Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK 2020
Key
Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary
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 your Bookshop here
Berwyn Books
Unit 4 Spencer Ind Estate
Liverpool Road
BUCKLEY Flintshire CH7 3LY map
tel: 01244 541415 e-mail web
Open: Appointment necessary.
Over 20,000 books on our constantly updated internet inventory. Valuations, bookbinding and clearance services.
Add a comment Read commentsHide comments*Situated at the rear of an antiques centre on a not easy to find side road on an industrial estate. Once found, the pleasure of searching the shelves takes over. Here is a shop comprising quality publications; some old and some fairly recent but all worthy of time to check if they could be worthwhile purchases. Everything in marked categories which makes it easy to browse. WWAD. - Chris Harte 07.04.13.
*Moved to Old Chapel in May. - TBG 16.05.13.
**A visit, by appointment, to the new premises meant an introduction to the knowledgeable Julie. She seemed to know where most of the internet titles could be located and I left with a box load of surprises. Prices were slightly high but the quality could not be faulted. - Chris Harte 13.06.13.
**Moved to Buckley in October 2013. - TBG 23.12.13.
Visited them in Unit 4, by appointment. The storage area is huge and I would have no idea how many (tens of ??)thousands of books line the narrow wooden shelves. Although mainly an internet organisation the titles I briefly saw were of some substance. Go with your 'Wants List' - as nowhere near the full stock can be listed online - and Julie will hopefully find what you want. - Chris Harte 02.01.14.
The people who run this bookshop are both friendly and efficient with a vast knowledge of their stock...we could not fault them and will use them again in the future..FANTASTIC! - Netty 10.03.14.
Black Pug Books
The Old Gallery
24 West Borough
WIMBORNE Dorset BH21 1NF map
tel: 01202 889383
Open: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10.00 - 6.00
Highly varied mix of stock, but no paperbacks or book club editions. Smallish room in private house. Tea and coffee happily offered in home surroundings.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA wonderful bookshop with a great variety of really good books. Thoroughly recommended! - David Aston 22.02.18.
Bookbane
Unit 9
Felin Fawr Coed y Parc
BETHESDA Gwynedd LL57 4YY map
tel: 01248 600 632 e-mail
Open: 7 days 9.00 - 6.00.
25,000 books in Welsh, English & other languages. Poetry. Technical publications from the 19th & 20th centuries. Working class movement library. Shop & bindery in interesting early 19th century quarry workshop.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsCalled in and returned on long weekend London-Manchester trip. Worth visits - purchased 6 books. Browsed in peace & enjoyed chats with owner. Interesting location with added travel bonus of wonderful N. Wales scenery. Some books sealed in clear film. - Zim 24.06.17.
If you like books on Albanian Communism then this is your mecca. About 1,500 of them to be precise. Shelf upon shelf; row upon row of Marxist literature. The owner used to have a bookshop in Birmingham. Other than the multi-published works of Enver Hoxha the shelves groaned with books from the 1950s to 1970s; nothing modern whatsoever. - Chris Harte 22.09,19.
Brenda Books
Stall 37
The Malthouse Malthouse HIll
HYTHE Kent CT21 5BW map
tel: 07989 145190 e-mail web
Open: Friday & Saturday 9.30 -5.00.
Brenda Books, one of the largest stalls at the Malthouse, can be found on the top floor in the corner next to the cafe. This bookshop offers a range of interesting books with many of them now out of print publications. Local history is a speciality, with many new, secondhand and out of print books on Kent and East Sussex for sale.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsReasonably priced and very helpful staff, the other units of 'collectables' in the mall offer a fascinating range of items for sale too. - Steve Newman 15.09.15.
Cafe and Books LLangollen
17 Castle Street
LLANGOLLEN Denbighshire LL20 8NY map
tel: 01978 860334 or 861963 e-mail web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 4.00
We are one of the largest second hand book shops in Wales with over 100,000 in stock. Dr Who, art, antiquities/collectables, crafts/hobbies, DIY, fishing, fiction, gardening, health, history, horror, lit-crit, music, plays, poetry, religion, royalty, Shakespeare, sport, transport, theatre, war/military, westerns. Trade welcome.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsYou have to enter though a cafe smelling of chips and go up the stairs to find the entire first floor including a vast cavernous upstairs hall - presumably an old chapel - filled top to bottom with books. High prices and a rather tired old stock are helped hugely by the apparently permanent half price sale. Worth a visit. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
Even with a 50% discount some of the stock strikes me as being overpriced - e.g. an early Penguin paperback, not particularly rare and lacking a paper jacket, at £40 (£20)! - Henry Middleton 15.10.09.
