Bookshops > North West > Lancashire
Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK 2020
News
History in Your Hand, Eccleston - recently added.
Lost Chord Books, Chorley - closed.
Interstellar Master Traders, Lancaster - closed.
Key
Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary
Map of Lancashire
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
Assembled Books
Assembly Rooms
King Street
LANCASTER Lancashire LA1 1JN map
tel: 0790-383-3399 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
Come and browse a range of quality second hand books in Lancaster, ranging from classics to whodunnits, local history to academic texts.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsTakes about a quarter of the main assembly hall (a building that is worth a look in its own right) with the rest of the hall being taken up with retro clothing, jig-saw puzzles, and yet another coffee shop. The books were well presented with a good section on history, including local history and some academic titles. Too small to be WAD in its own right but worth a look if in the area. - Steven 05.10.17.
Atticus
26 King Street
LANCASTER Lancashire LA1 1JY map
tel: 01524 903383 or 07976 823759 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday - 10.00 - 5.00.
Secondhand books but also has a small stock of vinyl and CDs. We specialise in Indonesia and South East Asia, most of these books will be sold online and not kept in the shop. We are pleased to bring our online books into the shop for viewing and direct sale.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsClosed due to "personal circumstances" when I tried to visit but the window display leads me to think it may be worth a look next time I am in the area. - Steven 05.10.17.
Barnardo's
4-6 Cheapside
LANCASTER Lancashire LA1 1XF map
tel: 01524 62429
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsIronically Lancaster's two charity bookshops live opposite each other in Penny Street in the pedestrianised town centre. Barnardos is the larger of the two and due to the shape of the shop is better laid out, giving the impression of a new bookshop. - Jeremy Briggs 07.07.08.
Recently moved to Cheapside, next to the MacDonalds. - The Wanderer 02.03.10.
Good selections and well laid out. This, and the local Oxfam chairty shop (Oxfam Books) made the trip to Lancaster worthwhile. - Iain Baille 22.11.10.
General charity shop with a few shelves of typical remaindered books. Told that 'the bookshop' had closed some time ago and before the staff had worked there. - Doc 29.08.15.
Book Bargains
31 St Andrews Road South
LYTHAM ST ANNES Lancashire FY8 1PZ map
tel: 01253 712015 e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsIt was closed on the day I was there but looked like a medium-sized second-hand shop. - Bridget the Browser.
A very neatly laid-out shop, medium-sized, books very well arranged and prices fair. Friendly owner. The Wanderer 08.08.08.This was my secondhand bookshop as I was growing up, so only get to go maybe once a year now, when home visiting parents. Trip last weekend was very fruitful, around 10-15 really good finds. Very extensive general stock, "not for the collector" as they say, but depending on your luck there can be some excellent finds in the classics (broad definition) and non-fiction sections. Definitely worth checking out, we always find at least one or two to take home, often many more like this time. - M&O 17.08.12.
Book-Cycle
Old Beech Hill Library
Beech Hill
WIGAN Lancashire WN6 7PQ map
tel: 01942 747750 e-mail web
Over 20,000 books on a wide rage of topics. There are no fixed prices as you may choose to donate whatever you wish for up to three books per day. Proceeds send free books to developing countries and plant trees around Lancashire. Book-Cycle is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, for more info: www.book-cycle.org
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsStrangest place. A real old library crammed full with well ordered books in a suburb of Wigan. Help yourself, max 3 per day make a donation. If in the area please visit - some remarkable finds and good charities too. - Norman Davies 14.12.12.
Revisited. Still a hidden gem, an old library full of books, including some decent. Limit of 3 books per day, any donation you like so genuine bargains. WAD if in the north west. - Norman Davies 13.02.19.
Bookmark
2 Victoria Road West
THORNTON-CLEVELEYS Lancashire FY5 1BU map
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA small shop near the seafront, packed with a mixture of hardbacks and paperbacks suitable for holiday reading. Mainly fiction but also popular non-fiction, particularly biographies and esoteric. You can also get your palm read there! (Presumably that service is "while u wait") - Bridget the Browser.
