Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK 2018
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.
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.
Castle Books
20A Church Street
BEAUMARIS Anglesey LL58 8AB map
tel: 0124 8811394 or 07835 927 541 e-mail
Castle Books has moved just a few yards to its own premises just past the Post Office and opposite the parish church. History, Welsh interest, archaeology, travel, walking, maps, natural history and rural affairs, literature, Penguins, Ladybirds, Tunnicliffe, Observers, good transport section. Ever changing stock, friendly book chat, booksearch, fair prices, books bought. Credit/debit cards accepted. The only bookshop on Anglesey. Stockist for Anglesey Antiquarian Society, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsJust arrived after more than an hour's journey to find the curse of the "we're closed today" card on the door. Looking through the windows I can't see a reason to call again. Needs some decent stock. - TC1842 15.09.14.
Checked my daybook - was open all day all week - I am open when I say I am - not sure what this refers to. - Mandi Abrahams 12.12.14.
Wide ranging good reasonably priced stock. Very friendly and helpful owner. Look forward to coming again. - Lesley 12.12.14.
Like a previous reviewer found to his annoyance, shop closed when I visited. - Chris Harte 24.10.15.
Closed when I visited this week but to be fair a sign indicating family illness. - Norman Davies 26.07.16.
This shop is a mess with piles of unsorted books - many unpriced. Not enough room to pass another customer in shop. Owner uninterested and rude.
No set opening hours. Avoid at all costs. - Merv 04.09.17.
Gladstone Books
The Shambles Antique Centre
4 Westgate
LINCOLN Lincolnshire LN1 4AS map
tel: 01636 813601 e-mail web
Open: Thursday - Saturday 11.00 - 4.00, Sunday 12.00 - 4.00.
About 2,500 modestly-priced books on display, with more in stock: Specialisms: history, philosophy, essays, poetry, politics, sociology, various sciences. Also fiction, biographies, natural history, medicine, technology, agriculture, local studies, arts and crafts. Recently moved back from Southwell, Notts – where it was described by an entry in this Guide as: ‘a gem of a bookshop’ and on a UNESCO website as ‘a small, but perfectly-formed bookshop.’
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA recent find in much loved Southwell. If you are visiting this delightful town and like me love books, do not miss this little gem. The owner is charming, well informed and helpful and there are many treasures waiting to be found. Well stocked and well laid out, I could happily have spent an hour or so just browsing. I will definitely be back. If you don't know Southwell, look for Bull Yard (or ask) as it is hidden away off Queen Street. - Liz Bentley 26.07.15.
Incredible well stocked bookshop with an excellent variety of books. Very peaceful and welcoming shop and the books are excellent prices and very good condition etc. Definitely worth a stop to support an independent book shop. - Emily Birch 18.02.16.
Great to find this gem of a bookshop, full of books to make you think, across a range of topics. I appreciate the newsletter with its recommendations which are right up my street. - Peter Cansfield 18.02.16.
A wonderful shop with a very astute and knowledgable owner. An inviting selection of books to browse and enjoy. A particularly good range of philosophy books. Well worth a visit. - Tony Walker 18.02.16.
1. Quiet and comfortable atmosphere where you can browse without interruption. 2. A well selected and wide range of books. But the added pleasure is that the book seller really knows his stock and may introduce items you might otherwise have missed. - Sally Godwin-Austen 27.02.16.
Serendipity brought me here as I fondly remember Prof. Mepham's shop in Lincoln. Seek out Bull Yard and browse, you will be well rewarded. - Colin G. Thornton 04.03.16.
This is a literary oasis located in a quiet lane close to the Minster. It is small but well organised with a catholic selection of books with something to please almost everyone! The owner is knowledgeable and helpful but also willing to leave browsers alone. - Peter Donaldson 02.04.16.
Small shop but every space well filled and no filler. Organised and a pleasure to browse. Excellent stock, mostly non-fiction. Friendly chap running it who will leave you alone or chat depending on your preference. Great prices. WAD. - Ian Ellis 22.07.17.
Moved in present location in January. - TBG 15.02.18.
Ian K Pugh Books
40 Bridge Street
PERSHORE Worcestershire WR101AT map
tel: 01386 552681
Open: Phone before travelling.
