•  Bookbinders 
•  Book Auctions 
•  Book Fairs 
•  Bookshops 
•  Home 

 Bookshops > Natural History

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

A and Y Cumming Ltd
84 High Street
LEWES  East Sussex  BN7 1XN   map
tel: 01273 472319
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Very large stock including travel, fine bindings, art & illustrated, literature, natural history and topography.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsSome wonderful stock in the basement. I regret not spending much longer there. Assisted in my searches but never put pressure on me to buy. - Chris Harte 01.04.09.
    A good selection of books on a wide variety of subjects. The pricing appears to be reasonable. The service was friendly, amusing and slightly eccentric. - h442 28.07.10.
    Basement? What basement? Some beautiful books, in a lovely but slightly rarefied atmosphere where, for the average and eclectically minded book buyer there was not a lot. Lots of customers tho; and some very interesting WW2 magazines. - Jon Morgan 16.08.12.
    Five years since my last visit and it is still the stock in the basement which makes me part with too much money. Overall the general holdings seem to have been refreshed as I spotted titles I know were not on show previously. Prices were, if anything, slightly lower than expected. - Chris Harte 17.06.14.
    Did just visit on the ground floor but nothing special to buy then. - Chris K 15.09.17.
    Agree with Chris. Some interesting finds in the ephemera section. - Herne 23.10.17.
    Classy if a bit intimidating. Purchased some welcome missing old railway titles but was not invited to see the back room which appeared bigger than the shop. What basement? - Norman Davies 31.05.18.
    Amendment to opening hours: no longer open on Wednesdays. Looked interesting, through the window! - Nicholas Sack 13.08.19.

Abacas Books & Cards
56 - 60 Millrise Road
Milton 
STOKE-ON-TRENT  Staffordshire  ST2 7BW   map
tel: 01782 543005  e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00 (1.00 Saturday).
Medium size stock on most subjects, from paperbacks to antiquarian books. We also stock new local history books & greetings cards. Established 1980.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsPaperbacks £2, hardbacks £4. Clean, well ordered but small. Worth visiting several times a year. David and Margaret are very helpful and friendly. - Rosie Gamgee 10.11.12.
    A fabulous bookshop and cardshop run by delightful people, David and Margaret. The second hand books are all clean, well cared for and categorised. The shop is spotlessly clean and a pleasure to spend time in. I have known this shop for years and years and it's such a pleasure to meet proprietors who make you so welcome and are themselves so keen on books and reading. Go there and enjoy. - Neville Seabridge 10.05.14.
    Abacas Books now closes on a Monday but is otherwise open Tuesday to Saturday. Books are still priced as above. The Art section is worth consideration as is the section on World Wars. Good free parking at park opposite. - Rosie Gamgee 18.01.20.

Abacus Books
24 Regent Road
ALTRINCHAM  Cheshire  WA14 1RP   map
tel: 0161 928 5108  web
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.30 - 4.30.
Large general stock and arts, crafts and local history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAlthough we tried very hard, we could find absolutely nothing of interest in this bookshop. While we where there a chap came in with a few books to sell and was told "we aren't buying at the moment" - which in book-speak means we aren't selling anything either. This is like a rest home for old books, and be assured, they won't be disturbed. - Rosie Gamgee 21.11.13.
    The other comment is a little unfair; there is quite a lot to see here, though admittedly the small paperback fiction section has books that look like they've been here years, and the small sci-fi section is down near the floor behind the door, so you get in the way of anyone coming in. Elsewhere though are many hardbacks covering lots of subjects, a hardback literature and literary biography section that's worth a look. But yes, those paperbacks do need a bit revitalizing! - Archy 14.07.16.

Abbey Bookshop
2 White Hart Arcade
LAUNCESTON  Cornwall  PL15 8AA   map
tel: 01566 779113  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Gen.stock 15K books. Contemporary lit. mass market, art, photography, history, cookery, craft, biogs. Psychology, philosophy, cinema, travel/topo. Specialist: Irish. Relocated from Camden Lock London to Cornwall in 2002.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis is actually quite a good bookshop. Although somewhat cluttered the owner did move piles of books to extract titles of my interest. He does not take plastic so a visit to a nearby cash machine was needed. Stock was general but with many surprises tucked away. Worth a visit. - Chris Harte 12.10.17.

Acanthophyllum Books
Long Chase Farm
Sundawn Avenue 
HOLYWELL  CH8 7BH   map
tel: 07758 583706  

 Add a comment

Age UK Book Shop
68 The Parade
Oadby 
LEICESTER  Leicestershire  LE2 5BF   map
tel: 0116 2718197  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
A very varied selection of good quality second-hand books at attractive prices starting from £1. All proceeds go towards providing important services to local older people.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsLess extensive stock than in Mkt Harborough, but still not bad. Very bright clean and friendly. On the way from MH to the bookshops in Leicester and worth stopping off. - Jon Morgan 06.03.13.

Alsager Book Emporium
Hassall Road Methodist Church Methodist Church
Hassall Road 
ALSAGER  Cheshire  ST7 2HE   map
tel: 01270 625444  e-mail  web
Open: Fridays 10.00 - 2.00, Saturdays & Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00 - 1.00.
40,000 Secondhand books on all subjects. Special sections on local history/theological/antiquarian books. Parking on road outside. Tea and coffee available.

 Add a comment

Armchair Books
72-74 West Port
EDINBURGH  Midlothian  EH1 2LE   map
tel: 0131 229 5927  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Sunday 10.00 - 6.30
Some of our rarer and more unique books are listed on AbeBooks: https://www.abebooks.co.uk/armchair-books-edinburgh/7238158/sf We keep a wide variety of modern and antiquarian stock, including early edition Harry Potter books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsTwo long narrow bookshops side by side down the narrow West Port near the Grassmarket, Armchair looks a bit haphazard, particularly in comparison to some of its upmarket antiquarian neighbours, but with a large and varied stock it is well worth a look. The floor may be uneven and one of the entrances a bit too narrow but it has a lot of character as well as a lot of stock. Keep an eye out for the bookshelf in the shape of the Red Baron's plane and if you come eye to eye with a dog whilst looking at books on the lower shelves don't worry, he is just curious to see what you are looking for! - Jeremy Briggs.
    As stated, two shops next to each other. Owner and his assistant could not have been more helpful. Good general stock. I found a lot of what I collect on the very top shelf in the second shop. Thankfully I did not have to climb the tall ladder to check what looked interesting as it was done for me with a smile and a pleasant attitude. I enjoyed my time browsing here. - Chris Harte 11.06.10.
    Easily the best bookshop in Edinburgh. Friendly staff and owner. - Chris 09.04.11.
    Great for fiction and history. Level pegging with the Edinburgh bookshop and McNaughtens. - Herne 02.11.13.
    I almost didn't go in because the shop looked so small from the street, but inside I found a treasure trove of excellent old books in a shop more spacious than it appears. The staff were knowledgeable and helpful. - Richard 24.04.15.
    Wonderful shop, comprehensively stocked and full of character. There are two rooms but the layout makes such imaginative use of the space available that it seems larger. There was a crowd of American students there during our visit and we had to QUEUE to buy our books! Fantastic to see so many people having a great time in a bookshop! - TravellingLibrary 08.08.15.
    All one knocked-through shop, 4 packed cosy rooms, lots of books for £3.80. - glenk 04.09.15.
    Best s/h bookshop in Edinburgh. Has to be dragged out by partner before excess spending. All older books, many subjects, comprehensive. Super. - Norman D 30.10.16.

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.

Barbican House Bookshop
169 High Street
LEWES  East Sussex  BN7 1YE   map
tel: 01273 486290  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30, Sunday 11.00 - 5.30.
Fundraising bookshop for the Sussex Archaeological Society. New and secondhand books on history and archaeology, particularly of Lewes, Sussex and the South Downs.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA surprise find tucked away off the High Street. Although the books mainly reflect Sussex interests there are other good titles scattered around. Prices are remarkably reasonable. - Chris Harte 10.09.13.
    Nice area. Tried it but nothing special I needed. Interesting that SAS members do get items a little cheaper. - Chris K 15.09.17.
    Sussex Antiquarian Society by the way! Excellent for archaeology and medieval history plus local. Nice browse on those subject areas. Is in castle ticket office, not where you might expect. - Norman Davies 31.05.18.

Barn Antiques
Station Road
Long Marston 
STRATFORD UPON AVON  Warwickshire  CV37 8RP   map
tel: 01789 721399  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday to Saturday + Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 10.30 - 4.30.
A unit containing around 500 books, predominantly History and Military, with some railway and music stock as well.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsVisited on a freezing Sunday after seeing the new listing here. This unit selling books, I would say about 300 in total, is downstairs in the right-hand corner. All were near new non-fiction Hardbacks with jackets and were a flat £4 each. Agree with listing that military, cookery and transport were well catered for. There is also a small collection of army books on one of the militaria stalls. Parking was free but the staff a little unwelcoming. 2 purchases made. - Laurence Batchelor 15.12.19.

Barn Books
Pear Tree Farm
Norbury 
WHITCHURCH  Shropshire  SY13 4HZ   map
tel: 01948 663742  fax: 01948 663742  e-mail  web
Open: Friday 2.00 - 4.00, Saturday 10.00 - 12.30 & 2.00 - 4.00, Sunday 2.00 - 4.00.
With three rooms of books - local history, gardening, countryside interest are the main topics - with books on many other subjects as well. The Bookshop is situated in a Barn in the Countryside with ample parking space.It is on the Cheshire/Shropshire Border with a Shropshire address but is just in Cheshire.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsLatest hours, as on sign in the window: Friday 2-4; Sat 10-12.30 & 2-4; Sun 2-4 - TravellingLibrary 18.05.18.

Barry McKay Rare Books
Kingstone House
Battlebarrow 
APPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND  Cumbria  CA16 6XT   map
tel: 017683 52282  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
5000 books mainly on the Arts & History of the Book; and a good stock of Antiquarian Books including many Provincial Printings. Saturday Afternoons are a bit iffy and a definite no-no on international rugby afternoons, so please phone first.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis is a fantastic bookshop if you're interested in the above subjects. I've never seen so many 'books about books' . In a private house down hill from W-exit off A66; look for square arch. On the whole reasonably priced, VERY friendly owner. WWAD - PaulP 21.08.15.

Beaumont Travel Books
33 Couthurst Road
BLACKHEATH  London  SE3 8TN   map
tel: 020 8293 4271
Travel, history & exploration.

 Add a comment

Beckham Books
Chilton Mount
Newton Road 
SUDBURY  Suffolk  CO10 2RS   map
tel: 01787 373 683  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
16000 books on shelves in a purpose-made bookstore and bindery. Specialists in theology, local history and leather bindings. We are not a shop but you are welcome to browse our stock if you are passing. Please call first in case I'm out for a walk with the dogs!

 Add a comment

Beltie Books and Cafe
6 Bank Street
WIGTOWN  Dumfries and Galloway  DG8 9HP   map
tel: 01988 402730  e-mail  web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00, Sunday & Holiday Mondays 12.00 - 4.00.
An eclectic selection of books with an increasing focus on local and Scottish interest and history rewards the careful browser.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsNamed after the distinctive local cattle, which sports a black coat with a white band in the middle, making it rather panda-ish. One room of interesting stock, with a Scottish emphasis, and a very nice cafe beyond.

Bennett & Kerr Books
Millhill Warehouse
Church Lane  Steventon 
ABINGDON  Oxfordshire  OX13 6SW   map
tel: 01235 820604  fax: 01235 821047  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 5.30, Saturday less regularly. Closed for lunch.
Rare & scholarly books on the history, art, architecture, literature, philosophy and religion of the Middle Ages and Renascence, including: Byzantine, Anglo-Saxon, Viking & Islamic worlds. Warehouse in a farmyard at the far end of this picturesque medieval village. Please ring for directions and availability.

 Add a comment

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.

Bijou Bookshop
Happy Days Vintage Homestore
Church Street 
COWBRIDGE  CF71 7BB   map
tel: 07877 109128  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
Bijou Books specialise in antique and vintage books that cover from classics to history to general interest. We have a range of Folio Society books from the 1950s to the modern day, as well as rare books that date to the early 1800s. We are bookworms and want to share our passion with the world. We are small (and bijou) but we have hopefully a lot to offer too.

 Add a comment

Birsay Books
Craiglands
Birsay 
ORKNEY  KW17 2ND   map
tel: 07508 717814  e-mail  web
Open: Thursday - Sunday 12.00 - 6,00.
Secondhand BookShop offering books on Orkney, Ornithology, Natural History, Science Fiction & Fantasy and other areas. Full opening hours and special events + correct map on Facebook. Main website www.ecrarebooks.co.uk

 Add a comment

Black Gull Books
70 Camden Lock Place
CAMDEN TOWN  London  NW1 8AF   map
tel: 020 7267 5005
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 6.00.
A large, fast changing stock including art, photography, film, history, philosophy, psychology, music, drama, fiction & mind body spirit.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide comments Despite the crowds of tourists at Camden still worth a look, about 50-50 arts and fiction. - Paintworks 08.07.10.
    Small shop area tucked away behind the restaurants along the canal. Some stock outside. - I Baillie 26.04.11.
    Difficult to find in the remotest courtyard of Camden Lock market, but well worth battling through the crowds. Strong on philosophy, psychology, mind/body/spirit, and a section headed 'Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll'. The arts stock is extensive and mostly high quality; I found an uncommon monograph on the surrealist painter Paul Delvaux: a bargain at less than a tenner. - Nicholas Sack 15.03.16.
    Two years after my last visit, Black Gull is still well worth a shufty, especially for arts and cinema, though photography stock is thin. Prices are surprisingly modest; at only a fiver, an unusual Arts Council catalogue of the painter Michael Andrews easily undercuts internet sellers. Another secondhand book seller has set up in the basement of Camden Stables Market, just a hundred yards to the north. - Nicholas Sack 28.03.18.

Black Gull Books
121 High Road
East Finchley 
FINCHLEY  London  N2 8AG   map
tel: 020 8444 4717
Open: 7 Days a week 9.30 - 7.00.
Books bought and sold. Remaindered, secondhand and antiquarian. Art, philosophy, psychology, history, fiction, film. Books of Irish Interest.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGreat stock changing regularly with a wide spread. - D Marcus.
    Book prices here were so outrageously high it was funny to check them. My usual £8-20 titles started at £180 and progressed higher. However, very good for Jewish historical matters and Yiddish books. If you can stand the owner's continual breast-beating then pop in for a glance. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
    We welcome any comment good or bad about our shop but we do take exception to remarks which are neither accurate nor from correspondents who may have an ulterior motive in damaging our good name. To point out the inaccuracies - we do not, alas, stock any Yiddish books, and our 'Jewish historical ' section is perhaps 4 or 5 books strong at any one time. As for the matter of pricing, the clue 'my usual 8-20 pound' range suggests a fellow bookseller attempting to muddy the waters by rather underhanded means. Any fair minded browser in the shop would quickly realize that our stock is overwhelmingly priced to sell at 3- 20 pounds with a strong antiquarian section that reflects prices as noted on the net. I realize that this email may add to my reputation as a 'breast-beater' but I can live with that, misinformation and maliciousness less so. - Chris Overfield, Black Gull Books 04.08.09.
    Can I add a comment on this bookshop as a regular if infrequent visitor with no vested interest? It is a traditional secondhand bookshop. Large varied stock of books in good condition and just like second hand bookshops used to be but neat and tidy. As the owner says the prices are not especially high (not cheap either but I suppose he has to make a living) and it is also true that there are not a significant number of Jewish books there. I wonder if Chris Harte (who usually seems to make very sensible comments) has mixed this bookshop up with Josephs Bookstore in the Finchley Road near the junction with the A406 which is very close to East Finchley and is mainly a Jewish bookstore and did seem awfully pricey when I went in once. (Come to think, you don?t list that ..) - Anthony Davis 07.09.09.(I have remedied this oversight today - TBG.
    So appalled at Chris Harte's review that I felt compelled to write a few words myself! I love this bookshop! interesting and fairly priced selection of books find it hard to visit without making a purchase. - George Drew 05.12.09.
    I think this is one of the best second-hand bookstores I've been to. Its fantastically curated, a great selection interestingly juxtaposed. I think these guys have figured out what a second-hand bookstore is for in the age of Amazon. India Cicolini 08.12.10.
    Having not been here for a year or two, been twice recently and found good stock at much better prices than I remembered previously - very much worth a visit. - M&O 14.04.12.
    "All books are individually priced" it claims; ironic, then, that the very first two I pulled off the shelf had no price in them. So I took them to the shop assistant who, no doubt after perusing ABE, Amazon, etc, came back and said "Oh, you happened to find two expensive books" which he had now priced accordingly. No one likes to be taken for a fool, so I promptly left the shop never to return. - Mandalay Bookshop 12.07.12.
    Everything a local second-hand bookshop should be and my favourite in London. Incredibly eclectic and regularly changing stock, typically in excellent condition, with collectible books priced very competitively. Particularly strong on Art and Irish. Really excellent. - Neil Goodlad 30.11.12.
    Having read through the previous comments Black Gull Books would certainly seem to divide opinion. I have been calling in when in the area for a few years now, so about time I added my comments I guess. Yes, no question the stock is wide ranging and good quality and yes, it is rather on the expensive side. Not sure I have ever bought anything here, but I have found good copies of books I would have had at half the price asked! But it does have very long opening hours unlike a certain bookshop a mile or so down the road, and I have always found the staff friendly and helpful. So, as long as you are not looking for a bargain certainly worth giving it a try. - Steve Newman 20.02.15.
    The high quality of stock makes a visit to Black Gull an uplifting experience. Probably the largest secondhand arts section in London, after Marcus Campbell. Many unusual and attractive titles at prices that might be a little above average. Physical stamina and agility are required to browse some shelves that are tricky to access. Highly recommended - as is the smaller Black Gull shop at Camden Lock. - Nicholas Sack 18.01.20.

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.

Book
17 Merrial Street
NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME  Staffordshire  ST5 2AE   map
tel: 01782 630201  e-mail
Open: 7 days 9.30 - 4.30.
Our stock is mainly second-hand but we do carry a number of new books. We have a good History. Military and Transport sections. All visitors from outside of our immediate area will be given Coffee or Tea.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsWorth a visit. Rather an 'old-fashioned' feel to it (same with the stall on Stafford market): plenty of rather scruffy - but quite interesting and even uncommon - titles. Parking nearby. - Andrew Bradley 18.07.14.
    Certainly wouldn't recommend this shop. Female till operator not very welcoming and in my opinion had a poor attitude and lacked customer care skills. Shall definitely NOT be going back!!!! - J H 18.01.20.

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.

Bookbarrow (Frank Edwards)
City Centre Market
Market Square 
CAMBRIDGE  Cambridgeshire  CB2 3QJ   map
tel: 01223 424 429
Open: Thursday 9.00 - 4.00.
Large general stock on market stall covering most subjects. Specialising in East Anglian Topography, Esoteric, Art, Natural History,Modern First Editions available at Bookfairs. Attending P.B.F.A. fairs in East Anglia & also the monthly bookfair in Long Melford, Suffolk.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGone are the days when one could pick up a treasure for a song but this always has a varied stock and adds tone to this agreeable market. - PaulP 30.03.12.
    Not cheap but a good varied stock and almost always worth a browse in all the category areas stocked. - Jon Morgan 06.08.14.

Bookcase
17-19 Castle Street
CARLISLE  Cumbria  CA3 8SY   map
tel: 01228 544560  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Large general stock and specifically books on Cumbria, literature and natural history. Probably the largest bookstore in the north, with over 30 rooms, 4 floors and 300,000 books in store.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA big shop spread throughout a large old building a few minutes walk from Carlisle city centre, towards the castle. From the science fiction & fantasy on the second floor to the children's section in the basement, this Victorian(?) building displays so much of its character that there are times when you actually forget about the books as you walk around, marvelling at their various staircases or stepping into the strong room in the depths of the basement. Yet don't let the building distract you from the book selection which is no let down either as it has very good coverage of most subjects. - Jeremy Briggs
    Finding this bookshop alone made the journey from East Anglia worthwhile. Fair prices with a quantity discount offered. A colossal, well organised stock. The hours just slipped past in this treasure trove of a bookshop. - Stuart Tucker 02.12.08.
    When I was young I was told that if I was good I would go to heaven. Now I'm old if I promise to try to be good can I go to Bookcase? This shop is the ultimate of its kind. How many books? 100,000? More? Certainly not less. All categories and tastes are catered for here. Young but knowledgable, understanding, polite and helpful staff. It is heaven. I know it is. - Chris Harte 15.02.10.
    Fantastic shop to browse in but weird prices make it hard to buy from. - PaulP 10.06.10.
    Chris Harte is right: this is Heaven. When money and time allows, I often make the trip from Edinburgh to Carlisle just to visit this shop. It's a fantatsic place to wander around with the books neatly displayed and easy to find. Also a good range of CDs. You will need a good few hours to do it justice. Only complaint is that it's a little pricey. Also check out a shop selling new books just along the street. Its owned by the same people and has many tempting remainders. - Ken Bogle 23.06.11.
    Spent many a happy half day here sheltering from the rain! Fantastic place to browse, well organised and although my wallet tells me they are a little on the pricey side I always come away with a box full. - Norman Davies 30.07.11.
    You need at least half a day to do this shop justice. Paradoxically I found little that I didn't already have. The staff are friendly, knowledgable and found things very quickly. There is a room for rarer, more valuable books. It is good to see a bookshop that is expanding when so many are closing. - CB 10.08.13.
    This is one of the best secondhand bookshops I have ever visited in this country and I have visited a great many over the years. It has an enormous stock and I came away with plenty in my field of history, politics, etc, but there's much else besides. I gathered from the owner that he intends to open a café in the building, which will make things even better. If you love books and you are anywhere in the north-west, go visit it. - Geoffrey Warner 21.11.13.
    Can only agree it is a paradise of books... But I'm conflicted - i really want to recommend it but prices range from ok-ish expensive (such as paperback novels) to ludicrous - common books two sometimes three times what I have paid elsewhere. But if there is something you really really want there is a good chance they'll have it. - Yossarian 04.12.13.
    It is easy to see why some buyers would love this outwardly impressive shop, as there are lots and lots of books spread throughout a large number of rooms, and I'm sure, going by previous reviews, that it is ticking the right boxes for many of its customers. However, the specific topics in which I'm interested were represented by a fairly bland, boring and over-priced selection (the sort of stuff that in many places appears on the bargain shelves), giving every indication that the interesting items had either long gone or were being hived off elsewhere (an all too frequent occurrence in these days of internet selling). Of course, this may not be the case with every subject, but despite the sheer volume of material I left without opening my wallet.
For those who collect CDs it is worth noting that there is an enormous selection here, but my children tell me that everyone wants vinyl these days. - Nicholas Pendower 18.07.14.
    Revisited. Still one of the biggest and best: I found stock in general had changed so WWAD. Bought pile of politics/general. Note expanding in May to include the new/remainder Bookcase shop from up the road + new cafe. - Norman Davies 29.04.16.
    Enjoyed a flying visit with two friends recently. Shop is certainly large enough to lose yourself in with four floors & over 100k books. I felt my SF specialism was equally underwhelming & overpriced but I still diligently made four purchases & the new rear café is rather nice. - Darania 27.08.16.
    Back at Carlisle after nearly 5 years. Found the large shop not quite as good as it used to be. Poor small room, on the 1st floor, for British travel items - very messy. Did buy another good Middleton Press railway item from the Transport room; for £10. - Chris K 25.05.17.
    This shop has a very extensive stock, ranging from its basement full of sheet music to its top floor full of theology, and in between most other subjects you could wish to find. The prices for items about Cumbria and related areas are exactly what any experienced browser would anticipate: you don't go to Carlisle in order to buy books about the Lake District unless you have a very friendly bank manager. The prices elsewhere tend to be high, as others before me have observed - increasingly of late. The point to make, perhaps, is that if this system works it makes available an excellent range and variety of books. But one does recognize a fair number of old friends on the shelves (last there 2013), so one does wonder about whether a lower average price might not do the trick more effectively. Of one thing there can be no doubt, however, and that's the quality of the tea room. First rate! - The Bookman 06.07.17.
    The cafe is wonderful - accessed down an alleyway at the side of the building or through the bookshop itself. If the weather is good then sit in the garden and contemplate your purchases - it would be hard not to come away with anything from here. Lots of time needed to peruse the four floors of books - plus a memory good enough to remember which rooms you've already looked through and a sat nav to find the exit! Prices are fair but not excessive. Room of new books next to the cafe. Plenty of fellow customers on a summer Saturday, those I spoke to had similar glowing comments about Bookcase. Came out with a small stack and could have bought more. A return visit is planned soon! - Graeme Rendall 09.08.18.
    Visited again yesterday after several years and it is definitely on the up with a smart basement cafe and incorporating new books in an attached shop. I have some sympathy with price criticisms (i.e. two vg copies of a h/b at £10 each, and then found another at £14) but it's the "luck of the draw". Recommended. - S+S 09.08.18.
    Why haven't I been to Carlisle and found this shop years ago - Chris Harte is quite right! The only problem is that one spends a lot of one's first visit working out what's where! Some prices a bit on the high side, perhaps. The cafe looked good but was standing room only when we visited. Certainly WAD! - Henry Middleton 15.10.18.

