Bookstores in the United Kingdom (England, not London)
Last change:
18 Aug 2008
Bookstores in other parts of the UK are in separate files:
Northern Ireland, Scotland, London,
and Wales.
Just to be perfectly clear, bookstores for the Republic of Ireland/Eire are in
the Europe file.
============================================================================
Cities include (alphabetically; if anyone has a better ordering, let me
know):
Abingdon-upon-Thames, England
Birmingham, England
Brighton, England
Bristol, England
Cambridge, England
Canterbury, England
Cheltenham, England
Coventry, England
Devizes, Wiltshire, England
Dorking, England
Evesham, Worchestershire, England
Greenwich, England (in London file)
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England
Horsham, England
Lancaster, England
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England
Liverpool, England
Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, England
Ludlow, Shropshire, England
Malvern, Worcestershire, England
Manchester, England
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England
Norwich, England
Nottingham, England
Oxford, England
Pershore, Worcestershire, England
Ramsgate, England
Reading, Berkshire, England
Reigate, England
Saffron Walden, England
Southport, Lancashire, England
Stratford, England
Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
Twyning, Gloucestershire, England
Warwick, England
Windlesham, Surrey, England
York, England
Miscellaneous UK notes
other geographic areas
The UK country code is 44. To dial from outside the UK, drop the leading
"0" in the telephone number given and prefix it with "44" (after whatever
your phone system requires). The phone numbers here reflect the recent
change requiring "1" after the "0" and before the city code; update your
other phone numbers accordingly.
[Note 1: I collected these comments from a variety of people. I personally
have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you
buy a book you don't enjoy. :-) Phone numbers and precise addresses can be
gotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city. Call ahead
for precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]
[Note 2: If you can add information for any of these, in particular
addresses when they are missing, please send it to me.]
[Note 3: I know they're bookshops in Britain, not bookstores. In the text
I try to follow this; the introductory material is used world-wide and
uses "bookstores" instead.]
[Note 4: Someone sent this for a particular store, but it applies
everywhere: "Don't complain about high prices; the people in the shop don't
make them, we only try to get a wide range of books and help customers as
well as we can. Books might look a bit than dearer in your home country but
the costs, the costs! We are not, I repeat not, a tourist office--it can be
very annoying to try to do your job and being interupted a hundred times a
day for the way to the Rijks-, Van Gogh or any other museum. (We are
willing to sell you a map of Amsterdam and then point you in the right
direction.)"]
============================================================================
------------------------------
Abingdon-upon-Thames, England:
Thorton's Bookshop (126-B Milton Park, Abingdon-upon-Thames,
OX14 4SA, FAX 00-44-01235-821994,
http://www.thorntonsbooks.co.uk). Academic boosellers.
[04/04]
============================================================================
------------------------------
Birmingham, England:
Dillons. This is a large bookstore in a beautifully restored Victorian (?)
building. The books are arranged on balconies around a huge atrium.
Entering this store is a bit like entering a palace! "Personally I
find it easier to locate books here than in Waterstones."
Nostalgia and Comics. This is a comic book store, with comic-related books
too.
WH Smiths. This store has a reasonable general stock on its second floor,
but has it does have an excellent Star Trek section.
Waterstones. This is a large general bookstore spread over five floors of a
tower block. "I find its layout somewhat of a mess."
============================================================================
------------------------------
Brighton, England:
Africa Centre (36 Robertson Rd, 01273-560-464). Sells African artifacts
and Africa-related books. [05/08]
Forbidden Planet (29 Sydney St, BN1 4EP, (127)-368-7620). SF and comics.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Bristol, England:
Amnesty International Bookshop (Gloucester Rd). Secondhand books to raise
money for AI.
Beware The Leopard Bookshop (St. Nicholas Market). "This is in the
touristy bit near the famous Corn Nails in Corn St (where we get
the expression "paying on the nail" from).
Bishopston Books (259 Gloucester Rd, Horfield, Bristol). "A pretty good
secondhand bookshop. Walking up the Gloucester Road, from
Bishopston onwards, you should find it on your right-hand side."
Bristol Books (Cheltenham Road). Used. "They have about the biggest
selection I've seen round here."
Forbidden Planet (30 Penn St, BS1 3AS, (117)-929-8692). SF and comics.
"The bookhunter might like to string Bishopston, Amensty & The Bristol
Bookshop (Cheltenham Rd, i.e., the next bit of Gloucester Rd) together in
one walk if they're up for it as it's all one long road heading for the
centre of Bristol."
============================================================================
------------------------------
Cambridge, England:
Cambridge University Press Bookshop (Market Hill). Has been a bookshop
since before the America was founded! Mostly CUP only.
Children's Bookshop (30 Trinity).
G. David (16 St.Edward's Passage, CB2 3PJ, between the Guildhall & Kings
College, near the Market Square, 01223-354619. FAX 122-332-4663).
