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
Bonython Bookshop
16 Kenwyn Street
TRURO Cornwall TR1 3BU map
tel: 01872 262886 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsGeneral secondhand stock, Cornish history and topography, art and children's books. - TBG.
An interesting medium-sized shop with a few items worthy of a second glance. Good for the general reader. - Chris Harte 20.04.10.
Nice shop, but seemingly with a slow turnover of stock; I visit about three times a year with little visible change. Part of this is because of pricing; everything slightly higher than expected (£6 for non-mint Penguin classic?) - C Pittard 31.10.11.
Visited again after about ten years and recognised many of the same books. Nothing for the trade. Overpriced. - J Jones 06.04.13.
Interesting general selection with some goodies but very expensive prices for an individual buyer. - Norman Davies 02.07.13.
Have to agree with previous comments about prices - they were more than I was prepared to pay (especially given the condition of the two titles I had considered buying). In addition, some books were haphazardly placed where they would be at extra risk of sustaining further damage. Having said that, there were some rather interesting titles for those who do not frequent this shop on a regular basis. - Graeme Rendall 18.09.14.
Always looks hopeful but somehow I never find anything worth buying. Prices vary from high to very high, which no doubt accounts for slow turnover. - CC 26.01.15.Can only re-iterate previous comments re very high prices here. - David 29.09.17.
When will s/h bookshops wake up. Ridiculously high prices. No sales, stale stock. - Bazza 23.12.17.
Very nice Bookshop. Always enjoy visiting. Great selection of stock at a reasonable price. Very satisfied. - MC 15.01.18.
Nine years since my last visit and nothing seemed to have changed. Cluttered single room with no access to rear which was stacked. Good on Cornish material but nothing else to get excited about. - Chris Harte 09.04.19.
Churchill Books and Antiques
The Coinage Hall
Boscawen Street
TRURO Cornwall TR1 2QU map
tel: 01872 273799
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
A room mostly devoted to secondhand books across the hall from Clifford Gibbs Golf Collectables.
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsStronger on non-fiction and WWAD for golfing books. Also worth a look for sports books in general, particularly sailing. - Steven Whitehead 04.08.12.
Interesting selection. Prices varied but worth a look as some quite well priced. - David 29.09.17.
Plus one (or should that be plus fours?) to both comments above. - Steven 30.10.17.
Good clean stock, prices vary, very helpful owner. Great golf selection. - Bazza 23.12.17.
Excellent for golf in one room. Main area heavy on Folio Society but the impression was that much was for the well-heeled tourists. - Chris Harte 09.04.19.
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.
Oxfam Bookshop
9 New Bridge Street
TRURO Cornwall TR1 2AA map
tel: 01872 264765 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00
Add a comment Read commentsHide commentsNo longer a specialist bookshop! Not even the usual charity book shelves. - Martin Roberts 09.04.19.
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