Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK 2019
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
Acanthophyllum Books
"Tadorna"
243 Pensby Road Heswall
WIRRAL Merseyside CH61 5UA map
tel: 0151 342 8287 e-mail web
Open: Monday to Sunday inclusive 10.00 - 4.00, by appointment only.
I deal primarily in Natural History (including Geology), Garden History and especially Botany and Ecology. Visitors to my book room are welcome with a prior appointment. I regularly exhibit at PBFA book fairs in York, Haydock, Cambridge and elsewhere.
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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.
Bookmark
34 Arwenack Street
FALMOUTH Cornwall TR11 3JB map
tel: 01326 211252 e-mail web
Specialising in maritime, Cornish history, art, military history, aviation and transportation. We also have fiction, classics, poetry, plays and some much more quirky and rare titles. Our main speciality is kindness, smiling and the human touch something missing from clicking on a mouse
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsGeneral secondhand books on two floors. - TBG.
Probably the second best bookshop in Cornwall. Well worth a hours' search if you can find somewhere to park. Most helpful assistant for whom nothing was too much bother. Strong on nautical matters. - Chris Harte 20.04.10.
Bit of a Driff Special. We used the Park and Ride. - Steven 05.11.11
Splendid selection for the transport/nautical enthusiast and worth a visit. Variable condition of some books though. Take the train to ease the strain ... - Norman Davies 02.07.13.
Not nearly as impressive as it was a few years ago, when there were three floors; stock now seems stagnant and overpriced (sometimes laughably so). Owner seems visibly annoyed when I leave without buying anything... - CP 08.01.14.
Books Afloat
66 Park Street
WEYMOUTH Dorset DT4 7DE map
tel: 01305 779774
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Good general stock on two floors whilst specialising in maritime and naval subjects, very
much cover all subjects so something for everybody! Also genuine nautical antiques, ships
bells ,models, die cast toys, clockwork trains, old postcards,paintings etc. Park Street is directly opposite Weymouth Railway Station and very handy for the town and harbour and beach.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsWorth visiting even if you have no interest in their specialities. - TBG.
Good stock of most transport areas at reasonable prices. Friendly and knowledgeable owner. I am a regular visitor, new stock often available. - Paul Simpson. 15.11.10.
Wonderful bookshop, with excellent selections of naval, maritime, yachting and local interest new & secondhand books, also ship models & memorabilia. Shop very close to railway station. Well worth a visit. - Mark Barrett 12.04.11.
What a wonderful place that is! Splendid second hand bookshop. I wish I would live closer to this place, alas! I´don´t. Maybe it´s for the better. If I could return, like I would, I´d bring a lorry. - Ralf 18.07.11.
Unbeatable for marine but also good on topography and fiction. - Herne 20.07.11.
Excellent bookshop. Good selection of railway books, local memorabilia and fiction in addition to nautical books. Intended just to pop in but spent an hour browsing and buying. Helpful, friendly owner and certainly recommend a visit.- Steve Brissle 29.07.13.
Excellent shop over two floors - reasonable prices. Have certainly had some bargains there over the years. Parking nearby as well as railway station. Well worth a detour. - The Drifter 22.08.13.
With its bow-fronted upper floor, close-packed shelves, and marine curiosities hanging in every available inch, the first impression is almost Dickensian. But quirkiness aside, its affable owner runs a tight ship. Everything's well-organised and there are finds to be had. Local history and literature are a specialism: for example, I discovered rare titles by West Country-related authors John Cowper Powys and T.F. Powys. Perfect when you've had enough of the beach. - Paul O 29.08.14.
Little gems take finding, this is a gem. Unique shop, great stock. Helpful owner. - Bazza 22.02.18.
Bookworms of Shoreham
4 High Street
SHOREHAM-BY-SEA West Sussex BN43 5DA map
tel: 01273 453856
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Large stock and particularly, general, maritime and military history, and local topography.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA fairly ordinary bookshop with many cheap paperbacks. However, one locked case contained a wonderfully broad selection of regimental histories. If this is your interest it is worth a visit. - Chris Harte 19.08.10.
