Bookshops > Central > Staffordshire
Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK 2019
News
St Giles Hospice Bookshop, Uttoxeter - closed.
Old Chapel Antiques Centre - bookstall closed.
Key
Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary
Map of Staffordshire
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure these details are correct, we recommend that you contact each individual bookshop before travelling any distance. Add a Bookshop
Abacas Books & Cards 
56 - 60 Millrise Road
Milton
STOKE-ON-TRENT Staffordshire ST2 7BW map
tel: 01782 543005 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00 (1.00 Saturday).
Medium size stock on most subjects, from paperbacks to antiquarian books. We also stock new local history books & greetings cards. Established 1980.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsPaperbacks £2, hardbacks £4. Clean, well ordered but small. Worth visiting several times a year. David and Margaret are very helpful and friendly. - Rosie Gamgee 10.11.12.
A fabulous bookshop and cardshop run by delightful people, David and Margaret. The second hand books are all clean, well cared for and categorised. The shop is spotlessly clean and a pleasure to spend time in. I have known this shop for years and years and it's such a pleasure to meet proprietors who make you so welcome and are themselves so keen on books and reading. Go there and enjoy. - Neville Seabridge 10.05.14.
Alsager Book Emporium 
Hassall Road Methodist Church
ALSAGER Staffordshire ST7 2HH map
tel: 01270 625278 or 625444 web
Open: Friday 10.00 - 2.00, Saturday 10.00 - 1.00.
We have around 30,000 donated secondhand books on a variety of subjects. Proceeds to Englesea Brook Chapel & Museum.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsWhatever you are looking for, this amazing bookshop probably has it.
Half the space is given over to Christian books but there are also hundreds of biographies, books on trains, self help and health, history, poetry, humour, topography, art, and lo-o-a-d-s of fiction both classic and modern in paperback. This is the only bookshop I know with a working organ! Coffee/tea and biscuits are offered to refresh you as you browse. Oh and if that wasn't rough, the prices are set to sell with most fiction paperbacks at 50p and large hardback glossy art books at £2. Brilliant! - Rosie Gamgee 10.03.18.
Andie's Book Shop 
Longton Market
Transport Lane
STOKE-ON-TRENT Staffordshire ST3 1BZ map
tel: 07531 464604 web
Open: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Market stall selling mostly paperbacks.
Add a comment
Bethel Books 
New Hall Street
Hanley
STOKE-ON-TRENT Staffordshire ST1 5HQ map
e-mail
Open: Open: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12.00 - 2.00.
Secondhand and new theology and other Christian books. We also stock a variety of greetings cards. Bethel Bookshop is part of and run by Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Stoke on Trent. It is not run for profit, and is staffed by volunteers. Most Fridays the pastor, who is rather knowledgable about books, is in the shop.
Add a comment
Book 
17 Merrial Street
NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME Staffordshire ST5 2AE map
tel: 01782 630201 e-mail
Open: 7 days 9.30 - 4.30.
Our stock is mainly second-hand but we do carry a number of new books. We have a good History. Military and Transport sections. All visitors from outside of our immediate area will be given Coffee or Tea.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsWorth a visit. Rather an 'old-fashioned' feel to it (same with the stall on Stafford market): plenty of rather scruffy - but quite interesting and even uncommon - titles. Parking nearby. - Andrew Bradley 18.07.14.
Edward Daly Books 
8a Market Street
LEEK Staffordshire ST13 6 HZ map
tel: 01538 387698 e-mail
Open: Wednesday, Saturday, and first Sunday of the month 9.00 - 6.00.
A wide selection of secondhand paperbacks and hardback fiction and a growing number of non-fiction sections including local history, gardening, etc. We also buy good quality books by appointment. A little shop with big ideas and a great atmosphere. You are welcome to browse, buy or tell us your life story.
