books.
Book-Cycle
7 West Street
EXETER Devon EX1 1BB map
tel: 01392 420021 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.00.
Book-Cycle is a 'not-for-profit social organisation' based in Exeter, England. We collect unwanted books from Devon and Somerset and house them in Britain's only "free bookshop." Here you are invited to choose up to three books per person per day and pay whatever you wish!
Interesting to visit and is an alternative to the charity bookshop. Pick up your free seeds on the top floor. - BGP 05.05.11.
BookRelief UK's Appledore Charity Bookshop 
26 Market Street
APPLEDORE Devon EX39 1PP map
tel: 07910 3774283 e-mail web
Open: 7 days during summer (more occasionally over winter months) 11.00 - 4.00.
An eclectic mix of donated books. Books sold to raise money for literacy programmes. Donations of good quality books always welcome.
Chandos Books
London House
Market Place
COLYTON Devon EX24 6JS map
tel: 01297 553344
Open: Tuesday - Friday 10.00 - 4.00, Saturday 10.00 - 1.00.
Secondhand and antiquarian bookshop specialising in travel and transport. In-house bookbinding and repairs. Easy on-street parking in front of the shop
Collards Bookshop
4 Castle Street
TOTNES Devon TQ9 5NU map
tel: 01548 550246
Open: Friday & Saturday 10.30 - 5.00.
A small, well selected stock of antiquarian and general secondhand books.
A small general bookshop which usually repays a visit. - TBG.
Nice small shop with a varied collection, sensible prices. - Norman Davies 23.10.10.
Nice bookshop with helpful and friendly staff. - BGP 05.05.11.
Compass Books
24 Lower Street
DARTMOUTH Devon TQ6 9AN map
tel: 01803 835915 fax: 01803 835066 e-mail
A fairly small stock of general secondhand books, with a few more unusual titles. Unpredictable opening times. - TBG.
It is small and the prices are good. They have a good espionage section, although I notice that the stock doesn't turn over too much, and military too. - Andy Overton.
The selection of nautical books were interesting as were the early twentieth-century fiction titles. Enjoyed visiting if only for the gossip with the owners' father. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
Cornerstone Books
Antiques Centre
27 New Street The Barbican
PLYMOUTH Devon PL1 2NB map
tel: 01752 661165
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Over 40,000 good quality, mainly hardback books covering almost every subject.
A mountainous stock of mostly hardback books covering almost every subject. Don't forget to take your crampons. - TBG.
Impressive muddle. Nothing of too much value but the odd treasure to be found. If you are scared of climbing too high then stick to the lower shelves. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
Dartmoor Book Gallery
3A The Square
MORETONHAMPSTEAD Devon TQ13 8NF map
tel: 01647 440649 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday. 10.00 - 5.00 (Winter 10.00 - 4.30).
An antiquarian bookshop with a difference, offering a small quality stock of antiquarian and collectable books on varied subjects including West Country, natural history, art, literature, maritime, travel and early printed books. Complimented with a substantial selection of antique Devon maps, original artwork and paintings.
Epicentre Book Cafe
59 Torquay Road
PAIGNTON Devon TQ3 3DT map
tel: 01803 553 790 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
Wide selection of books that you can peruse over coffee, home made cakes, or vegetarian lunches. Thousands of books in store, thousands more off site. Book launches, performance events, workshops, and local artists on display further enhance the atmosphere.
It's a jewel, a sanctuary within Paignton you must visit if you are there. Knowledgeable staff, wonderful food and coffee, and excellent selection of books, Well organized, with plenty of juicy options on the shelves, as well as in the menu. A pleasant place to sit. - Country Mouse 06.03.12.
Exeter Antiques Centre on the Quay
The Quay
EXETER Devon EX2 4AN map
tel: 01392 493501
Open: 7 days, 10.00 - 5.00.
Several booksellers with general secondhand stock covering a wide range of subjects. - TBG.
A lovely location and a pleasant place for a cup of something but the books were typical antique centre stock, if you know what I mean. - Pondcott 30.03.11.
Exeter Rare Books
12a Guildhall Shopping Centre
EXETER Devon EX4 3HG map
tel: 01392 436021 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00, closed for lunch.
Wide ranging stock of secondhand and antiquarian books. ABA and PBFA member.
Small and a hell of a job to find in its incongruous semi-deserted shopping centre. It does have some gems though but at a price. On balance worth a visit, but don't expect a bargain. - Andy Overton.
