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
Blickling Hall Bookshop
Blickling Hall (National Trust)
Blickling
NORWICH Norfolk NR11 6NF map
tel: 01263 738030 web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.00 (March - October). Winter opening times see website.
A substantial stock of very reasonably priced good quality books all donated by visitors and supporters. All proceeds are for the benefit of the Blickling Estate. East Anglia's largest secondhand bookshop and now in its 15th year of trading. The house contains one of the trust's most important libraries and there is now a stamp shop with similar opening times to the bookshop.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsNot visited, but reputedly has larger stock than at Felbrigg. - Richard Beaton.
Well worth a visit. A small hall and room with a wide range of books. All very clearly guided and sensibly priced. Staff very helpful. I left again with half a dozen bargains. Bookshop can be visited free. Will George 27.03.08.
I agree with Will George - best second hand bookshop attached to a National Trust House, that I know. Good tea shop just outside - so books AND buns what could be better! - Angie Santa 02.04.08.
I have to confess that the shop turned out to be much better than I had expected, and the two bags of books we bought rounded off a most enjoyable visit. - TBG 18.06.08.
I arrived shortly before closing not realising how large it is - apparently it was the first, and is the largest, of the Trust's Norfolk bookshops. Well worth a visit. - Henry Middleton 05.10.08.
More than 10,000 books, shelf subject index, reasonable prices, helpful staff. A 3-carrier bag visit! - Richard Bridgland 30.06.09.
Agree this is the best of the NT shops, excellent collection at good prices - at least 2 carrier bags! - Norman Davies 16.07.10.
Certainly worth visiting but quality of stock this time seemed more the average charity shop fare. The Hall, cafe and bookshop get very busy most days, so don't expect a quiet browse. - Mark 08.06.12.
Best NT shop I have seen and a strong selection in several areas eg classic fiction. Can you find the "top shelf"? - Herne 01.11.12.
The "Top Shelf" hides behind a door near the Crime Section. Eighteen and over only, please! - Chris Porter 19.11.12.
Well worth a visit. This shop has an excellent stock at very reasonable prices and the setting is quite delightful. I came away with a couple of full bags and will certainly be returning whenever I'm in the area. - Nicholas Pendower 01.03.14.
Super bookshop, very large stock, found that a price was negotiable if too overpriced, so spent a lot more than I would have done. - Paulp 26.03.15.
Revisited this week. Even bigger and better, frankly this is by a distance WWAD and is excellent for comprehensive variety and prices. A 2/3 full bag shop. - Norman Davies 01.05.15.
Largest NT selection I've seen. Well organised, plenty under most topics. Prices very reasonable except in the antiquarian and collectible bit which looked a bit steep from the books I looked at, for not a lot. - Flip M 05.08.16.
An excellent and well-organised bookshop that is full of the ordinary and the extraordinary. I have found a few hidden gems - out of print books - that I was delighted to find here. Worth a lot of browsing time and you can break for a coffee to peruse your new acquisitions right outside the shop. If you like browsing for books, stop by. You don't need to pay to enter the house to get to the bookshop or coffee shop. - Mark 06.10.16.
Never know what you might find. Like a book of the Icknield Way. What a find! - Emma Kaye 19.12.16.
Made a detour to revisit Blickling Hall bookshop. It certainly outshines most Oxfam shops. Well ordered, reasonably priced, chairs to sit on and friendly staff. The ephemera boxes are always worth a look. - Mary C 31.07.17.
Exceptional bookshop, with a good stock and very reasonable prices and which would merit that description even if it were in a big city. The fact that it is situated in a picturesque setting with walks galore, two cafes and even a pub makes it even more worth taking the short excursion out from Norwich. - Steven kelly 13.11.17.
Well worth visiting. Good prices. Came away with a boxful and bagful. By far the best NT bookshop we have seen. wwad. - David 09.04.19.
Books For Amnesty
152a Unthank Road
NORWICH Norfolk NR2 2EB map
tel: 01603 627078 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
Within easy reach of the city centre, set on a shopping street in the Golden Triangle. Come along to browse our large range of Second-hand Books. A 20 minute walk from the city centre and on a bus route between UEA and the City Centre. There is a bus stop right outside the shop. There is also free parking (30min and 2hr) on Onley Street, next to the shop.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsNot a bad stock in a light and airy shop. The staff were pricing items according to ABE listings — Oh dear! general prices were quite good though and on a par with Oxfam. - Jon Morgan 13.06.19.