Add a comment
Fair Reader 
186 Walsall Road
LICHFIELD Staffordshire WS13 8AH map
tel: 01543 255103
Add a comment
G and J Chesters 
14 Market Street
POLESWORTH Staffordshire B78 1HW map
tel: 01827 894743
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
Large stock (over 35,000 vols) and a big selection of antique maps and prints. Academic and enthusiasts' books: philosophy, sociology, history, literary criticism, psychology, anthropology, politics, railways, aviation, cookery, gardening, angling, etc. etc.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsOne of those shops that always has something you want to own. Give yourself plenty of time to wander around. - Tafflin 15.02.10.
Interesting bookshop - now has 45,000 books! Owners glued to computers in warm shut door room so could have walked off with armfuls of books! Presume most business done through Internet but at least the shelves were labeled. - Mary 13.04.13
Right by the Coventry canal down from bridge 53. Non-hurried browsing and welcoming and helpful proprietor (Geoff). V large and wide ranging stock in vgc, particularly most academic subjects from arts to sciences, also good topology, transport, music, prints ... - Ray 02.11.13.
Had a great four hours wandering around the massive holdings in between being given cups of coffee and gossiping with the owner. Found some incredibly esoteric titles. Everything categorised. Well worth a visit. - Chris Harte 16.11.13.
A particularly difficult shop to navigate as there was piles and piles of books on the floors blocking shelving which I wish to peruse and many of the rooms the lights where switched off or there was piles of jiffy bags in the way. Geoff the owner was very helpful as where the staff to my repeated requests for assistance. One thing I would say though is many of the titles need price revisions and the prices are often based on the 'at the time of listing reasonable Amazon Marketplace prices'. However over time they can often become out-dated and 1 book, in particular, was seriously over-priced. In the end, I was able to negotiate a more reasonable price upon my visit. Lastly I was unfortunately not impressed to find more titles in the 45,000 on-site books as I came away with just 3 on WWII/Royal Navy/Aircraft/Military History/Intelligence. - Laurence Batchelor 02.01.14.
What a difference 6 months make! There's a lot of fresh newly arrived stock here including a recent acquisition of 1950s/1960s hardbacks with dustjackets. As ever the owner and his staff where a pleasure to deal with as I came away with 3 books at a discount and could have easily bought more. The shop must be pushing on 60,000 books now and is overflowing. Clearly they could do with bigger premises but still this place is Roast Beef!- Laurence Batchelor 17.05.14.
Wife and I planning a second visit. Allow yourself plenty of time - stock is slightly overwhelming but mostly accessible. We were given tea/coffee/discount/helpful directions to other shops. - Andrew Bradley 03.07.14.
Second visit. Shop very quiet - nice for us as punters. Better able to find our way around this time: our collecting interests on the first floor. Most books seem fairly priced. Discount given. Parking facilities excellent. - Andrew Bradley 12.07.14.
Plenty of books in my fields of interest - especially history and politics - including some rarities. The owner was most helpful and I shall certainly visit again. - Geoffrey Warner 18.03.15. - Laurence Batchelor 18.07.15.My 3rd visit. I made the mistake of parking in the pub car park next door, instead of in front of the shop, and some old battleaxe came out and moaned at me even though I told her I was just visiting the bookshop next door! It was a hot Saturday and the owner was outside pilling up books on the steps leading up to the front door I presume as he was having a clearout. Inside there was fresh stock and even less space to move about. Upstairs it looked like the place had had a tidy up. Downstairs the owner was as pleasant as ever and a discount was offered due to a multiple purchase. Still highly recommended as one of the Midlands best bookshops. It is a pity the town of Polesworth isn't prettier as he would receive more trade then. - Laurence Batchelor 18.07.15.
After not visiting for 2 years the time was right to see if he'd refreshed the stock. Sadly in my areas of interest - Naval/WW2/Maritime/Royal Navy there was nothing new and most of the titles I've seen there for years not selling. There is still a lot of books in piles on the floors which need sorting and categorising. In the end I found 3 books to purchase and each one was found by chance as they were perched in the wrong categories. Prices were reasonable. Upon conversation with the owner he informed me they have taken over the small book room at the nearby Whitemoors Antiques Centre (previously held by Aucott & Thomas trading from Ibstock) and that he is having to move out of his present shop in Polesworth due to the landlord wanting to make them into flats. He is, therefore, to move into a local storage unit in August so you intrepid bibliophiles only have a few weeks to pursue his shop before it closes. Thereafter the stock will be viewable by appointment only. - Laurence Batchelor 31.07.18.