Bookease
Unit 3
High Street Shopping Centre  Lurgan 
CRAIGAVON  Co. Armagh  BT66 8AB   map
tel: 028 3832 1661
Open: Moday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00, closed Wednesday.
General secondhand books and particularly Irish history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsLarge stock in a tiny space. search long enough and you might find something unusual. When the owner sees what you like, he may be able to find you some more. - K Currie 18.03.15.

Bookfinders
47 University Road
BELFAST  BT7 1ND   map
tel: 02890 328269
Open: 10.00 - 5.00 Monday - Saturday.
Modern first editions, poetry, literature and history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAs its address suggests, this is close to the campus of Queen's University, Belfast, and is much frequented by students. As well as a small, but interesting, selection of secondhand books, it boasts a cafe which sells much better food than your run-of-the-mill Waterstone's/Border's, etc. and at a much lower cost! - Geoffrey Warner.
    Very civilised combination of a bookshop with a coffee shop. Haunt of well fed aesthetes! Good for academic texts and course books. Mary Denvir also keeps a good Irish section and excellent literary books. - Aidan O'loan.

BookLovers of Bath
Fact or Fable
12 Bath Road 
PEASEDOWN ST JOHN  Somerset  BA2 8DH   map
tel: 01761 437866  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Friday 2.00 - 5.00, Saturday 9.30 - 1.00.
The bookshop houses around 3,000 carefully selected books: Transport; Military; History; Cookery; Arts; Modern Firsts. The internet stock is held separately but may be brought out for inspection with a little notice. Books always sought.

 Add a comment

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.

Bookmarks
1 Bloomsbury Street
BLOOMSBURY  London  WC1B 3QE   map
tel: 020 7637 1848  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 7.00.
Our range of books covers politics, economics, trade unionism, labour history, the environment, black struggle, women, culture, fiction, radical kid's books and much more. New and secondhand.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI have walked past for years and occasionally browsed the £1.00 baskets outside but never been in. Today I bought something and found a fair few shelves of secondhand stock inside. Much was left wing / radical / political / historical stuff, but also general stock, not huge, but interesting nevertheless. - Jon Morgan 15.05.17.
    A surprisingly interesting shop. A very varied selection of books both new and secondhand. I saw titles I knew nothing about regarding culture, poverty, trade unions and biographies of left-thinking people. This is not a shop for Tory voters. - Chris Harte 03.06.17.
    They seem to have recovered from their vile attack / assault by the UKIP / Tory / Hooray Henry / Brownshirts and the second hand section is still good for a browse for those interested in British Social History. - Jonathan Morgan 15.09.18

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.

Books For All
23a Commercial Street
HARROGATE  North Yorkshire  HG1 1UB   map
tel: 01423 561982
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00.
General stock and children's and illustrated, history and transport.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsOn the outskirts of the main shopping area, from the street and even on entering this appears to be a tiny shop albeit stocked to the ceiling with bookcases. However away from the Police Box like ground floor, up the steep narrow stairs and you enter a virtual Tardis of books stretching over two rooms, including quite a selection of Doctor Who titles. Mainly books with some LPs at the far end, their selection of children's books is impressive, but should not distract from the sheer number of books on most subjects. - Jeremy Briggs. 05.11.07.
    Excellent ? good stock, sensible prices.- Geoff Hatherick 22.07.08.
    A fantastic shop, great selection of children books and very reasonable prices. Horror selection is good and reasonble prices as well. - Sara Pannel 09.10.8.
    A good old-fashioned shop! Extensive stocks, floor to ceiling (ladder provided for those hard-to-reach items) and reasonably priced. - Daedalus 29.07.09.
    Good bookshop. Plenty of stock. Usually come out with something! Good sections particularly on art and children's books. Also the shop is open when it's supposed to be!! - J.S. 15.02.10.
    Excellent shop, some gems to be found at reasonable prices. - Ernest LeClerc 24.02.10.
    A very well stocked and reasonably priced shop with a good regular turnover, so well worth the occasional return visit. - Nicholas Pendower 27.04.10.
    Now the only proper shop left in Harrogate - always bargains to be found, brilliant biog section, great turnover - sign of a great shop. - Paul P 11.05.10.
    First visit. Quality stock, very pleasant owner and amazingly reasonable prices. Came away with two large bags of goodies and a generous discount. I'd started to think this kind of shop now only existed in books.- Book Buyer 16.09.14.
    Can only reiterate what others have said. Excellent shop with good prices and good stock. Well worth a visit. Bought two bagfuls. - David - 25.05.17.
    Can only but agree with all of the previous comments. A lovely bookshop; a most pleasant owner and prices so low one can only wonder how she makes a profit. The shelves were crammed with good interesting titles, many being unusual. Most certainly worth a visit. - Chris Harte 03.09.19.

Books Revisited (Charity Bookshop)
110 High Street
Coleshill 
BIRMINGHAM  West Midlands  B46 3BL   map
tel: 01675 464 853  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00.
Fiction, children's, sport, travel, art, history, auto/biography, gardening, cookery, literature, CDs + DVDs, foreign language, humour, music, entertainment and some antiquarian and collectables. We probably have close to 25,000 books and are able to check stock rooms upon request. A charity Bookshop with 4 rooms on a small High Street. We are located in an old building with a lot of character and all proceeds go to the Mary Ann Evans Hospice, a local charity.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsVisited Saturday afternoon after finding free 1hr parking in a side street. The front room is well stocked with popular paperbacks, the back room downstairs is filled with children's books. Upstairs the back room is music, Vinyl, CD's & DVD's. The 2 front rooms upstairs are non fiction and hold some magazines. I came away empty handed as I found the WWII, Military History, naval/maritime sections poorly stocked. I certainly don't feel they hold as much as the advertised 25,000 books as it took me only 5-10 mins to look over this charity shops holdings. - Laurence Batchelor 22.03.14.
    A gem of a town with free parking nearby. I was a little late and had little time to browse. There was a good selection of modern hard back and paperback fiction. The staff were very courteous but were shutting up shop and assured me that there was little space to display in the premises but the stores were extensive. Worth going early and worming ones way in there.This place is a short drive from Astley and a wander around the small but interesting town is highly recommended. Fantastic old buildings and so close to Birmingham. - Jon Morgan 07.10.14.
    A return visit after 4 years and pleasantly this high street charity shop has become enlarged. Stock is spread in 2 rooms downstairs - popular fiction and Children's and then with 3 rooms upstairs containing music, non-fiction and magazines etc. Pricing was very reasonable and every main area of interest seemed catered for. Came away with a bag load. Free parking in Morrison's for 2 hours a short walk away. - Laurence Batchelor 30.08.18.
    Ditto for me, back after 4 years and if anything it is even better. Good general stock, Excellent military! (females serving in RAF section - sorry, I emptied it !). I was allowed into the back store too (Next time upstairs!!!) and scored a few more ! Worthy of the Driff accolade WAD! - Jonathan Morgan 15.09.18.

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.

Bosco Books
The Old Hall Bookshop
Chapel Court  Shutta Road 
EAST LOOE  Cornwall  PL13 1BJ   map
tel: 01503 263700  web
Open: Owners only open on occasion as they are âretiredâ.
Large general stock and local, military, natural and nautical history. Also prints, maps and original paintings.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGood general stock and fair prices. - Pondcott 30.03.11.
    Worth a detour and, while in Looe, check out the TocH secondhand room near the main car-park: a true Driff Special of charity shops. - Steven 05.11.11.
    Well worth a visit. Great stock & prices. Friendly & helpful owner. - Dick Leaper 30.08.18.
    Not open on a Thursday morning visit after a hike up a steep narrow hill. - Chris Harte 26.04.19.

Brame Books
Unit 4, The Old Bank
2 Silver Street 
HALIFAX  West Yorkshire  HX1 1HS   map
web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Local history, classic & modern fiction, poetry, art, architecture, military, children's, sport, craft, rail, transport, etc etc.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA large room in the Old Bank Halifax with a general stock. - Chris Browning 25.03.19.
    Not open at 1pm on a Friday. Note on door saying back later in the afternoon. They might have been: I wasn't. - Lost Club 13.06.19.

Brecon Books
10-12 Lion Yard
BRECON  LD37BA   map
tel: 01874 620086  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
An ever-changing stock, covering all subjects. welsh interest, military history, art, fiction, children's, natural history, history, theology, transport. Books purchased, clearances undertaken, libraries purchased.

 Add a comment

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.

Brian P. Martin Antiquarian and Collectors' Books
Christique
11 West Street 
DORKING  Surrey  RH4 1BL   map
tel: 01428 682567 or 07773112101  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
A large stock of good quality books on many subjects, including Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, London and other topography, naval & military, sports, fine bindings, poetry, literature, children's, history and much much more. Christique has an excellent cafe and nearby parking.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsProbably around 1,500 books. The categories highlighted by the owner appear to be represented but there are not necessarily many in each category. - Steve 31.10.12.
    Went today and was most disappointed. Basically this is an Antiques shop with a few shelves of books. - Ian P 19.05.15.

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.

Broadleaf Books
16 Monk Street
ABERGAVENNY  Monmouthshire  NP7 5NP   map
tel: 01873 857127  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Good selection of local history, natural history and just plain history. Photography, architecture and art along with cooking and gardening as well as much more. Always welcome to visit in this historic market town. Books are bought as well as sold.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsBroadleaf traded for over five years in Blaenafon and has now moved to Abergavenny. - TBG 23.06.09.
    I was completely surprised today in Abergavenny to find a fantastic cookery section filled with classics, ethnographic cookbooks, food histories, natural and wild food, foraging - basically, so many gorgeous, interesting and well-priced books I had never seen. I could not resist buying three books, and wanted many more. I also left with a title in mind to look up on Amazon, and I told the proprietor this, and she so kindly found the best on-line price for me and matched it, so I bought a fourth one. AND she was really nice to my children who were embarrassingly misbehaved. - Annie Levy 17.08.10.
    Finally found it. Superb shop with good quality books, extensive collections including for me Wales, Art and Biography. Great proprietor. Well worth a detour. - Norman Davies 08.05.12.
    A bookshop as bookshops should be (with that classic book scent that can't be found anywhere else). One to lose yourself in and stumble upon something unexpected but wonderful, as has happened to me many times. Covering fact and fiction, new and old, and always a pleasure to venture into. - Linus Harrison 18.07.12.
    A particularly good bookshop. Excellent stock at reasonable prices and attractively laid out. Parking nearby. Well worth a detour. - The Drifter 14.08.13.
    As stated above, a charming lady owner who was only too willing to help me find books of my interests. A good local and regional section behind the front door otherwise a nice place for just browsing and finding the odd treasure. - Chris Harte 28.08.13.
    What a knockout. 9/10. - The Boxer 26.09.13.
    Over five years since my last report and I really enjoyed my time in the shop. Plenty of chatter but also space to check the holdings which were perfectly categorised. - Chris Harte 23.11.18.

Bryars and Bryars
7 Cecil Court
CHARING CROSS  London  WC2N 4EZ   map
tel: 020 7836 1910  e-mail  web
Open: Monday-Saturday 11.00 - 6.00.
Rare and antiquarian books, maps and prints. Specialising in early printing, classical texts and translations, atlases and books with maps, early maps of all regions, illustrated travels, and antique topographical and natural history prints.

 Add a comment

By The Book
201 King Street
Castle Douglas  Kirkcudbrightshire  DG7 1DT   map
tel: 01556 503338  e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 5.00.
General stock, small but friendly.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsNot that small, Two fair sized rooms at top of High Street opposite the tower. Very nice shop in a wonderful High Street, also very friendly and helpful. - PaulP 18.06.13.
    Postcode should be DG7 1DT. Otherwise you end up several miles away on a country lane by Haugh of Urr! - Francis Marsden 02.07.14.
    Thank you, changed now. TGB 02.07.14.
    Interesting shop, almost two shops in one. The front two rooms are well laid out with clean and attractive general stock, while the rear room allows one to indulge one's desire to rummage for a bargain. There appears to be no classification and there are gems to be found, but sadly these books are just as expensive as those in the front rooms. Exceptionally so for the area. Avoided going away empty-handed by buying a slim paperback on dovecotes of the mid-Pyrenees, my most exotic purchase for quite a while. - TravellingLibrary 27.06.15.Three small rooms of fairly standard stock with anything approaching collectable priced optimistically and seemingly without regard to condition. - Mark V 08.08.15.

C. Arden Bookseller
The Flat
Cranbourne House  The Pavement 
HAY-ON-WYE  Powys  HR3 5BU   map
e-mail  web
Open: By appointment
Visits by appointment and postal orders. New, secondhand and antiquarian books on natural history, the New Naturalist series, gardening, botany, entomology, ornithology and beekeeping. Catalogues issued. We are always interested in buying large or small collections of books in our specialist subjects.

 Add a comment

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.

Carningli Centre
East Street
NEWPORT  Pembrokeshire  SA42 0SY   map
tel: 01239 820724  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
About 10,000 books on many subjects including Wales/Cymraeg, natural history, railways, art and crafts, cookery, Penguins, science, poetry, plays etc, etc. On the main A487 (between Cardigan & Fishguard) in the centre of Newport. Free car park in Long St.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsFrontage on main road gives no indication of what is quite a treasure-trove reaching down through rooms full to the brim of interesting titles. Muddled, musty and somewhat eccentric but worth a stop if you are passing. Junk room a must for railway buffs. - Chris Harte 03.09.09.
    This is an antique centre dominated by old railway signs so inevitably it is good for railway enthusiasts with a good collection of well priced books on railways. Not sure the rest of the stock is very interesting but some good local books. - Norman Davies 30.07.11.
    Revisited and same comments - paradise for a railway enthusiast, also worth a look for other s/h books, extensive local and fiction collection. - Norman Davies 27.01.15.
    A highly enjoyable shop with more than just railway memorabilia - a lot of interesting things to see plus a wide selection of books. Well worth a visit. - Nick Harris 05.12.15.

Chevin Books
Bay Horse Court
OTLEY  West Yorkshire  LS21 1SP   map
tel: 01943 466599
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Stock includes art, history, literature, military, sport and topography.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsNever seem to have in stock any books of my wide interests. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
    Small pleasant bookshop, and, interestingly, usually has the books I'm looking for. - Don Vine 20.12.10.
    Good selection. Hard to beat on price too. - Jon Davis 28.08.12.
    Good selection and fair prices. Pleasant and helpful staff. I rarely leave without a purchase, and never regret it. - Twizzle 10.01.13.
    Visited this shop today, bought 2 books and intend to go back. This is a serious 2nd hand bookshop with mostly hardback books. Reasonable prices too. I spoke with a member of staff who was not only very friendly and helpful but clearly bookish and knowledgable. - Nick 18.05.18.
     Over ten years since my last report and since then a change of address. The shop had a lot of potential but the boxes piled high made viewing very difficult. A spring clean is very much in order. However, the owner was a most pleasant fellow who seemed baffled as how to cope with such a large stock in a small building. - Chris Harte 03.09.19.

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.

Clarendon Books
144 Clarendon Park Road
LEICESTER  Leicestershire  LE2 3AE   map
tel: 0116 270 1856  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
Antiquarian books bought and sold, with the emphasis on history, local history and the arts. Easy Parking.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsDecent collection of literature to browse through here (3/4 cases), although not recommended for claustrophobics. Prices rarely exceed £2.50, so probably the best value of the Leicester shops. - Nick Campsall 04.11.08.
    Without a doubt the best stocked and most knowledgeable of the Leicester Bookshops. A great selection from paperback classics to the more scare and antiquarian. - J Jobson 27.10.12.
    Very tight and with my eyesight (even wearing glasses) I could not get far enough away from the shelves to see properly and the lower ones needed someone who was good on press-ups (not me) I got all un-necessary when I spotted a really good selection of Asterix Bandes Dessinees in French and opening the first one it was £2.00. Unfortunately the others were £5.95 each. Ho-Hum!!! Good military and WW1/WW2 sections. One corridor I could not get down because of books piled on the floor. - Jon Morgan 06.03.13.
    A proper second hand book shop. Most subject areas covered. Prices are very reasonable. I thought I would struggle to find anything in my areas of interest but bought a big bag of books in the end. Knowledgeable and friendly owner. - Loyola 05.11.16.
    An excellent bookshop and probably the best in Leicester itself, but I found parking nearby hard to come by on a Tuesday and had to park several streets away in a terraced road. The shop itself is jammed packed to the rafters with books, so many that most shelves have books pushed in on top of the ones you can see the spines of making browsing a bit risky of starting collapses and avalanches. All subject matters seem well catered for and in my military area, I came away with 3. The owner also is a PBFA member and runs the local book fair in Uppingham Rutland and displays in York and London amongst others. He mentioned he needs a bigger shop as has 5k books yet uncatalogued and no space to display them. - Laurence Batchelor 25.09.18.
    Serious, erudite bookdealer with an adventure of a shop with extensive stock in tight space, Lots of Folio Society etc in window and owner nesting behind it posting parcels worldwide. located opposite the library and just round the corner from 2 excellent charity bookshops. - Glen Kinch 06.05.19.

Clevedon Community Bookshop
27-29 Copse Road
CLEVEDON  Somerset  BS21 7QN   map
tel: 01275 218318  e-mail  web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.00 Summer, 10.00 - 4.00 Winter.
Secondhand books, a general stock of 8,000 books in the shop plus another 10,000 in our book store. We also sell online through AbeBooks, Amazon and Biblio.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsWhat a joy to deal with the lovely volunteers who run this shop. All pre-visit queries were answered by phone and email which meant the titles I was wanting were ready for inspection (and purchase) on arrival. Four ground floor rooms over two shops, beautifully kept; properly categorised and the taunting news that another 10,000 titles were in store waiting to fill holes in the shelves. Hot drinks supplied gratis and conversation of the highest order. Do please put this shop on your visiting list. - Chris Harte 19.01.13.
    Good stock, helpful staff and reasonable prices. Worth a visit. - Steve Brissle 01.05.13.
    Agree well organised good selection. Worth a look, just a little ABE-ish prices on older books. Note: park by pier and walk up signposted footpath. - Norman Davies 28.02.15.
    Excellent little shop. Came away with a bagful one of which was reduced by the staff when we expressed interest in it but thought it too expensive. Will definitely visit again. - David 29.09.17.
    I made the financial mistake of introducing my wife to this excellent shop. She was thrilled with what she found and obtained nearly two dozen titles. My purchases only just reached double figures. However, a revisit here is scheduled for six weeks time. WWAD. - Chris 23.10.17.
    I'm more than happy to second the praise of other customers of this shop after visiting it recently. The range of books for sale is considerable: everything from academic texts to children's books, via poetry, biographies, novels (classical and modern) - all clearly displayed and reasonably priced. I even noticed a shelf full of Pelican books, many of which are out of print. - Geoffrey Warner 13.11.17.
    Forced to return by my wife who came away with two boxes of kiddies books for the grandchildren. I only managed seven titles but didn't complain as I got change from a £20 note. - Chris Harte 09.04.19.
    Excellent: well-organised, well-stocked, reasonably-priced, in a pleasant and charming seaside town. - Mark V 21.08.19.

Clewlow Books of Whitby
The Brunswick Rooms
Brunswick Street 
WHITBY  North Yorkshire  YO21 3AJ   map
tel: 0781 010 6952  e-mail
Open: Saturday 11.00 - 4.30.
Substantial stock of antiquarian, collectable & better secondhand books. Also printed collectables, vintage magazines etc. The trade usually find me a worthwhile call. Housed in superb grade 2* listed arts & crafts building.

 Add a comment

Clock Tower Books
Carlton House
The Pavement 
HAY-ON-WYE  Powys  HR3 5BU   map
tel: 01497 821610  e-mail
Open:  7 days in summer 10.30 - 5.00, winter closed Monday and all days at 4.30.
General stock with specialists in military, history, craft, railways, modern firsts and affordable children's books in particular. Also an extensive choice of CDs and LPs from Tangled Parrot and a good selection of collectable stamps, maps etc. Several expert dealers in one shop. Dealer units available at the time of listing, please enquire by e-mail.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA little gem! Particularly good for my interests in medieval history, military history and books on Wales - all at very reasonable prices. Delighted with what I bought. Friendly, knowledgeable & helpful chap running the shop, which is new and expanding. Well worth a visit. - Isaac 14.02.15.
    I agree with Isaac, great little shop very good selection of Military books. I came away with several books and two CD's! - Peter Williams 07.03.15.
    "A Little Gem" is exactly right. A splendid selection of varying titles from different dealers. My interests were well catered for but it was the quality of the books which really caught my eye. The owner knew the book trade well and it was a pleasure hearing his knowledgeable thoughts. - Chris Harte 25.05.17.
    This shop has relocated to near the covered market area - (First time I have been to Hay mid week and it has quite a nice market - albeit a little top heavy with curios and antiques). 5 Market Street, Hay on Wye, HR3 5AF 07968133019 ; email ; get2books@btinternet.com. A good general stock in quirky building with a very knowledgeable owner, interested and interesting, as well as passionate about his trade and stock. This is what Hay used to be. He was telling me that a new bookshop is opening diagonally opposite which is good news given the number that have vanished of the last half decade or so. This one is worth visiting. My experience chimes exactly with Chris Harte et al. - Jonathan Morgan 15.09.18.

Coch-y-Bonddu Books
Papyrus
Pentrehedyn Street 
MACHYNLLETH  Powys  SY20 8DJ   map
tel: 01654 702837  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Very large stock of second-hand books on fishing & field-sports, countryside & natural history. 7000 sporting books listed on website. Also new books. Machynlleth also has the Dyfi Valley Bookshop in Doll Street

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis is probably the best place (other than private dealers) that I have come across for hunting and field sports books. The quality on the shelves was quite remarkable. Not only that but the Welsh section was, I was told by my Welsh speaking wife, worthy of considerable perusal. What I also liked was the knowledge displayed by the most helpful young man who was filing some new titles. I was also given a copy of their latest catalogue: it was top rate. - Chris Harte 09.05.11.
    Emphatically endorse Mr Harte's comments above: the quality and quantity of the books falling into the specialist categories catered for here have to be seen to be believed. Three rooms stuffed full of simply amazing titles. - Graeme Rendall 22.10.15.

College Street Books
15 College Street
AMMANFORD  Carmarthenshire  SA18 3AB   map
tel: 01269 592140  e-mail
Open: Monday & Saturday 9.30 - 1.00, Tuesday - Friday 9.30 - 5.00.
New and secondhand books, about 50/50. Particularly Welsh interest, maps and walking, history, warfare, art, mythology, poetry, literature, and children's books in Welsh & English.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAlthough the name suggests otherwise the entrance to this pleasant shop is from an arcade which runs parallel to the main window. Strong on Welsh subjects and a very good selection of books on mining. Although there are new books as well it is worth a visit if you are passing. - Chris Harte 11.07.13.
    Over five years since my last report and the shop is still very strong on new and second-hand Welsh titles. Also the shelves held many books on mining; poetry; military and show-business. Still worth looking in. - Chris Harte 24.03.19.

Collinge and Clark
13 Leigh Street
BLOOMSBURY  London  WC1H 9EW   map
tel: 020 7387 7105  web
Open: Monday - Friday 11.00 - 6.30.
Private press, typography, British history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI work nearby and regularly pop along to browse the boxes outside the shop. Never browsed inside, but the boxes outside are an eclectic mix, have bought some real gems. Some of this stock is heavily reduced (having previously been on the shelves inside) and more often than not I pick up a book or two. - M&O 14.04.12.

Colne Bookshop Wivenhoe
51 High Street
WIVENHOE  Essex  CO7 9AZ   map
tel: 79619 93892  e-mail  web
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Fiction, history, philosophies, society, children's, food and drink,poets, playwrights, art, photography, flora fauna, travel, music. Wivenhoe's only second hand bookshop.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide comments Small but excellent secondhand bookshop situated a few miles outside of Colchester that caters to a wide range of tastes. Have picked up some wonderfully unusual titles here on my visits, no doubt due to the shop owner's discerning tastes but also from Wivenhoe being a hotbed of creativity (not far from the University of Essex, strong arts and live music scene etc). Books are fairly priced and payment by card is accepted. Main shop is one room on ground floor but there is also another ground floor annex accessible from outside with even more diverse titles - I'd already spent an hour browsing the main room before glancing in here on borrowed time. Highly recommended! - John 23.10.17.

Cornish Bookworm
Foundry Shopping Village (formerly Pratt's Market)
Chapel Terrace  Foundry Square 
HAYLE  Cornwall  TR27 4AB   map
tel: 07729 759 315  e-mail
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 11.00 - 4.00.
Wide range of Cornish Books including family history, archaeology, mining, marine, antiquity, literature and local history. Leather books and fine bindings bought and sought. Please note times may vary. Please feel free to telephone to check opening times especially if travelling.

 Add a comment

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.

Deeside Books
18-20 Bridge Street
BALLATER  Aberdeenshire  AB35 5QP   map
tel: 013397 54080
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
General stock with emphasis on local history, Scottish, military, fishing and field sports, transport, travel and topography. Stock of approx 10,000 varying from paperbacks to collector's items along with some remainders. Located on main A93 Aberdeen to Braemar road. In centre of Village.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAn excellent shop. Extensive non-fiction holdings, and some antiquarian material, in general at very reasonable prices. Also stocks interesting Scottish remainders. Well worth a visit. - Second Nature 16.08.11.
    A tidy bookshop with a wide-ranging general stock, including strong Scottish history and topography sections (as one would expect). Interestingly, a varied Africa selection as well. - S+S 09.08.18.