Antiquarian books and prints, as well as publishers' remainders,
and general second-hand books. Established in 1896, it is the
city's oldest bookshop.
Forbidden Planet (60 Burleigh St, CB1 1DJ, 01223-301666). SF and comics.
Galloway and Porter (Sidney St). Used to be good; now mostly remaindered
text books and such. Still a very good place to pick up cheap books
on subjects that don't change too much, like anatomy, European
history, or botany. Of course, computer books aren't so hot.
The Haunted Bookshop (9 St Edwards Passage, near David's,
http://www.sarahkeybooks.co.uk). A small antiquarian shop,
specializing in 19th- and 20th-century children's and
illustrated books. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1700. [05/08]
Heffers Booksellers (20 Trinity St, Cambridge CB2 3NG, 01223-568568;
FAX 01223-354936, http://www.heffers.co.uk). Used to be Cambridge's
answer to Blackwells; now is owned by Blackwell's! They have
foreign-language books, the Heffers+ on St. Andrews Street, and a
music shop at number 19 which is the largest classical CD outlet in
the UK. "Heffers issues catalogues in a variety of fields, and
they are really outstanding about mail order. They take major
credit cards and will also open accounts for customers and accept
payment in dollars." [05/03]
Heffers+ Bookshop (31 St. Andrews St). Paperbacks, videos, DVDs, and
writing instruments. [05/03]
Heffers (the Grafton Centre). Includes a childrens section. [05/03]
Hobson Books (21 Jesus Lane). Used literature, history, and art. Open
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 1000-1730. [05/08]
Open Windows (35 Bermuda Terrace, Cambridge CB 3LD, 01223-313273,
FAX 01223-461391, JLD1@cus.cam.ac.uk). Supplies books covering
all aspects of the UNIX and Apple OSs, including Languages such as
C. The people who run it are knowledgeble and friendly. The
catalogue they publish is very good, particularly the subject index.
They split their service into two areas publishing two seperate
catalogues: the "Unix Book Service" and the "Apple Mac Book
Service." This is a mail-order service only (no visitors)."
Waterstones (near the Round Church). A very large shop. Good SF
selection compared to Heffers or Dillions.
Oxfam (Sidney St). Quite an interesting place to look. As they are
supplied not by the regular book-trading public only there is always
a chance to pick up a long-looked-for book.
Waterstones (Sidney St). Large shop. Used to be Dillons.
WH Smiths (Lion Yard). Mostly magazines and stationary but books upstairs.
There are a lot of second-hand book shops in Cambridge, mostly tucked away
down alleys.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Canterbury, England:
Academic & Old Books (5 North Ln). Slightly chaotic but extensive selection
on two floors on all subjects, hardcover and paperback. Good chance
to pick up the book you have been looking for for ages as nobody
seems to know what really is in the shop. "Due to serious illness
of the owner the shop is opened irregularly." [4/96]
Albion Bookshop
Canterbury Bookshop (37 Northgate). An extensive selection of hardcovers
and a good choice of paperbacks on a wide range of subjects.
Chaucer Bookshop (6 Beer Cart Ln). Good choice of hardcovers and a
reasonable choice of paperbacks.
SPCK Bookshop (7 St. Peters). A bookshop for things pertaining to religion.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Cheltenham, England:
Alan Hancox Fine Books (101 Promenade downstairs ). Good, general secondhand
store.
At Oasis (30 St George's Place, GL50 3JZ, 01242-582886). Small store
selling used books and used CDs.
Attic Books (14 St James St, Upper High St, GL52 2SH, 01242-255300).
Disappointing used book store, specializing in books for mind, body,
and spirit. Open Mon-Sat 930-1730.
Michael Rayner (11 St. Luke's Road [a small street off the Bath Road].
Good, general secondhand store.
Waterstone's.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Coventry, England:
Forbidden Planet (31 Cross Cheaping, CV1 1HF, (024) 7622-9672). SF and
comics.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Devizes, Wiltshire, England:
D'Arcy (The Chequers, High Street, SN10 1AT, 01380-726922 or 01380-850319).
A good mix of general used and rare books in many fields,
particularly literature, England, local, cricket, history. Contrary
to Driff, the store does not have a a bathroom open to the public,
but that shouldn't stop you from visiting (particularly since Driff
notes that no other bookshops do either). Open Mon-Sat 1000-1730.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Dorking, England:
T. S. Hill Books (122 South St). A good choice of secondhand books.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Evesham, Worchestershire, England:
Bookworms of Evesham (81 Port Street, 01386-45509, FAX 01386-750052).
On the Evesham-Broadway road, opposite the Swan Inn. Good quality
used book store, good on literature and history. Open Tue-Sat
0930-1700.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England:
Richard Way books (54 Friday, 01491-576663). "Rare and secondhand books,
certainly worth a visit for people looking for literary
curiosities." A member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association.
