Tell me about your favourite bookshops.

[ThePineappleSeahorse]

I think that I have a new favourite, and no this isn’t an advertisement. I was in St Andrews last week and went to Topping and Company. I love all bookstores though normally prefer used bookstores but I found so many books that I wanted to buy. They had lots of lovely special and signed editions, ladders on the walls, friendly staff, offered tea and coffee, have a customer loo and was large and just maze like enough to be interesting without being too confusing.

I could only buy one book as I’d already bought several others and I had no more room.

So please tell me about your other much loved book shops as I’m eager to visit as many as possible.

TIA

That sounds lovely. My favourite by far is Barter books in Alnwick, located in an old railway station. It is second hand books rather than new but you can take the books you’ve finished with for credit against future spend. They also have a lovely cafe in the old waiting room. It’s only an hour up the road but I seem to be reading exclusively on my kindle these days so haven’t been for a while.

Bell Street Bookshop and Weys Secondhand Books, both in Henley.
Love Weys for the quirky eclectic and ever changing selection of books and cheerful service. Good selection of maps and interesting travel books, huge selection about rowing if that's your thing (locally it's a rowing town). Has a great £1 corridor of cheap books too, you'll find everything here far better priced than the large Oxfam secondhand bookshop also in town. Diana that runs it is always friendly and helpful, and often will find you something right up your street in the new in but not yet on the shelf stuff
Love Bell St Bookshop for the displays of (new) books you just have to pick up, I think whoever buys in must know my tastes or something! Always happy to order in for you even on a phone call. Staff there are so lovely. Also has a very good children's selection so can always find something suitable for a birthday present.

If you are ever in Bath …
Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights

Octavia’s bookshop in Cirencester. Kids books only, it’s delightful.

I'm another fan of Barter Books. Its only downside is that it's 70-odd miles away from me and not easy to get to if you don't have a car . I also love Drake Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees. Stockton has an attractive town centre, but for a variety of reasons, it isn't an obvious place to shop at the moment, so it's great that it has something so nice and run by people who really love books and reading.

I'm pleased that Topping and Co is good - they are opening a branch in my beloved York later this year. York also has The Little Apple Bookshop (High Petergate) and Criminally Good Books (Colliergate.) I can see myself spending more time than ever there, just browsing bookshops❤️ 📚

Agree with you there, it’s a wonderful bookshop.

Yes, agree with this! Wonderful shop.

I also love the Bath branch of Topping & Co, sounds very similar to the one near you OP.

And of course, all the lovely second hand bookshops in Hay on Wye.

I really want to go to Barter Books but I’m completely the wrong end of the country. One day I will make it there!

Their monthly book subscription is apparently the best gift I've ever given my SIL

My local bookshop is this branch of Waterstones. The selection of books is ok, but the building is just beautiful.

Beerwolf in Falmouth! It's a combination of a bookshop and a pub. Their selection isn't massive but it's beautifully chosen. It's like going round to a friend's house and browsing their bookshelves. Also, Cornish cider on tap. Best night out I know.

I knew someone would beat me to Barter Books, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Wonderful place. We always plan trips to/ from Scotland around a stop here.

For new books.... well actually I'm not fussy. I'm as happy in a big Waterstone's (Bradford is wonderful @NannyR ) as my local independent, the lovely Read Books in Holmfirth - small but beautifully formed.. I haven't been, but I fancy the look of The House of Books and Friends in Manchester. They do afternoon teas, served in book shaped boxes.

Oh, and the bookshop in Salt’s Mill, Saltaire.

I first walked in a bookshop. DDad lost me (he didn’t think I would move). I walked from History to Autobiography.

Is this the Bradford one?

I like The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley.

Also, House of Books and Friends in Manchester and Harris and Harris in Clare, Suffolk.

Yes, it is.

The Bradford Waterstones is iconic - such a gorgeous building. The Blackett Street branch in Newcastle is housed in another lovely building.

So much of my student income went there... also the former Thornes Book Shop by Newcastle Uni.

Bradford?
The old wool exchange building I think.
Beautiful.

My favourites are -
Barter Books, Alnwick.
Scrivener's, Buxton.
Scarthin Books, Cromford.

The Waterstones in Garrick St Covent Garden is very good. I always find something in there. There's also the first Foyles in upper Charing Cross Road. If they don't have it on the shelf, the staff will do their best to track it down. Just don't go to the cafe, it's very expensive.
More locally to me is Village Books in Dulwich which is a good one for cook books and Chener Books in East Dulwich for a more traditional mid-20th Century vibe (retro!).

@ThePineappleSeahorse That is my favourite too. I live nearby and go to loads of their book events. I also love Barter Books in Alnwick.

+1 for St Andrews' Toppings! We have family that live there and it is the highlight of a visit. But DD1 is at uni in Bath and their Toppings is also excellent; so is Persephone books (and I haven't yet made it to Mr B's despite following them on instagram). I really want Toppings to open a branch in Chester, our nearest big town, but no luck yet. I think it would suit them and they would be happy here.

Holne Books. It's in the middle of Dartmoor and is in a retired couple's garage- they run it in aid of the air ambulance. It's all second hand books, but the selection is very good, and the books are mostly £2-3 each. It's open "most of the time"- when they haven't got anything else on.

heffers in Cambridge is lovely.

Also fond of the Furet du Nord in Lille.

Another vote for Barter books.