Discover the top 10 bookshops in the UK, from iconic London independents to countryside gems where literary charm cascades from every shelf.
In case you were wondering, we didn’t just grab these bookshops out of a hat—these are all notable or award-winning shops throughout the UK!
Barton Books
We’re starting off this list with Barton Books, an independent bookshop in Penzance, Cornwall. It carries a wide range of both new and secondhand books, but it specializes in art‑related titles. Which, really, shouldn’t be a surprise, as the store is owned by a long‑time art‑book seller.
True to its specialization, the store itself has a subtle but distinctive look. There’s definite care and thought put into the way items are displayed, highlighting the books’ individual artistry without overcrowding spaces or making the store feel cramped or noisy.
Address: 45 Causewayhead, Penzance TR18 2SS, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday: 10AM – 4PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 3PM
– Monday & Sunday: Closed
Walter Henry’s Bookshop
Walter Henry’s offers thousands of books alongside stationery, games, maps, greeting cards, and plushies. It’s been around since 1998—almost 30 years now—and first catches the eye with its curved glass storefront proudly displaying a slew of books that’ll have any bibliophile watering at the mouth.
What really makes this shop special, though, is its inviting atmosphere and a book-loving staff that knows its way around the shelves. It also partners with Bookshop.org for customers who love the convenience of online shopping.
Address: 12 High St, Bideford EX39 2AA, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Sunday: Closed
Storysmith
If you stroll on over to South Bristol, you just might find a little place called Storysmith. This shop carries a broad variety of titles, and even though it only opened up in 2018, it has twice won the Independent Bookshop of the Year award from the British Book Awards.
There’s a good reason for that, too. Aside from the tasty, locally roasted coffee it serves, it regularly plays host to a slew of literary events, from book clubs to author meets. It is also very proactive in encouraging a love of reading in the younger generation, with Meet the Author or Illustrator events for children’s books.
Address: 236 North St, Southville, Bristol BS3 1JD, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 4PM
– Monday: Closed
Griffin Books
Seated in the seaside town of Penarth, Griffin Books makes a perfect complement to the beachy, picturesque weather with its friendly, community‑focused atmosphere. It offers a wide range of titles, both fiction and nonfiction, and for folks of all ages, plus ordering and subscription services that make getting the book you’re looking for easier than ever.
And like any independent bookstore worth its salt, it hosts a range of events like author meets throughout the year, plus a book club for extra literary enjoyment.
Address: 9, 9A Windsor Rd, Penarth CF64 1JB, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 4PM
Kirkdale Bookshop
Kirkdale Bookshop is a long‑standing independent bookshop that opened in 1966 and is often described as southeast London’s oldest indie bookshop. It sells a mixture of new and secondhand titles, with particular attention paid to topics on local history and fiction.
Its children’s section is especially charming, with a checkerboard rug and a wall decorated with fun and colorful characters. It dedicates this very space to a weekly Story Time for kids of all ages, and even a Story Time specifically for queer families once a month.
Address: 272 Kirkdale, London SE26 4RS, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 4PM
Pages of Hackney
Though small, Pages of Hackney packs a punch with high-quality curation. It carries a broad range of books, from literature to politics and feminist essays to children’s books, and staff are always ready to give recommendations just based on a few key interests.
A few years back, the British Book Awards even voted it London’s Independent Bookshop of the Year. It’s a testament to how much this store is loved by its community, something that is surely helped along by the many events and fundraisers it promotes throughout the year.
Address: 70 Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0RN, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Friday: 11AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
Tales on Moon Lane
This store specializes in children’s books, and from the second that you walk in, your vision will be flooded with colorful and whimsical decorations designed to appeal to the childlike wonder in us all. It has a large display window filled with art and books that change regularly, from frosty trees and glowing stars during the holidays to pastel dragons ushering in a new year.
Moon Lane won both Children’s Bookseller of the Year in 2020 and Book Retailer of the Year in 2021 at the British Book Awards, so you can bet it knows how to enrich a child’s world and brighten their day.
Address: 21 Canterbury Road, Whitstable CT5 4HJ, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Thursday & Sunday: 11AM – 4PM
– Friday: 11AM – 5PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Monday to Wednesday: Closed
The Book Hive
With a curved storefront painted a lively green, the Book Hive is an award‑winning independent bookshop in central Norwich known for its unique selection of books. The Hive proudly embraces the offbeat, curating a distinctive selection that ranges from gothic fiction to military-focused topics.
The store opened in 2009 and, perhaps thanks to its eclectic but passionate pursuit of niche interests, has become a literary hub closely linked with Norwich’s UNESCO City of Literature identity.
Address: 53 London St, Norwich NR2 1HL, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday: 10AM – 5PM
– Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 4PM
Scarthin Books
Located in Cromford, Derbyshire, this labyrinthine bookstore rests in a former family home overlooking an old millpond and is spread over several packed floors. It stocks around 100,000 new, second‑hand, and antiquarian titles across numerous rooms, including a dedicated children’s space.
Its interior decoration is eclectic but homey, with one room strung with cut-up maps and miscellanea, and another plastering the walls with sheet music. It also features a nice little vegetarian café that hosts regular events.
Address: The Promenade, Cromford, Matlock DE4 3QF, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
Bookstore
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Café
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM (Hot food: 12PM – 3PM)
Books on the Lane
Books on the Lane is an independent bookshop with a strong focus on new releases in fiction, children’s books, poetry, and practical subjects like bicycling and cooking.
While it may only be open a few days a week, it provides regulars with loads of benefits, like home delivery, free gift wrapping, a loyalty card, a book club, and more, making it a favorite for locals. The shop has also been featured in multiple publications for its high-quality service and its genuine care for its community.
Address: 59 Oakenshaw Ln, Walton, Wakefield WF2 6NJ, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Thursday: 11:30AM – 4PM
– Friday & Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Sunday to Wednesday: Closed
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K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