Strange location and difficult to find. Small number of books, mostly modern. - BGP 05.05.11.
Graham York Rare Books
225 High Street
HONITON Devon EX14 1AH map
tel: 01404 41727 fax: 01404 44993 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
Established in 1982, we are the leading specialists in books on the Gypsies and George Borrow, and carry a large stock of books on Spain and South Africa.
Large general stock of secondhand and remaindered titles and particularly, North Devon and the countryside. - TBG.
It takes no more than five minutes to view the second-hand holdings. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
Large holding of works related to Spain, otherwise it takes less than 5 minutes to view the books. - BGP 05.05.11.
Harlequin
41 High Street
TOTNES Devon TQ9 5DR map
tel: 01803 865794
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
A long established shop specialising in the best of publishers remainders, but with a recently expanded secondhand section. - TBG.
The stock is tiny and dreary - Stephen 16.11.09.
Disagree above review. Small yes, remainder stock also, but second hand worth a peruse and I picked up a couple of well priced bargains here. Note opening hours during week as well. - Norman Davies 23.10.10.
A mixture of second-hand and good quality remainders. Both groups are well worth time to peruse. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
Heartland Old Books
12-14 Newport Street
TIVERTON Devon EX16 6NL map
tel: 01884 254488 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Medium sized stock of rare and interesting books. PBFA member.
Great range of books, reasonably priced, and friendly/knowledgeable proprietor. - Tim Hall 23.12.11.
Driving through Devon I thought that I would make the short detour to Tiverton with the sole purpose of visiting this shop, and Im so glad that I did. However, be warned if you cross the road from the car park the first impression is that its closed - it consists of what were probably three old cottages and the door is further down the road. Once inside you will find an interesting, medium sized stock of considerable variety, with very fair and realistic pricing. Its also worth digging around in the piles of books on the floor, as youre never quite sure what you may find there. The owner is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and the greyhound on the sofa in the back room is a charmer. The shop does not take cards but there is a Halifax cash machine just around the corner. I shall certainly be returning in the future and would recommend this shop to those who like a good rummage. - Nicholas Pendower 13.10.12.
High Street Books
150 High Street
HONITON Devon EX14 8JX map
tel: 01404 45570 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Spacious shop on two floors with wide-ranging stock of 12,000 plus books. Military, art, maritime, aviation, history and most other non-fiction subjects.
Large stock which took over two hours to peruse. Hardly any potboilers but good interesting titles. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
I would have lingered in the excellent (and expanded) High Street Books but my cold and the cold sent me back to the relative warmth of Bristol. - Arthur Hook 14.12.10.
Best bookshop in Honiton. Varied stock, but seemed rather on the expensive side for the condition of books. - BGP 05.05.11.
Agree BGP. Large good selection, well worth a vist, but variable quality compared to price. Howevere I came away with an interesting parcel of varied titles. - Norman Davies 22.09.11.
It is well worth pulling off the main road to visit this shop. On the occasions I have done so I have always found things to buy and usually come away with several bags full. This is a serious bookshop where the collector can have an equally serious rummage, and where the owner is helpful and knowledgeable; the stock is always interesting, offering a wide variety, including ephemera and maps, prints and charts. The only criticism I have is that the pricing seemed to be a little on the inconsistent side, with some surprising bargains while other titles were marked somewhat optimistically. However, the fascinating and large stock certainly makes up for this, and if you dont come away with something from this shop then perhaps you shouldn't be bothering with bookshops at all. - Nicholas Pendower 13.10.12.
Hospice Care Books and Music
84 South Street
EXETER Devon EX1 1EQ map
tel: 01392 435453
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 6.00.
Well stocked shop, similar to the nearby Oxfam. Whatever you think about charity bookshops, at least they seem to provide reasonably priced books compared to the shops on the Quay (Observers for £2.50-£3 not £15!) - Steve Newman 22.04.10.
Impressive selection on my visit. Cheap prices. Compares extremely favourably with nearby Oxfam. - Norman Davies 23.10.10.
Great bookshop, which always has a good atmosphere inside. Good prices and selection. Second the comment concerning the Quay and Oxfam. - BGP 05.05.11.