Broad Street Book Centre
6 Broad Street
HAY-ON-WYE Powys HR3 5DB map
tel: 01497 821919 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
Sixteen book sellers under one roof. Specialities include music, military, maritime, sport, antiquarian, geology, Observer, Ladybird and Shire books, history, children's, railways, cookery, modern firsts, Churchill, and women writers. Be part of the "Town of Books". Fully serviced units available to specialist book dealers, including internet listing of your stock.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsContains several sellers including in my view one of the best railway book shops in England/Wales: Superb selection at reasonable prices. Sadly missed by many as at north end of Hay. WAD. - Norman Davies 16.03.11.
Wide ranging multi-dealer emporium on one floor.. Some prices rather ambitious but bargains to be had. Parking nearby. - The Drifter 22.08.13.
As it says in the blurb, sixteen different dealers. However, that did not deter from a good range of stock covering a number of specific classifications. Easy to search and, in addition, racks of very amusing cards. - Chris Harte 01.03.14.
It very much depends on what you're looking for, but I found this rather disappointing. Many of the books appeared to be priced up for book fairs and would seem to be slightly on the optimistic side. While I found a few interesting titles, they weren't tempting enough to make me get my wallet out. - Nicholas Pendower 12.04.14.
Several small dealers in neat and tidy cubicles, too neat and tidy to be interesting. - James Mackay 14.06.14.
For me this is in the top 3 of book shops in Hay on Wye. So many dealers rent space within which means there is varied and specialized holdings. I spent around an hour in here and came away with 8 military books and was offered a discount. - Laurence Batchelor 19.07.14.
Always worth a visit, although space can be limited when trying to browse and competing with another bookworm for space. Some of the prices of the railway books were a bit on the high side. - SteveBrissle 04.08.14.
Visited for the first time in 18 months, it appears a number of dealers have left, no Military and very poor selection of History. Now closed on Sundays. - Peter Williams 07.03.15.
Return visit and there are now two sections of railway books. The one nearer the front of the shop is well organised and the books are reasonably priced. The other at the rear of the shop was less interesting. Various other subjects were reasonably well represented. - SteveBrissle 28.11.17.
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.
Christine's Book Cabin
9 Coventry Road
MARKET HARBOROUGH Leicestershire LE16 9BX map
tel: 01858 433233 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00, closed Wednesday.
Booksellers since 1992; shopkeepers since 1997. 2,500 books with specialist sections on Leics and Northants, history, maritime fiction, children's collectable fiction and crime fiction. Website has searchable database of books not shown in the shop.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsVery small, One room, but with some quality stuff. Good Biggles and CS Forester stock at equally high prices mind. Very little very modern stuff and some good green penguins in the bargain books outside. Just around the corner from Loros Charity Shop which has the modern low price stuff to complement it. - jon Morgan 06.03.13.
The C.S Forester collection has now all sold but there was still plenty of Biggle's left. This place is just 1 room, a desk a sink and the owner. Some of the books on the lower shelves looked like they could do with a clean as very dusty. Military well represented with even some original WW1 soldiers diaries and what looked like a Royal Naval bases' visitors book available to purchase. The stock had many unusual books which I'd not seen before but the pricing was mid to high. There were some bargain books also in boxes outside which I didn't examine. I came away with 2 aviation purchases as nothing naval I didn't already own. Loros around the corner has stopped being a dedicated bookshop. Parking nearby in Co-op and just 2 other nearby charity shops in this historic town selling 2nd-hand books: Oxfam and Age UK. - Laurence Batchelor 25.09.18.
Something for everyone here, a wide variety of subjects and a broad range of prices in a tiny space that will comfortably accommodate two browsers (3 at a nudge) plus the interesting owner in his nest - the perfect host who will chat profoundly if prompted and knows when to fall silent when you are lost in his stock. Having just come away empty-handed from the local pbfa fair, I left here with a bagfull of bargains. - Glen Kinch 06.05.19.
Daisyroots Books Ltd
Main Street
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS Cumbria LA11 6DP map
tel: 015395 38817 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
Extensive stock of collectable and contemporary titles in sought-after subjects. Over 20,000 books on two floors. Famous for fiction. Friendly, independent family business established in 1994. Book searches undertaken. Free roadside parking opposite. Town centre car park within 5 minutes walk. All major credit/debit cards accepted.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsPrices to make the eyes water. - Gareth James 03.07.13.
I have to agree with the previous reviewer, within a couple of minutes it was obvious that the " good" stuff was way pricey. A brief look at the modern firsts clarified this and common titles in questionable condition were top-end fine/fine internet prices. - The Travelling Bookdealer 24.08.13.