Carnforth Book Shop
38-42 Market Street
CARNFORTH Lancashire LA5 9JX map
tel: 01524 734588 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Roughly 100,000 secondhand books over two floors. We stock most subjects and we try not to be "precious". We try and keep our books in reasonable order, but a good root can always turn up something interesting. We also keep new books and maps on the ground floor as well as gifts, cards and toys.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsSpread over three floors with the ground floor an ordinary new bookshop, the first and second floors are devoted to second hand books with mainly large rooms on the first floor and smaller rooms on the second. The big selection of stock covers most subjects and it can take quite some time to peruse this large shop. - Jeremy Briggs.
So nice to be greeted by a charming lady who knew her subject. Decent antiquarian holdings. I took far longer here than expected but my purchases were worth the searching. - Chris Harte 27.07.09.
Downstairs is tidy with stationery and gifts too. The s/h and rare books rooms are in need of a hoover and the stock on the shelves could be neater. Male vs female! Some very good books are also online - the rest includes a lot of old stuff whcih may never shift. Worth a ride from Lancaster which lacks a university-proficient s/h book shop. - Chris K 09.06.12.
Excellent exponent of comforting old-book-smell. This, however, may be due to the 30,000 or so too many unsellable old books. Still came out with 3 good finds, but slightly too much rummaging for my liking. 6/10. - Joe 19.12.13.
Always worth a detour, the post Christmas sale at 25% off was most welcome. Was told the shop has just been sold as a going concern, hope it continues. - Anthony 03.01.14.
Excellent 'old fashioned ' bookshop. Well worth a detour. - Corso 22.03.14.
I suppose that it's a penalty we have to pay these days to ensure that many bookshops remain open, but the problem of maintaining an interesting and realistically priced stock on your shelves whilst also selling on the internet is not an easy one to solve. The Carnforth Bookshop clearly tries to combine the two, but this causes something of a conflict, as passing trade is not often going to be tempted by books that are priced up at internet rates. I came away with a few items but was disappointed not to have been able to have bought more, and, as is the case with so many larger shops of this kind, volume does not necessarily reflect quality. - Nicholas Pendower 18.07.14.
Always enjoy a browse when over this side of the country, but agree with Nicholas on the balance to be struck, all my purchases were not from the internet stock this time. Still worth a visit though. - Anthony 24.11.14.
Was directed towards the "internet room" at the end of a fruitless search upstairs (previous comment about unsalable old books turned out to be correct) and wondered whether I'd walked into the bargain basement bin instead. Wasn't as good as I was led to believe. - Graeme Rendall 10.07.15.
Neil, the new owner, has done wonders with this shop. I could only devote two hours to checking the stock but what I found were priceless to me. Criticisms above really do not reflect the true nature of what is on offer. - Chris Harte 14.06.18.
First visit here for many years. Unfortunately, not as remembered. Plenty of stock but much of it not in the best of condition. Did manage to find a few items after much looking and prices were reasonable - David 06.10.18.
Clitheroe Books
29 Moor Lane
CLITHEROE Lancashire BB7 1BE map
tel: 01200 444242 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
General stock as well as children's, literature and transport.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsSuperb, wide selection. Very pleasant shop with a knowledgeable owner. - Stephen Almond 06.02.09.
A rather austere place. The owner soon became known to me as "Dr No," for he answered my eleven question with just that two letter word: nothing else. Felt unwelcome. - Chris Harte 27.07.09.
Always lovingly looked after and with large stock of good quality books. Usually leave with several books. This visit was no different. Also child friendly and that's such a selling point. - Doc 29.08.15.
A lovely shop, spacious, bright and well-ordered. All subjects are represented, and though the stock is not large it punches above its weight in terms of quality, condition and interest. Dustwrappers are protected with clear film, a careful touch I always appreciate, making the books sparkle on the shelves. Clitheroe is well worth a visit: streets of small independent shops, ginnels and yards, a castle and not just one, but now two, secondhand book shops. - TravellingLibrary 03.09.15.
Nice shop, usually make at least one purchase, agree above re Clitheroe but didn't find another bookshop? Chatty proprietor too. - Norman Davies 06.02.17.
George Kelsall's Bookshop
22 Church Street
LITTLEBOROUGH Lancashire OL15 9AA map
tel: 01706 370244 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Tuesday 1.00 - 5.00.