Currently overstocked on shelves - 2 rows of books so you need to keep shifting them to see just what may be behind. And the locked glass case stock is also a bit excessive. Need to ask them what some of the titles are. Doleful classical music being played by elderly couple at the counter. I'll look back, someday. - Chris K 13.03.12.
Ilfracombe Charity Bookshop
6A Church Street
ILFRACOMBE Devon EX34 8HA map
tel: 01271 862020
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 12.00 & 2.00 - 4.00, Saturday 10.00 - 12.00.
A small, well organised stock of reasonably priced books, which are much better than most charity bookshops. - TBG.
Note this is at the west end of the High Street. Nearly all newish good selection at good prices. - Norman Davies 22.09.11.
Joel Segal Books
The Cafe
76, Fore Street
TOPSHAM Devon
tel: 01392 875239 or 07790 906118 e-mail web
Joel Segal has a selection of stock in the Cafe, and at The Dinosaur, Clock tower, Exeter.
Lee Furneaux
Tavistock Pannier Market
TAVISTOCK Devon PL19 0AU map
tel: 01822 853243 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 8.30 - 4.00
Their eclectic bookshop islocated in the far corner at the west end of the market. Subjects of special interest include Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley, military history, maritime, art, literature and children's books
They always have interesting and well-priced titles in stock. - Tim Hall 23.12.11.
This might just be a stall in a high quality market but, my goodness, what a super selection of hard to obtain titles. A knowledgable and friendly owner saw her busy during both of my visits. Rumour had it that the best of a recently purchased collection will soon see the light of day. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
Lib-Dem Bookshop
48 High Street
CREDITON Devon EX1 73JP map
tel: 01363 777903 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
An eclectic stock of paperbacks to antiquarian books. We rely on donations so stock varies over time. If traveling always best to ring first.
Not sure if this reflects the organisation running it, but a great selection of politics, history and similar at bargain prices! - Norman Davies 22.09.11.
Old Bridge Antiques Centre
19 Market Place
BIDEFORD Devon EX39 2DR map
tel: 01237 420909
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.45 - 5.00.
Peter Hames is no longer here, and whilst there are still books, they are now much less interesting. - TBG 31.07.08.
Once Read
4 High Street
CREDITON Devon EX17 3AE map
tel: 01363 773365 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Out of print English Literature including a wide range of poetry. Specialist subjects such as soil science, Indian spiritualism and theology. Also a good range of biographies, military, British/European, cultural and social history. We have been open since July 1st 2011 and have had great support from the local community. We offer books at affordable prices. We are happy to take any enquiries or book requests.
I was impressed with the range of books and reasonable prices. Worth a detour. - Norman Davies 22.09.11.
Excellent and timely service and reasonable prices. You can order and if you dont want you dont have to take. Superb customer service. Highly recommended. - Ray 31.10.11.
Unfortunately did not live up expectations. Very poor. - Bookman 07.11.11.
Realy very impressed with the range of books particularly given the size of the premises. Very friendly service and always with a smile. Good addition to Crediton High Street. - AnnieB 30.03.12.
Oxfam Bookshop
45 Fore Street
KINGSBRIDGE Devon TQ7 1PG map
tel: 01548 857936
A real attitude problem here, especially when pointed out to them that Punch Bound Volumes were slightly overpriced at £100 !! "We price all of our stock from the internet," I was told. So maybe that was why my wife picked up a rare first-edition for £3.99. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
Oxfam Bookshop
5 Market Street
TAVISTOCK Devon PL19 0DA map
tel: 01822 613901
A general run-of-the-mill charity bookshop with a few mid-wars titles surrounded by modern fiction. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
Oxfam Music and Art
97 South Street
EXETER Devon EX1 1EN map
tel: 01392 253796
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Exeter Oxfam Books has a general stock of some 3500 books, including a selection of collectibles. We will shortly be selling the more valuable books on ABE. The shop is next to the general Oxfam shop in South Street.
Bog standard Oxfam, not an exciting collection and standard over the top Oxfam prices for anything decent. - Norman Davies 23.10.10.
A very well stocked and busy Oxfam shop. Shame the neighbouring Oxfam music shop was shut when I visited - on a Saturday, forsooth! - Pondcott 30.03.11.
Pleasant, but rather dull. - BGP 05.05.11.
Quayside Bookshop
43 Northumberland Place
TEIGNMOUTH Devon TQ14 8DE map
tel: 01626 775436 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 3.00. Closed Sunday if inclement! High season open all hours.