Parking available. Open 1000-1730.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Horsham, England:
The Horsham Bookshop (4 Park Pl, 01403-252187). Two floors full of
secondhand books on all subjects.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Lancaster, England:
Atticus (King St). Second-hand. Good selection of fiction, childrens, and
bits and pieces.
Interstellar Master Traders (33 North Road, Lancaster LA1-1NS,
(0)1524-382181, i-m-t@i-m-t.demon.co.uk). SF, fantasy, horror,
role-playing game specialist shop. Good but idiosyncratic selection
of new and second-hand British and US books. (Carries all in-print
UK fantasy and SF.) Mon-Sat 1000-1800.
McCormack's (Rosemary Lane). Second-hand and antiquarian books. Very
expensive.
Remainder Bookshop (Market St). Sells remaindered British books very
cheaply.
University Bookshop (Lancaster University Campus, Bailrigg, Lancaster).
Good general bookshop. Also sells CDs and cards.
Waterstones (King St). See stuff on other Waterstones elsewhere. Quite
good general bookshop.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England:
The Bookshop (10 Commercial Rd, Kirkstall, LS5 3AQ, 0113-278-0937). At the
intersection of the A65 and B6157, about a mile before (when coming
from Leeds) the famous and historic Kirkstall Abbey. Good general
used book store, with good stock of history, literature, local
interest, cricket. Open Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 1015-1730, Wed 1300-1730.
Bookside (Off Midland Road, LS6 1BQ, 0113-274-4021). Not easy to find.
Take the A660 Woodhouse Lane out of Leeds (towards the University).
Look for the Hyde Park Pub annd make a left onto Hyde Park Road at
the pub. Take your first right and then left on Midland Road and
then first right onto the unnamed road. Yes, it is in the middle of
a residential area (they are primarily apartments rented out to
students). General used boosktore, aimed at students and therefore
students' prices and student material (both academic and leisure).
Open Mon-Sat 1000-1800.
Leeds Book Fair. Held first Sunday of every month at Pudsey Civil Hall.
Contact: J Tunnington 0113-263-2466.
Oxfam Books (Headingly High St). [05/03]
Waterstone's (the Headrow, near Austicks).
============================================================================
------------------------------
Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England:
The Grove Bookshop (The Grove, 01943-609335). On the main shopping street,
one block along from the railway station. Upstairs, general new
books; downstairs a small second hand stock, specializing in local
interest. Open Mon-Sat 900-1730.
The Poet's Bookshop (20 Skipton Road). On the Skipton Road, on the right as
you are leaving Ilkley. Forget the name--I doubt if there was a
single poetry book in the store. It is next door to a charity shop
and, frankly, the charity shop had far better quality books. Open
Mon-Sat 1300-1600.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Liverpool, England:
Forbidden Planet (92 Bold St, L1 4HY, (151)-707-1491). SF and comics.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, England:
Cleobury Mortimer is a village on a hill between Kidderminster and Ludlow,
famous for its crooked spire church.
M & W Baldwin (24 High Street, DY14 8BY, 01299-270110). Small used book
store. The general stock is of average quality but they do have a
specialty of books in the field of canals and trains which look
quite interesting. Open Wed 1400-1800, Fri-Sat 1000-1800.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Ludlow, Shropshire, England:
A lovely little town that looks like English towns are supposed to look.
In the town center, with few buildings newer than fifty years old and
several dating from the medieval period, many half-timbered black and
white. There is a ruined Norman castle, a Norman church and a market
that was old when the poet A. E. Housman wrote about it. It has lots
of antique shops and, most importantly, lots of bookshops (or did--
several have closed). It is accessible by British Rail.
If you enter from Shrewsbury by car you can park at the bottom of
Corve Street and walk up. The order of the stores is given as though
you have done so. If you enter from Hereford and/or park in the car
park behind the castle, reverse the order.
Garrard Antiques (139a Corve St). Primarily antique furniture but they did
have a few nice used books upstairs in the rear.
Red Balloon Book Shop (4 Old St, 01584-872149). Old Street is the
continuation of Corve Street. General new books. Open Mon-Sat
0900-1700.
Ross's Books and Music (9 Church St, 01584-878119). Small street leading
into the market from the church. Remainders and CDs. Open Mon-Sat
0900-1700.
Castle Bookshop (5 Castle St, 01584-872562). By the market. General new
books, with good stock of local interest books. Open Mon-Sat
0900-1730.
The Market operates Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat and may have a couple of stalls
selling used books (one person claimed it did, but there were none when I was
there [2000].
Aardvark Books Ltd (Oxford Barn, Brampton Bryan, Nr Bucknell,
Shropshire, SY7 0DH, 0-1547-530888, http://www.aardvark-books.com).
Warehouse and bookshop with 20,000 new and secondhand titles.