A large general stock including art, history, northern topography, industrial history, transport and literature. Books bought. PBFA member.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsLovely little shop, well set out, prices fair, not a massive stock but always good for a few hard-to-find gems if you are lucky. The Wanderer. 15.12.08
Nice general stock in shop. Ask to go out to the house at the back and you will be lost for hours wading through the truly massive number of books. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
Great Grandfather's Books
82 Towngate
LEYLAND Lancashire PR25 2LR map
tel: 01772 422268
Open: Tuesday and Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
Over 15,000 secondhand books in most subject areas and prices ranges. 5 mins from M6 Junction 28, follow signs for Civic Centre and the shop on left just before second set of lights.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsVery pleasant owner who found it no problem to guide me through his holdings. Some excellent Lancashire material and recommended for those who collect such things. - Chris Harte 27.07.09.
One of my favourite bookshops in the area. A good selection of titles and subjects. - Michael 21.11.13.
Very helpful and friendly seller,lots of stock to look through and the shop has a lovely old fashioned feel about it.I recommend a visit. Check visiting times before you go. - Hydraulic 16.09.14.
Excellent, welcoming and interesting. Two floors crammed with a wide range and reasonably priced. The proprietor's desk is surrounded by old clocks, mysteriously all telling a different time. - Mark V 28.05.16.
I loved this shop - gloriously old fashioned, 2 floors crammed with books, irresistible to make a few purchases. Shelves full and also many floor bound boxes. Friendly seller too. - Norman Davies 06.02.17.
Halewood and Sons
37 Friargate
PRESTON Lancashire PR1 2AT map
tel: 01772 252603
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.15.
Very large stock, specifically African, American and Australian interest.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsSome really wonderful stuff in a very crowded shop. Prices at the top end but you must expect that for quality. The stock of Victoriana is excellent. I regret not being able to visit more frequently in the past: will now be much more regular. - Chris Harte 27.07.09.
It can be pricey but worth visiting for the glorious historic shop alone - polished mahogany, ticking clocks, gasolier and floor to ceiling shelves of high quality books. Not what you expect in Preston. - George Marshall 25.02.10.
Not open at stated times, very unhelpfull and unfriendly when approached. What a shame as im an avid collector of books with a large customer base and was looking for new contact. - Sean 22.03.13.
I echo the comment on 22/03/13: the shop was not open at the advertised time and when I went back found an unfriendly shopkeeper who turfed me out after 5 minutes because he was closing the shop at about 04:00 on a Saturday afternoon. The shop does look lovely, though. Their second shop is staffed by the more friendly brother, I think. - Michael 21.11.13.
I made the journey by bus from Burnley. I had a shirt and tie on, I am 57 years of age, the lights were on, I knocked on the locked door, the owner pulled aside a poster, looked @ me and shook his head. Not open he ''mouthed'' to me,how odd, it was 3pm.??? - Stephen Riley 07.03.15.
Halewood and Sons
68 Friargate
PRESTON Lancashire PR1 2AT map
tel: 01772 252613
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.15.
The second of two shops in the town run by the Halewood brothers.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA shop I have been using for many years as between the muddle are titles normally difficult to obtain elsewhere. Specialises in Strand bound volumes and anything to do with Conan Doyle. Some of the runs of periodicals are quite staggering. The pricing is average but with what is in stock it's worth taking a bundle of cash when visiting. - Chris Harte 18.06.12.
An avalanche of books piled higgledy-piggledy makes it difficult to see the stock well, but there is ever such a lot of it. Specialising in Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, but much, much more. A knowledgeable and friendly shopkeeper. - Michael 21.11.13.
History in Your Hands
Stand 506
Bygone Antiques Centre
ECCLESTON Lancashire PR7 5TZ map
tel: 07722 084314 e-mail
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.30.
Specialising in quality and unusual railway and transport books. Also industrial history/ mining and local history. Ephemera on the same subjects. In a huge antiques centre in a former mill building. There is a café.
Add a comment
International Aid Trust
Book and Record Shop
15 Albert Road
MORECAMBE Lancashire LA4 4HD map
tel: 01524 413345
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsOne of the best charity bookshops in the north-west, with books neatly displayed floor to ceiling in catagories, mainly in author order, with steps readily available. Prices range from low to fair, with many bargains and hard-to-find gems. Friendly and welcoming. The Wanderer. 29.07.08
At the south-western end of Morecambe in a street with a remarkable number of charity shops mainly to do with this same local charity, this is a medium sized shop with a remarkably diverse stock. The floor was a bit chaotic with a lot of excess stock in boxes and piles when I was there but the shelves were well laid out, the staff were friendly and, in comparison to the better located Old Pier Bookshop, the shop was surprisingly busy with people. Well worth the 10 minute walk from the centre of town. - Jeremy Briggs 14.08.08.