Dreadnought Books
125 St Georges Road
Hotwells
BRISTOL BS1 5UW map
tel: 01173 293176 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
Dreadnought Books is a second-hand and out of print bookshop specialising in history, with a particular focus on military, social and labour history. We also have extensive sections of politics, philosophy, the arts and literature. We also buy books, particularly in our specialist fields. Please get in touch if you have anything you think we might be interested in.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsSmall but well chosen stock. Most erratic pricing I've ever seen; £1-2 bargains and eyewatering mark-ups (£20 for not especially rare p/back) in equal measure. Recommended, but you're at the mercy of the pricing wheel of fortune. - CP 03.03.14.
An excellent well laid out shop with realistically priced books. Wide ranging regularly changing stock. Knowledgeable friendly owner. Free parking nearby. Well worth a detour. Strongly recommended. - The Drifter 19.04.14.
Small shop but well stocked with good quality books at reasonable prices. Recommended. - SteveBrissle 17.10.14.
I drifted around this very neat and tidy bookshop trying really hard to find books of my interests. The general nature of the holdings really brought home to me how difficult it must be for bookdealers to find anything special anymore. - Chris Harte 15.11.14.
Attractive and well laid out shop. Excellent for history and politics and some interesting general stock. Friendly approachable owner. Pricing can be erratic but makes life more interesting and possible bargains ! Well worth a visit. - Mo H 19.11.14.
Excellent wide-ranging selection of books. Highly recommended shop. Parking nearby. Well worth a detour. - The Drifter 14.02.15.
Excellent social history and politics selection as well as reasonably priced topography. Well worth a look when in Bristol. - Norman Davies 15.06.15.
Revisited and now believe if interested in politics, modern history, art, decent topography, this is the best s/h shop in Bristol. - Norman Davies 31.05.18.
Made two visits recently and was not disappointed. The stock continues to be well chosen and displayed, and the prices are good enough to encourage purchases to be made. Recommended. - SteveBrissle 06.12.18.
Fisher Nautical
Huntswood House
St Helena Lane Streat
HASSOCKS West Sussex BN6 8SD map
tel: 01273 890273 fax: 01273 891439 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00. Appointment necessary.
Established 1963 and extensive and long lasting wants list kept. Catalogue published about every month. Phone, fax, e-mail or write for printed catalogue AND send us your wants list. Postal business, visitors by appointment only, regret browsing not possible. Most parcels dispatched next day."Books about the Sea" When all else fails try us or save time and & try us first!
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsI've bought maritime and naval books from Fisher's for 10 years online or from their printed catalogues. A wonderful family business to deal with and in my opinion package their books in the best wrapping I've received from a book dealer. - Laurence Batchelor 25.02.14.
Fleur De Lys
5 St. John's Place
(next to Kilvert's Inn)
HAY-ON-WYE Powys HR3 5BN map
tel: 07792 545675 fax: 01874 665487 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
35 years a full-time specialist in railways & transport. Selected good quality books, ephemera, models, railwayana, and small collectibles. A spotter's paradise! Similar always wanted - can travel worldwide. Also some antiques.
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G L Green Ltd - Naval & Maritime Books
18 Aldenham Avenue
RADLETT Hertfordshire WD7 8HX map
tel: 01923 857077 fax: 01923 857077 web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00. Appointment necessary.
Stock can only be viewed by appointment. Approximately 2,500 books are on display and callers can look at the entire stock. We are always interested in purchasing books to further our stock.We are a Naval and Maritime specialist bookseller in new, used and Antiquarian books, ephemera and magazines buying and selling throughout the world.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsI've bought from this online dealer for around a decade. Always has a good selection of maritime & naval books at reasonable prices and responds to emails promptly. One day I hope to visit them by appointment so I can give a more thorough review. - Laurence Batchelor 24.11.14.
Greenbank Books
9 Old High Street
FALMOUTH Cornwall TR11 2AB map
tel: 07876 454357 e-mail
Open: Monday - Friday 10.30 - 5.00.
General stock with special interest in Maritime, Motoring, Railways, Art, Architecture, Design & Crafts, Children's Books and Cornish History.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsGood general selection contained within a single room: I was particularly impressed by the extensive railway selection. Prices were in line with other establishments visited in the county. - Graeme Rendall 18.09.14.