[04/07]
============================================================================
------------------------------
Malvern, Worcestershire, England:
Malvern is a pretty little town, nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills
and famous for being the birthplace and home of the composer, Edward Elgar,
one of the Three Choirs' Festivals towns (held in the old priory) and
having several iron-age forts in the Malvern Hills. It is accessible by
British Rail (get off at Great Malvern, not Malvern Link.) Note, if you
are using Drif for directions, all of his directions are inaccurate. All
bookshops carry material relating to the local area and to Elgar. Several
antique shops as well.
Beacon Books (35 Worcester Rd). Top of Abbey Road and to the right.
General new books.
Gelato (3 Edith Walk). "I have seen bookstores combined with cafes, food
stores and various other shops but this is the first that combines a
used book store and an Italian ice cream shop! Both the ice cream
and the books are worth visiting. The ice cream, as the name
implies, is Italian. The used book stock is small but interesting,
covering literature, natural history, local interest and others."
Open Mon-Sat 930-1700, Sun 1200-1700.
Keith Smith Books (32 Belle Vue Terrace, 01684-566169). Located on the
terrace at the top of the hill from Abbey Road (to the left). Good
stock of used books, especially local history. Open Mon-Sat
1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700.
Malvern Bookshop (Priory Walk, 7 Abbey Road, 01684-575915). It's just by
the back entrance to the priory. Very good stock of used books in a
variety of fields at reasonable prices. Open Mon-Sat 0915-1700.
Priory Books (Church Walk, 01684-560258). It's on a little street off Abbey
Road, the other side from the priory, next to Somerfield
Supermarket. Good stock of used books, especially literature, local
history, cricket. Open Tue-Sun 1000-1245 and 1400-1700.
Worcester is a pleasant town, known for its cathedral, as a Civil
War site and for its famous china factories. Unfortunately, it
has lost most of its used book stores in recent years.
Watson's Books (56 Upper Tything, Kidderminster/Droitwich Rd). Average
quality used book store. Open Mon-Fri 1030-1530, Sat 10-17.
On the pedestrian High Street, there is a Waterstone's and a remainder
book store which has been having a closing down sale for as long as
most people can remember. Just off the High Street is a Book Ends (see
London) which has what you and I would call remainders (they call them
slightly damaged books) on the first floor and used books on the second
floor. The used books all seemed to be from a public library and were
therefore only reading copies.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Manchester, England:
Odyssey (Oldham Street, off Piccadilly Gardens, between Church and Hilton,
0161-839-4777). "Variously, according to the price labels, 'Space
Odyssey' and 'Odyssey Seven'! Principally a comics store which
also sells books, anime videos, t-shirts, etc. The ground floor
sells comics, and tie-in books for TV series (ST, B5, etc). The
basement is twice as large and has a considerable selection of anime
videos, t-shirts, lots of comics, and a long wall of mostly
paperback books (a decent selection of current US and UK SF books)."
Waterstones (Deansgate opposite Kendall's with St. Anne's Church behind it).
Decent SF section.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England:
Blackwells (near Haymarket). "University bookstore. Decent but not as
wide a selection as Waterstones."
Forbidden Planet (59 Grainger, NE1 5JE, (191)-261-9173). SF and comics.
Not much interesting in books, according to one poster.
Thornes (Barras Bridge/Haymarket; Haymarket Metro). Not as good as Dillons
or Waterstones. Usually good selection of text books since the
University and Schools seem to order through it. They always
hand-write receipts.
Waterstones (Blackett St; Monument Metro). Usual wide selection for this
chain bookshop on four floors. Used to be Dillon's; slightly
more upsacle than Waterstone's.
Waterstones (Grey St; Monument Metro). Usual wide selection for this chain
bookshop on three floors.
Yes, that's right--since Dillon's and Waterstone's have merged, there are
apparently two Waterstone's across the Monument from each other!
Also in the area (I assume):
Barter Books (train station, Alnwick). "A wide and ever-changing selection
of used books. SF selection is somewhat wider than most used book
stores. Dress warmly."
Waterstones (Durham). Actually two Waterstones. "The one closer to the
Cathedral serves as the university bookstore and has a nice
selection of science and archaeology. The other is a typical
Waterstones."
[This part contributed primarily by Caroline Shield.]
============================================================================
------------------------------
Norwich, England:
Peter Crowe (75 & 77 Upper St. Giles). Books on three floors, mostly
quality stuff (no paperbacks). Good and quite extensive selection.
Harwich Old Books (Harwich, Essex, Tel/FAX 01255-551667,
http://www.hadley.co.uk). Good stock of used books,
especially architecture, modern firsts, gardening. Was
previously Peter J. Hadley in Norwich. Open Fri-Sat "all day",
Sun "afternoon". (I'm assuming this is still in the same
area.) [02/04]
J. R. & R. R. Ellis (St. Giles). Mostly paperbacks. "I was impressed
by a good selection of detection stories."
Harlequin Bookshop (54 St. Benedicts). A rather smallish bookshop, with
good selection of paperbacks. Quite a large section of women
writers, plenty of SF and crime.