Oxfam Books & Music
54 Penny Street
LANCASTER Lancashire LA1 1XF map
tel: 01524 380478 web
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsIronically Lancaster's two charity bookshops live opposite each other in Penny Street in the pedestrianised town centre. Oxfam is the more interesting of the two with a more diverse selection of titles plus music, comics and magazines in the rear of the relatively narrow shop. - Jeremy Briggs 07.07.08.
One of the better small Oxfam's I've got to. Though I only bought some postcards. Volunteer staff excellent. The Barnado's opposite is a general shop with a dull range of books. - Chris K 09.06.12.
Good Oxfam bookshop with wide range of slightly rarer stock perhaps reflecting the university town. - Doc 29.08.15.
By far the best charity shop in Lancaster although not large enough to be WAD. More magazines and comics than I expected. Books well categorised, prices reasonable and bargains to be found. - Steven 29.09.17.
Oxfam Bookshop
34 Market Place
PRESTON Lancashire PR1 2AR map
tel: 01772 881590 web
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsStandard Oxfam so worth a quick look when in Preston just in case. - Norman Davies 06.02.17.
Pendle Hill Books
John James Smith
32 Pendle Avenue Chatburn
CLITHEROE Lancashire BB7 4AX map
tel: 01200 441572 or 07539 334825 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 5.00 by appointment.
Online Bookshop and Rare Book Room by Appointment. Specialising in Modern First Editions, Victorian Fiction, Illustrated Fiction, Detective, Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Weird Fiction, Sci-Fi. Building Private Collections, Institutions, Book Search, Valuations. WE BUY BOOKS from Single Items to Small or Large Collections travelling the UK on a weekly basis.
Add a comment
Richard Thornton Books
Hillock Farm
Old Langho
RIBBLE VALLEY Lancashire BB6 8BD map
tel: 01254 247 874 fax: 01254 247 874 e-mail
Open: 7 Days 10.00 - 9.00.
We have some 14,000 books in stock and specialise in Modern Firsts, Children's and Sporting Books. We also have a considerable amount of good quality general stock as well. It is always best to ring first before you come as we are often out buying. You would be most welcome to come and visit. Parking is no problem. Tel Richard on 01254 247 874
Add a comment
St Catherine's Hospice Bookshop
54 Chapel Street
CHORLEY Lancashire PR7 1BS map
tel: 01772 313063 fax: 01772 695298 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Massive collection of donated books on all subjects at fantastic prices. All proceeds to St Catherine's Hospice.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA very nicely laid out shop, good categorising, very reasonable prices and always friendly service. Very rare that I ever leave without something worth more than I paid for it. - The Wanderer
Above average charity bookshop, mostly moderns but some oldies too. Opposite bus station which unusually has a decent café. Just round corner is "Books and Bygones" a small crammed s/h shop with some decent books, well worth a look. - Norman Davies 06.02.17.
Good range of reasonably priced titles, with generally better than average charity shop fare. Probably only worth visiting if you're actually in Chorley for another reason though. - Steven Kelly 19.10.19.
The Book Stop's Here
Stall D9
Large Section Preston Market
PRESTON Lancashire PR1 2JA map
e-mail
Open: Every day except Thursday 7.00 - 4.00.
Massive selection of paperback fiction, true crime & abuse cases. Collectable hardbacks, non fiction especially crime, travel & history. A long established local business serving the bibliophiles of Lancashire for the best part of two decades. Also at Clitheroe's Collectors' market every Sunday & on line sales @ ebay under name BIBUXMARKETMAN.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsCouldn't find this but then the market was half empty and apparently being redeveloped? - Norman Davies 06.02.17.
Occupying a sizeable expanse of Preston Market's main area, the lion's share of the stall is given over to mass-market paperbacks (with a special fiction section entitled "Dog and Cat Books"). Not WAD in its own right but if you're visiting Oxfam and the Halewoods it's worth having a quick look. - Steven Kelly 19.10.19.
The Bookshop
Units 48 & 49 Heywood Magic Market
York Street
HEYWOOD Lancashire OL10 1LT map
tel: 07912 077338
Open: Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 8.30 - 5.00.