Highflight Books
Aliaqsa
Tulloch Street
DINGWALL Ross-shire IV15 9JY map
tel: 07580 291 856 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
A specialist stock of 2,000 aviation books including gliding, aviation in the north, military and other aspects of flight and flying. Also a broad range of general non-fiction books on subjects including history, biography, military history, maritime, mountaineering, Scottish and local history.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsI have visited Highflight Books on several occasions since it opened and have been impressed with its range of aviation books - as well as books of more general interest. Bill Anderson has a good knowledge of aviation and can assist in finding books related to specific areas of interest. The shop has a friendly informal atmosphere which is conducive to spending time browsing without feeling there is pressure to hurry or to make a purchase I would recommend this shop to anyone with an interest in aviation but also to general readers who are also liklely to find many books of interest. - Tor Justad 09.12.11.
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.
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.
Kerr and Son Booksellers
Gatehouse Book Shop
The Square Cartmel
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS Cumbria LA11 6PX map
tel: 015395 36247 e-mail
Open: Friday & Saturday 1.30 - 4.30, Winter Saturday only. (The Priory Barn in Priest Lane is also open but by prior appointment only).
A wide ranging general stock of some 10,000 volumes with specialisms in transport & engineering, railways, maritime, Lake District, and rare and collectable books on most subjects. Booksearch and valuations undertaken.
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Landers Bookshop
Hall Street
LONG MELFORD Suffolk CO10 9HZ map
tel: 01787 378957 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Lots of General new titles that are regularly updated. A good, wide selection of secondhand books. We undertake searches for new and hard to find titles as well as general second hand requests.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA very small shop, with mainly new books and two shelves of general secondhand material. Apparently has another 1500 secondhand books in an inaccessible storeroom. - Tom Lawson 20.05.16.
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
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsThey 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.
I'm always pleased to visit when in Tavistock. A good selection of titles with many 'wants' purchased this time. Prices are very reasonable and the owner's knowledge of books excellent. - Chris Harte 12.10.17.
Leominster Books
Book Room
The Secondhand Warehouse and Antiques Centre New Street
LEOMINSTER Herefordshire HR6 8DR map
tel: 01568 614114 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
On the first floor of this large Antiques Centre. A good selection of secondhand and antiquarian books on all subjects. New stock added regularly.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsQuite a good selection on the first floor. All in category order with a number of shelves of old children's books. - Chris Harte 29.10.12.
Well organised, well lit and stocked with an interesting mix of old and modern books at reasonable prices, even some sheet music. Handy for the car park and free coffee too. One not to miss. - Laura 29.10.12.
Very small stock. About half a dozen bookcases. - Mark 10.11.12.
The customer above must have missed the book room and only visited one of the antique dealers on the ground floor of the Centre who carries a small stock of books. Leominster Books is on the first floor (up the main staircase by the cash desk) and has a substantial stock of several thousand books in considerably more than half a dozen bookcases! - Simon, Leominster Books 14.11.12.
Yes, if you go straight upstairs you will find the real books - excellent selection, decent prices. WWAD. - Norman Davies 24.08.13.
A fairly large unit in a bright and interesting antiques centre. The stock is well presented and in good condition, and there is a comparatively wide selection of well-chosen books at quite reasonable prices. However, there is no facility for those who like to rummage in interesting and dusty corners. - Nicholas Pendower 12.04.14.
Asked for Leominster Books at the main desk, only to be met with puzzlement. There is a unit of books upstairs, but it is fairly small in size and general in character. - TravellingLibrary 18.05.18.
Maritime Books
66 Royal Hill
GREENWICH London SE10 8RT map
tel: 020 8692 1794
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
Maritime and navel history only.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsArguably the best maritime book shop in England. I visited at the height of the Para Olympics around Sept 2012. The owner was most helpful and offerred a discount as I was purchasing around 10 books in 1 go. The books are very well arranged with every conceivable catagory and period covered for both naval and maritime topics. There was also a selection of some maritime journals. The owner also let me have free reign in the back room where many of the more expensive and rare tomes where stacked. I did indeed find many books there which made the trip worthwhile. Price wise I found some books to be very well priced and some expensive, I guess that I'm not use to London prices! - Laurence Batchelor 03.01.14.