Jarrolds (on the Market Square). General new stock.
Ottakars (London St). General new stock.
The Tombland Bookshop (8 Tombland). Good selection of hardcovers on two
floors, with an amazing range of subjects: e.g., a section on
railways. Very few paperbacks. Apparently mail orders are also
done.
Waterstones (not far from the Market Square).
There are also some bookstalls on Market Square.
Sheringham, England (30 km north of Norwich on the coast):
Peter's Bookshop (19 St. Peter's Rd) and
Peter Pan Bookshop (5 The Courtyard, Station Rd). "These two belong
together (a five-minute walk apart), with Peter's handling pre-1980,
Peter Pan later books. Considering the situation of the place the
choice is rather incredible. Peter's is crammed with paperbacks and
a good selection of hardcovers. Most impressive. Peter's is the
first choice for paperbacks, whilst Peter Pan is the place to look
for the not-really-new-anymore hardcover bestseller."
Holt, England (30 km north-west of Norwich):
Simon Gough Books (5 Fish Hill, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BD, 01263-712650,
FAX 01263-712276, http://www.simongoughbooks.com). A bookshop
on three floors in a very small town with a surprising selection of
quality hardcovers on a wide range of subjects. Also a few
paperbacks available.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Nottingham, England:
Forbidden Planet (129 Middle Walk, Broadmarsh Center, NG1 7LN,
(115)-958-4706). SF and comics.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Oxford, England:
Arcadia (4 St. Michaels, OX12DU, 01865-241757. Small stock. Open Mon-Sat
1000-1800.
Ars Artis (31 Abberbury Rd, OX4 4ET, 01865-770714). Second-hand and
antiquarian art, architecture, and applied arts. By appointment only.
Bennett & Kerr (Millhouse Warehouse, Church RD, Steventon OX13 6SW,
01235-820604, FAX 01235-821047, bennett_kerr@compuserve.com).
Second-hand and antiuarian medieval and renaissance studies. By
appointment only.
Bebop (George St near Pizza Hut). "Overpriced, especially the records,
which are a joke. Interesting stuff, if you are prepared to pay
over the odds."
Blackwell's (48-51 Broad, OX1 3BQ, 01865-792792, FAX 01865-791438,
http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/). Not surprisingly it has
large and strong departments for all academic specialities.
Blackwell's apparently has most of the world's library trade. Also
has second-hand section (separate telephones: 01865-333633,
FAX 01865-794143), foreign-language books, and the following special
stores, also on Broad Street: Blackwell's Too (children's?) (8 Broad,
OX1 3AJ, 01865-333694) Blackwell's Art and Poster Shop (27 Broad,
OX1 2AS, 01865-333641), and Blackwell's Music Shop (23-25 Broad,
OX1 3SW, 01865-249600). Often missed is the rare books and special
editions that Sir Basil Blackwell collected. This is now in the main
shop (separate telephones: 01865-333555, FAX 01865-794143). The main
shop also has a coffee bar. Open Mon, Wed-Sat 0900-1800,
Tue 0930-1800, Sun 1100-1700.
Book Bargains (2 St. Ebbe St). Pretty good academic section for a
remaindered bookshop.
Books on High (in Antiques on High, 85 High Street, OX1 1BG, 01865-251075,
tony@patrol.i-way.co.uk). Small general second-hand stock.
Open Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700.
Bookshop on the Plain (cross Magdaelen Bridge and start up the Cowley Rd;
it's immediately on your left). Rather slow turnover, and
expensive with it.
Borders (opposite Waterstones). [09/03]
Pablo Butcher (8a Longworth Rd, OX2 6RA, 01865-341445). Second-hand and
antiquearian Asia, Latin America, Islamica, ethnology, etc. By
appointment only.
Church Green Books (46 Market Sq, Whitney, Oxon, OX8 6AL, 01993-700822,
books@churchgreen.co.uk). Second-hand and antiquarian books.
Open Mon-Sat 1000-1600.
Robert Clark Antiquarian Books (6a King, OX2 6DF, 01865-552154,
rclark@rarebooks.u-net.com). Antiquarian 17th century books.
By appointment only.
The Classics Bookshop (3 Turl, OX1 3DQ, 01865-726466, FAX 01865-241421,
classicsbookshop@hotmail.com). Second-hand and antiquarian
Latin and Greek, archaelogy, travel, etc. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1700.
The Cook's Cat (St. Aldate's). Cooking.
David Whittaker Books (6 Rochester Pl, Charlbury, Oxon, OX7 3SF,
01608-811858, books@withew.freeserve.co.uk).
Second-hand and antiquarian general stock. By appointment only.
Toby English (10 St Mary's, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 0EL, Tel/FAX:
01491-836389, http://www.tobyenglish.com). Second-hand and antiquarian
general stock, with emphasis on art, architecture, and modern
literature. Open Mon-Sat 0930-1700.