Agree, even with 50% off this is one of the most overpriced bookshops anywhere. Huge stock but surprisingly uninteresting. - Norman Davies 24.04.10.
Lovely coffee smells greeted me when entering the cafe which wafted up the stairs to the bookshop. A very varied selection of books on the many shelves with a stong section on religion. I spent some time in the literature room and saw quite a number of titles circa 1820-40. Although I only purchased three volumes there was much I could have bought had I had the space. New owner is Darren who showed me the thousands of remainder books he has in store which will eventually find their way into the shop. - Chris Harte 18.08.10.
A large fiction section caused initial excitement however most of the fiction stock was of charity shop standard , There were still a few decent pickings to be had and a methodical search can be rewarding. Sales are handled by the surly cafe staff who appear to have no interest in book sales. - The travelling bookdealer 10.08.13.Not been for 20 years, popped in on Friday. Much of a muchness stock-wise, multiple copies of some bizarre titles in my field of interest. Half price was a nice surprise on the purchase I made. - Anthony 08.02.14.
Vast stock, well laid out and not too cramped. Sadly the stock is generally somewhat poor, and overpriced even at 50% off. And the place feels abandoned - no sign of an owner or even an attendant. - Ewie 01.11.14.
Revisited, nothing much changed, stock looks very familiar. Odd goodie but frankly ridiculous prices even at half price for many often not good condition items. Have a look if not visited before. - Norman Davies 14.11.14.
Since the new owner Darren took over, this is the biggest and best secondhand bookshop for many miles around, well worth a visit. Always open, constant new stock, all subjects. a must see! - Paolo 22.09.16.
News of a new owner and 'constant new stock' had me all excited. Sadly, there was no sign of any owner, no sign of any new stock, just the same old tired dusty books that have been there on the shelves since I don't know when. If you've never been here before then it's certainly worth a visit, as there are a lot of books, though as others have mentioned even at half-price some are dear. But really, if you've visited in the past eight years or so, forget it - the same books are still there. Needs a complete overhaul and some of the much-promised new stock needs to make the shelves. A great disappointment. - Steve 13.03.17.
Revisited today, Saturday, and was open. Full of fairly dull books, as other visitors have commented. You might find something, but not sure it would repay the time taken! - Robert Brown 22.09,19.
JW Books
The Shopping Courtyard
Stratford Garden Centre Campden Road Clifford Chambers
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Warwickshire CV37 8LW map
tel: 01789 508031 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00, Sunday 10.30 - 4.00.
Extensive range of secondhand books encompassing architecture, art, aviation, biographical, history, maritime, military, natural history, performing arts, topography, transport, travel, sports and Folio Society. Local interests: Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Also Fred Archer and John Moore. Regular attendee at Churchdown Book Fair.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsSituated in a new small retail development north-east of the town. Lovely setting; ample parking; perfectly built and designed - but no one around! The owner still has many crates to unload but what was on the shelves showed a high proportion of local and regional titles. Give him time to settle in. - Chris Harte 16.11.13.
Serves me right for not contacting owner beforehand: difficult to find, but looks like excellent selection. next door shop said owner only there occasionally but will open on request. - Norman Davies 13.08.14.
Now trading as JW Books (John Welch who is very personable and helpful). Small shop but well picked and very clean stock, fairly priced. Worth visiting. - Brian Stringer 02.10.14.
Recently moved from Evesham - TBG 05.11.15.
A shopping unit within a garden centre courtyard. Amazing how much stock can be crammed in and still browseable/accessible! Mostly hardbacks and most are in excellent condition. Fair prices on most things I looked at. Ended up with only 1 book but the proprietor was so personable I ended up chatting with him for the best part of an hour. General stock I suppose (something for most tastes) but I spied a fair amount of history (especially military) and a lot of Folio editions. Well worth a detour if in the surrounding area. - Flip M 06.02.17.
After my double strike out in Warwick, I took a return trip here. Happy to say it was not only open but well stocked (with more on the floor in boxes waiting to be sorted). Same comments apply as above, except more paperbacks this time, incl a batch of Star Trek and Star Wars novels. I found a few things to buy, at reasonable prices, in fact I was browsing for far longer than I spend in some larger shops. A good military selection but something for most tastes and WAD. - Flip M 29.07.17.