McLaren Books
22 John Street
HELENSBURGH Dunbartonshire G84 8BA map
tel: 01436 676453 e-mail web
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, and some other days but best to check first.
Thirty years of trading has firmly established us as the leading dealers in naval, maritime, and yachting books in Scotland. Also books of Scottish interest. Recently reopened and reliably open on advertised days.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA remarkably well stocked shop, specialising in all things maritime. For anything to to with boats, the sea, maritime history, this is the place. - John Butler 12.08.09.
I've never visited in person, but bought books via their website. They often have listed rare maritime/naval books which I've struggled to find elsewhere at reasonable prices. Also been able to get discount when buying a bundle and I find their website easy to navigate and browse. They also respond to emails in a timely fashion. Recommended. - Laurence Batchelor 25.01.14.
Smallish shop, crammed with good quality specialist stock in great quantity. Very helpful owner. An enjoyable visit, resulting in a couple of good railway purchases. The maritime remit is interpreted pleasingly broadly! - TravellingLibrary 18.07.15.
Othello's Bookshop
9 Bevan Street East
LOWESTOFT Suffolk NR32 2AA map
tel: 07710 764175 e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 4.30
Approx 8000 hardback books, specialising in non-fiction especially maritime, aviation, and transport.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsSomething of a hidden gem, well worth a visit if your interest is military history or transport:large, good quality stock in these subjects. However, there are many good things to be found in all the other main categories, including fiction. The shop is very close to Lowestoft station but rather tucked away. - Laurence Purcell 06.09.18.
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.
Quayside Books
7-9 Commercial Road
GLOUCESTER Gloucestershire GL1 2DY map
tel: 01452 - 300422
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
General secondhand bookshop with storeroom at the rear. Particularly interested in military, maritime and transport books.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsNice small bookshop with friendly and helpful owner. Worth the short walk from the centre. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
Tried to visit this shop yesterday (a Saturday) @ 11.00 - closed. Tried again at 2.00 - still closed. Suggest you ring before making a detour. - Daedalus 25.06.09.
A wonderful Aladdin's cave of books very competitively priced with a charming and friendly owner. - Toby 01.11.11.
Great bookshop with good selection of books run by a friendly and helpful owner. Very reasonable prices meaning that customers are more likely to buy some books. Worth a visit. - SteveBrissle 16.10.13.
First sight did not justify for me the hidden treasures scattered around the shop. One front of it is now a framing business but behind are the shelves. It was only after a careful look did I find a number of decent titles. This shop is one which could turn up unexpected surprises. - Chris Harte 24.05.16.
First visit today. Not obviously a bookshop as front shop is framing but once inside a very decent selection at acceptable prices. Interesting proprietor too. - Norman Davies 31.05.18.
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 in 'Summer'. Otherwise, Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
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 Dartmoor. Ample parking nearby and cafe opposite. Also visit our Book stall ' Badger's Books' at Sidwell Street Market , Exeter (weather permitting).
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsFor what it's worth - probably very little - the South Hams are visible from Teignmouth, not Dartmoor. Muggins 19.06.13.
Medium level stock with a fair number of interesting titles. Prices generally fair. Well worth a visit, however owner does not believe in philosophy of 'the customer is always right'. The last time I was told off so many times in a 20-minute period was when I first joined the RAF. In the spirit of Drif: TOSTTAIDTM (the owner seemed to take an instant dislike to me). - JohnN 06.09.13.
In reply to JohnN. Unfortunately not all our customers are happy to browse the storeroom WITHOUT their bags! Unfortunately not all our customers agree to our selling and listing our stock on the internet! If we chose to run our business in the modern world there will be some customers who dont like this change! At least for the time being we are still surviving on the High street! Sorry we cannot please you all! - Quayside Bookshop 09.09.13.
Never assume that this shop is open on a Sunday even if it's early October and the weather is far from inclement. We made a detour and found the shop was shut. If I visit Teignmouth again it'll be on a Saturday. From the outside looking in, the stock looked interesting and varied. - SteveBrissle 10.10.15.