Established 1974. Opened Pershore 1984. Medium stock with good-quality, interesting sections on art, illustrated, antiquarian, antiques, poetry, natural history, military, children's, topography, horticulture, history. Large reserve stock in two cellars.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsEverything appeared normal except he has shortened his opening hours - typically 11.00 start and earlier finishes. However, yesterday he was still not open at 11.15. - Greg Howell 27.07.09.
Whenever I have tried to visit this bookshop in the past two or three years, it has always been closed, no matter what time of day. If is therefore difficult to comment on the contents, although the window display looks interesting. If you are travelling any distance, you should definitely ring in advance. - Geoffrey Warner 07.07.11.
Rather tired stock and owner. A 'Sale 50% off' sign in the window looked as if it had been there for months. Disappointing. - Mary 16.07.11.
To avoid frustration phone the day before you arrive. I liked the stock, the owner, and the dog. There are very big piles of recently bought books to wade through on the floor. - OWC 18.09.12.
After many years of visiting when the shop was closed, I finally claimed success. I found the owner's company very much to my liking and enjoyed the banter. The quality of the books could not be faulted although they were at the top end of the market. - Chris Harte 16.11.13.
The shop was closed when I visited but there was a notice stating that the owner was over the road in a hotel. He happily came over and opened up. Some of the best books are at home for internet dealing and he did list those that would interest me. I hadn't visited for over a year but a lot of the stock hadn't changed. The owner is very affable and was not aware of the Book Guide and the comments made. - CB 22.03.14.
Large but variable quality stock. High floor stacks obscure lower shelves so be prepared to rummage. Ian was to be found in Brandy Cask Pub (very nice riverside garden and brews its own beer) over the road but quickly opened the shop and was interesting to talk to. - Brian Stringer 02.10.14.
Phoned twice (late morning and afternoon) on a regular Sept. Monday before driving to Pershore for the 1st time. Both times his phone just rang and rang. No divert to mobile and no answering machine. Luckily I visited Sedgeberrow and spent my pennies there - clearly, this business has lost its prime reason for being = Be Open so customers can buy some books! - Laurence Batchelor 06.09.18.
Island Books
White House
Storrington Road
THAKEHAM West Sussex RH20 3EQ map
tel: 01798 812 223 e-mail web
Open: By Appointment.
Large stock of fine, rare and academic titles. Binding and restoration. Showroom open by appointment.
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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.
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.
Picaresque Books & Galerie Fantoosh
55 High Street
DINGWALL Ross-shire IV15 9HL map
tel: 01349 863140 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
We have now moved to much larger premises allowing us to stock a range of older and rarer books as well as some locally published New books.
These are then complimented by a range of maps as well as local crafts etc.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA bright,spacious shop,with a range of stock to suit all pockets.Friendly owner. - Allan Campbell 26.01.15.
The owner was very pleasant and knew his stuff - which was good, as we were from Australia. A very pleasant browse amongst old books. We even bought a few. - Exnavybloke 20.02.15.
The Book Shed Gallery
one mile off the R.600
(Wild Atlantic Way)
KILBTITTAIN Co. Cork
tel: 023 884 9961 e-mail web
Open: Usually open Sunday - Thursday but it's a good idea to call before coming.
We stock second hand and rare books on the arts, history, biography, militaria, travel, sport, gardens and horticulture, poetry, classics, technical and reference as well as some fiction. We also have a selection of maps and admiralty charts from around the world. Located half way between the villages of Ballinspittle and Kilbrittain
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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.
This Shop Rocks
131 Brick Lane
SHOREDITCH E16SE map
tel: 02077 397 667 e-mail
Open: 7 days 12.00 - 6.00.
Wide range, we have useful books, many on theatre, films, art, cookery, etc. A small bookshop but carefully picked and packed.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsAn interesting shop selling mainly curio's/collectibles upstairs but with a good stock of interesting books in the basement. A stones throw from Spitalfields Market and a short ride on the number 8 bus to Jambala in Globe Road. All three are worth a look. - Steve Newman 03.03.14.
A modest accumulation of low-key books, possibly of interest to readers. - Muggins 02.07.14.
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