Visited 11.40am on a Wednesday, but was still unfortunately closed. After visiting the shop next door calls were made and it appeared he was opening a bit later and was doing a book appraisal elsewhere. The stock in this shop is impressive - All high quality and nearly all Hardbacks with DJ's and not much ex-library. I would go so far to say that it has the best military book collection on show in the Midlands, superior even than my nearby Astley Bookfarm. The owner is most pleasant and helpful and this is one shop you simply must visit if in the area. I came away with 6 purchases, all reasonably priced and a bulk-discount was offered. Other categories well-catered for are Folio, Railways, Politics, some foreign-language Art books, Biographies, Maritime, Motoring among others. Advise ringing before making the journey. - Laurence Batchelor 03.08.18.
An unexpected pleasure, unexpected because it's in the grounds of a garden centre. But certainly worth a visit as it's well stocked and the owner is knowledgeable and friendly. - J 11.11.18.
Lovely shop. Stock in good condition but thought the prices a bit high. Reading previous comments no one else has mentioned this, perhaps I am becoming stingier as I get older. - David 15.12.18.
Keel Row Books
11 Fenwick Terrace
Preston Road
NORTH SHIELDS Tyne and Wear NE29 0LU map
tel: 0191 296 0664 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Rare & second-hand books, maps, ephemera & photographs bought & sold. Established 1981. Tyneside's longest running rare & secondhand bookshop. Member of the ABA, ILAB and PBFA. Sprawling early Victorian house now crammed with 40,000 books on every conceivable subject. Located in historic North Shields, close to the mouth of the River Tyne. A couple of minutes drive from the attractions of the coast.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsI counted six rooms but they also use the hallways and parts of the stairs, but no matter what the room count is the shop is big, relatively easy to park at, friendly (being more than happy to pull books from the window display for me to look at) and well worth the visit. The upstairs hall was being used for piles of books and boxes of comics and magazines when I was there but the shop is tidy and well laid out. - Jeremy Briggs.
Taken over by a new owner but the standard of books is still as good as always. Never leave Newcastle without a visit. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
Good range of stock, very helpful staff. - Paul Simpson 28.07.09.
They now have a really splendid selection of Australian town and regional histories some of which are difficult to get even in Australia. - Chris Harte 12.09.09.
Like other big book shops in area (Alnwick & Carlisle) prices are generally too high, this one is not easy to get to or park by, there are some quality books here but if only there were the odd bargain it would be worth a visit. - PaulP 02.08.11.
The owner is very unpleasant indeed and I will not be recommending him to anyone and shall tell people of his impoliteness. - E 19.04.12.
The owner is very pleasant indeed and I will be recommending him to anyone and will always tell people of his politeness. He does have a low tolerance for pillocks, mind. - Steve Liddle 23.04.13.
Still the best s/h bookshop between Alnwick and York, I think. Went there on a fairly sunny PM. Plenty of stock to browse but some areas are too dark. Needs better lighting installed in the rooms with no windows. Bought 3 good books though. - Chris K 16.10.13.
Excellemt bookshop well worth a visit. Fair/reasonable prices. - Dickl 05.11.15.
Enjoyed a recent impromptu visit here with friends. Proprietor seemed pleasant & we were all pleased to find a decent selection of cheap but quality used stock & in my preferred area of science fiction. Made several purchases & would gladly visit to browse again. - Darania45 24.09.16.
What a great shop. Broad range of stock, most subjects covered. The place has real character with helpful staff. The general readers stock is fairly priced and the collectible books don't seem unreasonable. - Andy 20.11.17.
Completely transformed from the 1990s era shop that I still fondly remember. No tottering piles of paperbacks threatening to engulf you last you foolishly try to extract one to look at. Keel Row is a clean, tidy and welcoming establishment with room after room of neatly stacked, well organised titles, most if not all in very good condition. Prices are very reasonable and there are even bargains to be had if one looks hard enough. Parking is a problem, however, there is a free car park about five minutes walk away towards the town centre. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. - Graeme Rendall 11.11.18.
Probably one of the best bookshops I have ever been in. Better than any in London or Hay or Cambridge with a welcoming genre of staff who was most helpful. I fell instantly in love with this shop and want to have its babies. light. bright, clean and organised in a characterful end of terrace house. Room after room of books, the shelves are floor to ceiling and the ceilings are very high indeed. stop ladders are liberally scattered throughout I picked up two Terry Pratchett HB 1st Edns I have been seeking as well as other books. All at reasonable prices. There are controlled parking zones all around,. but there is parking available on the forecourt and outside the shop. It is such a pity this is so far from Cambridge but I will visit as often as I am able. A model for other bookshops to follow. - Jonathan Morgan 31.07.19.