Open on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year but closed on the Friday the day before when I telephoned. My other half limited me to just an hour in this place but I wished I had more time as most of their naval/maritime/aviation and military stock was in the stock room out back, accesible by permission only, and in need of a lot of time to really rummage. You are not allowed to take any bags back there and are observed by CCTV camera's which felt a bit Big Brother-ish. Upon clambering over the many boxes and also moving many of the books - many shelves are double-stacked - I came away with 3 books from the back and 1 from the front room. It is clear they are a transport specialist and have a lot of stock not listed yet on the internet and some quite rare. Many of the best condition 1st editions were protected in carrier bags and there was a few books signed. This shop is a credit to the town and one I would definately recommend to make a special journey for especially if holidaying in Torbay as the Riveria is devoid of any good 2nd-hand bookshops. The owner's were chatty and clearly knew their trade and the only criticism I'd have is some of the books out back were a bit over-priced as they are priced vs ABE etc. where as other shops I've visited, and have reviewed on TBG recently, tend to price lower in shop that the net to encourage trade and stock movement. - Laurence Batchelor 04.01.19.Most pleasant visit aided by a helpful lady in charge. Local holdings were good as were those on the military. - Chris Harte 09.04.19.
An interesting bookshop with the back room including secondhand books that must be replaced in the same positions. Some prices were very ambitious but I bought one book which was in a very good condition over 40 years old. The stacked boxes of books made checking some books on the shelves more difficult. - SteveBrissle 13.06.19.
Sedgeberrow Books
25 High Street
PERSHORE Worcestershire WR10 1AA map
tel: 01386 751830 (anytime) fax: 01386 751830 e-mail web
Open: Open: Monday - Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 9.30 - 5.00. PLEASE NOTE: We will be closed from 20/6/19 to 29/6/19 inclusive.
Located in a Grade 2* listed building, over 20000 secondhand books on most subjects, specialising in aviation, naval and maritime, military history, British and world history, and transport, over 1000 titles in each section. Extensive local history plus a selection of antiquarian titles. Large literature sections. We also stock local and fine art photographs, picture frames, photo albums and jigsaws.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsDefinitely worth a visit if you are in the area, whether the other bookshops are open or not! If I say that the military and history sections are very good, that doesn't mean the others aren't; I am merely commenting on my own special interests. - Geoffrey Warner 07.07.11.
A pleasant and knowledgeable owner and good stock. Worth going into Pershore for this shop. - Mary 16.07.11.
This is a well organized general shop with a cabinet of antiquarian books. For my tastes the stock is light but surprisingly I and others left most contented with our purchases. - OWC 13.09.12.
This is a serious bookshop with serious prices. The stock has great variety and includes framed maps and prints, but, given the way the books are tightly stacked in the shelves, one wonders whether there is a very large turnover here. As Ive already implied, pricing is such that you will definitely not come away with a bagful of bargains, but if you are looking for a specific title you will quite possibly find it at what is probably a fair price. There is always a place for shops of this type, but I'm afraid that I came out empty handed, despite the fact that I'm always eager to spend more than a few quid if the spirit moves me - sadly I was not moved in Pershore. - Nicholas Pendower 13.10.12.
How ironic to be criticised for keeping our shop well stocked. Gaps don't sell. We manage our stock proactively, shelves are refilled weekly with 8-10 crates of fresh stock, and yes, we do have a very healthy turnover of books, thank you! - Jayne & David, Sedgeberrow Books 18.10.12.
I have to agree with the owners of this bookshop, regarding Mr Pendowers comments. This is an excellent bookshop, with a large, wide range of both fiction and non-fiction. Lets be honest, we all wish books were cheaper in reality, prices here are on a par with similar businesses. Why not pop along? You will not be disappointed! - Will Tyler 01.11.12.
Quite a delight to visit and browse. Give yourself time though!! - David Stocks 02.11.12.
If you're a collector you'll know the feeling... Initial excitement at finding a big, well stocked bookshop ... Followed by disappointment when everything proves to be in uncollectable condition. My interest is fiction so other genres may be better represented. - Neil Goodlad 02.11.12.
I cannot believe the negative comments about this shop. This is one of the best bookshops I have visited in terms of quantity and quality of stock, the prices are not unreasonable at all and I have always noticed new stock every time I've been there. Just because there is nothing for you on the day you go does not warrant such criticism. Definitely well worth a visit. - Daniel 10.01.13.
Whenever I've visited I have found collectable books, in nice condition and at very reasonable prices. - Biblioshelf 10.07.13.