Deja-Vu Antiques and Books
31 Fore Street
LOSTWITHIEL  Cornwall  PL22 0BN   map
tel: 01208 873912
Open: Monday - Saturday: 10.30ish - 5.00-ish.
An antiques shop with a carefully selected stock of some 2,000 books. Subjects include: local history and Cornish topography, art, antiques, cookery, and some fiction.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsNot a bad selection of books at all and if one added together all the books in all the antique shops in town it is worth a visit - and the main car park is free. - Steven Whitehead 04.08.12.

Didsbury Village Bookshop
(Adjoining Art of Tea Cafe)
47 Barlow Moor Road  Didsbury 
MANCHESTER  Gt. Manchester  M20 6TW   map
tel: 0845 521 3879  e-mail  web
Open: 7 days 10.00. - 10.00.
Best, quality used-bookshop in Manchester. Surprisingly large, adjoining relaxed cafe. Best in history, fiction, philosophy, art, children's, poetry, languages, music, mysteries. Run by retired poly sci lecturer who loves good talk. Fair prices, few rare books, no junk.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsVeni, vidi, nil vendi. I came, I saw, no sale. Sorry but while I liked the shop and the chaos, I was not impressed with the prices. £3.00 for an average paperback is excessive, when most other secondhand bookshops and almost all charity shops sell them for around half that or less. I hope they can survive with the present pricing but sadly I doubt it. - The Wanderer 26.07.13.
    I disagree with the last comment, I found the prices to be fair and bought 3 books at what was a good price, the owner is very helpful and the carrot cake is super! - Geoff Martin 14.06.14.
    I agree with the first comment re pricing but must point out this is well worth a visit for the superb cafe and the range and number of books even if you don't come away with a boxfull. - Norman Davies 05.02.15.
    On the one hand, lots here, from pulp sci-fi to Folios and First Editions. On the other, cluttered and messy, with books strewn on the floor, paperbacks often grubby and over-priced, sometimes twice the price in an average charity shop. Worth a visit, definitely, but those prices may put you off. - Archy 14.07.16.
    Friendly owner, relaxed atmosphere but I agree that books prices are steep: eg, books worth £8 are £10-12. Came away with one book. - Johanken 26.04.18.

Double-B-Books
Gillards Warehouse Trident Works
Marsh Lane  
TEMPLE CLOUD  Somerset  BS39 5AZ   map
tel: 01761 451365  e-mail  web
Open: Appointment only Monday - Friday 8.00 - 4.00.
Antiquarian, art, Folio Society, history, private press. For an idea of the sort of stock we carry why not visit our website.

 Add a comment

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.

Dylans Mobile Bookstore
Everywhere
See web link for details 
SWANSEA  West Glamorgan 
tel: 01792 655655 / 07850 759199  web
Open: See web link for details
Dylans Mobile Bookstore will feed your need to read. We travel to festivals, markets & cultural events with our wonderful Words on Wheels experience. We sell books on Art, Poetry, Literature, History & Travel. Specialising in Wales & Dylan Thomas.

 Add a comment

Eastgate Bookshop
11 Eastgate
BEVERLEY  East Yorkshire  HU17 0DR   map
tel: 01482 868579
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00 or by appointment.
General stock, local history and the Far East.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsWe visited last month and he is closing down , retiring. Hardly any stock left now. - Astrid Mackellar 17.05.12.
    Closed on the Saturday AM ,16th June when the town had a PBFA fair in addition to a weekend folk festival. Chris K 18.06.12.

Fireside Bookshop
1 The Arcade
 High Street 
LITTLEHAMPTON  West Sussex  BN17 5AB   map
tel: 0)1903 721985  e-mail  web
Open: Monday & Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.00.
General stock of antiquarian, academic and secondhand books, but particularly history and the sciences. Recently relocated after 25 years in the Lake District.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI have always looked forward to my visits to Fireside Bookshop in Windermere over the years, and was delighted to track down its new incarnation in Littlehampton. Bigger and better than ever, the shop occupies bright and spacious high-ceilinged rooms in an historic arcade. Stock is of the high quality that we have come to expect, strongest in the Humanities and presented with charm and wit. Indeed, the extra space has enabled the owners to give fuller expression to their personal pleasure in books and the arts, with the upper walls and bookcase tops used as a gallery for posters, paintings and quirky objects. Sheer delight! I look forward to many more visits and to seeing how the new emporium develops. - TravellingLibrary 10.08.15.
    Attractive shop, friendly and obviously knowledgeable proprietors, good stock, fair prices: certainly WAD if you are in those parts. I hope they can make a go of it; I wouldn't have thought that Littlehampton had the same pulling power for visitors as the Lakes! - Laurence Purcell 13.02.16.
    Well worth a detour: convenient location; friendly proprietor; extensive, varied and interesting stock well laid out, strong on history & philosophy & women writers; reasonable prices. - Richard Powell 16.01.17.
    Always a pleasure; owner invariably friendly and helpful; the place just feels pleasant to be in. Never fail to leave without three or four books on my visits - this time very pleased with a couple of relatively hard to find William Carlos Williams's; a good poetry section. You get the feeling that thought has gone into whats put out on the shelves - even some interesting stuff in the £1 shelves outside in the arcade. WWAD. - Yossarian 10.03.17.

First Editions
7 Pembroke Lane
(off Waterloo Road) 
DUBLIN 4  Co. Dublin 
tel: + 353 (0)1 6675973  e-mail  web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 12.00 - 6.00.
First editions by Irish and international authors, antiquarian books, childrens books, biography, history and poetry.

 Add a comment

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.

 Add a comment

Focus on the Past Antique Centre
25 Waterloo Street
Clifton 
BRISTOL  BS8 4BT   map
tel: 0117 973 8080
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00.
From 30th September 2016 I will be moving out of Focus on the Past as I am moving to Cornwall. Another dealer will carry on with the selection of Bristol books. I would like to say thank you to all my lovely regular customers. I have enjoyed meeting you and will be sad to leave. I am now looking for outlets in the Penzance/St Ives area. Best wishes from Margaret Anglim.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAlways worth a good rummage. Some good books can be found and approachable owner. - SteveBrissle 03.03.14.
    A good number of reasonably priced books both on the ground floor and down the stairs. Particularly strong on local history. Aisle's quite tight which makes browsing difficult when busy. Recommended- well worth a detour. Just across the road from the books at Rainbow Cafe. Free parking nearby. - The Drifter 19.04.14.
    There is a fairly good selection of books in the basement of this antiques centre. However, if they were stacked properly and the view of the shelves not obstructed by clutter then some decent titles can be found. Recommend taking a torch as lighting is poor. - Chris Harte 15.11.14.
     buy books here on a regular basis and the main stock is in a section on the ground floor not the basement! Great for local history and 1930s to 50s illustrated if you are into vintage. Rarer books in a cabinet. This is an antique centre not a general book store but books in good condition and not over-priced. Well worth a visit. - Mo H 19.11.14.
    Always worth a visit. Small quantity but some good quality books at very reasonable prices. Recommended. - SteveBrissle 22.12.14.
    This is an odd one, a crammed antique centre. Upstairs a small selection but I always seem to buy something so worth a look if in Bristol. Downstairs I have twice given up trying to shift boxes, prints and piles of books to get at what may be some decent stuff on the shelves. As the Boxer would say, I need to be fitter to do book removals! - Norman Davies 09.01.15.
    Highly recommended selection of collectable and realistically priced books on the ground floor of the Antiques Centre. I visit regularly and have picked up some real bargains over the years. There are further books in the basement. Just across the road are books at the Rainbow Cafe. Well worth a detour. Parking nearby. - The Drifter 14.02.15.
    My last two visits have resulted in some good purchases being made at reasonable prices. Lots of local books, mostly in good condition. One of the more interesting established shops in Clifton Village. - SteveBrissle 07.04.16.Very cramped and not much stock re books. Plenty of rugs though. - David 29.09.17.
    Sadly now no books upstairs except a few antique centre type ones. Downstairs can now get at the books but they appear the same as were there on the last visit some time ago. No longer worth it for a book buyer or lover. - Norman Davies 31.05.18.

Foyle Books
12 Magazine Street
DERRY  Co. Londonderry  BT48 6HH   map
tel: 028 7137 2530  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.00.
Large general stock including Irish & French literature, theology and local history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGreat little bookshop in a lovely location. Wide selection of books available. Specialises in Irish history and books about Derry/Donegal. - Bessie 07.10.14.
    Without question the best second-hand bookshop in Northern Ireland. There was so much to see and check that the parking meter for the car had to be fed twice. A very knowlegdeable owner who knew his stock and we eventually left with a box full of previously unknown titles. Very well categorised and strong on all aspects of Northern Irish life. I was even allowed to look at unpriced new stock which had some quality books stacked in piles. A return visit is guaranteed. WWAD. - Chris Harte 19.10.16.
    A proper second hand bookshop. Good stock, well presented and reasonably priced. - Loyola 13.04.17.

G David Bookseller
16 St. Edward's Passage
CAMBRIDGE  Cambridgeshire  CB2 3PJ   map
tel: 01223 354619
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
Secondhand and antiquarian books, particularly literature, illustrated, children's, natural history and fine bindings.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis shop has for long been my delight. Run by several cheery, helpful fellows with a superb range of remainders covering all possible subjects. And an antiquarian section that almost always meets my needs.A bulging carrier bag departure guaranteed! - Mike Cooper 11.12.08.
    Wonderful, proper old bookshop. Great range of books, amazingly bargains known. Antiquarian section is delicious to browse in safe in the knowledge that you won't be able to afford anything, yet just occasionally...bargains known. - PaulP 30.03.12.
    All the above may be true but this shop is mostly (occasionally interesting) remainders and not cheap either. Worth patronising as Cambridge has almost no decent second hand bookshops left. - Jon Morgan 06.03.13.
    Along a pedestrian alley just to the west of the market place. Opens early at 9 AM 6-days a week. and they hoover the floor regularly. Lots of quality remainders first greet you then you can pop downstairs or go to the large second hand and antiquarian room. Extra stock along the floor sorted so that the spine titles can be easily viewed. Bought one very good local history book; could have bought many more. - Chris K 10.09.14.
    Highly recommended. Open early, friendly welcome and plenty of interesting remainders and antiquarian stock to consider. I thought prices were very reasonable. Left with good number of books and days later I phoned for further copies. This proved easy to arrange as well. - Jack T 28.02.15.
    Excellent, deceptively large bookshop hidden away from the main streets. As wide a budget range as you could wish for: everything from remaindered titles to seriously antiquarian items. WWAD. - Steven Kelly 26.01.16.
    Always incomparable! - The Bookman 16.07.16.
    An excellent shop with something for everyone. Well presented stock and knowledgeable, friendly staff. The antiquarian section is extensive but also has a small selection of quality modern firsts at very fair prices. - Loyola 13.04.17.
    Old school bookshop complete with cheap shelf outside. Arguably as many remainders as there are genuine secondhand which is not a problem in my book. - Steven 26.06.19.
    Excellent stock and with very reasonable prices. Much of it comprises remaindered books but they are of high quality. Very friendly staff. A pleasure to visit. - Michael Ross 03.01.20.

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.

G. & J. Chesters
Unit 4, Pooley Hall Farm Buildings
Pooley Lane  Polesworth 
TAMWORTH  Staffordshire  B78 1HW   map
tel: 01827 894743  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
Large stock of antiquarian, scholarly and enthusiasts' books.Visitors by appointment. We now work from a warehouse so do NOT keep regular opening times.

 Add a comment

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.

GfB: the Colchester Bookshop
7 Trinity Street
COLCHESTER  Essex  CO1 1JN   map
tel: 01206 502218  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
Very large stock, specialising in academic and out-of-print books on literature, art, philosophy, and history, as well as the sciences and local interest. Our quirky rooms and staircases lead up to the medieval roof of Elizabethan scientist, William Gilbert's Colchester home.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsWelcomed with a request to sign an anti-supermarket petition! Varied stock on two floors. Topography strong as well as art and fiction. - Herne.
    Just down from the Castle. Seems a little dry and academic on first inspection. The upstairs is new since I last visited but some good stock. The rear is an excellent place. Good Military section and excellent stock of reasonably priced paperbacks. - Jon Morgan 05.02.08.
    Not easy to find as entrance on lower ground floor, hence the damp smell. Stock reasonable but nothing really old. Shop assistant (owner being away) had virtually no knowledge of the business. - Chris Harte 21.08.09.
    Not as good as the other bookshop in the town but nevertheless well worth a visit. But be warned, they don't take cards and the cash machine is a fair step up the hill. - Nicholas Pendower 16.02.13.
    As good as ever, A wide selection of old and new fiction and even in the basement I could get a mobile signal to check prospective purchases on Library Thing. Prices are very reasonable and the £1.00 section which I usually avoid like the plague i bookshops yielded some gems. Did not smell damp to me despite the basement set up. There were a few dehumidifiers going. NB seemed cash only as no evidence of chip pin machine and it is a long walk back to the cashpoint. There are a couple of good-ish charity shops and a recently opened branch of Emmaus which had a good stock of books (History of Radio 4 for £1.00). - jon Morgan 16.02.13.
    Revisited after an interval to find still going strong. Good general stock and strong on poetry. Still cash only. - Herne 26.03.13.
     Seems diminished in its new home, which is a beautiful structure and ought to be perfect for a secondhand bookshop with differing levels and floors, nooks and crannies, but is oddly empty. Seems disorganised in comparison to the previous location. Bargain basement in the attic (??) with occasional gems. - Jon Morgan 05.11.15.
    Out of necessity, this first year has been a case of recovering from our forced move. The stock is diminished because we have weeded out most of the less saleable books. Next year, with a longer-term lease agreed, we will begin shelf-building in earnest to accommodate a lot of new and better stock. It is our aim to turn the building into one the most beautiful bookshops in Britain, for which it is ideally suited. It will take a lot of hard work, though! PS. We do accept credit/debit cards. - Simon Taylor, The Colchester Bookshop 22.12.15.
    Re-visited after two years encouraged by the owner's post. Nothing appears to have changed. Not the stock or the arrangement of books on the attic floor. Some evidence of organisation but a slightly haphazard feeling about the place. Intent to shelve can be inferred from wood pile in discreet corners but as the stock is not particularly large and despite the fascinating building, there is a long way before it is the most beautiful bookshop in England.... For me that is probably Booth's in Hay (Even if it is sanitised to within an inch of its life) or may be Daunt in Marylebone. Anyone else got any suggestions? - Jonathan Morgan 13.11.17.
    Jonathan's comment is puzzling because, about the same time, a customer who hadn't visited for two years told us how impressed he was with progress. Both rooms on the first floor have been fully shelved and in November we had recently added two large and interesting lots to the stock. However, I will concede that we still have some way to go towards being as beautiful as we want to be! - GfB 15.01.18.
    Returned after a long interval to the new premises. A lot to see and plenty to interest. I found some good material in literary fiction and poetry realistically priced. And an excellent coffee shop in an equally historic building next door. - Herne 12.02.18.

Gladstone Books
The Newark Antique Centre
Lombard Street 
NEWARK  Nottinghamshire  NG24 1PX   map
tel: 01636 813601  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, Sunday & Bank Holidays 11.00 - 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 to present location in April. - TBG 06.04.19.

Glaisnock Book Cafe
20 South Main Street
WIGTOWN  Dumfries and Galloway  DG8 9EH   map
tel: 01988 402249  e-mail  web
Open: 7 days 9.00 - 5.00.
Thousands of books displayed in our book cave room. Modern fiction and non-fiction at affordable prices. Our book cave is located at the rear of our book themed cafe

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsFairly humdrum selection of 'charity shop' type books - so not really on a par with the other Wigtown shops. However the prices are fine - if you are on the lookout for a coffee table book or an airport-type novel then it will probably be here. - Steven Kelly 16.10.13.
    The beating heart of Wigtown. The books are a clean and bright selection of largely modern paperback fiction, 50p for a paperback, £1 for a hardback. You can get your holiday novels here, but you don't come to Glaisnock for the books, you come for a warm and friendly welcome, a chat over a superb 'Full Scottish' breakfast and excellent coffee - and to earwig on the community at its ease. My paperback novel came free, courtesy of Glaisnock's very own "Happy Cafe Day". I'm sure a stay in their B&B would be a pleasant one. - TravellingLibrary 27.06.15.Very nice, friendly cafe. The books, in one room at the back and a few other shelves, are pretty much charity shop fare. But you do get a free copy with your cafe order. - Mark V 08.08.15.

Green Ink Booksellers
Grove House
High Town 
HAY-ON-WYE  Powys  HR3 5AE   map
tel: 01497822870  e-mail
Open: Monday & Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
Hay’s newest secondhand bookshop. Good books bought and sold - particularly philosophy, history, literature, modern fiction and children’s books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThe gentrification of Hay continues. Green Ink Booksellers is welcome as a bookshop rather than as another of the arts, crafts and clothes showrooms which increasingly clutter Chelsea-on-Wye. But the shop disappoints.
    Nice bookshelves, some quite interesting stock, though with elements of books-as-decor - arranged by the colour of their spines in one corner in the basement. And there was a horror in the main room, on a table display objectifying orange-and-white Penguins, mainly of the fifties.
    At its centre, a copy of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover'. Displaying either a disdainful hope for ignorance on the part of a gullible customer, or, worse, actual ignorance on the part of the seller, the pencilled note inside read ‘first edition, £50’.
    A proof copy, printed by Hazell Watson and Viney, is indeed scarce. But the first edition ran to more than a million copies. Even the first impression (printed by Western Printing Services), of which this copy was an example, numbered over 200,000 copies. Six decades later, as the original buyers downsize and decease, they readily available.
    Of course, the value of a book is what someone is willing to pay for it; but for its exaggerated suggestion Green Ink gets a black mark. - James Mackay 04.06.18.

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.

Greyfriars House Secondhand Bookshop
Greyfriars House and Garden (National Trust)
Friar Street 
WORCESTER  Worcestershire  WR1 2LZ   map
tel: 01905 23571  e-mail  web
Open: See website seasonal for opening times.
At Greyfriars find a collection of captivating reads, from fiction, autobiography and classics. Choose from a collection for kids, inspirational books for those interested in recipes, sport, history and more. Every second-hand book you buy here helps to preserve this special place.

 Add a comment

Grosmont Bookshop
Co-Op Building
Front Street 
GROSMONT  North Yorkshire  YO22 5QE   map
tel: 01947895170  e-mail  web
Open: 7 days April to October 10 - 5.30, see website for November - March
Specialising in railway titles, bus and tram books, local maps, guides and local history, nationwaide walking guides, military books, plus general fiction, history, biographies, childrens, etc etc. Open whenever the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is running trains, plus other days, see website for opening times and book lists.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsVisited a number of times, a huge amount of railway/transport books, and a good selection of other books too. Very friendly owners make this well worth a visit, particularly if the railway is running. - Jakob Pieterson 17.05.12.
    Awesome selection of railway titles, but some general stock for the non-railway enthusiast. But this is a railway bookshop to all intents and purposes. Friendly, knowledgeable owner. Prices very keen and a good selection of books for £1 when I visited! Great for foreign railway books too - I cleaned up on US rail-road books! Highly recommended. - Lionel Wall 29.07.13.
    It mostly sells railway books, some new and most second-hand. It is a good place to have a rummage and the prices are very reasonable. It's a shop that I would return to. - SteveBrissle 04.08.14.
    George the genial proprietor will either land me in penury or the divorce court. Great selection, prices very reasonable. For industrial or transport history, well worth a visit. Also good prices paid when he is buying. - Anthony 05.02.15.
    Right opposite the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway station and its car park, this medium sized, upstairs shop inevitably is heavily into railway books. While I’m not heavily into railway books there was more than enough other stock to keep me interested and I came away with a nice, old, cheap book which made the stopover at Grosmont station and its café as part of a trip on the steam railway worthwhile. - Jeremy Briggs 19.06.17.

Grove Rare Books
The Old Post Office
Bolton Abbey 
SKIPTON  North Yorkshire  BD23 6EX   map
tel: 01756 710717  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
A country bookshop in an 18th Century building the on Duke of Devonshire's Yorkshire estate, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A wide range of books, but particularly, Yorkshire topography, angling and field sports, art and architecture, British topography, and natural history. Also antiquarian maps and prints.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis bookshop just oozes class and quality. It is one of the finest of its genre and MUST be visited by any serious collector. Both the owner and his son were knowledgable and very pleasant men. The Yorkshire holdings were top of the range as were the field sports section. There were other groupings none of which were anything but worthy of perusal. - Chris Harte 26.10.09.
    A superb bookshop, but not the place to buy a cheap paperback! Quality second hand books on a wide range of topics. On entering the shop you are instantly made welcome, and under no pressure to buy ... and what a beautiful building and setting. - Nigel Baker 10.06.17.

Hall's Bookshop & Adrian Harrington Rare Books
20-22 Chapel Place
TUNBRIDGE WELLS  Kent  TN1 1YQ   map
tel: 01892 547531  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
General secondhand stock and history, children's and antiquarian. Adrian Harrington, the new owner of Hall's Bookshop, writes about its future. Recently reopened.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThe most famous secondhand bookshop in Tunbridge Wells, Halls "established 1898". Two floors of antiquarian and secondhand stock, a browser's paradise and knowledgeable staff. - Kim Andrews.
    Lots of helpful staff large quantity of books on all subjects at reasonable prices. - John F Bacon
    Excellent stock which took me three hours to assess. Spent quite a bit on very reasonably priced items and made a promise to myself to visit more regularly. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
    This shop is large: two floors and bargain shelves outside. Very strong in history (including military history) and in arts and literature generally. Not to be missed. - Geoffrey Warner 07.10.10.
    Looked fantastic from outside, with purpose designed windows which opened and gave access to the stock from outside. Even the bargain bins outside were interesting. It reminded me of Beech's Bookshop in Salisbury when I was a kid. The stock is interesting, very strong on history and esp. military history, a bit light on fiction. But a pleasure to be in and breathe in the book smells ... - Jon Morgan 06.03.13.
    Full of atmosphere and ghosts from the past (real or imagined), this is a wonderful bookshop to spend whole days in, even when it's sunny outside. Browser-friendly and enticing, with extremely helpful staff, this shop has it all. - Atricia Dunseith 22.03.13.
    Now reopened after refurbishment. Ground floor much as before, though slimmed down and polished up - with a little of the old atmosphere lost, sadly. Still well worth a visit, though! Floored-over gallery to reopen shortly for rare books. - Henry Middleton 03.01.15.
    Fears that the new owner would charge silly prices are unfounded. I grabbed a hefty and handsome history of photography in Brighton for just four-pounds-fifty. Most of the stock, high quality throughout, is Mylar-covered and neatly shelved; helpful young staff. Well worth a visit. - Nicholas Sack 27.01.15.
    Well, my worst fears were unfounded. Pine shelving, less stock and definitely less atmosphere. But the prices are fair, the staff are nice and the stock will expand once the first floor reopens. We will get used to it. - Michael Ross 05.02.15.
    The change of ownership has ripped the soul out of what was once a delightful shop to visit. I wish to keep those memories so will not be returning. - Chris Harte 06.06.15.

Hawkridge Books
14 Matlock Street
BAKEWELL  Derbyshire  DE45 1EE   map
tel: 01629 815549  e-mail  web
Open: 5 days, closed Tuesday and Wednesday 10.00 - 5.00.
Specialist in ornithology and natural history, but selling books in all subjects. Antiquarian and fine books. 9000 volumes of quality books. Formerly at Castleton, Derbyshire (1995-2010)

 Add a comment

Henry Sotheran Ltd
2 Sackville Street
PICCADILLY  London  W1S 3DP   map
tel: 020 7439 6151  fax: 0207 434 2019  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 6.00, Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Fine and rare books and prints. Specialist departments, modern first editions, children's, architecture, travel and exploration, natural history, private press, literature, sport and Churchill. Established in 1761 in York we believe we are the oldest antiquarian book business in the world.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis shop gets my back up. Take a 50p book: get it expensively rebound: then flog it to unsuspecting tourists for a small fortune. When I pointed this out, got asked to leave the premises. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
    Lovely surroundings but prices to match. Disappointed there were very few highlights in modern firsts section. - Loyola 24.04.10.

Henry's Cafe Bookshop and Antiques
22 High Street
UPTON UPON SEVERN  Worcestershire  WR8 0HB   map
tel: 01684 438300  e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 5.00.
Large selection of secondhand books with an emphasis on history and military from ancient times to the twentieth century.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsHow this café is ever classed with the name "bookshop" is beyond my comprehension. It is a pretentious coffee shop, set over two floors, with five shelves comprising mainly of Napoleonic and Roman titles. - Chris Harte 25.05.17.

Hereward Books
17 High Street
HADDENHAM  Cambridgeshire  CB6 3XA   map
tel: 01353 740821
Open: Monday - Saturday, but best to ring first.
General secondhand books, country sports and natural history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis is a quality bookshop. It has probably the best stock of shooting, fishing, big game hunting, horse racing and country pursuits I have seen on English premises. If these are your interests you must visit. Very highly recommended. - Chris Harte 13.09.12.

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.
    Currently in a complete state of flux with books all over the floor rather than on the shelves, all due to recent dry rot repairs. Some extremely interesting titles to be found whilst rummaging though, so patience rewarded. Plenty of non-aviation related titles so worth a look and the owner is very friendly. - Graeme Rendall 30.09.19.