The Inner Bookshop (111 Magdalen Rd [follow Cowley Rd out of Oxford, turn
right after Sts Mary and John Church], OX4 1RQ, 01865-245301, FAX
01865-245521, http://www.innerbookshop.com). "One of the
largest independent mind-body-spirit bookshops in the UK."
New, bargain and secondhand "alternative" books. Open Mon-Sat
1000-1745. [12/05]
Jericho Books (48 Walton, OX2 6AD, 01865-511992, FAX 08701-315166,
shop@jerichobooks.com). Second-hand and antiquarian literature,
humanities, and SF. Open Mon-Sat 1030-1830, Sun 1100-1800.
Joe McCann Rare Books (10 White Rd, Cowley, OX4 2JJ, 01865-777642).
Second-hand and collectible. First editions, proof editions, modern
Irish literature. By appointment only.
Magna Gallery (41 High Street, OX1 4AP, 01865-245805,
info@magna-gallery.com). Mostly maps and prints, some books.
Open Mon-Sat 1000-1730.
Museum of Modern Art Bookshop. "Art books and a witty and informed
selection of the kinds of fiction, poetry, philosophy, art theory,
literary theory, etc., that denizens of the Museum of Modern Art
like to buy. More Baudrillard than Blackwell's. Tantalizingly
close to Sainsburies."
Oxbow Books (Park End Pl, OX1 1HN, 01865-241249, FAX 01865-794449,
oxbow@oxbowbooks.com). New, second-hand, and remaindered books.
Specializes in art, archaeology, ancient history, and literature.
Open Mon-Fri 0930-1730, Sat 0930-1300.
Oxfam Bookshop (56 St. Giles, OX1 3LU, 01865-310145,
http://www.oxfamstgiles.co.uk). Pretty good for a charity shop,
and of course very cheap. Always worth looking, no rubbish. The main
Oxfam occasionally has worthwhile books, too. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1730.
St. Philip's Books (85 Lock Crescent, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 1HG,
01865-377578, FAX 01865-375439. Second-hand and antiquarian religion
and theology (Christianity, apparently). By appointment only.
Sanders (Salutation House, 104 High Street, OX1 4BW, 01865-242590, FAX
01865-721748, info@sanders-oxford.co.u).
Primarily prints, but some second-hand literary and history books.
Open Mon-Sat 1000-1800.
Steven Tuohy (45 Warwick, OX4 1SZ, 01865-723566, FAX 01865-790096).
Second-hand and antiquarian printing and typography. By appointment
only.
Unsworths Booksellers (15 Turl, OX1 3DQ, 01865-727928, FAX 01865-727206,
books@unsworths.com). Second-hand, remainders, and some
antiquarian (humanities). Large table for books for a pound. (The
same assortment seem to be 50p at their London shop.)
Waterfield's (52 High Street, OX1 4AS, 01865-721809, FAX 01865-247937). Large
second-hand bookshop. Good philosophy section. The antiques emporium
just before it and the Jam Factory over the road by the traffic lights
also house minor booksellers. "Stuffy, overpriced philosophy section,
if you ask me! Very, very overpriced in general. Sometimes has
review copies, which is worthwile. Probably the only bookshop in the
world with the temerity to include Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch as
*literary theory*. They constantly advertise 100,000 books, new
stock, discounts, etc., but are always exactly the same. Mind you,
I bought the *proofs* of a book by Derrida there before it came out,
so I'm not complaining too much." (!) Open Mon-Sat 0945-1745.
Waterstone's (corner of Broad St). Large shop. "Tries to compete with
Blackwells and doesn't really carry it off." Probably more
docused on the genral public than academic, though I didn't drop in.
Wightwick Books (Wightwick, Boars Hill, OX1 5DR). Rare books, foreign
languages.
Woodstock Bookshop (3 Market Pl, Woodstock, Oxon, OX2 1SY, 01993-811005).
Academic and collectors' books. Eniglish literature, medieval
studies, mysticism, theology. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1300, 1400-1700;
Sun 1100-1700.
"The little (tiny) bookshop in the Old Jam Factory is extraordinary for
its size, very cheap and with a surprisingly good philosophy section!"
Further out there is a Bookshop at Oxford Brookes University in Headington
and at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
You can get a leaflet from most of the secondhand stores about the
antiquarian and secondhand bookstores in Oxford. [Much of this section
was updated 11/00 from a current leaflet and a personal visit there,
thanks to a business trip.]
Opening hours for all the city centre shops are Monday-Saturday 0900-1800
(opens 930 Tuesdays). Open several Sundays during the tourist season.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Pershore, Worcestershire, England:
Pleasant little town not far from Birmingham , with several antique shops
as well as bookstores
Coach House Books (17 Bridge St, WR10 1AJ, 01386-552801). Specializing in
nature, British topography, cricket, literature, history, with the
good books and prints downstairs and the cheaper ones upstairs.
Open Mon-Sat 0900-1200, 1300-1700.