Porth Mawr Book Cave
42 High Street
CAERNARFON Gwynedd LL55 1RH map
tel: 01286 678010 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
Situated within the Ancient Walls of Caernarfon Castle. Vintage and New Jewellery on the Ground Floor. The Book Cave in the underground Dungeons offers an interesting cross section of Antiquarian Books.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsBooks are mainly to be found in the basement of this small shop. Very strong on military and espionage with a couple of rows of topography. Prices all over the place. - Chris Harte 26.10.15.
A small basement room down a steep and winding set of stairs. Small stock, sign mentions their mountaineering and cycling books are located in a couple of nearby outlets towards Llanberis. - Graeme Rendall 15.09.18.
The Gently Mad
2 Summer Place
EDINBURGH Midlothian EH3 5NR map
tel: 0131 261 6028 e-mail web
Open: 7 days 11.00 - 6.00.
In the shop above our bindery we hold an interesting selection of antiquarian and collectable books that cover a wide range of subjects. We always have a good selection of military, natural history, children's illustrated, transport, sports, folklore and legends, art, history and classic literature.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsWas T & B Bookcrafts, changed ownership and name in January 2013. TBG 06.03.13.
Times of change at The Gently Mad, with stock en route from the first floor to the basement. This move should be completed shortly. In the meantime, a concentrated essence is on display, illustrated books and decorative bindings of great beauty, in that small part of the shop that is not occupied by the bindery. I was in heaven! Staff were friendly and the emporium felt very accessible. Prices are high, sadly, but a visit is sheer visual joy. - TravellingLibrary 01.08.15.
Expanding - the owners are in the process of opening the basement, in order to relieve the rather cramped area upstairs. - Richard Beaton 05.10.15.
Shop has now expanded - you can go down to the basement, where I did find one Edinburgh book to add to my collection. Better condition titles are in the window but too many others not in great nick. - Chris K 23.02.16.
I loved this shop - chaotic with variable condition items but an excellent place to spend browsing time. Fascinating and less stuffy than many others in Edinburgh. - Norman D 30.10.16.
War on Want NI
24 Botanic Avenue
BELFAST BT7 1JQ map
tel: 028 9024 7773 fax: 028 9032 8019 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 4.30.
Secondhand charity bookshop specialising in antiquarian and irish books. Also stocks books on religion, biographies, hobbies, travel, geography, history, horror and sci-fi as well as paperback novels and childrens' books.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsRun by large team of very friendly volunteers who each work on different days. Very wide selection of second hand books including unusual items. Prices are very, very cheap, some spectacular bargains. - Aidan O'loan.
Beside Botanic Railway station this small to medium sized charity bookshop looks for all the world like a normal secondhand bookshop. Set in the university area of Belfast it has a higher than usual percentage of reference books, but retains the variety of other book types. Busy yet welcoming, it is worth the walk from the city centre. Jeremy Briggs 27.03.08.
War on Want NI
370-374 Upper Newtownards Road
BELFAST BT4 3DY map
tel: 028 9067 3350 fax: 028 9032 8019 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 4.30.
Secondhand charity bookshop specialising in antiquarian and irish books. Also stocks books on religion, biographies, hobbies, travel, geography, history, horror and sci-fi as well as paperback novels and childrens' books.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA small charity bookshop but with a good selection of books and a large children's section. There are several normal charity shops within a few minutes walk. - Jeremy Briggs.
Wayne the Book Guy
24 Prudhoe Street
NORTH SHIELDS Tyne and Wear NE29 6QX map
tel: 07760 251278 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00.
Second hand, loved books and collectables. Both fiction and non fiction. All genres and tastes. Now moved to the Wilbury Inn Cafe. Enjoy a cuppa with your book!
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Wild Ways
First Floor
The Buttermarket Middlegate
NEWARK Nottinghamshire NG24 1BF map
tel: 07983 869774 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
We are a Book and Games exchange located inside a beautiful edwardian shopping center. We stock a large range of collectable,second hand and new books, graphic novels, comics, board games, card games, jigsaws and wargaming. We are also a community hub! - Book Club - Discussion Group - Gaming Group - Workshops and Talks.
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