Buffer Stop Books
Wroxham Station
Belaugh Road Hoveton
NORWICH Norfolk NR12 8UU map
tel: 01263 733 858 web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 4.45 (times subject to change during special events).
Fund-raising bookshop with over 5,000 pre-owned books for sale and a wide selection of records, CDs and DVDs.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsAdvertised as "over 5000 pre-owned books for sale" and housed in a large wooden shed next to the platform at Wroxham. Most books are £1 (even the hardbacks) but some are also priced individually. The volunteer behind the counter apologised for one of my purchases being £3 - "is that alright?" My wife thought there was a good spread of fiction titles, whilst the other subjects were less represented but there still appeared to be some bargains available. Worth a look if in the area: the shed is a couple of minutes walk from the "proper" railway station at Hoveton & Wroxham, and less than ten minutes walk from the centre of town. - Graeme Rendall 18.06.16.
City Bookshop
Davey Place
NORWICH Norfolk NR2 1PQ map
tel: 01603 626113 e-mail web
Open: 7 days 9.00 - 5.30 (10.30 - 4.30 on Sunday).
Two shops with departments for remainders, secondhand and also new. Secondhand and antiquarian books about Norfolk, Suffolk & The Broads. Also ephemera and prints. Members PBFA & Ephemera Society. Two adjoining shops on two floors situated on a wide foot street (twixt the open air market & the Norman Castle) in the centre of Norwich opposite HMV and within 50 metres of two Waterstones branches.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsGood collection of new & secondhand books, remaindered titles and antiquarian stock (50-60 titles, some local and fairly rare ones too!). Purchased some local history titles and browsed their antiquarian stock, very knowledgeable proprietor, helpful staff and well priced books. Some bargains to be had, definitely. - J Simo 11.12.10.
A little over 18 months on, I should like to endorse J. Simo's comments. The East Anglia section was very strong and there were also a lot of good military history titles. - Geoffrey Warner 14.08.12.
Very convenient for the castle and a good CD/DVD shop next door. Two floors with a mixture of secondhand and remaindered. Good topography section and some interesting history volumes. - Herne 01.11.12.
Revisiting after two years to find the CD/DVD shop gone alas but this shop still has plenty going for it. Transport generally well catered but still strong in the areas mentioned above. - Herne 20.02.15.
This is an excellent shop with a good range and volume downstairs and a very strong local and older section upstairs including a print room. For me the best shop in Norwich. - Norman Davies 01.05.15.
When I complimented the owner on his shop an nearby gentleman cried here here! Very neat shop, well stocked with a variety of books I paticularly liked the way the books in the locked cabinets are clearly marked with the price. And I really liked the half price room, every shop should have one! - PaulP 03.07.15.
Not a bad place if you are heavily into a) Norfolk and regional topography and b) remainders, Very few 'proper ' second hand books on view. The stock, with the above caveats, is reasonable over two floors in a side street off the main market square. - Jon Morgan 26.09.15.
Decent shop - bought a good near-new item for £4.99. - Chris K 13.07.17.
Good location. Couldn't find much secondhand stock of much interest to me, but the half price room upstairs and the £1 books outside were certainly acceptable. - Mary C 31.07.17.
Felbrigg Hall Bookroom
Felbrigg Hall
Garden & Park (National Trust) Felbrigg
NORWICH Norfolk NR11 8PR map
tel: 01263 837444 web
Open: Check website for opening times.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsSome useful fiction stock. - Michael Mendelblat.
The stock is tiny, a few hundred dull books, at best - not worth a detour. - Stephen 22.05.09.
New bookroom opened recently. Now large selection, very good prices, WAD. - Norman Davies 16.07.10.
Now stuffed with books, good varied stock but too many books I looked at were priced twixt £10 and £20 for 4 or 5 quid books so not many people where buying .. Price to sell is always best in charity shops to get the turnover and money rolling in. - Paulp 26.03.15.
What a let down after Blickling! Have a look as you never know, but some ABE-inspired prices with no decent discounts and limited stock, some of poor condition, were a real disappointment. - Norman Davies 01.05.15.
One small room of typical charity stock but moderately priced and some interesting chance finds. Car parking £2 unless National Trust member. - Mark V 09.05.15.
A well organised room but not large. Prices seemed very reasonable. Did seem to be "typical charity" stock and not WAD unless visiting the property anyway. - Flip M 18.02.17.