Wide ranging stock in used, out of print and new books. Comprehensive range of Railway, Aviation and Maritime with associated ephemera, and local authors / interest. Close to seafront and famous River Beach with views to Dartmouth. Ample parking nearby and cafe opposite. Also visit our Book stall ' Badger's Books' at Sidwell Street Market , Exeter (weather permitting).
Great bookshop - but I seriously doubt that Dartmouth is visible from Teignmouth! See your description. - Mouchoir-Pouchoir 23.08.11.
Should say 'Dartmoor' !!! - Rhona, Quayside Books - 18.07.12.
River Reads
21 South Street
TORRINGTON Devon EX38 8AA map
tel: 01805 625888
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Angling and countryside literature and 'BB' specialist. Also general stock, including art, literature, transport and history.
Sidmouth Antiques Center
All Saints Road
SIDMOUTH Devon EX10 8ES map
tel: 01395 512588
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00 Sundays 2.00 - 6.00.
The number of books has recently been reduced to half a dozen shelves. - TBG 01.10.08.
Don't bother - BGP 05.05.11.
SolBooks
2 Bridge Street Chambers
The Strand
BARNSTAPLE Devon EX31 1HB map
tel: 01271 327319
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Charity bookshop selling donated books.
Worth a look if you're in town. - TBG 17.07.10.
Better than average collection for a charity shop; good range of subjects. All books seem to be on the internet but are for sale. - Norman Davies 22.09.11.
St Luke's Hospice Bookshop
Unit 3 Lockyers Mews
Paddons Road
TAVISTOCK Devon PL19 0HF map
tel: 01822 615378
A proper bookshop in all but name. Situated along a charming alleyway the stock is carefully categorised and easy to browse. Not much to interest a dealer but collectors might find the odd gem. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
Tarka Books
5 Bear Street
BARNSTAPLE Devon EX32 7BU map
tel: 01271 374997 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.45 - 5.00.
General secondhand bookshop with a selection of new titles.
The stock was so dull that I could find nothing to like, let alone buy. - TBG 31.07.08.
Is this really a second-hand bookshop? - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
As I run Tarka Books, I am of course biased, but in my opinion your comments where rude and unnecessary. We stock a wide range of titles and just because you didn't find anything to your liking on this occasion was no reason to call our stock dull. It is this kind of attitude that is the death of independent bookshops, your comments will be read by many people and as such should be given more thought or the next time you come to North Devon there may be no secondhand shops left and you will be left will just charity shops to satisfy your habit. - F. Broster, Tarka Books 24.04.09.
I visited Tarka Books last month and am astonished by the negative remarks of TBG and Chris Harte. Shame on them both! This is a well-stocked, well-organised, clearly-signed shop with a helpful lady presiding on the day I was there. The proprietor is right to be offended. If we all condemned a shop just because we we didn't find anything on the day we visited, there would be next to no secondhand bookshops left. - Laurence Purcell 12.10.09.
On frequent visits to N. Devon from W. London, I have visited Tarka regularly over the last 5 years and have purchased books there. I disagree with the comments of TBG and Harte and fully endorse those of Massrs Broster & Purcell. - Ian Haigh 15.03.11.
The Book Cupboard
18 The Parade
The Barbican
PLYMOUTH Devon PL1 2JW map
tel: 01752 226311 fax: 0870 1698629
Open: 7 days 10.30 - 4.00.
Some 200,000 out-of-print hardback and paperback books covering a wide variety of subjects, spread over three floors.
Superb stock, best I think in the West Country. Huge selection, good proprietor; on the whole decent condition and prices. Well worth a detour. - Norman Davies 22.09.11.
Brilliant selection . Excellent prices. NOT OPEN LONG ENOUGH for the number of books! - David 29.12.11.
Quite impressed by three floors of a very varied stock. Owner spoke of having a warehouse full of treasures which tempted the question of why not have them out on display. Well worthy of a visit. - Chris Harte 20.03.12.
The Dartmoor Bookshop
2 Kingsbridge Lane
ASHBURTON Devon TQ13 7DX
tel: 01364 653356 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30. Also open Tuesdays in Summer
We are a large shop, with around 30,000 books, based in Ashburton on the eastern edge of the Dartmoor country park in Devon. We have been established for over 25 years, and have built up a reputation based on cheap prices and lots of turnover.