Having read the above reviews I was slightly wary on my visit. Overall my feelings were mixed having examined very neat shelves of books; purchasing nothing, but realising that every community needs a shop like this. Curate's Egg syndrome. - Chris Harte 16.11.13.
Revisited last week. In my humble view this is a superb dying breed s/h bookshop. OK prices not cheap but they are sensible and the range is impressive, I came away with a large bundle of various interests. WWAD. - Norman Davies 13.08.14.
Airy, smart and well kept premises. Definitely worth visiting. I was short of time and was wishing for the large history section to be better sorted. Military section was extensive. Not a bargain shop but not overpriced either. - Brian Stringer 02.10.14.
I visit this shop every six months or so. I find it a shop where there is usually something new in the items I collect. The owner has had a change round and he has found more room for the subjects that are most popular. The railway section has grown for example. Very well presented and easy to use The owner is very pleasant and chats about how he prices the books, he will negotiate. A good bookshop. - CB 06.02.16.
Since my last visit it seems that shelves have been better categorised. I found browsing easy and came away with three welcome additions to my collection. Everything still fairly general. - Chris Harte 24.05.16.
Superb service. Books were as advertised, nicely packaged and arrived well before they were expected. Hoping to do business again. - John 30.08.16.
Quite possibly the best military stock I've found in the Midlands. Not only do the owners categorize down to aviation/naval level but even more precisely than that e.g. fleet air arm/bomber command sections which makes browsing so effortless. The military and railway sections were extensive and the stock of high quality. Plenty of parking in the nearby Asda just off the High Steet. Bulk discount offered and a very pleasant and knowledgeable owner. I had to restrain myself to just 10 purchases - it could have easily been double! This bookshop clearly is WWAD and I shall be visiting as regularly as I can. - Laurence Batchelor 06.09.18.
Stella Books
Monmouth Road
TINTERN Monmouthshire NP16 6SE map
tel: 01291 689755 fax: 01291 689998 e-mail web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.00.
A large stock of 30,000 books on all subjects, specialising in children's and illustrated, UK topography, railways and natural history. Stock available on web site.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsA lovely bookshop in a superb setting. Quality titles all over the place and a visit is highly recommended. There is nothing to criticise regarding the shop itself although I do have considerable reservations about their on-line selling and the carelessness in book descriptions. Attention to detail is paramount and needs consideration. - Chris Harte 19.04.11.
Lovely location with distracting view of Tintern Abbey. Interesting stock sorted by budget. Books may all be on-line but browsing adds new interests. - Simon Procter 14.05.11.
If you are daft enough to pay these sort of prices then this is the place for you. The shop appears to act as a storage facility for their internet book selling business, which means that prices are well in excess of those you would expect to pay in any provincial bookshop (even the most expensive ones). This is not a place for the passing trade, and if you are thinking of making a special trip make sure that you've organised a bank loan before you go. After seeing their advertising I arrived in optimistic mood but left feeling annoyed that I had been hoodwinked into such a costly and time consuming drive. - Nicholas Pendower 05.04.14.
Stothert Old Books
Rock House Farm
Rock Lane Burwardsley
CHESTER Cheshire CH3 9 PL map
tel: 01829 772505 e-mail web
Open: Saturday & Sunday 11.00 - 4.00, other times by appointment.
A wide selection of antiquarian and collectable books on most subjects. A long-established book dealer in the Chester area.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsHighly recommended, well-selected general stock in a sort of barn. My own interest, natural history, is well catered for. - acanthophyllum 09.01.15.
The old shop in Chester had some superb holdings and the good thing is that standards have not dropped. Alan now has a converted barn full of high quality material and it was a pleasure to relax while checking for my subjects. A visit is recommended. - Chris Harte 23.03.15.
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.
Vanessa Parker Rare Books
Old Thatch
MULRANNY Co. Mayo
tel: 00353 (0)8723 39221 e-mail web
Open: 7 days 11.00 - 6.00 July to mid September, rest of the year pot luck or appointment.
We stock a wide range of books with an emphasis on early children`s, illustrated, fine bindings & sets, antiquarian, Irish, poetry literature, history,horses & dogs, country pursuits, fishing, plus much more. See our slowly growing website for books for sale. We also stock prints wrapped ready for sale and genuine Antiques. In a very picturesque location overlooking the mountains across clew bay.
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