Handcrafted Leather and Books
1 Market Place
Row A (top of the market) Stall 18
NORWICH Norfolk NR2 1ND map
tel: N/A web
Open: Monday - Saturday 12.30 - 4.30.
Handmade leatherware / repairs and a whole array of secondhand fiction and non-fiction books are also sold.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsBought a very good item for £7.50. 'Norwich Photographic Memories' by Terence Sackett. - Chris K 13.07.17.
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.
JR and RK Ellis
53 St. Giles Street
NORWICH Norfolk NR2 1JR map
tel: 01603 623679
Open: Monday - Saturday 8.00 - 4.30.
Medium general stock including paperback fiction and publishers remainders.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsMainly fairly recent general stock. However, ideal for the student as there was a lot of used and remaindered academic material. - Chris Harte 24.02.10.
A nice bright shop, with a helpful proprietor. The main shop room is floor to ceiling books with a strong modern language section and plenty of space so you do not feel confined. This room gives on to two others one main area with a very good fiction section. - Jon Morgan 16.02.13.
Nice shop with helpful owner but nearly all recent material so do go if you are looking for recent fiction or more recent titles in most areas. - Norman Davies 01.05.15.
Some good modern fiction with stock in most areas of interest. As previously observed, nothing of interest in older books for the 'collector'. That said a good welcome, good stock and reasonable prices. There is a multi storey car park along the road, convenient for most of the city centre bookshops - Jon Morgan 26.09.15.
Main room is light and airy with well-labelled subject areas. Smaller room off has good variety of genre fiction. - RuthP 03.07.17.
Back again after 7 years. Shop is well run. Bought a nice £3.99 p/b one. - Chris K 13.07.17.
The book I purchased at the shop and had mailed to Canada arrived well wrapped and in good time. Thanks! Great service, and a lovely bookshop with a great selection. - C De Boeck 09.08.18.
Oxfam Books and Music
9 -11 Bedford Street
NORWICH Norfolk NR2 1AR map
tel: 01603 628392 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsIn 'The Lanes' district, among up-market boutiques. Medium sized. High prices. Lots of items with some wear to boards and/or dust jackets shelved in film front bags. Unusual. - Chris K 21.07.10.
Usual Oxfam fare, but possibly the most overpriced Oxfam Shop I have ever come across. Unlike the majority of the bookshops in Norwich which were reasonably priced, the prices charged by Oxfam are outrageous. £9.50 for a rather shabby 'Red Guide' to Felixstowe for instance. One to avoid perhaps! - Steve Newman 17.01.11.
Disgraceful prices for shabby, donated items. Oxfam should realise that they can't charge the same as an experienced dealer selling quality books for which they have paid! I am boycotting oxfam. - Sam Glen 04.08.11.
Not a bad stock on two floors, Rather light on modern fiction , but good modern languages section Prices on a par with most other Oxfam Bookshops i.e. high. I was about to commit murder but then they switched the Enya type music off and replaced it with Bach! - Jon Morgan 26.09.15.
Well-stocked small bookshop over two floors. DVDs seem to be winning the wall-space war at the back of the shop. Reasonable prices, strong on travel (lots of OS maps). - Steven Kelly 03.06.16.
Was not open on Wednesday 5th of July. Returned the next day but found the shop rather poor. - Chris K 13.07.17.
There are generous donators of good stock in Norwich. Oxfam should be grateful and stop charging ridiculous prices -e.g. £12 for London Museum booklet. Please give readers, collectors and dealers a chance with your donated books. - Mary C 31.07.17.
Oxfam Shop
8/10 Magdalen Street
NORWICH Norfolk NR3 1HU map
tel: 01603 665508 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 3.00.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsDecent place with a pretty good selection of books. Bought 2 good local Norfolk items for less than £3.00. - Chris K 13.07.17.
The Bookman
Bagleys Court
Pottergate
NORWICH Norfolk NR2 1TW map
tel: 01603-219950
Open: Thursday - Saturday 11.30 - 5.00.
Secondhand books, comics and annuals. "The biggest little bookshop in town".
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsPleasant people who said that they just had a very general stock with not too much in the way of old books. Ideal shop for the general reader. - Chris Harte 24.02.10.