Olde Books of Pershore (82 High Street, WR10 1DU, 01386-555657). Small
general stock, claims to lean towards history, art and classics.
Open Wed, Fri, Sat 1000-1700.
Ian K Pugh (40 Bridge St, 01386-552681). "Claims to be the largest
bookstore in Pershore though I am not sure. General stock, not
particularly impressive." Open Mon-Fri 1030-1700, Sat 0930-1700.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Ramsgate, England:
Michael's Bookshop (King St, opposite Plains of Waterloo). Secondhand books.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Reading, Berkshire, England:
Books & Bygones (Lane End Farm, Shinfield, Reading, Berkshire RG2 9BT,
+44 118 988 4346, FAX +44 118 988 8682, http://www.booksbygones.com).
"A huge, rambling, labyrinthine bookshop in an old farmhouse, the
kind of place serious browsers love to spend a few hours, with
60,000 books covering every subject under the sun (plus furniture,
china, bric-a-brac, vinyl records, greeting cards etc.). Their
website also lists 6,000 select rare titles not on display. An
excellent SF section too, though half of it is currently inaccessible
in a side storeroom due to re-organisation ('we'll get round to it
eventually'). Helpful and knowledgable staff, if a little laid
back..." Open Sat-Sun 1000-1600.
The Friar Street Bookshop (142-143, Friar Street, Reading, Berkshire,
RG1 1EX, +44 118 957 3082). "A strange and interesting place, full
of products not found in any other Blackwell's shop. As the
Blackwell chain's science fiction and fantasy specialist, our aim is
to hold the most complete range of sci-fi and fantasy novels
possible." Open Mon-Fri 0930-1800; Sat 0900-1730.
Waterstone's (Broad Steet). "A former church, now a well-stocked shop with
knowledgeable and helpful staff."
============================================================================
------------------------------
Reigate, England:
Reigate Galleries (46 Bell). A good choice of secondhand books with plenty
of paperbacks.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Saffron Walden, England:
Lankester Antiques and Books (Church & Market Hill, 01799-522685). Plenty
of choice of secondhand books on all subjects and price ranges.
Oxfam Bookshop (George St).
============================================================================
------------------------------
Southport, Lancashire, England:
Parkinsons of Southport (between Monsoon & Lakeland, in Parkinsons
Ginnel, 359-363 Lord Street, PR8 1NH, 01704-547016,
http://www.parki.com). "Large general book stock on three floors in
a characterful building, with a leaning towards the academic--along
with tropical shells, minerals, fossils, crystals, coins and
prehistoric, ancient & mediaeval antiquities, etc." Open Mon-Sat
1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700. [03/05]
============================================================================
------------------------------
Stratford, England:
Chaucer Head (Chapel St). Good literary books, particularly Shakespeare.
Paper Moon (in the Antiques Arcade at 4 Sheep St). Small but quite good.
Robert Vaughan (Chapel St). Good literary books, particularly Shakespeare.
Shakespeare Bookshop (39 Henley St, CV37 6QW, 01789-292176,
FAX 01789-296083). Opposite the Shakespeare Center. As the name
implies, new books and stuff related to Shakespeare, drama and the
Elizabethan period.
Stratford Bookshop (45A Rother St, CV37 7LT, 01789-298362). Good general
used book store which doesn't feel it has to concentrate on
Shakespeare and his times. If you are Shakespeared out and want to
read something else, shop here. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1800,
Sun 1400-1600, Apr-Sep.
National Trust Bookstore.
W H Smith's.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Stroud, Gloucestershire, England:
InPrint (31 High Street, 01453-759731). Good general used book store in
the center of this small, attractive town. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1730.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England:
Beaumont Aviation Literature (31-33 Vale Road, Turnbridge Wells, Kent,
TN1 1 BS). Specialist store on aviation as you might guess
by the name. Wide stock and also has many second-hand
titles. Very helpful staff either by phone or visit. Moved
in 2004 from London. Hours there were: Open Mon-Sat
0930-1730. [04/04]
============================================================================
------------------------------
Twyning, Gloucestershire, England:
Kenneth Fergusson Books (at the Book Room, the Post Office, Twyning GL20
6DF). Puts out "Antiquarian and Secondhand Bookshops in and
Around the Cotswolds."
============================================================================
------------------------------
Warwick, England:
Duncan M Allsop (26 Smith Street, CV34 4HS, 01926-493266). Old established,
largish used book store. General stock, big on classics, local
interest, natural history. Open Mon-Sat 930-1730.
Eastgate Books (9 Smith Street). Used book store, owned by the son of
Duncan Allsop above and more popular in taste. Almost opposite his
father.
Warwick Bookshop (11 Jury Street, CV34 4EH, TEL/FAX 01926-409200). Small,
pleasant used book store, with nothing special.
Jury Street is just before East Gate coming from Stratford and going
towards Leamington while Smith Street is just past the East Gate.