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

Horning Post Office and Shop
39 Lower Street
 Horning 
NORWICH  Norfolk  NR12 8AA   map
tel: 01692 630225  e-mail
Open: Monday - Friday 8.30 - 5.30, Saturday 9.00 - 12.30.
Norfolk/Suffolk local interest; Arthur Ransome novels, collectable and first editions; history, literature. Also greetings cards, jigsaws, stationery.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAbout 200 books fairly priced in bookshelves set amongst the other things post offices sell, plenty of Ransome and Broads history, a few shelves of other non-fiction, pleasant lady in charge, next to an excellent deli/cafe. - Paulp 26.04.19.

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.

Inprint
The Folly
Farr's Lane 
STROUD  Gloucestershire  GL5 2HH   map
tel: 07595 591852  e-mail  web
Open: By appointment only.
After nearly 40 years our High Street shop has closed but its spirit is alive and kicking on Facebook. In 2019 you can find us at Churchdown Book Fair on the first Sunday in the month and Circa Antique & Collectables Fair on the first Monday in the month. Expect interesting old books, maps, posters and other printed things.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI ate until full, delicious! - The Book Glutton.
The sort of shop a book-fiend would want as a living room. - Adam Horovitz 29.10.08.
    Excellent sensibly priced quality selection. Agree comments above, friendly knowledgeable owner too. Well worth a detour to Stroud. - Norman Davies - 05.08.13.
    Heavyweight champion. 10/10. - The Boxer 17.09.13.
    A very good bookshop with a wide range of books, including those I collect. The lady, who I assume is the joint owner is very pleasant and knowledgeable. I am happy to make a diversion to visit. - CB 04.08.14.
    Great bookshop in a central location, with a good range of books and other items at reasonable prices, with interesting background music too. - SteveBrissle 10.06.17.
    Our High Street shop closed at the end of April 2018. - Mike Goodenough 28.04.18.

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.

 Add a comment

Jabberwock Books
14-16 St. Lawrence Street
HORNCASTLE  Lincolnshire  LN9 5BJ   map
tel: 01507 522112  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
Stock covers most areas, with substantial sections of literature, poetry, art, travel and history. Books range from the rare and antiquarian to the newly-published (the latter usually for sale in fine condition at half their new price or less). Established 20 years and expanded in 2006. Occupies two adjoining buildings, steeped in Horncastle's past. (History shelves backed by Roman Wall).

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA large bookshop. Much of the stock is nearly new, not particularly good on fiction, certainly not vintage fiction, not a bad entertainment section. Compared to the other Horncastle shops, slightly pricey. - The Jumping Frog 02.09.10.

Jack Ryder Books
10 Pike Street
LISKEARD  Cornwall  PL14 3JE   map
tel: 07889 865882  e-mail
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 4.00 (summer 5.00)
Books bought and sold. Specialist subjects Cornish interest, military history, natural history, art books, trains and transport, general antiquarian, collectible children's books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI believe that Jack also runs Mainly Books which is situated on the edge of the town's market site. - Phil 21.08.15.
    Most enjoyable chance visit today 1 August 2016. Owner knows his stock and immediately able to identify that he had what I was after. - Brian Shacklady 05.08.16.
    Good general secondhand bookshop. Wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles. Owner is ETGOW. - Simon Procter 21.08.19.

Jane Jones Books
The Old Shop
Dinnet 
ABOYNE  Aberdeenshire  AB34 5JY   map
tel: 07834 768228
Open: Sunday - Tuesday & Thursday - Saturday, variable but usually 11.00 - 6.00.
A small but interesting stock with emphasis on natural history, local history, Scottish and children's. Good section on Deeside and Aberdeen. Collectors items and plenty of bargains. Booksearch facility. Shared premises with antique shop. A relaxing and friendly atmosphere with a complementary cup of coffee.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsInteresting natural history stock, but most items very overpriced. - Second Nature 16.08.11.

Jeff Towns
Dylans Bookstore (The Newton Bookroom)
5 Summerland Lane  Newton 
SWANSEA  West Glamorgan  SA3 4UJ   map
tel: 01792 655255 / 07850 759199  e-mail  web
Open: By appointment only
We sell books on Art, Poetry, Literature, History & Travel. Specialising in Wales & Dylan Thomas.

 Add a comment

John Marrin Rare Books
Old Forge
Ford Village 
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED  Northumberland  TD15 2QA   map
tel: 01890 820521  e-mail  web
Open: By Appointment.
Antiquarian, rare, and second-hand books, situated in the Horseshoe Forge. Specialising in books on the history and literature of the Great War 1914 - 1918, gardening and fishing, books relating to the history of the Borders, and many other subjects from needlework to walking.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsIt's not open all the time, but has always been open when Ive called in on holiday in Northumberland - specialises in military history - but has other stock as well. Small, but friendly. - Gareth 15.08.15.

John Trotter Books
80 East End Road
FINCHLEY  London  N3 2SY   map
tel: 020 8349 9484  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Thursday 8.00 - 5.00 and occasional Fridays and Sundays.
A large selection of books ( 20,000+ ) of Jewish interest, theology, Near and Middle Eastern studies, ancient history. Situated in the stables of the old Finchley manor house. Cafe on site, parking in local streets is free.

 Add a comment

John Turton
83 High Street
Willington 
CROOK  County Durham  DL15 0PE   map
tel: 01388 747600
Open: By appointment only.
General stock in shop, specialist stock of antiquarian, bindings, ecclesiastical history and architecture can be viewed by arrangement.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis really is the ultimate in Aladdin's Cave. Search for hours in the dim light and you will be rewarded. Allegedly has a warehouse full of books I collect but I am always told that I have called at the wrong time. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
    Best bookshop in North east - if only it wasn't so far from anywhere. As soon as you enter - that special smell of quality old books... priced fairly as well considering just how interesting the books are. Really WAD - Paul P 11.05.10.
    I strongly advise checking some days in advance that the shop will be open. I turned up on a Friday within the stated opening hours to find the shop locked. There was no reply to the phone. This is hardly a novel experience in visiting out of the way bookshops but it's always an annoying one. There were few other reasons for visiting Willington that I could see. - Laurence Purcell 30.09.10.
    This shop is no longer open at anytime, but if you ring they will arrange to let you view. - Geoff Martin 19.03.13.

John's Bookshop
9 Main Street
ATHLONE  Co. Westmeath 
tel: 090 6494151  e-mail
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.30 - 6.00.
I sell secondhand, antiquarian and a few new books. I also sell original documents, photographs, ephemera and a few select paintings. Whilst I stock books of all sorts there is an emphasis towards Irish Writers, Irish History, Local History, and Irish language books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA small but well stocked shop with large sections of shelving being taken by old and rare Irish publications. Quite a number of early twentieth century children's books and annuals. Very little fiction. Opening times are variable. - Chris Harte 14.04.17.

Jonathan Potter Ltd
5 Margaret's Buildings
BATH  Somerset  BA1 2LP   map
tel: 07866 801897  e-mail  web
Open: Appointment necessary
Specialist dealers in antique maps, charts, atlases and books on the history of cartography and travel.

 Add a comment

JPs Box of Books
The Box
Runcorn shopping city 
RUNCORN  Cheshire  WA7 2EU   map
tel: 07780 097595  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
A large selection of secondhand and antiquarian books - military, history, art, travel, sport, novels, biographies, children, show biz and film, transport, poetry, all at very competitive prices. This is a new business, café and free parking, we also have a selection of work by local artists.

 Add a comment

Judd Books
82 Marchmont Street
BLOOMSBURY  London  WC1N 1AG   map
tel: 020 7387 5333  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 7.00, Sunday 12.00 - 6.00.
We have a very large stock of used, remaindered and academic books especially in architecture, history and philosophy.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsBy far the best remaindered bookshop in London with a large academic stock and consistently the best prices. The architecture and design section is particularly impressive. It justifies a major detour. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
    Interesting and extensive stock of mainly remaindered titles, which have been carefully selected. Recommended. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    Remainders everywhere. Only second-hand books were tat in boxes outside the shop. - Chris Harte 28.06.10.
    Excellent mix of old and new , with emphasis on academic, serious, politics, philosophy, literature, with very good bargains to be found among the cheap remainders. Reliable, long-established shop. - conormg 27.01.11.
    Chris Harte is right that there are lots of remainders and that the boxes outside are generally not worthwhile - but there are also plenty of other secondhand books he has missed (the whole wall of bookcases to the left as you enter the shop). I visit regularly, excellent for the remainders (both non-fiction and some good fiction) and find some good stuff in the secondhand section from time to time, though the majority is relatively modern and general. - M&O 14.04.12.
    I like this place for both the remainders and the second hand, Yes the stuff outside is tat, but it always is. M& O is right about the secondhand and remaindered fiction and I rarely leave without a few books in my bag. Good for proximity to Skoob in the Brunswick Centre. - Jon morgan 26.03.13.
    One of the best shops in London for remaindered books on art and architecture, many at massive discounts. Among the secondhand stock I found a hefty and handsome Yale-published survey of the photographs and paintings of Ben Shahn. Twenty quid was very fair. Highly recommended, and close to Skoob, also well worth a shufty. - Nicholas Sack 01.08.15.
    Excellent non fiction remainders, strong on history and politics. Some secondhand too. - Norman Davies 29.08.15.
    Some secondhand, but principally remainders. Certainly the best remainder shop in central London. The sources are various, but quite a lot of the stuff comes from the U.S.A. - with a mark-up, of course, above the N.American asking prices. So it may be worth your while to check, and, indeed, the check British remainder websites too. But always a very interesting selection, and there is some remaindered stock not obviously available elsewhere. - The Bookman 16.07.16.
    Returned on the 13th of April. A while since I was back at this place. Could not find any art books I needed. The shop not as well up-to-date: the floor needs some small rubbish removed and many books should look better sorted. - Chris K 21.04.17.
    Not a huge shift in stock from the last couple of visits. Still a nice place to browse and there is the occasional find. I love the way that you can leave your bag(s) with the cashier in exchange for a numbered clothes peg. Other shops take note. Not just for anti-theft purposes, but to ensure that no-one takes your bag and there really isn't room for a hist of rucksack wearing browsers. Always worth popping in when at Skoob. - Jonathan Morgan 15.09.18.
    Return visits to this edifying mixture of literature and non-fiction, remaindered and secondhand, always bear fruit. Found a handsome volume of photos of San Francisco shot by Arthur Tress in 1964 and published in 2012 - hadn't seen that anywhere before. There is an extensive section on London, with some unusual titles. Fair prices and charming staff. - Nicholas Sack 13.08.19.

Just Books
1 Pydar Mews
TRURO  Cornwall  TR1 2UX   map
tel: 01872 242532
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00 in Winter, Tuesday 10.00 - 5.00 from Easter - January.
Secondhand and some antiquarian books, particularly Cornish history and topography. Pydar Mews is situated on the left going up Pydar Street from the Cathedral, opposite Boots the chemist.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGorgeous little shop. No rubbish at all, just a fantastic selection of books for casual shoppers and serious collectors alike. Small and crammed full of books, but also well laid out. A treasure trove. - fastandbulbous.
    Hidden away in a mews with the owner somewhat startled by a request for anything pre-war or Victorian. Nice reading material but nothing collectable. - Chris Harte 20.04.10.
    Shop has moved from the middle to the end of the mews since my last visit. The stock is interesting and fairly priced (for readers and collectors rather than dealers) and the owner ETGOW. - Steven Whitehead 19.04.12.
    The selection of books on offer was worth the effort in seeking this establishment out and the prices were reasonable. However, on arrival, there was nobody "minding the store", but two men were having a rather frequently innuendo-laden discussion just outside the doorway which could be heard by both passers-by and my wife, who felt that this was extremely inappropriate, especially when one invited the other in for a coffee and the conversation continued in a similar vein in the downstairs part of the shop. On selecting a few titles, I went downstairs to pay for them, and found what appeared to be the shopkeeper having a different conversation with another passer-by in the alleyway outside (the first having seemingly vanished). My presence near the till was noted but ignored - this continued for several minutes until I was almost on the point of leaving the books behind and walking out. The shopkeeper made some apology about "having to talk to people and finish our conversation" although I would have expected him to ask to be excused whilst he dealt with me - rather than keep me waiting. A second customer had also appeared in the meantime and was similarly unimpressed - and also having a business card half-thrown at him when he asked whether he could sell some books. Not impressed! - Graeme Rendall 18.09.14.
    Great shop. Always satisfied even when I haven't bought anything. Slightly cramped but that's mainly because it's packed with stock, which changes regularly enough for me (I visit once a year or so). The division over two floors works wonderfully: ground floor feels more selected, upper floor feels more like a lucky dip. Always spot something interesting in the books displayed cover-out too. Strong on local history, natural history, art, classic fiction, but at least a few things in every area. - BSJ 06.10.16.
    Plus one to BSJ's comment above. - Steven 30.10.17.
    Now closed on Tuesdays, so the town's other dealers told me, after I had been on a worthless visit. - Chris Harte 09.04.19.
    Open Tues to Sat in summer, good selection, especially Books on Cornwall. - Guido 13.08.19.

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.

Katharine House Gallery
Katharine House
The Parade 
MARLBOROUGH  Wiltshire  SN8 1NE   map
tel: 01672 514040  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
Katharine House Gallery specialises in old books, unusual antiques and post war modern British art. Large stock of old books including modern firsts; art books & history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsExceptional selection of Railway and Canal books, pamphlets and documents. Reasonable prices. Small collection of military books also. - laGrandeMine 14.06.11.
    The transport section, which comprised more than half the stock and was indeed excellent, has gone. It was WAD but for me it is no longer worth a visit. I had travelled 40 miles especially it was so good. Very sad. What is left is very good condition general stock. - Michael Grendon 18.01.20.

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.

Ken Spelman Books Ltd
70 Micklegate
YORK  North Yorkshire  YO1 6LF   map
tel: 01904 624414  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.30.
Books on the fine arts, architecture, garden design, literature, history, science & technology, philosophy & very many other areas. In addition to our rare and antiquarian books, we also have a rapidly changing stock of over 40,000 scholarly and interesting books on all subjects. We also hold regular art exhibitions and have a permanent gallery space.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsFreezing day and a coal fire burning downstairs, a browser's paradise! - Andy Overton.
    The best bookshop I?ve visited in York ? excellent stock, accurately priced - Geoff Hatherick 22.07.08.
    Generally good stock (although not as good as several years ago). Prices ok. If you want to sell books forget it - you are likely to get a supercilious reaction 'oh we're not interested' even when you have rung before and been told they will buy! - John Williamson 04.03.09.
    A significantly higher quality of stock than when I visited a few years ago, and the arrival of new material has certainly increased with lots to look at. Prices are very competitive, and checking up on a few items on-line on my return home I found them to be consistently lower than for poorer copies listed elsewhere. The chatty staff were very helpful - this shop deserves to survive and I look forward to my next trip up Micklegate. - Harry Peterson 30.09.10.
    Agree last comment much improved stock and (importantly) more sensible prices than a few years back. Definitely the best shop in York now with good proprietor and some fine biographies and politics books for me. - Norman Davies 09.02.11.
    Visited in the spring of 2012 and this is a lovely book shop with clean and well organised stock, however, I could not find a single military/WWII/Royal Navy book to purchase so left empty-handed. Shame as pricing was reasonable. - Laurence Batchelor 08.01.14.
    Not been since I lived in York in 1997-98. Some of the stock still the same from then, but pleased to find some affordable rarities, even a signed first edition for a fiver and very helpful staff. - Anthony 10.03.14.
    Went back today, warm welcome and three good purchases. Flying visit of 10 minutes but will return again soon. - Anthony 05.02.15.
    Excellent shop, physically interesting with very good stock at reasonable prices. Had quite a lot of remainders particularly on Art which are very easy to buy and which you might not see elsewhere. - popsikov 02.04.15.
     Owned for many years by Messrs. Fothergill and Miller, the latter having now retired. The interesting rack of cheap books outside retired with him, which is a shame. Within, all is unchanged for the most part. That is to say, a very good range of stock in history, modern literature and philosophy, plus some remaindered stock at the front. Idiosyncratic features, such as the open fire in the Winter, and the incomparable Suzi at all seasons, are unchanged too. Something of a price revolution recently (compare Minster Gates), with a not-dissimilar effect in certain parts of the shop. - The Bookman 16.07.16.
    Hadn't been here for years but shop still very good. Good selection and prices reasonable. - David - 25.05.17.
    Back there after a while. Managed to buy 3 items - cost me £31.49. - Chris K 19.04.18.

Kernaghan Books
The Bluecoat
School Lane 
LIVERPOOL  Merseyside  L1 3BX   map
tel: 0151 703 9077  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00
Large general stock of collectible, fine and unusual books with particular interest in Irish, Private Press, Natural history, local history and travel.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsUpstairs in the Wayfarers Arcade and it is like walking into a treasure trove. Very knowledgable assistant who knew exactly where to take me for my wants. Spent far too much but am loving my newly purchased books. Excellent quality stock. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
    Welcoming staff, clean good stock, and a easily visitable "back room" make this a top notch shop. All on one floor, and well lit. Well worth a visit. - Robert Brown (Bookdealer) 29.06.09.
    Another excellent shop in Southport (see Broadhursts). A little pricey but extensive quality selection and bookseller make this a worthwhile detour. Note is is upstairs in the Wayfarers Arcade off Lord Street. - Norman Davies 12.07.12.
    Visited yesterday and was disappointed to find the shop closed, with a sign on the window stating that it is moving to Liverpool. - Stuart T 22.10.12.
    Top quality bookshop in an excellent setting. Very pleasant, friendly staff and while they had little of what I collect , there were other books to buy. - CB 06.04.13.
    First class location and premises, quality stock at reasonable prices, helpful and friendly owners. - Howard Walters 08.10.13.
    Some of the earlier comments have been superseded, the shop has moved from Southport to Liverpool. Forget the Wayfarer's Arcade, it is now in the Bluecoat School, a haven in the overbearing Liverpool One shopping centre. A wide-ranging serious stock, sensibly priced. - James Mackay 19.04.14.
    Visited them in their delightful new premises within the old Bluecoat School. The standard of holdings has, if anything, increased from their previous existence in Southport. As always, helpful, chatty and very fair pricing. Best bookshop on Merseyside by a long way. - Chris Harte 17.06.14.
    A great shop with very helpful owners, I came away with some gems. - Richard Ransome 29.05.15.

King's Bookshop
91-93 Main Street
CALLANDAR  Perthshire  FK17 8BQ   map
tel: 01877 339449
Open: 7 days, usually 9.00 - 7.00.
Large general stock, Scottish books, poetry, history and fine bindings. Garden at rear with plant sales.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsStrong accents, friendly owners, nice shop. Owners also do bookbinding, and used to have Old Grindle's in Edinburgh. - Richard.

Kirkland Books
The Antiques Emporium
Unit 8  Dockray Hall Mill 
KENDAL  Cumbria  LA9 4RU   map
tel: 0800 8806248  e-mail  web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.00.
Specialising in the history and topography of Cumberland and Westmorland, Alfred Wainwright, Arthur Ransome, mountaineering and railways, plus a general stock. Collectable books over 3 floors with nearby parking. Fine condition collectable books bought for excellent prices, especially within our specialisms.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA small shop, but exceptionally well presented and all collectable high quality stock, with perhaps and even better website. - Mike Baum 30.10.10.
    No sign of books over three floors. One room, and I did ask about reserve stock,but good quality and a good web site. - Corso 22.03.14.
    Entry moved to this address in 2015. TBG 18.11.15.
    Visited new shop - actually a small Unit within an antique centre in an industrial area with extremely difficult parking! Outstanding for Wainwright, Ransome, Lake District, top end excellent collectables with prices to match. Worth a look in those subjects but beware mad white van drivers in the area! - Norman Davies 29.04.16.

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.

Lloyds of Kew Bookshop
9 Mortlake Terrace
Kew 
RICHMOND  Surrey  TW9 3DT   map
tel: 020 8948 2556  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00
Everything from general second hand stock to rare and collectable and antiquarian. Literature, classics, London, history, biography and children's plus many more categories. Come and browse, have a coffee and we are happy to help.

 Add a comment

Lodge Books
25 South Back Lane
BRIDLINGTON  East Yorkshire  YO16 4EY   map
tel: 07449 887118  e-mail  web
Open: Thursday & Friday 10.30 - 4.30, Saturday 10.30 - 2.30.
A range of popular fiction, classics, biographies, non-fiction and children's, with a selection of collectibles. Find us close to the Old Town of Bridlington, the Priory and the Bayle Museum.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAnother shop in Bridlington which will gladden the hearts of those seeking paperbacks but, there are hardbacks as well. - Laurence Purcell 19.12.13.
    Good range of everything for such a small space. Some bargains here. Will accept donations of books. - DN 09.04.19.

Loe Books
Landreyne Manor
Coads Green 
LAUNCESTON  Cornwall  PL15 7LZ   map
tel: 44156 678 2528  e-mail  web
Open: 7 days 9.00 - 5.00 by appointment.
Natural History, general antiquarian, specialising in the New Naturalist Series. Stock is held in a converted barn and several rooms, well organised!

 Add a comment

Louth and District Hospice Bookshop
53 Ashwell Street
LOUTH  Lincolnshire  LN11 9HW   map
tel: 01507 600887  e-mail  web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 3.30.
We stock thousands of secondhand books. Dependent on donations but we have large stocks of crime, history, cookery, gardening. We also offer a Book Club in conjunction with a local café and a book search service

 Add a comment

Mair Wilkes Books
3 St Mary's Lane
NEWPORT-ON-TAY  Fife  DD6 8AH   map
tel: 01382 542260  e-mail
Open: Open: Tuesday - Friday 10.00 - 12.30 & 2.00 - 4.30, Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
20,000 books across all subjects but especially, the history of ideas, philosophy and medicine. Scottish literature and topography. A selection of our stock can be found at The Scottish Antique and Arts Centre, Abernyte.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsEasily missed on a side-street, a very large and eminently browsable stock in the upper floor of a large detached house. Somewhat reminiscent of Bookcase in Carlisle albeit on a much smaller scale. Prices reasonable for the most part. - Steven Kelly 02.10.14.

Manchester Bookbuyers (was 2nd Hand & Rare Books)
Church Street Market
MANCHESTER  Gt. Manchester  M4 1PN   map
tel: 0161 834 5964
Open: Monday - Saturday 12.00 - 4.00.
General secondhand stock but particularly topography and natural history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsEssentially a market stall. - Gerald Baker.
    This is a market stall, but when I went there I went there on a Wednesday afternoon (7 Oct) the shutters were down and it looked as if it were closed. - jduster 15.10.09.
    Fun to rummage and spotted some good review copies. Books have no prices so you have to ask. When I offered a fiver, the ownwer said he would give me five! Enough said. - Ken Bogle 30.09.10.
    Seems to be more often closed than open, but I managed to find it open on Wednesday afternoon (was closed on 28.9. but open 29.9. around the same time). Not well sorted, but good bargains - mainly a one pound per book shop. - Joachim Duester 05.10.10.
    Open - and busy - at lunchtime on Friday 19th January 2018. Bit of a Driff Special but the owner knew what he had and where to find it. Condition variable but prices are fair with bargains to be found. - Steven 01.02.18.
    His business hours seem to be 12-4 so ring ahead first. His better stock is shelved (unmarked - you have to ask the price). On the tables books all mixed, higgledy-piggledy and all cheap. Through being constantly handled they get a bit beat up. Worth a call. - Johanken 26.04.18.
    Owner was quite rude, implied I could not afford the book I was looking at and I would have to pay for it if I dropped it! As I have never managed to drop any of the first editions that I have I wasn't overly worried. Having said that I won't be going back. - Tracey Gilbertson 03.08.18.

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.

Matthew Nutt Books
Cirencester Arcade
25 Market Place 
CIRENCESTER  Gloucestershire  GL7 2NX   map
tel: 01285 644214 (Antiques Centre), 07813705  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00.
Unit within Cirencester Arcade antiques centre. Selection of antiquarian and collectable books. Subjects include Gloucestershire, natural history, art & antiques, childrens, leather bindings, ephemera etc. New stock added at least every two weeks.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA dreadful mess which made browsing somewhat difficult. There were some most acceptable titles on the shelves but nowhere near as good as his Leominster holdings. - Chris Harte 10.08.15.

McConnell Fine Books
The Golden Hind
85 Beach Street 
DEAL  Kent  CT14 6JB   map
tel: 01304 375086  web
Open: Appointment necessary
Secondhand and antiquarian books including literature, history and books about Kent.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsIt is a long time since I have been so angry after visting a bookshop. I found the owner's attitude towards myself and other customers to be beyond the pale. His main aim is to sell "fine bindings" and little else. Stock small and unexamined as in my two minutes in the shop I was looked upon as scum and totally unwanted. Visit only if you want to be insulted. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
    I am all for constructive opinion and have used your guide in the past. However, this review completely blurs the distinction between 'fair comment' and malicious comment. It is not at all constructive or informative and appears to be nothing more than a personal attack on the shop's proprietor. "I was looked upon as scum" "Visit only if you want to be insulted" ? And all of this formulated in a "two minute" visit. I am suprised that a publication that sets out to actively encourage book buyers to visit 'real' as opposed to 'virtual' bookshops has allowed such a comment to be posted. - Steve Baxter. 11.08.09.
    What utter nonsense your initial reviewer has written! I regularly visit the Golden Hind and have always found Nick McConnell enthusiastic, knowledgeable and utterly charming. Mr. Harte must be an idiot not to spot that this is quite obviously a shop that specialises in fine bindings and in some very good local history, and, if he had bothered to find out, would have discovered that it contains one of the finest selections of this type of book in the world, let alone in East Kent. That a reviewer can so utterly misunderstand a business and be allowed to do so much potential damage to a seller that has an international clientele and reputation is disgraceful, and he should ensure that he gets his facts right before going into print. - Nicholas Pendower 18.08.09.
    I was sorry to see the first review. It's true that the Golden Hind is not the charming little local bookshop it was in Michael Hoskins' day but Nick McConnell has at least kept it open. Important to remember that he is an antiquarian dealer not a second hand bookseller then you wont be disappointed. Stock is high quality and Nick is a very pleasant fellow who has never been rude to a customer while I was in the shop! I always visit when in the area and recommend it, depending on your interest. - Anthony Davis 13.10.09.
    Revisited after reading what the owner's friends (see above) thought of my initial comments. My opinion has not changed one iota. - Chris Harte 13.01.11.
    I agree with those who find the owner of McConnell's bookshop in Deal offhand and unhelpful. It wasn't entirely unreasonable to ask if he carried local marine subjects. It would be nice if the reviewers avoided so much personal sniping. - Lee 25.01.11.
    Now only open by appointment. - TBG 23.10.13.