I was working on the opening times on TBG and duly turned up, having had some success in the bookshops of Norwich, and had some problems finding the entrance to theses premises, which appeared to be up a small flight of stairs. However it was to the left of the stairs in what appeared to be a postcard shop. The door was locked and the woman, clearly visible behind the counter mouthed 'We're closed' with an apparent degree of disdain and contempt for a potential customer ( you know, those creatures who make it possible for a business to continue) which made me unlikely to return here. NB the opening hours now appear to be Thursday Friday Saturday only. - Jon Morgan 26.09.15.
Back again to this interesting shop. Bought a good £2 item of 'Eugene Boudin', the pre-Impressionist man. - Chris K 13.07.17.
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 Movie Shop
11 St. Gregory's Alley
NORWICH Norfolk NR2 1ER map
tel: 01603 615239
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.30 - 5.30.
Secondhand books on film and music and some more general stock.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsFew bargains - stock includes DVDs and videos, magazines, posters, autographs. Some better reserve stock upstairs so do ask for specific wants. NFOH (Not Fond Of Hoovering). - Chris K 16.07.10.
When you walk into this shop don't be put off by the ocean of DVDs and CDs - look under the tables and you'll find boxes full of magazines and comics, with some real gems. - RuthP 03.07.17.
The Tombland Bookshop
8 Tombland
NORWICH Norfolk NR3 1HF map
tel: 01603 490000 fax: 01603 760610 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00 (4.30 on Saturdays).
Traditional mix of secondhand and antiquarian books. Booksellers of over 30 years experience in a fifteenth century shop in the city centre opposite the cathedral.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsMet the collector's curse on my visit. "The owner isn't here today but leave us your phone number and I'm sure he can get you what you want." I'm still sitting by the phone. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
Had another attempt. None of what I collected was on show in the shop but was told to send a list and they would check the barn where "we hold much of our specialist material." Books on the shelves were quality and prices appeared to be reasonable. Any collector should put them on a visiting list. - Chris Harte 24.02.10.
This is the best used bookshop in Norwich. Will be my first port of call on my next visit. - Chris K 16.07.10.
I can't comment on quality of stock or prices. The first time I visited this shop I had to leave all my bags by the till near the shop door and it seemed like I was being followed whilst I went to look at the children's books. Since then have not paid them a visit. Don't think they saw me as a serious collector. - Lenore 03.03.12.
A classic old-style antiquarian bookshop well-situated opposite the cathedral. Left to browse contentedly. Good range of stock, maybe just edging higher end of pricing but not unreasonable. - Mark 21.11.13.
Full of character, clambers and odd nooks...a collectors bookshop mainly, the smell of buckram and old leather, a wide range of prices from "why on earth is this £75?" to "gosh only a fiver". Lovely shop, charming staff, a must if you are in Norwich. - Paulp 02.04.15. - Paulp 02.04.15.
Super shop, worth a visit and the higher end range prices for an excellent selection of mainly older volumes in most categories. Helpful staff. Really enjoyable browse ending in several purchases. A must for the serious collector, and by the way I always leave my bags at the counter of any shop I visit and don't see the problem with that? - Norman Davies 01.05.15.
This place is everything a good antiquarian and secon hand bookshop should be and shouldn't be missed. I made a couple of good purchases at reasonable prices and found the owner (if it were he) to be very friendly. I agree with Norman Davies regarding leaving bags by the till. - Henry Middleton 20.07.15.
A really nice shop but little for me as very little modern fiction. Quality just oozes from the shelves on two floors and a mezzanine. Relatively decent prices given the type of stock. - Jon Morgan 26.09.15.
Very traditional looking. Interesting stock of the old and not so old.. Lots of antiquarian but also a large military section which saw me grabbing a few things quite cheaply. Prices seemed fine to me.pleasant enough service. Would visit again, next time I'm in Norwich. - Flip M 30.01.16.
Traditional, antiquarian-looking secondhand bookshop from the outside but actually quite a broad range inside, from antiquarian titles to reasonably priced recent titles. Strong on art, particularly architecture, children's titles and topography. - Steven Kelly 03.06.16.
Huge range of stock from paperback penguin philosophy to antiquarian. The upper floor is a large peaceful space perfect for browsing. And I offered to leave my bag at the desk but the owner waved me on :) - RuthP 03.07.17.
Sorry but couldn't find any items I needed. (Had already bought quite a few items elsewhere.) Did spend quite a lot of time there as it was raining hard. - Chris K 13.07.17.
Always enjoy Tombland. 'Proper' bookshop, pleasant staff, offered to leave bag but waved on. Good stock and many categories. Prices reasonable. £1 books outside worth looking at. - Mary C 31.07.17.
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.
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