============================================================================
------------------------------
Windlesham, England:
Cold Tonnage (22 Kings Lane, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6QJ, 01276-475388).
"Amazing stock" of SF, according to one poster.
============================================================================
------------------------------
York, England:
Borders. "The science section includes astrology to give you a
clue. The SF section is similar to a bog-standard Waterstones."
============================================================================
------------------------------
Miscellaneous UK notes:
Government Bookshops: These are situated in a few of the major urban
areas. They used to be exactly what they say they are and sell
official government publications of all sorts such as Acts of
Parliament, Government Statistics, Official Reports, Advisory
Publications and the like. Now they've been privatized and sell other
stuff too. Still a very important source for researchers and students
as well as for those involved in business, commerce, etc.
Most of the Oxfam Shops in the UK have some secondhand books--if the town
doesn't boast of a separate Oxfam Bookshop. The same is true of many other
charity shops as well.
The Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, as well as holding bookfairs
at the Hotel Russell in London (see under British Museum above) also hold
fairs all over the country. In September 1995, for example, they had fairs
in Norwich, Exeter, Ulverston, Scarborough, York, Wilton, Swansea, Kew,
Cambridge, Sherborne and Stamford as well as two in different parts of
London. You can get a free annual calendar from them at PBFA, Old Coach
House,-16-Melbourn-St.,-Royston,-Herts,-SG8-7BZ.-Tel:-01763-248400.--FAX:
01763-248921. Their information line, which gives recorded details of
forthcoming fairs, is 01763-249212.
Finally, you might want to look for DRIF'S GUIDE TO THE BOOKSHOPS OF
ENGLAND. Drif is an expert on bookshops and spends his time traveling the
country looking for bargains so he knows his bookshops. A new edition of
DRIF'S GUIDE TO THE SECONDHAND BOOKSHOPS of the British Isles was
published at least as recently as in 1995. It costs #9.95. Though Drif
has amazingly visited virtually all the bookshops he mentions--and by
public transport at that--you should take both his factual comments
and, in particular, his opinions with a large pinch of salt. Drif is a
character, one of those eccentrics like Basil Fawlty of FAWLTY TOWERS
that Americans like to think are typical of all the English. The
opening words of his guide are "They [the secondhand bookshops] are
dreadful, you are wasting your money buying this guide. It will only
tell you how dreadful they are in more detail." He proceeds to
castigate virtually every secondhand bookshop as well as the media,
politicians, British Rail and lots of others. Some of it is very funny
("If only the owner was as sober as her books" is one comment), much of
it libelous, some of it obscene, all of it opinionated. Buy the book
to find out where the bookshops are, for a good laugh and to confirm
your views of how eccentric the Brits are, but do not follow his
recommendations, beware of his directions and ignore his indications of
when the stores are open. If you want accuracy, buy the factual but
more sober SKOOB DIRECTORY OF SECONDHAND BOOKSHOPS IN THE BRITISH
ISLES. The Seventh Edition was published in July 1999.
There is a directory of Christian bookshops in the UK at
http://www.christianbookshops.org.uk.
People interested in books published in Britain may also want to know
about the following: THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE MAGAZINE (12 colour review
magazines a year) offers an ordering service available to subscribers
only. Books published in Britain and in stock with the publisher can be
ordered for a research fee plus shipping and handling (plus the cost of
the book, of course). Books reviewed in THE GUIDE are not subject to a
research fee and are usually available from GBG's own stock. Further
details can be gotten by contacting them at THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE, 24
Seward Street, London EC1V 3GB; Telephone Order Line
0171-490-9905; Telephone Customer Service 0171-490-9900; FAX 0171-490-
9908. [Thanks to Christopher P Salter, chris@loncps.demon.co.uk
for this information. He wishes to make clear he has no connection with
THE GUIDE.]
============================================================================
Copyright Notice
Information contained in this FAQ is compiled from many sources. The
compiler accepts no responsibility for the comments contained herein.
The comments are provided "as is" with no warranty, express or implied,
for the information provided within them.
This FAQ is not to be reproduced for commercial use unless the party
reproducing the FAQ agrees to the following:
1) They will contact the FAQ maintainer to obtain the latest version for
their collection.
2) They will provide the FAQ maintainer with information on what collection
the copy of the FAQ is in, and how that collection may be obtained.
3) They will agree, in writing, that the FAQ will be included in the
collection without modification, and that acknowledgements of
contributors (if any) to the FAQ remain in the FAQ.
4) They will agree, in writing, that the collection including the FAQ will
be distributed on either a non-profit basis, or have some percentage of
profit donated to a non-profit literacy program. Project Gutenberg
counts.
To support this, this FAQ is Compilation Copyright 2008 by Evelyn C. Leeper
(the FAQ maintainer).
============================================================================
Evelyn C. Leeper
Evelyn C. Leeper (eleeper@optonline.net)
Go to my home page