Massive range of fiction and non-fiction in paperback and hardback arranged in categories and by author. Regular clearance offers and bargains always available from 10p. General fiction paperbacks - £2 each or 3 for £5 with 50% book exchange. Heywood Market offers free raffle tickets with each purchase. The winner of the weekly draw receives £50 market vouchers.
Add a comment
The Old Pier Bookshop
287 Marine Road Central
MORECAMBE Lancashire LA4 5BY map
tel: 01524 409360
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsOn Morecambe seafront between the RNLI station and the clock tower, even if you didn't know exactly where is was located you would still find it with its large wall sign and collection of pavement bookcases. From the outside it looks like a typical seaside tourist targeted secondhand bookshop with the usual paperback fodder and familiar hardbacks on the outside bookshelves. Inside the big shop stretches off into the back of the building with glass cases and alcoves full of books giving the impression of a real box of delights. Unfortunately closer examination shows alcoves blocked with book trolleys and boxes preventing access to others, while some even have collapsed piles of books abandoned on the floor. The shop is divided into subject sections but there is little or no alphabetisation in them with the science fiction section, which takes up the entire back room from ceiling to floor plus cardboard boxes, having no discernable order whatsoever. With the sheer amount of stock you will probably get something from the shop, assuming that you haven't despaired at the amount of time it takes to wade through the titles in the section you are interested in. - Jeremy Briggs 14.08.08.
Tatty is the first word that springs to mind. Most of the stock is damaged and creased paperbacks, no real order to the shop other than science-fiction/fantasy being in separate area, and most of the stock generally is over-priced tat. Oh yes, there is also a young puppy, not house-trained, so watch where you step. I am not joking. The Wanderer. 14.12.08.
The last comment I'm sorry to say is very accurate. I had quite a bad experience when greeted by the owner who went out of his way to try and convince me said tat was a lot more valuable than it was. I felt so uncomfortable that I had to abandon the few (barely car boot sale worthy) books I had picked up and leave quickly when he wasnt looking. Furthermore the comments application on the nothing to see here old pier bookshop site that most people find first by WWW search does not work, it is my opinion that the few comments on the website were written by the owner as they are evidently very misleading. - John 20.10.11.
Very poor customer service, low quality at high prices, not the old fashion bookshop experience you might expect, I advise avoidance. - Joe 20.10.11.
The book shop is big.The books are not classified. The owner however is a very polite man and very helpful too. There are few serious books, mostly they are light fiction. - abstracthinker 24.07.12.
The Old Pier Bookshop is one of the main attractions of Morecambe. It's like an Aladdin's cave - you never know what you may find there, which adds to its charm. Its quirky interior makes it unique. Its owner obviously has a passion for what he does and is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Every time, I have visited this bookshop, I have discovered many wonderful books that have all been excellent additions to my library. Any visit to Morecambe is enhanced by visit to this bookshop. Go with an open mind, enjoy its unique interior and let chance help you to discover a, or many, fantastic find(s) and if chance doesn't work then ask the owner - a lovely man who is always willing to help. - Khetran 18.07.13.
Visited here today, the shop is clean (no dogs around) and easy to get around, the books are not particularly well ordered but that's a minor complaint. The owner was very friendly and helpful. Definitely worth a visit. - Jakob1978 298.09.13.
On the strength of the last two reviews I drove to Morecambe specifically to visit the Old Pier Bookshop... I wish I had never bothered. Once you have negotiated the tat outside you will be faced with books that are strewn about in uncategorised shelves and in precarious piles of no particular order. There is no system whatsoever, so there's no point in even bothering to find the section that contains your interests - the books will be all over the shop! If you're lucky you might strike a seam somewhere in the chaos and dirt, but that's only if the books came in together. a previous reviewer found it quirky - I certainly didn't and came away empty handed. - Nicholas Pendower 18.07.14.
Towpath Bookshop
27 High Street
Uppermill
OLDHAM Lancashire OL3 6HS map
tel: 01457 877078
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00 & Sunday from 11.00.
General secondhand stock.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsOne of the smallest secondhand shops I've seen, being in the front room of a small terraced house, with a mixed stock aimed at the passing tourists, but still worth a look. - Bridget the Browser.
Back to the top