McNaughtan's Bookshop
3a - 4a Haddington Place
EDINBURGH  Midlothian  EH7 4AE   map
tel: 0131 556 5897  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.00
We have a large general second-hand and antiquarian stock including books on the fine arts, architecture, children's books, literature, history, music, travel, topography, natural history, cookery and gardening. Within the shop is a small gallery space with a rolling programme of exhibitions of the work of contemporary artists. The exhibition space can be rented and you are referred to our website for terms and conditions.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis bookshop is Edinburgh at its best. The shelves are groaning with quality and I was amazed at the runs which were being offered for sale. I spent just over two hours here when, in all honesty, it should have been longer. The prices were very fair and I had no hesitation in parting with quite a lot of money in exchange for some very collectable titles. Visit highly recommended. - Chris Harte 11.06.10.
    Specialities include Scottish, literature, history and visual arts. Has changed since my last visit in that there's now a small gallery area with paintings by the owner Elizabeth Strong on display. Tantalisingly a lot of white plastic bags at the foot of the shelves: new stock waiting to be processed. Staffed by a young American chap. (I spent £3.50) - Chris K 27.07.10.
    Down some steep steps into an extensive basement premises. Probably one of the 2 best rare and second-hand bookshops in Edinburgh. (Just opposite a good s-h vinyl/cd/dvd seller in Elm Row.) Found 2 good cheap, local history p/backs and an unusual French art history title. WAD. - Chris K 02.08.11.
    The moment you walk in that lovely smell of a quality bookshop, a proper bookshop, interesting books, bargains known, friendly staff, Edinburgh's finest in my view. - PaulP 14.08.13.
    Missed it on my first walk past! Glad I found it because it is full of interesting volumes. And a great music shop just over the road. - Herne 02.11.13.
    I have been visiting this place for the past forty years and it is still by far the best secondhand / antiquarian bookshop in Edinburgh. Great art section with an impressive collection of old exhibition catalogues. Large children's section and great Scottish section. A place of pilgrimage for all serious book collectors. - Oor Wullie 26.07.14.
    All the other comments are still quite right. But I must add some praise for those who work there: civilised, knowledgeable, friendly, they're as much Edinburgh at it's best as are the shop and its stock. - James Mackay 22.11.14.
    One of my 2 favorite Edinburgh bookshops. A wide range of prices from a few pounds up to many hundreds, but all excellent quality. It seems this shop only sells the best of the best an honest prices based upon condition and rarity. - Richard 24.04.15.
    Spoke to the nice lady assistant to learn that the shop owner Elizabeth Strong is retiring at the end of the month. It's being taken over by a Blackwell's Oxford Bookshop guy and his partner.The lady I spoke to was being made redundant and finished that day ... All the available stock now out for sale - did manage to find a very good copy of 'London's Railways From The Air'. [Have vivid memories about local stations and steam loco sheds I knew very well.] - Chris K 10.07.15
    I have visited this shop many, many times over the years and have always considered it one of Edinburgh's great treats. The Architecture section is a little smaller now that the Gallery has taken much of its space, but is still an excellent offering and largely modestly priced. I wish Elizabeth well in her retirement with her paints and easel. There will be an exhibition of her work at the shop soon. As for Macnaughtans, I expect the old-established name will stay but anticipate a change of ethos and atmosphere in the near future. - TravellingLibrary 08.08.15
    Very pleased to catch the old shop in its final week. 5 good rooms, spent hours and found a bagful for less than £20. best wishes for the retirement; fingers crossed for the new management. - glenk 04.09.15.
    New owners Derek Walker and Anna Fomicheva, formerly of Blackwells in Oxford. Met DW on my first return. Had a good look round and could only find a £2 item to purchase. Some of the shelves now need the books kept better sorted. There are gaps since my last visit though 37 new boxes of art etc. waiting to be added. - Chris K 23.02.16.
    Books now well sorted, nicely presented and well shelved. A cross between antiquarian and general s/h, this is a must for the general collector (ie me). Beware it is difficult to find - look down into the basement off the main road pavement! - Norman D 30.10.16.
    After 5pm on 23rd December the shop will close for the holiday period and necessary restoration works on our ceiling. We will re-open on 23rd January at 11am with a new exhibition in the gallery. - Chris K 15.01.18.
    Disappointingly, I was dismissed brusquely by the owner/assistant when I enquired about my favoured subjects, seemingly because the postman took preference. Courtesy doesn't cost a lot even in these challenging times. - Wessexman 22.09,19.

Mercat Bookshop
45 Castle Street
Castle Gate 
ABERDEEN  Aberdeenshire  AB11 4YU   map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 3.30.
VSA's Charity Bookshop has a selection of donated good quality, second-hand books from best sellers to science fiction, educational and science to nature, and history to art.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis has just relocated from King St and now has lovely new premises. It's a straightforward charity bookshop, shelves are well spread out, prices are very low indeed, and you never know what you will find. Good coffee shop in Salvation Army Citadel just across the Castlegate. - Rosemary Kaye 17.03.11.
    I was there from CANADA in April. Excellent, friendly and knowleageble service. Wish I had their e-mail to order more books on SCOTLAND from people who know ABERDEEN! - Claude Boyer 10.07.15.

Minster Gate Bookshop
8 Minster Gates
YORK  North Yorkshire  YO1 7HL   map
tel: 01904 621812  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30, Sunday 11.00 -12.30 & 1.30 -5.00.
Books on art and architecture, philosophy, theology, music, travel, history, local guidebooks, from leather binding to paperback. Old prints, maps and engravings are also stocked.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsWell worth a visit with an extensive and wide-ranging stock of beautifully presented books. - Andy Overton.
    Not as good (as Spelman) but plenty to look through and worth a visit.- Geoff Hatherick 22.07.08.
    One of the most picturesque and elegant bookshops in Britain in a tall townhouse overshadowed by York Minster. A wide range of subjects (reasonable prices including good quality remainders) in tiny rooms off a winding stair. - George Marshall 04.02.10.
    Well worth a visit, the shop itself a superb house. Remainders and s/h but decent quality and prices. - Norman Davies 09.02.11.
    Steep stairs to the basement remainders and the 2 storeys above, but well carpeted and with a good handrail. (Unlike another shop in York.) Treated myself to 3 large art and architecture items. Could have bought more - these were fairly priced heavyweights. - Chris K 18.06.12.
    Visited in the spring of 2012 this is a lovely bookshop in a lovely setting. The sales assistant was very helpful and looked after my wet umbrella downstairs whilst I browsed upstairs. A good selection of military WWII books and reasonable prices. I left with 2 or 3. Like with most of York's second-hand book shops you'll need to park elsewhere and walk to this little gem. - Laurence Batchelor 08.01.14.
    Super bookshop, makes York worth a detour. - PaulP 08.07.14.
    Not been in for years, pleased to see a decent selection and good prices. Fell up the stairs though! - Anthony 30.08.14.
    It was more the quality of the 'remainders' than anything else which caught my eye. The general stock was reasonable enough but it was the newer material which got purchased. - Chris Harte 23.03.15.
    A very well-stocked shop, very clean and tidy. Usually superintended by one of three charming assistants. The basement has remainders, but is ever so-slightly damp. The ground floor features smart paperbacks, which have always at fancy prices, uncommon hardbacks, which are well-worth a careful kook, and an interesting range of drawings in the back room. The first floor features natural science, philosophy, politics and theology (is the common factor the right use of imagination?), and the top floor has Lit and History (even more imagination, and rather less imagination?), plus some Latin and Greek distributed about the staircases. There has been a marked increase in pricing levels, and I have noticed that the stock has tended to 'stick' much longer than it used to do Caveat emptor (et vendor). - The Bookman 16.07.16.
    Had a good look round in all the rooms and only found a nice Yorkshire item for £3.99. Hope to be back next year. - Chris K 29.09.17.
    Three floors and well worth extensive browsing. Some beautifully presented collector books downstairs. Nicely laid out throughout. I thought the prices were very decent. Came away with two volumes and happy with an hour spent very agreeably. - Ian Ellis 13.11.17.
    Mix of solid roast beef of above average calibre, condition, and prices along with plenty of remainders - priced for tourists. Well categorised and worth a look but do not expect bargains. - Steven 18.05.18.

Missing Books
Finchingfield Antique Centre
The Green 
FINCHINGFIELD  Essex  CM7 4JX   map
tel: 01245 361609  e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30
A balanced selection of stock, that will usually include at least one shelf each of aviation, military, gardening, biography and fiction. Plus 2 or 3 shelves of local history/topography.

 Add a comment

Much Ado Books
8 West Street
High Street 
ALFRISTON  East Sussex  BN26 5UX   map
tel: 01323 871222  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, Sunday 10.30 - 5.00. CLOSED UNTIL MID-APRIL.
The shop is filled with hand-picked books, ranging from our latest discoveries to favorite old friends. From general fiction and first editions to books for children; from art (with an emphasis on the Bloomsbury group) to history, from music to humour. We offer a wide range of subjects to delight and interest both the general browser and the seasoned collector.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsMy idea of a good bookshop - nothing on the floor - no dog eared books - fair prices on the subjects I am interested in and lastly very friendly owners ! - Gavin Richardson 24.02.10.
    Shop has moved about one hundred yards down the road to 8 West Street and is still a joy to visit. The gift-wrapping service is splendid! - Steven 05.11.11.
    A Marmite of a shop, combining new and secondhand. Some may find it a bit twee and pretentious : I always feel the same when arriving but equally I am always converted again before I depart! - David C 13.09.12.
    Warning - shop is closing for a sabbatical in January and on into February 2013 so check before travelling. - Steven Whitehead 10.01.13.
    Fewer secondhand titles than I remember and should perhaps now be described as a new bookshop with some secondhand stock. - Steve 20.02.14.
    The secondhand stock inside (upstairs) is ok; some reasonable paperbacks outside. The owners have a good eye for interior design, and the well-chosen stock of new books is browsable, but I've always found the atmosphere within to be slightly cliquey. - Lew 29.05.15.
    An exceedingly well organised bookshop spread across two floors in a delightful, out of the way village in the Sussex Downs. It's certainly worth a visit, as there is a good general range of secondhand and antiquarian books on display. The downside is that this place has an air of snobbery about it, an over-tidy approach and unpleasantly cliquey aura that has been commented on before. There is a superior, pervasively unwelcoming atmosphere that is hardly endearing and off putting to someone new to this shop. A charm offensive free zone which mars an otherwise well stocked and varied bookshop. - Richard 20.07.15.
    I have an aunt in Eastbourne so get to Alfriston once or twice a year. I think describing this shop as cliquey is unfair. I have always received a friendly welcome and found the staff ETGOW ()easy to get on with - TGB). but they do work very hard to keep the regulars (i.e. locals) happy which may leave the occasional visitors (whether trade or tourists) feeling left out. Since my last note (2014) I think the s/h stock has increased and I would estimate it about 60/40 in favour of s/hand. - Steven 18.02.16.
    Closing in January 2018 for a major refurbishment. Best check website before travelling. - Steven 20.11.17.
    Now due to re-open in April 2018 but still open for mail order. - Steven 22.02.18.

Much Binding
36 Church Street
CROMER  Norfolk  NR27 9ES   map
tel: 01263 517194  e-mail  web
Open: Summer only Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 4.00.
A general secondhand stock with a leaning towards history, science and older books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsOnly seems to open in summer months. - Chris Harte 24.02.10.
    Bit of an old books home. Pleasant, helpful lady on duty. - Chris K 16.07.10.
    An excellent, decent-sized shop with good stock of literary fiction and detective fiction, but also plenty on other subjects. Courteous and knowledgeable owner. - Mark 08.06.12.
    Very pleasant owner and a good stock of (sometimes vintage) paperbacks for the general reader. - Herne 30.10.12.
    Closed for a week or two when visited in early October. - Mark 21.11.13.
    Have been in Cromer several times over the years, and not once has this shop been open. Sigh. Its not that I'm angry, just disappointed, and a little jealous of the owners lifestyle. - Yossarian 14.11.14.
    Behind a window full of bric-a-brac (not sure why), you'll find a stacked-to-the-rafters bookshop that holds a few surprises. For example, several shelves of English-language African novels, piles of literary anthologies I've never seen, and the metaphysical thrillers of Charles Williams. There's some absolute lumber too, but it's great to browse. - Paul O 15.11.15.
    Just confirming its still there - and still has old bric a brac in the window; most odd. A little card on the closed door said reopening 1 May, so I guess the "summer months only" rule still applies. - Flip M 18.02.17.
    Open on my Saturday visit in June. Fascinating stock. Loads of hope here. Achieves that rare thing...organised chaos. Really enjoyed my browse. But it had to be short. Looking forward to returning with more time. Expect surprises, though probably not bargains. - Ian 01.07.17.
    Fascinating shop full to the brim with just my sort of books! Helpful, friendly owner who knows his stuff. - RuthP 03.07.17.

Next Chapter Books
7 Rustlings Road
SHEFFIELD  South Yorkshire  S11 7AA   map
tel: 0114 3270341  e-mail
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.30.
A compact range of good-quality books with an emphasis on art, photography and design, philosophy, poetry, film, travel and topography, history and fiction, including Modern First Editions.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsSmall and a bit book fairy for my taste, more of interest to the collector than the reader. - Jake Kirkwood 22.03.13.Just across the Ecclesall Road from "Books On The Park" at the start of Rustlings Rd. A smaller shop which has very good stock. Bought 2 excellent books - you can haggle a bit with the owner. - Chris K 01.04.14.

Offside Books
92 Willesden Lane
KILBURN  London  NW6 7TA   map
tel: 77131 34075  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 6.30
We have secondhand books on practically everything including history, travel, art, cooking, gardening and languages. We also sell children's books and fiction as well as posters, mugs and bags. Tea and coffee are now available while you browse our shelves and feed your mind. Turn over a new leaf and pick up a bargain!

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA small place about 200 yds from the JW Kilburn High Road. and only 20 mins cycle from central London. Nearest Station Kilburn High Road or Brondesbury. Very friendly with customer seating - an old church pew. Slightly haphazard title/author/genre organisation but pleasingly quirky with some interesting modern (20th century) posters. One very nice Spanish Civil war one. The owner hopes to begin selling these in the future. The stock was varied albeit not extensive with some interesting titles. ordinarily, following Driff, I would class as pop in if in area but NWAD but I think it behoves us all to support new shops like this as much as we can. NB they are having an official launch party on 14.03.15 5.00 - 9.00 WITH refreshment! - Jon Morgan 12.03.15.
    There`s been a dearth of good bookshops here for ages. Hopefully this will fill the void. - Brian 18.04.15.
    The church pew appears to have morphed into a sofa! Rather interesting to see such a large piece of furniture in a small shop! Little room for a wide variety but a pleasant selection all the same, plus an owner who is prepared to have a decent chat about what you have purchased. Took me about 10 mins to walk there from Brondesbury Station. - Graeme Rendall 22.09,19.
    Mid-range stock in a pleasant room with a charming proprietor. At just four pounds, 'Leaves of Grass' illustrated by Edward Weston's photographs is a long way below internet prices. The lease has recently been extended - good to see a bookshop surviving in this overlooked neighbourhood. - Nicholas Sack 18.01.20.

Once Read
4 High Street
CREDITON  Devon  EX17 3AE   map
tel: 01363 773365  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Out of print English Literature including a wide range of poetry. Specialist subjects such as soil science, Indian spiritualism and theology. Also a good range of biographies, military, British/European, cultural and social history. We have been open since July 1st 2011 and have had great support from the local community. We offer books at affordable prices. We are happy to take any enquiries or book requests.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI was impressed with the range of books and reasonable prices. Worth a detour. - Norman Davies 22.09.11.
    Excellent and timely service and reasonable prices. You can order and if you don't want you don't have to take. Superb customer service. Highly recommended. - Ray 31.10.11.
    Unfortunately did not live up expectations. Very poor. - Bookman 07.11.11.
    Realy very impressed with the range of books particularly given the size of the premises. Very friendly service and always with a smile. Good addition to Crediton High Street. - AnnieB 30.03.12.
    I endorse the other comments - very good range of books despite the shop being relatively small. Well worth a visit. - Nick 12.12.14.
    I heartily second the commentators who have remarked upon the merits of this shop and its owner. I was particularly struck by the small, but excellent and reasonably priced selection of books in and on the Latin language. - Geoffrey Warner 15.09.17.
    An enjoyable visit to this job. Pleasant owner who knows if he stocks your requests. Large selection of titles and you may not expect to find this in such a modest space. Well worth the visit and prices very reasonable. - Albert Lee 12.02.18.

Oxfam Bookshop
220 High Street
GUILDFORD  Surrey  GU1 3JD   map
tel: 01483 504257  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30, Sunday 12.00 - 4.00.
We sell a wide range of subjects including fiction, literature, history, academic subjects, travel & languages, leisure etc. Out of print & collectable books. We also have a stamp section and a large music section selling c.d.s, vinyl, sheet music and books on music.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA very good Oxfam shop with largish history and literature sections. - Sputnikchaser 03.03.12.
    Usual Oxfam fare, very helpful staff if a little pricey. - Steve Newman 14.08.12.

Oxfam Shop
54-58 Darley Street
BRADFORD  West Yorkshire  BD1 3HN   map
tel: 01274 306700  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00.
Big and varied stock, fiction and non fiction, in very large shop premises. Extensive range of novels available, both popular and classics. Non-fiction subjects covered include history, sport, biography, travel, religion, etc. Also DVDs and music CDs.

 Add a comment

Oxfam Shop
54-58 Darley Street
BRADFORD  West Yorkshire  BD1 3HN   map
tel: 01274 306700  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00.
Big and varied stock, fiction and non fiction, in very large shop premises. Extensive range of novels available, both popular and classics. Non-fiction subjects covered include history, sport, biography, travel, religion, etc. Also DVDs and music CDs.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsFirst went to Bradford back in the late '90s. A good place - some interesting books for sale. Do hope to return there soon. - Chris K 10.06.17.

Pemberley Natural History Books
18 Bathurst Walk
Richings Park 
IVER  Buckinghamshire  SL0 9AZ   map
tel: 01753 631114  fax: 01753 631115  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - -5.00.
Natural history bookshop selling new, second-hand and antiquarian books on Entomology and other natural history subjects. On-line ordering via a secure website. Occasional printed catalogues.

 Add a comment

Pen'rallt Gallery Bookshop
Pen'rallt Street
MACHYNLLETH  Powys  SY20   map
tel: 01654 700559  e-mail
Open: Monday - Wednesday & Friday 10.00 - 6.00, Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Mostly non-fiction, 25% new, specialising in photography, with the arts, environment, topography, natural history, illustrated and children's books. We order new books and search for used for customers. We also exhibit photography and book illustration work. We organise book related events for each first Thursday of the month. We do not sell on the internet.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsPleasant visit, nice selection of quality titles - no scruffy pot-boilers in here! With the various other book attractions in the town, worth a visit. - Anthony 14.08.13.

Pendleburys Bookshop
Garreg Fawr
Porthyrhyd 
LLANWRDA  SA19 8NY   map
tel: 01558 650 840  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00 .
Booksellers for many decades with a large general stock & specialisms of 20,000 theology, 3,500 botanical & gardening books. Outside advertised hours please telephone before visiting. A remote hillside bookshop housed in converted barns in the foothills of the Cambrians within a three acre garden project.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA journey into the middle of nowhere was rewarded by a friendly greeting, hot coffee and lots of chatter. This really is an oasis in the wilderness and the tens of thousands of titles on offer took some hours to browse. The theological stock took the whole of one massive converted barn. Other subjects, with a large gardening section, were a joy to behold. Only a fraction of the books are on the internet at the moment. There are many scarce titles on offer, particularly on field sports and rural pursuits. WWAD. - Chris Harte 05.03.13.

People's Bookshop Durham
The Attic Saddlers Yard
70 Saddler Street 
DURHAM  County Durham  DH1 3NP   map
tel: 0191 384 4399  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 12.00 - 5.30.
A radical, independent bookshop in the heart of Durham. Stocks mostly second hand books, with some new books from radical and local publishers. Political biography, socialism, marxism, labour history, radical theory and North East history a speciality. The bookshop is located in the 'vennel' (alleyway) before Waterstone's and then up two flights of "historic" (i.e rickety) stairs.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsReally nice little bookshop with friendly chap and comfy seats, has reasonable general stock as well as specialities mentioned above a bit pricey but still worth the climb. - PaulP 12.06.12.
    I made it four staircases not two: just keep climbing. Worth getting there: not huge, but a thinking person's stock, especially for thinkers of the Left, and for local history and topographer; and a thinking owner too. - James Mackay 22.11.14.
    Travelled a long way to come here only to find the shop closed - on annual holidays!!! This is no way to run a bookshop!! Advertise your hours and stick to them - or you will go bust. Recommend you phone them before a visit - otherwise you are likely to find them closed. - PJD 01.08.15.
    To be found up a very small alleyway and then up some lethally winding and angled steps, stopping for oxygen on the way. Almost designed to put most of the lumpen proletariat off. The chap behind the desk did not communicate greatly as he was hearing large headphones Some good stuff on policing the Miner's strike but nothing I could see on the Chartists. Not a huge stock - perhaps a few hundred or a great deal of any interest either. - Jonathan Morgan 31.07.19.

Peter Bell
68 West Port
EDINBURGH  Midlothian  EH1 2LD   map
tel: 0131 556 2198  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 2.00 - 5.00.
Five thousand very carefully chosen, high quality books with a strong scholarly emphasis; especially history, philosophy, Scottish, art exhibition catalogues. Strong internet presence. Now includes a selection of Andrew Pringle's stock.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI do not like being snubbed when I enter a bookshop. It took a lot of effort for the owner to break himself away from his sandwiches and post to even look at me. There might have been good antiquarian titles around the shelves but such an attitude problem left me completely unwilling to purchase anything. - Chris Harte 11.06.10.
    I scarcely recognise Chris Hart's description here - it must have been an off day. The shop's own summary of itself I find accurate - especially in regard to philosophy. It's a small shop, and it's nice to be able to come and go without having to be drawn into chat with the owner, especially on a day when one doesn't find anything of special interest - as can happen. - ECD 25.11.11.
    Great bookshop with an attentive owner. Bought several books on ancient history when we were there a few years ago. My wife needed to call our daughter in San Francisco and couldn't make a connection on the mobile phone, so Mr Bell insisted she use his phone, at no charge. A nice man running a very well stocked store. - Bill McCarthy 21.08.14.
    I have been in this shop many times over the years and Peter Bell continues to maintain his high standards. The stock is excellent, both in quality and condition. Prices are high, but that is what it takes to provide such consistent quality. Yes, Mr. Bell is not very sociable, but then he is there to sell us excellent books, not entertain us! - TravellingLibrary 08.08.15.
    This was a seriously enjoyable browse; owner realised I was concentrating on his wonderful stock, not needing to be shepherded or earwigged; and when I engaged him in business, he was a very fair negotiator. - glenk 04.09.15.

Peter Ellis
18 Cecil Court
CHARING CROSS  London  WC2N 4HE   map
tel: 020 7836 8880  web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.30 - 7.00, Saturday 10.30 - 5.30.
Modern firsts, literature, illustrated, history. ABA member.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsExcellent selection of modern firsts but prices over the top as seems common in Cecil Court. £75 for Smiley's People? - Loyola 24.04.10.
    Loyola seems to be under a double misapprehension: books in London are in fact cheaper than elsewhere in the country (see his comments on Any Amount of Books); it is not possible to maintain an 'excellent selection' by underselling your stock. ellisbooks 17.03.11.
    Visited today - excellent stock in fine condition with fair (and inviting) prices for the quality - this seller knows the true definition of "fine". - Sam Glen 15.05.13.
    I bought an excellent book, at an excellent price, from a very pleasant and friendly lady. What more could you want? - Peter M 19.10.19.

Peter Harrington
100 Fulham Road
CHELSEA  London  SW3 6HS   map
tel: 020 7591 0220  fax: 020 7225 7054  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
First editions and bound sets, voyages, travel, atlases, maps, colour plate and natural history, Illustrated first editions of children's books, fine bindings and fore-edge paintings.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsParadise for the book voyeur. I bought nothing but was treated with great courtesy even with a bored 14 year old in tow. - Loyola 24.04.10.