Paul and Barbara Heatley have retired after 22 years, and the shop will now be run by Andy Collins and Brenda Greysmith, who had Pedlar's Pack in Totnes. - TBG 28.09.06.
I remembered this shop from visits of years long gone. What I purchased then was somewhat different to this time. Although the general stock was interesting nothing stood out to grab the attention. Pleasant but dull. - Chris Harte 20.04.10.
Its always a great pleasure to us to visit this bookshop - we're delighted such good independents still exist here - we have lost most of them in our area of London. - Howe64 01.10.10.
You get the feeling this place could be so much more. One of the few bookshops in Devon to have any real books before 1800. - BGP 05.05.11.
Brilliant bookshop, long may it flourish! - Tim Hall 23.12.11.
Visited 20-Sep-2012. Overall, the book pricing here struck me as realistic, no bargains. I spent £15 on one book. On three floors, this is a very pleasant shop to browse in what is otherwise an excessively 'Gifty-Shoppy' style of town. - Sub Nomine 05.10.12.
Great bookshop, tidy, easy to browse, good quality and fair prices. One of my most favourite bookshops. - Mary Faity 19.03.13.
The End Bookshop
54 Queen Street
SEATON Devon EX12 2RB map
tel: 01297 20808
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 -4.00.
Secondhand hardback and paperback books covering most subjects.
Small but an excellent stock, all nearly new and in excellent condition. Very good for military, history and modern fiction. - JL 15.03.11.
The Quay Antiques Centre
The Quay
TOPSHAM Devon EX3 0JB map
tel: 01392 874006
Open: Every day (except Christmas day) from 10.00 - 5.00.
Postcards, books, posters, and large selection of advertising material.
A number of stalls have books - Stephen 16.11.09.
The Sea Chest Nautical Bookshop
Queen Anne's Battery Marina
Coxside
PLYMOUTH Devon PL4 0LP map
tel: 01752 222012 fax: 01752 252679 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
A comprehensive stock of new and secondhand books and Admiralty charts.
Does exactly what it says on the tin. - TBG.
The Topsham Bookshop
(Was Joel Segal Books)
27 Fore Street
TOPSHAM Devon EX3 0HD map
tel: 01392 877895 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00, closed for lunch 1.00 - 2.00.
Our large general stock covers many areas of interest, including Devon and West Country Topography, British and World Topography, History (especially Social History and Archaeology), The Arts, Transport and English Literature. We have a large stock of fiction titles.
Love their colour themed window displays, and they always have a good selection of art and cinema titles. - TBG.
Superb find - a real well stocked quality second hand stock. Sensible prices very wide list of subjects, friendly staff. Well worth a detour. - Norman Davies 23.10.10.
A proper secondhand shop and worth a detour but I found the prices on the steep side. If they had cost less I would have spent more. - Steven Whitehead 26.04.11.
Great bookshop. You could lose yourself for a few hours inside. Prices do vary. - BGP 05.05.11.
Due to an amicable termination of partnership, the bookshop at 27 Fore Street is now operating as The Topsham Bookshop and is owned and managed by Lily Neal. Joel Segal will continue to trade as Joel Segal Books (www.segalbooks.com) and will be operating from The Cafe, 76 Fore Street, Topsham. - Chris K 12.03.12.
The Victoria Bookshop
9 Fore Street
BERE ALSTON Devon PL20 7AA map
tel: 01822 841 638 e-mail
Open: Monday - Sunday 10.0 - 4.30, closed Wednesday.
About 60,000 mostly hardback volumes covering most subjects, but particularly occult, politics and psychology.
Bere Alston is somewhat out of the way but The Victoria Bookshop makes the trip worthwhile. Behind the two roomed shop at the front are another 2 huge bookrooms . 'Allow 2 hours' as they say in the walking books. - Bookworm.
I would advise customers to beware of upward revision of marked prices on purchase, and that they should expect to be abused if they take exception to this. Despite some good and fairly priced finds in the past, I will not be returning. - CNB
This shop's opening hours have changed. They are now open on Mondays but not on Wednesdays - it is a long way to go to find them closed! - Simon 29.04.08
The oddest shop in Devon - a large double warehouse in which most unusually nearly all the huge number of books were labelled for internet sale but still available to buy. Great majority of little interest but there are a few goodies hidden on shelves. Prices seem to include internet postage hence quite high. - Norman Davies 23.10.10.
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