Michael Morris Antique Maps, Books and Prints 
Weavers Green
Needwood
BURTON UPON TRENT Staffordshire DE13 9PQ map
tel: 01283 575344 e-mail web
Open: By appointment.
Varied stock but specialising in maps, plans, charts, atlases, prints, engravings, manuscripts and ephemera. Prices from very little to quite a lot.If you can give me an idea of your interests I may have something for you. I've been established - supplying libraries, museums, record offices, the trade and collectors - since 1993. I also buy and swap.
Add a comment
New Chapters Bookshop (RSPCA) 
6 Fountain Square
Hanley
STOKE-ON-TRENT Staffordshire ST1 1LG map
tel: 01782 207779 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.30.
Charity bookshop full of quality books and vinyl records at amazing prices.
Add a comment
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum 
Breadmarket Street
LICHFIELD Staffordshire S13 6LG map
tel: 01543 264972 fax: 0121 323 4107 e-mail web
Open: Daily 10.30 - 4.30 1 March - 31 October, 11.00 - 3.30 1 November - 28 February.
Although our bookshop contains some new titles (mainly pertaining to Johnson and Lichfield), we mainly stock a large range of secondhand books. Our titles span across a range of different genres, including fiction, biographies and historical novels.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsStill there after many years and the 2nd hand stock is spread around 1 period room upon 1st entering. It does not require admission to the museum to buy from the 2nd hand stock. Stock levels are not huge but both fiction and non-fiction is covered alongside the gift shop which naturally is Samuel Johnston orientated. I left with 2 reasonably priced military books and they do take cards as payment. The assistant made me aware the building has been selling books since the 1700s which must make it one of the oldest in England. - Laurence Batchelor 15.10.18.
St Giles Hospice Bookshop 
192 Station Street
BURTON UPON TRENT Staffordshire DE14 1BH map
tel: 01283 516218
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 4.15.
Parking for donation of books at the rear of the shop.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsThe best charity bookshop I've seen. Very well organised and stock topped up regularly, so worth repeated visits. This is the cream of a chain of shops run by this excellent charity. Prices realistic. Some remainders, some used. - aeromike 25.07.15.
St Giles Hospice Bookshop 
22 Market Street
LICHFIELD Staffordshire WS13 6LH map
tel: 01543 254664 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Stocking a wide range of titles, including blockbuster fiction, travel and leisure companions, histories, reference guides, children's books, and antiquarian volumes. New stock added every week.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsCharity shop with everything categorised. Prices agreeable but perhaps less than 1000 books. Worth popping in if you plan to visit this charming small city. - Laurence Batchelor 18.07.15.
Return visit after 3 years. A small charity shop with everything catagorized and reasonable prices. I must be honest and say I struggle to find military books to buy here despite them having a bookcase full as they always seem to be only common titles. There is also an Oxfam bookshop on the same street and the Samuel Johnston Museum is still selling 2nd hand books. It is still worth visiting this small pleasant city even though it's lost its main 2nd hand bookshops. All the shops to visit are contained in this 1 street and in walking distance from the car parks and in addition there are 3 or 4 general charity shops which have small selections of books. The only other place which use to have 2nd-hand books was a dealer housed within the antiques centre near the to the lake by the Cathedral but they have now departed. - Laurence Batchelor 15.10.18.
The Book Barge 
Our usual mooring is:
The Promenade Barton Marina
BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD Staffordshire DE13 8DZ map
tel: 07946 605324 e-mail web
Open: See website for times and locations.
The Book Barge comprises a mix of new and secondhand fiction that tries to reflect the very best of contemporary, classic and children's literature. Books have been carefully selected to offer a quality alternative to high street bestseller lists including, among others, specialist sections exploring topical issues, titular oddities and travel ephemera.
Add a comment
Back to the top