Peter J. Hadley Bookseller ABA ILAB
132 Corve Street
LUDLOW  Shropshire  SY8 2PG   map
tel: 01568 368937  e-mail
Open: Friday & Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Lots of architecture, art and history as well as other subjects as they come along. A bargain book trolley with all items at £1 will be outside. Despite being the British Isles smallest bookshop, there will always be new items on display.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsWelcome return to Ludlow. Tiny shop at bottom of hill. Blink and you,ve missed it. Interesting selection of quality books in good condition. Prices reasonable, and friendly owner will discount - always a bonus. - BookBuyer 13.01.17.

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.

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.

Priorsford Books
11 Northgate
PEEBLES  EH45 8RX   map
tel: 07522 934770  e-mail
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Strong on children's collectables, also general Scottish interest, women's fiction, crime, Greyladies, Folio, social history, magazine, prints and literary gifts.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsSmall shop, beautifully laid out, some new books, also prints, magazines and book related gifts. Strong on children's, folio, John and Anna Buchan, women's fiction, orange penguins, Persephone etc Some Scottish interest. Not open every day. - HB 22.09.19

Prospect Hospice Books & Music
66 Commercial Road
SWINDON  Wiltshire  SN1 5NX   map
tel: 01793 610645  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
A variety of fiction and non-fiction, including history, art, transport, antiquarian and many more. New stock added every week. Donations welcome.

 Add a comment

R and R Books
Nelson Street
STROUD  Gloucestershire  GL5 2HL   map
tel: 01453 755788  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
Wide range of secondhand books, magazines, comics, and ephemera. Includes mind, body & spirit, esoteric, art & craft, literature, poetry & plays. Good selection of paperback fiction including classics - modern & 19th century, crime/detective, science fiction, fantasy, and children's.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGood general range most subjects average prices. Worth a look. - Norman Davies 24.04.10.
    Second visit in three months due to positive experience first time. Some unexpected happy finds, including good religion, psychology, MBS, literature and history sections. Shop a couple of doors above Black Books Cafe, so coffee is nearby. - S&S 02.11.13.

R J Caffrey Books
The Square
KINTBURY  Berkshire  RG17 9UP   map
tel: 01488 658 788  e-mail  web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00 or by appointment.
Good general stock, Modern European and Military History, the Ancient World (Greek and Latin texts and translations always available), Art History, Photography, Architecture, Topography, Catholicism, Plays, Poetry and Irish interest (Literature, History and Culture).

 Add a comment

Rickaro Books
17 High Street
Horbury 
WAKEFIELD  West Yorkshire  WF4 5AB   map
tel: 01924 278811  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 8.30 - 5.30.
Our stock reflects the diversity of interests in the town of Horbury where we are situated, with the best of new and collectable titles always on display. Whilst we have a good general stock and cater for children of all ages, we specialise in local history of the West Yorkshire area and always have a range of interesting titles available.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsLots of books, hundreds, on T.E. Lawrence and a lot on Yorkshire as well. But a pretty limited stock otherwise. Not much for Penguin collectors like me. - Sam Price 20.02.14.

Robert Humm & Co
59 Scotgate
STAMFORD  Lincolnshire  PE9 2YQ   map
tel: 01780 766266  fax: 01780 757929  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 1.00 & 2.15 - 5.00. Closed on Wednesdays.
We specialise in rare and out-of-print books about railways, other transport and industrial history. We also stock a wide selection of new books on railways. Our shop has recently moved to new premises at 59 Scotgate.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsExcellent transport stock, shame about the prices (around 20% too much). - Paul Simpson 28.07.09.
    Lovely clean, tidy and well presented premises at Stamford Station. The amount of natural light gives a warmth to browsing the quite superb selection of railway and transport stock. Shelves full to the brim without it being difficult to read titles. Prices at the top end but that is what you pay for quality. - Chris Harte 20.04.10.
    Broad range of new and secondhand books, notably railways, with prices at the higher end of the scale, but always worth a visit. - Steve Brissel 22.10.12.Agree with the other reviewers that this shop is very bright, clean and well maintained in their new premises. There is some general bargain books in between the 2 entrance doors and I'm glad I didn't heed the advice of St. Mary's and St. Paul's bookshops who both stated this shop was railways only. He, in fact, has a large collection of aviation, maritime, naval and waterways stock at the back of the shop near to the stairs. Unfortunately for me that was where the good news ended as the pricing was sky high so no purchases made. Perhaps he should update his website to better reflect all the categories of books he stocks? - Laurence Batchelor 23.10.18.

Russell Rare Books
The Corner House
101A Victoria Road 
CIRENCESTER  Gloucestershire  GL7 1EU   map
tel: 01285 644 347  e-mail  web
Open: Strictly by appointment.
Natural History: decoratively illustrated books.

 Add a comment

Saturday Books
61 Tower Street
DUDLEY  West Midlands  DY1 1ND   map
tel: 01384 481455 or 079771 481455  e-mail  web
Open: Monday &Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 2.00 - 5.00. Saturday 10.00 - 3.00.
I have large collections of English and American literature, military history, self-help and special needs education. If this not diverse enough, some 30 other catalogues. Link through website. A physical shop too, open daily but with restricted hours

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsFocused on good condition stock with an academic tilt, very friendly owner and more importantly lots of people coming and going! Good central location two minutes from the still bustling open market - Peter Hadley 21.09.17.

Scottish Ornithologists' Club Bookshop
Waterston House
ABERLADY  East Lothian  EH32 0PY   map
tel: 01875 871330  fax: 01875 871035  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 4.00, Saturday & Sunday 12.00 - 6.00 BST.
Secondhand books covering a broad range of (world-wide) ornithology and natural history subjects. Collections include New Naturalist and Bannerman titles. The SOC is a registered Scottish charity (SC 009859)

 Add a comment

Second Chapter Books
27 St. Mary's Parade
St Mary's Place 
SHREWSBURY  Shropshire  SY1 1DL   map
tel: 01743 588372   e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
Small secondhand bookshop with a wide range of stock, good selection of History, science fiction and local books. Located in St Mary's parade.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsSituated on the lower level of a Grade II listed building, formerly the Royal Salop Infirmary, this shop has a welcoming persona which can instantly attract. What made my visit so pleasant was the easy manner of the owner and his effort to find for me a rare volume on a subject of my interests (instantly purchased). The layout of the shop makes browsing easy and all subjects are well categorised. However, it was local and county titles which really caught my eye. A good quality selection. Worth a visit. - Chris Harte 20.02.18.

Secret Book & Record Store
15A Wicklow Street
DUBLIN 2  Co. Dublin   map
tel: +353 (0)1 6797272
Open: Monday - Wednesday 11.00 - 6.30, Thursday 11.00 - 8.00, Friday - Sunday 11.00 - 7.00.
We buy, sell and exchange books - philosophy, poetry, history, music, film, Irish interest, literature, psychology, art, sci-fi & fantasy, science.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI was completely taken aback as I entered this shop situated at the end of a long hallway. A very varied selection of fairly modern books and quality jazz coming from the vinyl section. Nothing old but some really interesting titles which caused me to make a number of impulse purchases. This place is worth a visit. - Chris Harte 09.11.15.
    The owner, Dermot, is not as gruff as he pretends to be. Little for the collector but a good value bookshop. Many interesting remainder titles. Discounts for multiple purchase available. - Loyola 24.11.15.
    On this occasion we can agree completely with Chris Harte. Interesting shop and worth seeking out. - David 18.08.16.

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 9/1/20 to 27/1/20 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.

Shambles Tuesday Market
Market Place
DEVIZES  Wiltshire  SN10 2AT   map
tel: 01380 726922  fax: 01380 850319  e-mail
Open: Tuesday 8.00 - 4.00
4 respected bookdealers in attendence every Tuesday. Book clearance, general stock, local history, military etc. Bookfinders, buy/sell/valuations/enthusiasm. Also good antiques and collectibles available. Established for over 20 years and has a history of attracting good quality bookdealers amongst its general antique trade.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide comments Small selection but a few goodies on 2 stalls at sensible prices. Worth a look if in the area. - Norman Davies 17.05.14.
    We made a special visit to Devizes last Tuesday - were in the Shambles at 3.30 p.m. - only one bookdealer was there but packing up. Another bookdealer had gone. The notice outside had 5 pm closing so disappointing. - Mary 05.12.16.

Shepton Community Bookshop
15 High Street
SHEPTON MALLET  Somerset   BA4 5AA   map
tel: 01749 345 522  e-mail  web
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Fiction and nonfiction, antiquarian vintage and modern, well sorted and reasonably priced. Particularly strong on theology and railway books, and children's books. Also local interest, history, thrillers, classics etc. Reasonable prices, all clearly marked inside the front cover. Very accessible for wheelchairs and run by friendly knowledgeable volunteers in aid of local good causes.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsNot huge, but better than your average charity shop selection. - Malcolm Parker 02.07.19.
    One large, bright room with an interesting selection at moderate prices. It has been open about 6 weeks and is already well-supported, I was told. - Mark V 17.08.19.

Skoob
66 The Brunswick
BLOOMSBURY  London  WC1N 1AE   map
tel: 020 7278 8760  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 8.00 (and Bank Holidays), Sunday 10.30 - 6.00.
London's broadest selection of secondhand academic books, the UK's widest range in philosophy and large collections of modern literature, art, history, politics, economics, classics, science and technology.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThe description (London's broadest selection of secondhand academic books, the UK's widest range) is theirs and is not justified. It has a good and broad range, but it is not that significant. - George Marshall 06.02.09.
    Wide variety at very reasonable prices but nothing for the collector. - Loyola 24.04.10.
    Sadly this shop always disappoints, very drab stock, often overpriced & never anything collectable. tradng.ava 31.03.11.
    Little for collectors perhaps, but plenty for readers - which is the main thing. Very wide stock in humanities and social sciences, especially strong in history, classics, literature and art. Highly recommended. - GP 16.07.11.
    Another regular lunchtime browsing spot for me. Bit surprised by comments that there is little for the collector - extensive Penguin collection, plus many JM Dent and other older series. The most interesting stuff is all around the till area, most of the good stuff pulled out of the general stock shelves. It's a good experience all round with my only complaint being that (especially in the last year or so) prices seem to have risen and many of the books are not very competitively priced. Still always worth a visit. - M&O 14.04.12.
    Odd comments from the above. Skoob has the largest collection of plays and philosophy in London, and an incredible antiquarian selection if you ask. - ElBib 12.07.12.
    Very negative experience. Holder of their little stall nearby sent me in the wrong direction (and on a massive wild goose chase) for the shop and chap on till didn't seem interested in this or the fact I was looking for higher-end Penguins. Apparently the rarer stuff goes to book fairs; I will pay top money for rare paperbacks, but this was lost on uninterested till boy. - Sam Glen 23.05.13.
    Please beware of Mr Sam Glen, and his comment above. He is well known among the second-hand book trade as a customer to give a wide berth to. Poor chap.ElBib 24.08.13.
    Re Elbib - to suggest I am well known as a scourge of the second-hand book trade is flattering, but entirely untrue. At least I put my name to reviews and stand by my comments. Strange this seems to be your only comment on the site. - Sam Glen 29.08.13.
    Still one of the best secondhand shops in London as far as fiction choice and stock is concerned. The prices are still high even by Oxfam standards but worth a visit. At the weekend there is a good non-Skoob stall at ground level in the Brunswick Center itself. - Jon Morgan 10.09.14.
    Air conditioning in this rather cramped basement is a blessing. There's an extensive stock of artists' and photographers' monographs, my specialism, including some rarities. Recent books in perfect nick are generally half the published price. I found an unusual collection by the American photographer Dan Weiner, 1974, going for a song. - Nicholas Sack 01.08.15.
    Cramped basement, but at least it is full of decent s/h books. Impressive politics and sociology collection, which I found reasonably priced for London and came away with a couple of wants. - Norman Davies 29.08.15.
    Sizeable basement with substantial academic stock sections and good general range elsewhere. Small music book section, which makes the presence of an upright piano somewhat incongruous. How did they get it down those stairs? Prices high, but reasonable for London. - Steven Kelly 09.05.16.
    Prices very high even for London - their policy seems to be to charge half the new price so expect to pay 4 to 5 quid for very ordinary paperback novels whatever the age or condition. - Yossarian 03.06.16.
    This shop combines very good stock with very high prices. It therefore encourages browsing which should be careful in both senses. Not for the bibliographically incontinent! - The Bookman 16.07.16.
    Back again on the 13th of April. Fair while since I managed to buy an item there. Not very impressed with the manner of many of the items on the shelves. Think the workers need to make these all look better. - Chris K 21.04.17.
    The stock has become a little tired of late and little seems to shift but the crime fiction and general fiction sections are extensive (and expensive) and foreign language is not bad either. They must be making money based on what they pay for books brought in for sale and what they subsequently mark them up for. You can hear the disappointment in the vendor's voice as they wonder whether it is worth carting them home / elsewhere. That said, the rent / rates must be eye watering. - Jonathan Morgan 15.09.18.
    1st visit ever after trekking up from Cecil Court. I had hoped to find a goodly selection of recent military academic titles but alas the WW2/WW1/ Naval/Maritime/Military and Childrens sections were all poor. Nothing purchased and Francis Edward's basement was better. - Laurence Batchelor 27.06.19.

Slightly Foxed
31 Bridge Street
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED  Northumberland  TD15 1ES   map
tel: 01289 298361  web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 11.00 - 4.00
After 15 years in the Buttermarket, Slightly Foxed has moved to permanent premises at 31 Bridge Street, Berwick-upon- Tweed. We now offer an even wider range of quality second-hand books. These consist of both fiction and non-fiction, from the latest thrillers to children’s classics, from poetry to history and the occasional antiquarian find.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsOngoing Saturday market stall with second-hand books, maps, dvds and film posters under the town hall. Lots of paperback fiction and some good, larger hardback non-fiction. Stall expands to Wednesdays for the summer holiday season (late July to early September). Worth a look in before or after checking out the charity shops (especially BHF) and Berrydin Books. - Chris K 31.05.14
    Not there now on winter Saturdays. (The market stalls aren't too full either near to Xmas.) - Chris K 22.12.14.
    Stock back on sale last Saturday. Some of his better s/h books are usually shelved at the very good Corner House Cafe just up Church Street.
    I visited this bookstall recently and unfortunately found the stall holder to be rude, overpriced and downright insulting. Don't waste your pennies on such a disgusting man, walk up the street and go to Berrydin Books instead. - Donna 20.06.15.
    Simon is unlikely to be able to add Wednesdays this summer; he has family problems and is also behind in writing up his PhD thesis. As far as non-fiction is concerned, I can buy good cheap items from him. (While Berrydin Books currently has lots of poor stuff). Today 3 nice paperbacks. - Chris K. 26.07.15.
    First summer Wednesday today, the 5th August. (His wife has recovered from an operation.) Bought 2 more good non-fiction books; cost me £12. - Chris K 08.08.15.Now Wednesday too. Pop in when I'm there in the town's main street. Found another good '60s railway item. - Chris K 29.04.16.
    Lots of books compared with the Buttermarket. The non-fiction ones were not well sorted. Even some shops have them sorted but don't put different words on the edge of the shelf. - Chris K 03.08.17.
    Was open on a Tuesday afternoon when I visited Berwick recently. Thought the level and range of stock better than Berrydin at the other end of town: managed to pick up three non-fiction Penguin paperbacks in excellent condition for £8 so really happy. Owner was quite friendly. Thought sorting wasn't too bad on the whole but very occasionally haphazard. Large sofas at the back of the shop to sprawl in. - Graeme Rendall 04.07.19.

Sophie Schneideman Rare Books
331 Portabello Road
NOTTING HILL  London  W10 5SA   map
tel: 020 8354 7365  e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 11.00 - 4.00, Friday 11.00 - 3.00, Saturday 10.30 - 6.00.
Private Press & illustrated books, binding, food and drink, prints & photography. 3-4 catalogues and 3 shows a year. Talks about food & drink history as well as various aspects of the book arts. Always available by appointment as well as opening times.

 Add a comment

St Clare's at the Cathedral Shop
St Michael's Avenue
Off Cuckoo Lane 
COVENTRY  West Midlands  CV1 5AB   map
tel: 02476 521200  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.30 - 3.00.
Our secondhand books include an extensive theology section, as well as a range of novels, reference, history and other books. We also sell gifts, many of which are ethically sourced and church supplies. We are uniquely situated between the old and new cathedrals in the heart of the city.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsVery much a religous book and gift shop well positioned for Cathedral tourists. The 2nd hand stock wasn't extensive and by and large, most was religous paperbacks. Very pleasant lady owner who seemed helpful. - Laurence Batchelor 03.08.18.

St Michael's Hospice Coffee & Bookstore
Unit 6-8 Station Yard
Worcester Road 
LEOMINSTER  Herefordshire  HR6 8TN   map
tel: 01568 614 137  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00.
Situated next door to the Home and Living Store a brand new café and bookshop. Thanks to the specialist knowledge of our volunteers the store has an impressive range of military, history, transport, folio society, antiquarian and local tourism books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGood selection of modern fiction and non-fiction with a selection of older books at the back. Parking right outside and a coffee shop at the front, the staff were very welcoming and as you can see I splashed out on a couple of 1970 Piccolo titles. - Tim 13.11.18.
    Very impressive newly set out like a small library. VG modern books but also many older on subjects particularly transport and other non fiction. Good café too. Note is near station not in town centre. - Norman Davies 26.04.19.

St Philip's Books
82 St Aldates
OXFORD  Oxfordshire  OX1 1RA   map
tel: 01865 202182  fax: 01865 202184  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Specialists in academic, humanities, theology, history, philosophy, literature and art.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA must among Oxford's ever dwindling number of secondhand bookshops. It specialises in Christian books, with an emphasis on Roman Catholicism: not popular paperbacks (although it has a few of these), but serious, scholarly works on bible study, patristics, theology and church history. In addition, it has worthwhile sections on art, literature and secular history. - Professor Geoffrey Warner.
    For specialists (and the wealthy) only. If you're looking for bargains or modern literature, don't bother. Great views of Christ Church though. - Nick Campsall 04.11.08. WWAD for its (allbeit) specialist stock and worth a look for the occasional surprise. - Steven Whitehead 09.06.12.
    A professionally run establishment with an academic based stock so view website prior to visiting. Im a regular and find the prices to be fair. E-mails are answered which seems to be a rarity in the trade. - OWC 27.09.12.
    A very helpful owner who recommended me to try Jerico as he did not stock military books in a strong way. Agree it's a serious establishment with academic topics well covered. - Laurence Batchelor 24.07.19.
    More than just a haunt of the pious but a good collection also of general literature, history and philosophy. Prices on the high side of fair and probably no use looking for bargains but I'm not wealthy and I found things I could afford. - Laurence Purcell 28.10.19.

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.

Stirling Books
18 Maxwell Place
STIRLING  Sterlingshire  FK8 1JU   map
tel: 01786 461816  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 12.00 - 5.00.
We currently stock around 30,000 secondhand books in a wide range of categories. Large theology and philosophy section, large natural history section, over 8000 fiction titles from the 1800's through to current paperbacks and hardbacks.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsBroad range, strong on academic titles. Following a recent revamp they seem to have fewer coffee table and 'celebrity' biography type books. Prices reasonable, occasionally on the higher side. - Steven Kelly 02.10.14.
    Stirling Books may well have 30,000 books in stock, but I'd say only a fraction of that number were out on display in the shop. Very general coverage and rather high prices. Some books currently stickered at £2 and £3. - TravellingLibrary 08.08.15.
    New opening hours listed on their web site. Open 12.00 to 5.00 Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday - booksellerbull 18.07.19.
    This shop seems to have shrunk since my last visit a couple of years back. The helpful owner/assistant did check on her computer for any titles matching my interest, but sadly little was available. - Wessexman 22.09,19.

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.

Stour Bookshop
Bridge Street
STURMINSTER NEWTON  Dorset  DT10 1AP   map
tel: 01258 473561
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00. Closed for lunch 1.00 - 2.00.
General stock and illustrated books, archaeology, aviation, history and woman authors.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsOpening hours currently given as 10:00 to 16:00 and closed for lunch from 13:00 to 14:00. Good general stock as per listing. - Simon Procter 21.08.15.

Tarrington Books
Shire Cottage
TARRINGTON  Herefordshire  HR1 4EU   map
tel: 01432 890746  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00, appointment necessary.
Thousands of antiquarian and collectable books in stock including crime fiction, signed first editions, vintage Penguin paperbacks, military, history, theology, engineering and quality fine bindings. New stock added every month. We primarily trade online but browsers are more than welcome by appointment.

 Add a comment

The Beverley Old Bookshop
2 Dyer Lane
BEVERLEY  East Yorkshire  HU17 8AE   map
tel: 01482 880611
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
General stock and children's, illustrated and local history. Also bookbinding and restoration.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAn interesting stock on two floors with very fair prices and a good selection. The proprietor is helpful and knows his stock. Well worth a visit. - Nicholas Pendower 27.04.10.
    Small shop with upstairs stock too. Well organised and some interesting books. Reasonable prices; with a very out going lady at the counter. WAD. - Chris K 18.06.12.
    Lovely little bookshop! They pretty much always have what your looking for. Helpful staff, and easy to find the sections your looking for. - Miss T 22.03.14.
    Small shop with good stock on the ground and first floors at reasonable prices and run by a friendly, knowledgeable owner. Recommended. - SteveBrissle 03.06.17.

The Book Annex
18 Church Street
HARWICH  Essex  C012 3DS   map
tel: 01255 551667  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00 & Sunday 2.00 - 5.00.
Academic stock with particularly strong areas in the visual arts, science, history, film and media. Over 18000 books, principally published in the last five years. Stock can be viewed on our website. We welcome visitors but if coming a distance please phone first.

 Add a comment

The Book Cellar at St Richard's Hospice
11 High Street
EVESHAM  Worcestershire  WR11 4DA   map
tel: 01386 422921  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
We have a vast selection of high quality secondhand books, catering for a wide variety of tastes. We also stock some Folio Society and old collectable books. All funds raised through sales support St Richard's Hospice.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsExcellent extensive selection in a largeish basement room. Above average charity shop and I made several purchases. Sadly some older books seem to have been "Oxfam-ed" or "Abe-ed" priced. - Norman Davies 13.03.17.
    I was rather underwhelmed with this one having travelled over from Stow after visiting Evergreen Livre. Although there is a lot of books in the basement at charity shop prices the quality is low. Only 1 purchase made which the ladies upstairs kept me waiting a long time to pay for. The charity shops in the town were all of a general nature with poor selections of books making Evesham not high on the list of towns to visit for the booklover or collector. - Laurence Batchelor 06.12.18.

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

 Add a comment

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 Bookmark
15c Rainham Shopping Centre
RAINHAM  Kent  ME8 7HW   map
tel: 01634 365987
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30. Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
Over 40,000 reasonably priced books at your fingertips. Wide range of both fiction and non-fiction. Very Good History, Travel, Biography, Childrens & study sections. Book searches undertaken. Range of large print & audio books. Great jazz while you browse.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsOn entry started muttering to myself about wasting 50p in car park charging. Within a few minutes realised that there was good stock so long as you had your eyes looking upwards on to the top shelves. Eventually came away with two carrier bags full but be aware; the manager's spoken English is not very good. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
    Fantastic range of well priced books in an incredibly well oragnised and clean shop. Really helpful, well spoken and knowledgeable staff. - J 27.04.12.
    One of my favorite bookshops. Very good stock of books and the owners will look out for books for you. Prices are very reasonable. - Dave 24.05.12.
    A tremendous range of high-quality stock, all neatly ordered and shelved. The voluble owner might entertain you with his opinions on the practices of Amazon. I found a signed hardback copy of Fay Godwin's photos of Romney Marsh, with text by Richard Ingrams, for a gleefully low price. - Nicholas Sack 08.07.14.
    It depends on your interests I suppose and this was one of the best laid out and best organised bookshops in Kent. A pleasure to browse in if you are interested in local or military subjects. The practice of piling two rows of books on a shelf is really annoying and off-putting after shifting them for half an hour one is inclined to give up. Many of the lower shelves in this otherwise well devised shop are utterly obscured by piles and boxes. Many remainders and multiple copies, get rid of the 6 plus copies of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth and there may be room for some more quality stock. Plenty of charity shops close by, otherwise quite a depressing little shopping centre in a depressing county. - Jon Morgan 07.08.14.
    Good for modern books - quick moving stock. Good prices. - loracs 10.07.18.
    Combined with a visit to Sunburst this makes Rainham worth a visit. Stock here pretty good although prices a little high. Very well selected and shelves easy to check. - Chris Harte 28.11.19.

The Bookshop
10 Michael Street
PEEL  Isle of Man  IM5 1HA   map
tel: Tel 01624 845127
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00, Sunday 9.00 - 4.00 (in summer).
General secondhand stock but particularly motorcycling and military history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGood little bookshop with wide selection of reasonably priced books, and very helpful owner. - Steve Newman. 13.08.14.
    This shop has moved to 10 Michael Street. A small shop with a good selection of books. From memory I would think the new shop is smaller than the previous premises. The owner was as friendly and helpful as last time we visited 10 years ago. - Caroline Mathews 10.07.15.
     Very friendly owner; sort of place that locals come in for a blether rather than buying books. Having said that, there were some interesting titles and the prices extremely reasonable. One smallish room but worth a look if you're in Peel. - Graeme Rendall 09.08.18.

The Bookshop on the Heath Ltd
74 Tranquil Vale
BLACKHEATH  London  SE3 0BW   map
tel: 020 8852 4786  e-mail  web
Open: Monday & Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 11.00 - 5.30, Saturday 10.00 - 6.00, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00.
A wonderful and varied selection of fine, old & rare hardback books plus original posters, prints, postcards, football programmes, ephemera and 100s of cheap paperbacks at 3 for £5. Specialist areas: Local history, Children's books & James Bond first editions. "An absolutely fabulous bookshop!" (The Independent: Britain's 50 Best Bookshops)

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsSuperb stock but grossly overpriced - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
    Discovered this shop from blogger "Read Head" and went along to investigate. http://readhead89.blogspot.com/2012/02/bookshop-on-heath.html. Fantastic selection, Old Penguins & Pelicans galore at £1.80 each and lots of original Enid Blytons like I used to read. My partner loved the travel posters too. Will be back again! - Lingli Guan 13.03.12.
    Called in yesterday, a half price sale just started. The owner is selling up, but would prefer to sell as a going business rather than just close down. Prices become reasonable at half price but stock selling fast! - Steve Newman 08.02.14.
    Now under new ownership. TGB 08.06.14.
    Worth a visit. The new management has renewed and reorganised the stock and the shop is now open every day of the week except Wednesday (usually from 11am). These are all good things but prices of hardbacks remain generally high, some eccentrically so: does anyone pay £20+ for even a mint copy of a book from the Companion Book Club? - Laurence Purcell 29.08.14.
    Now up and running under new ownership. Stock remains good quality, but at good quality prices. But great to see it has remained open and apparently prospering. - Steve Newman 19.01.15.
    The appearance promises much but the quality and quantity are middle-ranking. They are apparently going to extend into the basement, so the stock should expand. - Michael Ross 17.04.15.
    You have hit the nail on the head, Mr Ross; despite the attractive window displays the new owner has yet to thoroughly shake up the stock. Strong on theology (the owner's specialist subject) and children's books, but the arts stock desperately needs culling: artists' monographs from the 1970s printed in black & white, the ubiquitous Christie's catalogues... The pending opening of the basement will be an excellent opportunity for this ideally sited shop in a cultured 'village' to up its game. - Nicholas Sack 24.04.15.
    The basement is now open: three inter-linked rooms, increasing the total stock by perhaps 30 percent. This is an attractive shop, but I don't see the merit in charging more for a secondhand title than its new equivalent on Amazon. - Nicholas Sack 23.10.15.
    The shop is artificial and unorganized. Most of the books are priced three times higher than the standard rate. There are plastic crates in front of some shelves. The antiquarian books are unavailable to view. There are paperbacks locked inside glass cabinets. - John Roberts 30.08.18.
    Absurdly overpriced books. A very disorganised shop. The staff are rude and unpleasant. Not worth a visit.- Werner Voss 30.08.18.
    As a regular visitor to this shop,it would never have occurred to me to describe it as disorganised. The books are displayed in the usual categories though some (particularly fiction) have additional, specially featured sections. There were three plastic boxes there this morning but these I imagine contained new stock (always a good thing)and did not pose much of an obstacle to browsing. I'm sorry to hear that the staff were rude to Werner Voss; I have always found them pleasant and helpful. I would agree that some of the pricing is on the high side. It's still worth a visit. - Laurence Purcell 06.09.18.

The Bookworm
210 Dalkeith Road
EDINBURGH  Midlothian  EH16 5DT   map
tel: 0131 662 4357  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 5.30, Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
Front shop is mostly paperbacks in all subjects of fiction. Upstairs mostly non-fiction, with one of the best selections of military history in Scotland. I have been in business for over twenty years at the same premises.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsBookworm has two rooms, a big bright front room of mainly paperback fiction laid out like a record shop with the books in rows one behind the other, and a smaller back room of non-fiction more normally laid out in bookcases. Near Cameron Toll, this is more remote from the city centre than the rest of the Edinburgh shops, but worth the trip especially for their military history section. - Jeremy Briggs.
    Great range of subjects and prices. friendly and helpful shopkeeper will bring up theme-sorted boxes of books on your interests from basement too. well worth the £1.50 bus fare out. I came away with a bagful. - glenk 04.09.15.
    The very pleasant proprietor happily sought out from storage some items for me to peruse, several of which I purchased. Well worth a visit to the south side. - Wessexman 22.09,19.

The Border Reader Bookshop
Old Melrose Furniture Studio
Ravenswood 
MELROSE  Roxburghshire  TD6 9DF   map
e-mail  web
Open: 7 days 11.00 - 5.00
Small but select range of secondhand books; quality fiction and poetry, academic and general non-fiction, with an emphasis on philosophy, literary/ cultural theory, and history, plus classical CDs. Beautiful off road setting, with cafe, antiques, gifts and furniture showrooms on site.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsUpstairs in farm courtyard off the A68. Good interesting stock. (No mass mkt p/backs and celeb. biogs.) Found 2 unusual art history titles. Stock not yet online so well worth a visit. - Chris K 27.07.11.
    Well worth a detour, this small attic shop is completely devoid of coffee table and mass market clutter, and the focus is on quality titles. Prices very reasonable. At the time of writing, cards are not accepted so you will need to bring some cash. An added bonus is the little coffee shop below. - Steven Kelly 21.11.13.
    Worth noting they put the book price on a slip of paper at the BACK, confusing at first as some old prices still exist at the front and only a smal notice to explain this. lovely place to visit. - PaulP 01.03.14.
    Lovely location above a cafe and antique centre. Signposted from main road, not in Melrose Books well displayed (confusingly prices are on postit at back) but mostly very common titles, didn't find anything to purchase. - HB 22.09.19

The Dawn Book Supply
5 Station Road
Carlton 
NOTTINGHAM  Nottinghamshire  NG4 3AT   map
tel: 01159 612624  e-mail  web
Open: Monday & Friday 10.00 - 4.00, other days by appointment.
We have over 1000 non-fiction general books including maps, railways, history and much more. We also sell new & second hand Christian and religious books.

 Add a comment

The Dormouse Bookshop
29 Elm Hill
NORWICH  Norfolk  NR3 1HG   map
tel: 01603 621021
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00.
Medium general stock, East Anglia, travel, natural history, crime fiction, entertainment and science fiction.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsSmall shop in a lovely old street. Flagstone floor. Pleasant, friendly owner is a good salesman. No stock on the internet. WAD (Worth A Detour) - Chris K 16.07.10.
    Thought I ought to correct some details about this shop. No science fiction however loads of children's books,local books and military history. Helpful owner. For me the best book shop in Norwich. - Fontis 27.7.10.
    Lovely shop in beautiful street. Shop packed with interesting stock. Friendly owner. Plenty of crime fiction. Will be returning next opportunity. - Helen 30.07.11.
    My favourite bookshop in all of Norwich! the owner is very friendly and always helpful. The quality and selection of books is superb, prices are very reasonable. Situated in the historic Elm Hill it's the perfect setting for this little shop. I am a regular visitor. - Lenore 03.03.12.
    Helpfully arranged shop - transport and military history are well represented. - Herne 20.02.15.
    I don't like criticising small shops at all but this one is damp, very damp, cold even on a hot day, for the sake of the his health (and his books) the owner should invest in a dehumidifier and a blow heater. otherwise agree with above comments. - PaulP 03.07.15.
    I agree with all the comments above, particularly regarding the friendliness and helpfulness of the owner. Can't say I noticed any damp! A must to visit if you are in Norwich! - Henry Middleton 20.07.15.
    The first thing you notice is the smell of damp which I have to say is common to many bookshops in old premises. None of the books I looked t were damp tho. It recalled the bookshops of my childhood and there ws good solid stock here with some quality old children fiction. The prices for the limited stock of modern fiction - esp. Terry Pratchett hardbacks (Death seems to fix a premium) seemed a little steep, all the more so considering I later bought two in the charity bookshops for under £2. However worth a browse and worth supporting. - Jon Morgan 26.09.15.
    Back again and found the more updated Shell Guide of Norfolk. Cost me £9.50. It's a fairly small shop but lots of interesting items to check out. - Chris K 13.07.17.

The Eagle Bookshop
16-20 St Peters Street
BEDFORD  Bedfordshire  MK40 2NN   map
tel: 01234 269295  e-mail  web
Open: Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
A very large shop, with rooms devoted to history, the arts, the sciences, mathematics, literature and general / antiquarian books. Our prices range from £5 upwards on the shelves, with bargain trollies outside when the weather is fine. Established in 1991, our shop has been expanding ever since - recently into the neighbouring property. We like buying books!

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsIn a quiet part of the town, just outside the centre. A fairly large shop, with several rooms; very well laid out; a good mixture of modern and antiquarian books; friendly and helpful staff. Well worth a visit. - Richard Beaton.
    Fairly large stock in this out of town shop. Owner certainly knew his subject. Very good local and regional holdings and some rare topography books. - Chris Harte 13.10.09.
    lots of very erudite and arcane looking tomes. Few really readable books but some beautiful volumes on display. What a second hand bookshop should look and feel like but something was missing for me ... - Jon Morgan 20.02.12.
    Definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Bedford otherwise refer to the comprehensive and interesting website first. During the week you will probably have the shop to yourself. Parking and refreshments nearby. - OWC 10.09.12.
    Lovely shop, knowledgeable owner, wide selection and fair prices. well worth a visit. - Astrid 06.03.13.
    Excellent, interesting and characterful stock in four or five rooms, moderately priced. Includes a "bookshop within a bookshop" as it's described: a room with shelves of £1, £2 or £5 etc books, with some nice finds. WWAD. Street parking outside. - Mark V 02.04.15.
    A very good bookshop if you are a keen specialist in the history of mathematics philosophy and the sciences. For those interests WWAD. Less outstanding, but still good and WAD. Certainly one of Bedford's more compelling features. - The Bookman 16.07.16.
    Excellent shop, the very epitome of what a secondhand bookshop should be. Strong on engineering and the arts as well as local history. Don't miss the vintage telegraphy equipment upstairs. WWAD if you're anywhere near Bedford. - Steven Kelly 08.04.17.
    Excellent shop. VG stock and good prices. We always call in when in the area. WWAD. - David 21.04.17.
    An excellent but pricey shop laid out across 5 rooms. 1 room upstairs has been turned into a sale room with books for £1 or £2. Those books seem unsorted so one needs plenty of time to browse. The history room for me was towards the back upstairs, and although the military holdings were extensive, I struggled to find any naval or aviation books to buy. Despite this weakness in stock I came away with 2 books so not a wasted journey. Pricing for me was on the high side as just about every military hardback I pulled out was £10 so 2 books on intelligence in WW2 I didn't buy as a result. Lastly there's an onsite toilet upstairs if like me you've travelled far. - Laurence Batchelor 25.09.18.
    A marvellous bookshop. I've been visiting it for years and always come away with wonderful things. Owner friendly and helpful and prices extremely fair. Very much the place to discover new and unfamiliar things, even for the seasoned collector. - Christopher 08.10.18.
     Excellent shop WWAD and with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Good range of subjects covered and strong on John Bunyan and local interest. Note that they are preparing to move into a larger shop in the town centre so check before travelling. Their website is well worth a look. - Steven 17.06.19.
    Reopend in magnificent premises at the heart of the town with 5,000 sq ft of ground floor sales space. - TBG 21.10.19.
    Same excellent stock. Nearly all subjects available, but especially good for non-fiction. Well lit and spacious. Sofas and chairs everywhere. Fair priced, owner gives generous discounts. Parking available nearby. Highly recommended. - Charles Day 28.10.19.

The Frome Bookshop
18 King Street
FROME  Somerset  BA11 1BH   map
tel: 01373 473964  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00 and first Sunday of the month.
Hand picked books on subjects including ornithology and British wildlife, children's illustrated books, fine bindings, literature, art and first editions. Books bought & sold.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsOne room stuffed with good and well chosen stock. Clearly curated by a knowleable booksellers. WAD. - Hugo Boylan 26.04.19.
    A great little bookshop and I fully endorse Hugo's comments. - SteveBrissle 03.01.20.

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.

The Haunted Bookshop
9 St. Edwards Passage
CAMBRIDGE  Cambridgeshire  CB2 3PJ   map
tel: 01223 312913  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Antiquarian and secondhand, with occasional new. Children's titles, mainly twentieth century. A few local history books, bindings, poetry and literature. We buy selectively in all the above areas and mail to anywhere in the world.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAlthough there are selections of titles on cookery, fiction and general literature it is the children's section which caught the eye and the ear. The prices tourists were paying for these latter noted books was quite mind-boggling. Expensive is the word. - Chris Harte 13.09.12.
    Tiny shop. Tired stock. I suspect the better stock is put aside for book fairs and the shop stock is for American tourists. The pricing is supernatural. - Loyola 13.04.17.
    The general stock is not worth a visit but their children's books section is excellent in range and depth. It is on the first floor, which in my experience is usually cordoned off. But go with your Wants list and there is a good chance you will find your heart's desire. Pricey, yes, but it is a specialist shop after all. - Michael Ross 03.01.20.

The Highland Bookshop
60 High Street
FORT WILLIAM  PH33 6AH   map
tel: 01397 705931  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 8.00, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00.
The Highland Bookshop's secondhand selection is a curated mixture of outdoor, Mountaineering nature, a small selection of antiquarian and burgeoning Scottish history and fiction selection of titles. Books are taken in by appointment or if staff member Kelsey is here and available.

 Add a comment

The History Bookshop
Fisherton Mill Courtyard
108 Fisherton Street 
SALISBURY  Wiltshire  SP2 7QY   map
tel: 07772 632517
Open: Tuesday & Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
History books, including local, military and general history along with children's books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsBetween the railway station and the city centre. Welcoming and helpful owner with a good stock of books at reasonable prices, this small shop opened at the end of October. Recommended if you like history and a good browse. - SteveBrissle. 21.11.15.
    Don't be put off by the name as there are lots of other subjects, history is just the speciality. After the loss of several bookshops in Salisbury it is nice to have new one to browse in. Local history and topography also feature well. The owner Patrick is ETGOW and this shop is WAD. - John Edwards 15.08.16.
    A further visit, with the shop in a new location, next to Fisherton Mill. It's smaller but the stock remains varied and reasonably priced. Patrick is always welcoming and a visiting black cat provides an interesting diversion. - SteveBrissle 31.07.19.

The Holbeach Bookshop
3 Park Road
Holbeach 
SPALDING  Lincolnshire  PE12 7EE   map
tel: 07565 980913  e-mail  web
Open: Monday & Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Approximately 3,000 books with a good range of topics especially fiction, first editions, history, biography, military, transport, natural history, children's and much more! We are a community bookshop run solely by volunteers offering quality books at reasonable prices.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThis recently-started charity bookshop (2018) is great. Excellent range of titles, good condition and sensible prices, and friendly. Well worth a visit and easy parking further down the road. Bodes well for the future! - Shaun Tyas 06.12.18.

The Hungerford Bookshop
24 High Street
HUNGERFORD  Berkshire  RG17 0NF   map
tel: 01488 683480  fax: 01488 683479  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, 5.30 on Saturday.
Hundreds of good quality secondhand books downstairs, including a wide range of history, art and biography. Paperback fiction to pick up also. Old and new titles available. Run by a friendly husband and wife team with 20 years bookselling experience between them.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThe ground floor is new books, with second-hand in the basement. Stock a little limited. - Clive Cheeseman 15.08.07.
    New upstairs, second hand in musty basement. Don't agree above - fairly extensive collection if a little pricey. Well worth a visit taking in Hungerford Arcade nearly next door. - Norman Davies 14.08.12.
    The new books upstairs are ever so tempting unlike the dull and dreary small selection of secondhand books downstairs. - OWC 22.09.12.
    A basement full of some interesting titles. What was on offer varied between the dull and the surprising. The children's section was strong as were shelves of military and historical books. Found a rare volume which was most reasonably priced. - Chris Harte 04.03.14.

The Idler
37 High Street
 Hadleigh 
IPSWICH  Suffolk  IP7 5AF   map
tel: 01473 827752
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, Wednesday 9.30 - 1.00.
General stock and the fine, applied and performing arts, natural history local books and poetry.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsNice shop with very friendly and helpful staff. Visited 2 or 3 times a year and usually find something. Small car park across from shop accessible past main shopping centre. - Richard Fuller 08.08.15.

The Last Bookshop
73 Park Street
BRISTOL  BS1 5PG   map
e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 7.00, Saturday & Sunday 10.00 - 7.00.
Good quality remainders including art, biography, children's books, fiction, history, and literature.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAn excellent remainder shop with constantly changing stock. All books priced at £2. Expensive parking nearby. Worth a detour. - The Drifter 22.08.13.
    Whiskers. 9/10. - The Boxer 17.09.13.
    A good, if slightly limited range of books. the space in the shop was not put to best use and many interesting titles were actually on the floor under the tables. lots of customers, Not far from Bloom and Curll ... if you ever find it open, and the Oxfam up the road is worth popping in to ... - Jon Morgan 21.11.13.
     Has now moved just down the road - books now £3 each or £10 for four. Not as good a selection as previously and more expensive. A pity. - The Drifter 22.10.14.
    Address details updated today - TBG 22.10.14.
    As remainder shops go this is not too bad. Lots of unsalable nonsense at the rear but some decent stuff on the tables at the front. - Chris Harte 15.11.14.
    Disagree with many above. This is one of the better remainder shops with some pretty good modern fiction and nonfiction at £5 for 2. Worth a look if in Bristol. - Norman Davies 09.01.15.
    Excellent variety and superb prices (or price as everything is the same: £3 per book or two for £5.) Only drawback is the steepness of the hill but no doubt the walk did me good. - Steven 05.11.15.
    Better organised than in the previous location with many remainder titles I had paid full price for over the years (frustratingly). Some good quality stock. and at £3 each many bargains to be had. - Jonathan Morgan 15.11.16.
    Very good remainder shop. Books at £5.00 for 2 or £3.00 each some of which we saw in other shops at far higher prices. WWAD. - David 29.09.17.
    The best shop for recent remainders for many miles. WWAD indeed. - Norman Davies 31.05.18.

The Last Bookshop
25 Walton Street
OXFORD  Oxfordshire  OX1 2HQ   map
e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 6.00, Saturday 10.00 - 6.00, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00.
Good quality remainders including art, biography, children's books, fiction, history, and literature.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsEver-enticing remainders shop, now back in Oxford's boho/boutique village. With books displayed outside on a sunny day, and coffee on sale, it's a Saturday-morning destination. - Paul O 10.09.14.
    Lots of good remaindered/overstocked new items with some s-h books, especially downstairs. Paid £5 for 2 new French travel items worth £29.98 ...- Chris K. 26.09.15.
    Not just remainders any more. It's evolved into a full-on secondhand shop on two floors. There are now two basement rooms open, one with loads of twentieth-century fiction (where I pounced on several titles by neglected authors). It's odd to think that this shop used to be a video rentals place -- the digital age wiped out video, but books seem to be making a comeback. - Paul O 10.06.16.
    This was easily the best of the bookshops which we visited in Oxford. Prices reasonable, mix of second hand and remainders. - David 04.01.19.
    I have to agree this is the best 2nd hand bookshop in Oxford. For a city so full of academia and tourists it is surprising that you really do have to hunt the city centre streets to find a good secondhand bookshop. This one is small but spread over 2 floors and is a mixture of remainders and secondhand. Secondhand pricing was reasonable and new books were 2 for £5. I came away with 4 purchases for £13 with finally my military tastes catered for. - Laurence Batchelor 24.07.19.

The Old Bank Book Shop
8 South Main Street
WIGTOWN  Dumfries and Galloway  DG8 9EH   map
tel: 01988 402111  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30, Sundays 12.00 - 5.00.
Now under new ownership our focus will include: fiction, biography, history, politics, international issues, art and design and foreign languages.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsMuch improved since our last visit.Large very good quality general stock,nicely displayed and at reasonable prices. - Second Nature 01.04.09.
    Now probably the best shop in Wigtown. - Richard 29.07.09.
    Agree with above, wide range of stock properly priced for Wigtown. - PaulP 02.08.11.
    The second best of the bookshops. Quite a number of rooms stock from floor to ceiling with a large section on Scottish interest. A lot of sheet music and a comprehensive art collection. General stock but, in all honesty, mainly for the casual visitor. - Chris Harte 18.06.12.
    On my first visit here I was nonplussed to find a seminar in progress in the Topography room, impeding access to the shelves and blocking the route to Art and Architecture in the next room. This was uncomfortable for all parties, and not a little irritating. However, the shop is a handsome one with a pleasant quirky layout and well presented stock. Some flexibility on the part of the visitor may be needed. I recommend retiring to the Glaisnock for a pot of tea until 'bookshop' reasserts itself over 'multifunctional space'. - TravellingLibrary 08.08.15.
    Friendly and helpful, and with excellent, interesting stock at moderate prices. Definitely worth a visit. - Mark V 08.08.15.
    On the other side of the Square from the more famous "The Bookshop" (and down the hill, a bit), this is a well laid out shop covering all the areas in their description pretty well - quite a large world and military history section in particular which is an interest of mine. Also lots of vintage sheet music if that's your interest. All in well-labeled sections and subsections (I much prefer this to rooting blindly through jumbled shelves and piles). Several rooms with high bookshelves all around so one can easily lose one's self (and one's wife, as I did today). Prices seemed fair, on the whole, although I did notice a couple of fairly recent HBs optimistically priced when PB versions are available in discount bookshops for a couple of quid.
    That said, I picked up a few things for good prices and while paying and we had a very pleasant chat with 1 of the owners (which, to be fair is quite a regular occurrence in this part of Scotland).
    Quite different The Bookshop over the road - not better, or worse, just different. Which makes taking some time to browse both a pleasure. - Flip M 21.01.19.
    Well lit, thousands of books, well arranged around the ground floor of what I suppose was an old bank at one time! Tall shelves all over, stocking most subjects. Military is particularly well covered but they stock most things. Friendly owners too. Prices ok. There aren't too many bargains in Wigtown but it's not over priced like Hay on Wye tends to be. - Flip M 21.08.19.

The Rabbit Hole Independent Bookshop
21 Market Place
BRIGG  Lincolnshire  DN20 8LD   map
tel: 01652 408534  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5,00.
Secondhand stock includes railways, history, religion, education, poetry, fiction, local history, children's, maps, newspapers, natural history, engineering, politics, geology and some rare collectables amongst other subject areas. A new bookshop in Brigg North Lincolnshire. We stock new books downstairs and second hand books and vinyl upstairs.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA very pleasant shop with friendly staff. Easy parking, free on Saturday. A good Oxfam bookshop in the town as well. All good reasons for a detour! - Shaun Tyas 04.06.19.

The Rutland Bookshop
13 High Street West
UPPINGHAM  Rutland  LE15 9QB   map
tel: 01572 823450
Open: Saturday 11.00 - 5.00.
General secondhand stock and particularly gardening, natural history, farming, rural life and topography.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsMargaret Baines' proud boast is "that we are not on the internet." Hence their stock of rural pursuits, hunting and horse books is way beyond the norm. Lovely but cluttered shop with treasurers all around. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
    What a wonderful shop. A little musty haven with ancient worn carpet and twisty stairs lined and stacked with books; some just a couple of quid and some rather more, but all browsers feel welcome. The lady who co-runs it is lovely, and says (I paraphrase) she would rather sell something a little damaged and cheap to someone who will treasure it, than sell a pristine copy to a collector-type. It's like going to somebody's house - a personal and individual feel, and I love the total lack of decor or refurbishment - it's all about the books - of which there is an excellent selection - the stock is chosen with taste. I would be heartbroken if this shop ever closed down! - Anon 30.03.12.
    A gem of a shop! Strong in most areas especially (as Chris Harte says) hunting and rural pursuits but also travel and topography: good collection of Batsford books from the 1940s. Lady owner is a charmer and (heavens!) really interested in books. - Laurence Purcell 12.04.14.
    Sadly, Maureen Baines who ran the shop, passed away on June 29th. I understand that Edward Baines will continue to open the shop on Saturdays only for the foreseeable future. - David Siddons (Forest Books) 26.07.14.
    This news is a dreadful shock. I met Mrs Baines when I visited the shop for the first time in April and was bowled over by her charm, friendliness and knowledge. She will be much missed. My condolences to Mr Baines. - Laurence Purcell 28.07.14.
    I met Mrs. Baines a number of years ago and instantly fell in love with her charm and natural ability to engage you in conversation. She was always interested in you, the customer, and got to know you and the shelves you frequented. You could not be in a hurry if you entered her bookshop, you didn't go to buy a book only but to have a chat as well. I am sorry that I did not go and see her for some weeks, and sad to discover she is now in a better place. Mrs. Baines you will be missed lots. I am sorry for you Mr. Baines, I hope you can find the time and courage to keep 'Mrs. Baine's treasure trove' open.- R. J. Cook 20.09.14.
    I especially visited on Saturday 20th Oct to co-incide with the PBFA book fair in the town hall in the high street as this shop only opens on a Saturday. Upon entering a charming bell above the door rang and made me think that most secondhand bookshops lack those small touches today. The shop is small in area but crammed with books all categorized over 3 floors. I nearly started an avalanche coming back down the stairs as many piles of books sometimes rest in precarious spots where one cannot see so a word of warning - mind your footing! Upon reaching the top floor I found the military section surprisingly poor so no purchases made. The pleasant owner made me aware that soon his daughter is going to open the shop Wed/Thurs/Fri which I'm sure will improve things. - Laurence Batchelor 23.10.18.

The South Kensington Bookshop
22 Thurloe Street
South Kensington 
KENSINGTON  London  SW7 2LT   map
tel: 020 7589 2916  fax: 020 7589 0522  e-mail  web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 8.00.
Mostly good quality art and history remainders. Next to South Kensington tube station.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsAlmost always worth a visit! - David Dixit 08.03.12.Solely remaindered stock, OK if that is what you are after but hardly a second hand book shop. - Steve Newman 12.12.14.
    Not as varied as it has been in the past (and I have been visiting for over fifty years) but always worth popping in to see what is around. Very strong on remaindered books on Art and Painting. - Chris Harte 06.06.15.
    Still offers a wide range of quality remaindered stock, though the photography section is much diminished. Handy for when visiting the V&A Museum. - Nicholas Sack 01.06.16.

The Tiny Bookstore
70 Church Square
RYE  West Sussex  TN31 7HF   map
tel: 07784 942047  web
Open: Wednesday & Thursday, Saturday & Sunday 10.30 - 5.30.
We have an eclectic collection of books in our Tiny space. Ranging from Arts to Zoology. Including Biography, Local Topography, History, Children’s and a good Poetry section. We also have a good selection of penguin books

 Add a comment

The Topsham Bookshop
(Was Joel Segal Books)
27 Fore Street 
TOPSHAM  Devon  EX3 0HD   map
tel: 01392 877895  e-mail  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00, closed for lunch 1.00 - 2.00.
Our large general stock covers many areas of interest, including Devon and West Country Topography, British and World Topography, History (especially Social History and Archaeology), The Arts, Transport and English Literature. We have a large stock of fiction titles.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsLove their colour themed window displays, and they always have a good selection of art and cinema titles. - TBG.
    Superb find - a real well stocked quality second hand stock. Sensible prices very wide list of subjects, friendly staff. Well worth a detour. - Norman Davies 23.10.10.
    A proper secondhand shop and worth a detour but I found the prices on the steep side. If they had cost less I would have spent more. - Steven Whitehead 26.04.11.
    Great bookshop. You could lose yourself for a few hours inside. Prices do vary. - BGP 05.05.11.
    Due to an amicable termination of partnership, the bookshop at 27 Fore Street is now operating as The Topsham Bookshop and is owned and managed by Lily Neal. Joel Segal will continue to trade as Joel Segal Books (www.segalbooks.com) and will be operating from The Cafe, 76 Fore Street, Topsham. - Chris K 12.03.12.
    Recommended shop with good, fairly reasonably priced wide ranging stock. Beware they close for lunch! Worth a detour. - The Drifter 14.08.13.
    Revisited today. Comments remain same - one of the best old fashioned s/h shops in the west with an excellent selection, prices fair. - Norman Davies 28.02.15.
    Back again on Friday 18 September. Found another good item - the updated Pevsner Buildings of England Yorkshire: York and East Riding. Nearly new and cost almost a third of the full price. - Chris K 01.10.15.
    A great shop with an interesting and varied stock at mostly reasonable prices. Certainly worth a visit. - SteveBrissle 07.04.16.
    A most interesting bookshop with a wide selection of subjects. I enjoyed two full hours of browsing the shelves but, alas, the pricing put me off more than a single purchase. - Chris Harte 19.04.18.
    Made a special visit to Topsham (challenging parking ) due to the reviews on TBG and was a little underwhelmed. Stock is extensive and spread over 4 rooms on 2 floors but I was limited to just 2 purchases and managed to view all their military naval stock in 15 mins. The lady owner Lily was on a day off but the gentlemen was helpful and directed me to all the right shelves. I would advise a visit if fiction or topography and travel are your thing. The most memorable thing about this shop for me was how when opening the front door it appears it's going to strike against the corner of the first bookcase but is made so it just misses it! - Laurence Batchelor 04.01.19.
    Visited en route to Cornwall. Strong selection across many categories, especially poetry and literature. - Herne 13.08.19.

Thistle Books
61 Otago Street
GLASGOW  Lanarkshire  G12 8PQ   map
tel: 0141 334 8777
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.30.
A general secondhand bookshop with an interest in history and and Scottish books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsA general secondhand bookshop with an interest in history and Scottish books. Don't be put off by it being down a back lane off Otago Street - a medium-sized shop with a good general stock, well worth searching out. - Jeremy Briggs.
    Well worth a visit. Friendly and welcoming owner, great condition stock at very fair prices and very nicely set-out. The best of the Glasgow bookshops for me. - The Wanderer 11.02.09
    Thistle Books is literally a few yards away from V&R,but never thought much of it stock-wise,although it?s quite well laid out. - Allan Campbell 06.03.09.
    Excellent: dont be put off by dodgy alley approach. Friendly owner, particularly strong on music books and politics. Worth a detour. - Norman Davies 10.06.10.
    Suggest that 'The Wanderer' may just be related to the owner of this shop. Hardly anywhere near as good as 'Caledonian Books' nor as eccentric/attractive as V&R's chaos. "never thought much of it stock-wise, although it's quite well laid out" is about right unless classical music books and scores are your thing. Owner is audibly upset when you can't find anything to buy. But there are no bargains in the middling stock. Falls between most stools. Sorry. - Chris K 30.09.10.
    Wrong to say it 'falls between stools' - you'll be hard-pressed to find a better selection of contemporary Scottish fiction anywhere. Knowledgeable owner too, only variable condition stops this being a real pleasure for a collector. - Neil Goodlad 18.09.12.
    A pleasant enough bookshop with a fairly good variety of general subjects although a heavy concentration on music. I thought the prices were somewhat at the top end which restricted my purchases. - Chris Harte 30.11.12.
    Didn't think the alleyway was too dodgy (the shop is tucked away to the right at the far end, two minutes walk from the Great Western Road). Welcoming and friendly owner, decent selection of titles which were nicely laid out and prices not eye-wateringly off-putting. Would definitely pay a return visit. - Graeme Rendall 10.03.18.
    Pleasant shop, interesting history and music sections. Nice owner. Not at all problematic to find in this leafy part of Glasgow. - Alan 10.10.19.

Toby English
6 St. Marys Street
WALLINGFORD  Oxfordshire  OX10 0EL   map
tel: 01491 836389  e-mail  web
Open: By appointment only.
Visitors are welcome by appointment, please phone in advance. There are in stock thousands of second-hand, rare and scholarly books on many subjects but especially Art, Architecture, Children's and Illustrated Books, Travel, Literature and History.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsCertainly worth a visit. Jam-packed with books - piles on the floor, which creates a pleasingly bibliomaniacal atmosphere, but doesn't make it easy to look around. Especially strong on art. Good condition, not cheap but fairly priced; friendly owner. Also immediately opposite the Oxfam bookshop. - David Gouldstone 30.10.09.
    Stacked with irresistible quality and run by someone who knows what books are about. - OWC 18.09.12.
    Moved to this address in 2015. - TBG 24.11.15.

Treadwell's
33 Store Street
Bloomsbury 
BLOOMSBURY  London  WC2E 7PS   map
tel: 0207 419 8507  e-mail  web
Open: Week days11.00 - 7.00, Weekends:12.00 - 7.00.
Treadwell's bookshop is undoubtedly the most magical bookshop in London. It specialises in History, Mythology, Neopaganism, Wicca literature, Anthropology, Comparative Religions and more. In addition to its rare collection of written texts, herbs and incenses, Treadwell's also runs a successful series of events where clusters of academics, poets, artists and practitioners gather together to discuss philosophical matters until the early hours of the morning.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThe description fits the shop generally: overblown, full of glamour (in the proper sense), and delusional. The stock is not particularly impressive, and seems highly priced. - Putney 17.09.13.

Treasure Chest Books
61 Cobbold Road
FELIXSTOWE  Suffolk  IP11 7BH   map
tel: 01394 270717  e-mail  web
Open: Monday 9.30 - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
East Anglia's Largest bookshop with something for everyone - over 60,000 books including the UK's largest stock of Transport/Shipping/Aviation Books (20,000+). Also Military, History, Art, East Anglian, Maps, Industrial History and a large stock of cheap Fiction/Classics/Childrens/Sci-Fi/Crime etc. Quality book always wanted.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsHuge stock all on one level, well organised and labelled, clean and fairly (but not cheaply) priced. Wide range of subjects. WAD. Located slap bang in the centre of town facing the triangular town square, and just across the road from a car park. - Roger Pearse 27.06.08
    This is one of the best secondhand bookshops I have been to. Well organised & labelled & the shop seems to stretch back for miles! A lot of books, especially the collectable ones, have dustwrapper protection & new stock appears constantly. Have to disagree with Roger Pearse regarding prices - I think they are very reasonable. - Bee Clarke 29.07.09.
    Quantity does not necessarily equal quality. Although this shop has a huge number of books on shelves which go deep into the back of the premises, the quality stock is to be found on the front shelves. Local titles are good but the majority of the rest is really just for the reader. - Chris Harte 24.02.10.
    This has the most extensive collection of railway books at very reasonable prices I have seen for years. Genuinely WAD for other subjects too; the quality is in the specialist subjects as well as older books in the front. - Norman Davies 16.07.10.
    A bit like Aladdin's cave, there is a lot more in this bookshop than might seem to be the case at first sight: room after room with books on most subjects, most of which are reasonably priced. Together with Poor Richard's, this makes Felixstowe a must for any secondhand book lover. - Geoffrey Warner 15.12.11.
    As with its counterpart in Colchester, this is an extremely well-run and rewarding book shop. The stock is comprehensive and sensibly priced and the assistants were extremely helpful. There was a half-price sale on the day that we were there and we picked up a significant amount of good stuff. Highly recommended. - Nicholas Pendower 06.03.13.
    Very well organised shop - remarkable transport collection. As for Castle bookshop Colchester a very good sale on at present. - The Herne 26.03.13.
    The second of the two superb second hand bookshops in this provincial seaside town with a pethora of charity shops and one good charity bookshop. This place is truly tardis like and just kept going further and further back . I looked round outside and could not work out how it was done! There is a lot of transport specialism at the front of the shop which all looks good quality and reflects the new management interests. If that is not your thing, do not despair as there are extensive quality comprehensive sections on almost everything as you penetrate deeper, Rates the accolade WWAD as does Poor Richards, further towards the beach. - Jon Morgan 13.08.14.
    Rounding off a most enjoyable visit to Felixstowe, this shop is unmissable. Transport selection alone worth the visit. But much to see in almost every section. Poetry especially well catered for and prices sensible. - Herne 26.04.18.
    Revisited after some years. Superb. Amazing transport at sensible prices and a plethora of decent titles on other subjects in the Tardis like interior. Worth quite a substantial detour on my part. - Norman Davies 15.08.19.

Undercover Books
Loose's Fleamarket
23-25 Magdalen Street 
NORWICH  Norfolk  NR3 1LP   map
tel: 07745 924388  e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday:- 10.00- - 5.30, Sunday 11.00 - 4 .00.
A large and ever-changing selection of modern period 'classic' fiction in hardback and paerback, crime, sci-fi, 'pulp', horror. A good children's selection including early Puffin and pictorial board books are always in stock. Art books and hard-to-find titles in various genres. A solid travel section and a number of antiquarian books. Local interest, of course, and academic books too.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThe fleamarket is an Aladdin's Cave and that's what, I think, they call it anyway. Undercover Books is set up upstairs at the front of the building on the first floor and it's a real delight. I was able to pick up some long lost sci-fi at a very reasonable price and could have spent a whole lot more time here just browsing a great selection of really interesting stuff. It's really a little gem. Highly recommended. - singsong64 04.02.12.
    Appearing but once a week with an ever changing array of genuinely difficult to find titles curated by a veritable pulp meister - Nigel! (for that is his name) Go undercover and discover a world you thought was only in books ... book farmer 20.02.12.
    Went back to Undercover Books after over a year and it is clearly on the up. Increased stock of high quality. Impressed by the fiction, modernism, crime, SF, drama, theory; also posters, comics, pamphlets ... a good atmosphere and a strong sense that the bookseller knows his onions. Prices seemed very reasonable. One of the best second-hand outlets of its kind in Norwich at the moment? - pinefox 12.09.15.
    My first visit was disappointing as I stayed on the ground floor an found a lacklustre selection of books on shelves at the back of this vast emporium. Then I read the reviews above and realised that I had actually missed the real Undercover Books on the first floor at the front. A good selection in almost every genre with a very knowledgeable and attentive owner. He obviously knows the trade and the stock. Other charity shops in a large Oxfam with a good stock of charity stock books almost opposite. - Jon Morgan 06.07.17.

Unsworths Antiquarian Booksellers
16 Canterbury Road
FOLKESTONE  Kent  CT19 5NG   map
tel: 07802 875469   e-mail  web
Open: Appointment necessary.
We buy and sell collectable, rare and scholarly books from every century of printing and on all the humanities, including literature, philosophy and society, with an antiquarian focus on early printing, Greek & Latin classics, Medieval & Renaissance Europe, and British history & topography.

 Add a comment

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.

 Add a comment

Vanessa Parker Rare Books
The Greenway Antiques and Book Store
Mulranny 
WESTPORT  Co. Mayo  F28 R851   map
tel: +353872339221  e-mail  web
Open: Most days July to October 2.30 - 5.30, rest of the year Sunday only but please phone ahead.
large stock of general out of print books along with fine antiquarian stock and fine bindings, large selection of old children`s and illustrated books, Irish, literature, poetry, general. We also have a large genuine antiques. Huge selection & old prints mounted and wrapped ready for framing. The most westerly books & antique shop in all of Europe!

 Add a comment

Voltaire and Rousseau
18 Otago Lane
GLASGOW  Lanarkshire  G12 8PB   map
tel: 0141 339 1811  web
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 6.30.
Large stock including literature, history, Scottish and antiquarian books.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsDown a much friendlier lane off Otago street than Thistle Books, this big shop could give Caledonia Books a run for its money with the amount of stock. Books to the ceiling but also in piles on the floor in front of the bookshelves. With more stock than they really have room for, it gives the impression that the book you are after is there if only you could spend the time moving the piles about. However if you want to search through the science fiction pile you might have to persuade the sleeping cat to move first. That said, this is my favourite shop in the area, always worth a visit. - Jeremy Briggs.
    Cluttered just about starts to describe this dump. Give yourself a couple of hours just to move the mainly-creased stock from where they are dumped. As for looking at any of the lower shelves, forget it unless you like shifting piles of stuff with nowhere to put it. They need to dump the crap and then they could display the books they have which are worth buying. - The Wanderer 11.02.09
    Voltaire and Rousseau's is an institution and I like going there, and there's a secret to dealing with the piles of books in front of the shelves. Simply knock them over. One of the guys then comes along and insists that he will sort it out. When he's doing that you simply stand beside him and look at what he's picking up. Easy! Good prices in here and the military section is extensive. Never seem to have much travel or biography, which is quite unusual. Cash only too,which can be a bit of a pain,especially if you?re buying a decent quantity. - Allan Campbell 06.03.09.
    Certainly not a dump. Great '£1 and under' section, great sci fi section and very good history section. The fact that you have to do a little bit of searching is not a problem. 'Cash only' doesnt bother me as I often carry money. - Ian McElroy 18.08.09.
     - Norman Davies 10.06.10.
    After half-an-hour in this shop I felt almost suicidal - Richard 04.08.10.
    Absolutely eccentric and highly recommended if you don't mind getting your hands and knees dirty. Prissy-minded librarians should avoid at all costs. The book you want is here but you have to find it. Books are buried so long that bargains eventually emerge. I love this shop. Full of character. And characters. - Ken Bogle 30.09.10.
    A Glasgow institution. Look on it as a fantastical book cave, with crumbly walls. - Alan Forbes 31.0511.
    The stock keeps increasing. Someone is going to get crushed by a ton of books. At least the bystanders will then be able to see the books behind the fallen tower. Love the place but rarely leave it with the book I went in for. - Lorenzo T 27.09.12.
    Pure anarchy. That really is the only way to describe this quite wonderfully cluttered shop. For a perfect search allow two days while wearing old clothing. I wondered initially if I would find anything I collected. After three hours the boot of my car was full and I had paid an unexpected visit to a cash machine. The treasures hidden away are breathtaking. But, as a warning, you will need patience. WWAD. - Chris Harte 30.11.12.
    Very large stock for size of premises. Complete with cat. - mikey 29.03.14.
    Chaotic, anarchic and a legendary Glasgow institution. I guarantee that you will find five volumes of that six volume set which you have always been looking out for. He's swear he knows where the sixth is ... Not to be missed. - Oor Wullie 26.07.14.
    Revisited after 5 years - Marmite place. I love it including rearranging the huge unwieldy piles and found some goodies. Patience and strength needed. Unfortunately the combined bad weather + presence of 2 less fortunate souls gave a pungency to the rear of the shop which ultimately shortened our visit. Back again in the spring! - Norman Davies 24.11.15.
    Always interesting and in its own way exciting to visit. That said I tend to be buying much less than I used to do. Maybe this is me or maybe it is that among the huge volume of books there are less really desirable books than there once was. It could of course be that the books are becoming even more difficult to see amongst the piles and crowded shelves. - JohnT 22.02.16.
    Anyone with a morbid fear of being buried alive should avoid this shop like the plague. What were presumably once neatly stocked shelves have been totally obscured by piles of randomly and precariously planted titles, encroaching upon what little floorspace there is. A "one-way system" should be in force around the shop as you could be trapped in there for ages by more sturdier souls rearranging said piles for that elusive tome. Felt claustrophobic and was unwilling to create an avalanche. I'm sure some visitors love it but I wasn't one of them I'm afraid. - Graeme Rendall 10.03.18.
    Made a special trip as I've often found interesting items in the £1 room, but not this time as the £1 room was completely inaccessible due to boxes, a folded stepladder and piles of books on the floor. The only way to reach the shelves would be to dig a tunnel. - booksellerbull 06.10.18.
    I think there may be many interesting books here. But they are stacked 4 foot high, up to three piles deep. Shelves are difficult to access as a result. - Alan 10.10.19.

Wadard Books
6 High Sreet
FARNINGHAM  Kent  DA4 0DG   map
tel: 01322 863151  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday & Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
Secondhand and antiquarian books including cookery, military and local history and topography.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsI was amazed at the high quality of books in this shop which also has a very knowledgeable owner who is always willing to help. The scarce titles scattered around are very tempting. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
    What a super bookshop. It is in a pretty village near the M25 and M20 between London and the bookshops of East Sussex. Pleasant and airy with a mixture of antiquarian and secondhand stock, much of interest with a special focus on military history. The owner is very charming and helpful. This is what a bookshop should be. Am most grateful to your website to cause me to stop off there. - Anthony Davis 13.10.09.
    Another bookseller who knows about books. A wonderful selection and competitively priced. Daren't go there too often though! - Jane Jones 31.05.11.
    High quality stock, particularly strong on topography and local history, overseen by a most genial and helpful proprietor. - Nicholas Sack 08.07.14.
    This shop is in fact closed on Mondays and Wednesdays as I discovered when I visited it today (Monday!) The information about opening days shown on the panel which is displayed when you Google the shop's name is wrong as well. This sort of thing is most annoying. - Laurence Purcell 04.03.16.
    What a splendid bookshop. - Kingmaker 04.04.16.
    Visited mid-day on Saturday - when they claim to be open. Shop closed. Faded note on door saying that they might be open later was not a comfort. It might well be a lovely shop but I'd advise anyone to phone first to avoid disappointment. - Peter M 03.09.19.

Wandsworth Oasis Books
Amen Corner
234-250 Mitcham Road 
TOOTING  London  SW17 9NT   map
tel: 020 3759 8802  web
We have a large fiction section, as well as classics, history, self help, world religions, business, art and cinema, DIY, travel and, of course, a children’s area.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsThe prices were pretty high, and they don't accept credit cards, though their stock was quite large, but essentially the same old rubbish. - Mandalay Emporium 26.04.11.
    Definitely my last ever visit to this place: the manager was out and when I inquired where the shelf of signed books was (they used to have one), the shop assistant replied "Oh the manager keeps those for himself, as he collects them". - Mandalay Emporium 25.08.12.
    Avoid going between the hours of 11.30am and 2.30 pm, as the shop is, more often than not, 'closed for lunch'. I know it's staffed by volunteers, but still ... - Alastair Palmer 19.12.13.
    Now relocated to larger premises, in fact a corner of a much larger ex departmental store. Far better layout and helpful staff. Cheaper than other book shops in the area too. Well worth checking out if in the area. - Steve Newman 05.02.16.
    This larger shop opened September 2015 and is much better organized, laid out and managed. - Richard 23.03.16.
    This is a general, albeit large, charity shop. It looks less than enticing from the outside, but has quite and extensive and varied stock of books. I came away with a bagful for £11.00. Some good quality, recently published hardback books. NB it is nearly opposite the now closed (aren't they all?) police station.They now have a card machine but only for purchases of £10.00 or over. I will definitely be back. - Jon Morgan 23.03.16.
     Extensive stock for a general charity shop, but quality is mostly mediocre. Still, I rescued a book on Naive art for a rock-bottom price. A cheerful lady assistant was unpacking new arrivals and advising browsers. Worth a shufty if you are in the neighbourhood. - Nicholas Sack 01.10.18.

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!

 Add a comment

Winram's Bookshop
Balgairn
Bridge of Gairn 
BALLATER  Aberdeenshire  AB35 5UA   map
tel: 01339 755440  e-mail
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
5000+ books, paperbacks, Scottish, natural history, fishing and shooting, military history, mountaineering, children's, art & collecting, travel, history, antiquarian, and many other subjects. We are friendly! Established 1976. 2 miles west of Ballater on A93.There is a bus from Aberdeen going to Braemar. Get off at Bridge of Gairn stop.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsMoved here from Aberdeen at the end of 2006. -TBG.
I am sorry to see it move as it was an excellent little shop with an interesting stock and reasonable prices. I wish her well as she was always pleasant and fair to deal with. - Allan Campbell.

Withnail Books
The Brunswick Yard
24 Brunswick Road 
PENRITH  Cumbria  CA11 7JU   map
tel: 07977 830 945  e-mail  web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Bookroom within The Brunswick Yard antiques centre. 4000+ volumes of general stock, with a good selection of Cinema/TV, comics/graphic novels, some Cumbrian topography and a shelf of T.E. Lawrence. Opposite Booths, a short distance from the town centre. Free parking for customers in Brunswick Yard itself.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsWorth a visit, friendly, knowledgeable owner with reasonable prices. I think that he will be seeking to enlarge his stock from what he says. - CB 10.08.13.
    A hidden Gem. Good selection, especially if you are into graphic novels, fair prices, and an owner who is clearly interested in the books. I enjoyed my visit and came away with a couple of nice items. - The Wanderer 22.03.14.
    More general stock than the description and comments above suggest, enjoyable browse, plenty of parking on the other side of the road. Along with Beckside Books this makes Penrith WWAD. - PaulP 29.08.14.
    A small bookshop in an architectural salvage yard beside Morrisons and opposite Booths supermarkets that looks like nothing from the outside and yet proved to be something of a treasure trove when I was there. They certainly have a lot of graphic novels along with a good cinema and TV section and an interesting selection of old and new military books. The owner was friendly, knew about the books that I purchased, and I ended up coming away with rather more than I expected to. An excellent accompaniment to the long-standing Beckside Books in the same town. - Jeremy Briggs 27.10.14.
    Lots of interesting stuff - and not just books - makes this well worth stopping at. Prices are good and the titles are in the main not run of the mill fare. - Steven Kelly 26.01.16.
    Interesting. First park at Morrisons - if you park at Booths beware deadly road crossing! A small shop with a limited but decent range - at first I wasn't convinced but a good browse revealed a few good buys. Chatty knowledgeable owner. - Norman Davies 29.04.16.
    Interesting selection of titles in good condition. Prices reasonable. WWAD. Easily walkable from Beckside books. - David 01.10.18.

York Modern Books
The Bull Centre
STOCKTON-ON-THE-FOREST  North Yorkshire  YO32 9LE   map
tel: 01904400331  fax: 01904400331  e-mail
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Modern first editions; illustrated books, private press, 20th British art and history. Book Room open to the public, but ring first to save disappointment.

 Add a comment

Ystwyth Books
7 Princess Street
ABERYSTWYTH  Ceredigion  SY23 1DX   map
tel: 01970 639479  e-mail
Open: 9.30 - 5.30 - Monday - Saturday.
80,000 new and secondhand books covering most subjects, but particularly Welsh books and natural history.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsGood stock, well laid-out and reasonable prices. Definitely the best bookshop in Aber by far. And conveniently close to the excellent Gannet's Bistro! - Daedalus 25.06.09.
    A large stock with good turnover including recent publications spread over two floors. My favourite in Aber. - George Marshall - 16.09.09.
    Excellent well worth a visit. Now run by Martin, pleasant and helpful, will even let you browse the reserve stock if you explain your interests. Definitely worth a visit. - Corso 21.09.09.
    A lovely place. This is how bookshops should be. Well set out over two floors; a very helpful and knowledgable owner; good titles; varied stock and a pleasure to spend a couple of hours browsing the shelves. Recommended. - Chris Harte 05.05.11.
    A big selection of Welsh language and non-fiction. The hardback fiction section relatively small and overpriced. The owner was keen to help and the shop is well laid out. - The Travelling Bookdealer 24.08.13.
    Excellent stock over five or more rooms, great range, moderately priced and friendly. Full of interest. - Mark 01.04.14.
    Made a visit back after spending too much of my student grant here 25 years ago. Now owned by the genial Martin, comfortably familiar but enhanced stock and well worth a deep browse. Do call in! - Anthony 09.08.18.

Back to the top