It's worth visiting Sleepy Elephant just to soak in the atmosphere of the place. Situated in a very…read moreold buiding, possibly dating from the 1400s, this is a sumptuous and colourful shop. There is a mixture of goods for sale. Secondhand books feature prominently - especially craft books (the owner's specialist subject). There are also rich textiles, many from Morocco, and other bits and bobs including jewellery, slippers and lamps. Although the range varies I have seen what looked like a belly dancing costume in the window once, and a rather nice row of bags that seemed to be made out of carpets! Definitely not to be missed if you are visiting Sedbergh.

I really liked Westwood Books the first few times I visited Sedbergh. Now, however, I'm not so…read moresure. Firstly, the ladies who work there aren't all that friendly. There are so many welcoming, talkative shop owners in the town, then you walk into Westwood and get glared at like you're about to shove The Tale of Tom Kitten under your pack-a-mac (personally, I'm more of a Jemima Puddleduck / Mrs Tiggywinkle kinda girl). Not a great way to be greeted. Secondly, you can actually find cheaper second hand books in other stores in Sedbergh, like the Tourist Information Centre book shop. And thirdly, their fiction section isn't as ample as I'd like it to be. If you're into history, travel, gardening, reference books, walking guides and art then you'll probably find something to suit you at Westwood. But if, like me, you prefer your literature a little less 'real' and a means of escaping the mundanities of modern life, you won't have a great deal to choose from. Two positives about Westwood though: you can help yourself to their coffee machine and use their toilet if nature calls as you're stuffing books into your pockets. Result!

Westwood Books is a bookworm's paradise. It's huge - on two floors - and absolutely packed with…read morebooks. Most are secondhand but there are a few new volumes on offer on the ground floor as well. The shop is divided into handy areas to help you find the kind of book you're after, but I invariably find myself browsing in nearly all of them just to see what's there. The fiction section is very strong and reasonably priced. You can pick up a hardback novel in decent condition for less than a fiver. Unfortunately in my case that just means I buy more! It's not a shop to visit if you're in a hurry as you can spend hours in there (and probably should or you'll miss a lot) and it might be dangerous (for your wallet) to go in without a spending limit in mind

When Michael Moon was on Roper Street back in the day I could have spent all day in that Bookstore…read moreit was better than the library which was not so far away but Moon's was the best

The best second hand bookshop in North West England. Well worth a visit. And Mr Moon is so…read moreknowledgeable. Graeme

A fantastic book shop that has new and second hand books and a well stocked half price section. You…read morecan also find lots of children's toys and gifts to the rear of the store with all the well known characters (a Godsend at birthdays!). Staff and will and eager to help and will order you anything (which arrives quite quickly!) in that they don't have in stock. Hambleton books also have an impressive range of local books and local history books for the curious and the family history buff. Located in the market square it has adequate free public parking.

Books, books and more books. There really is nothing like a book store in England. NOTHING. Ok,…read moremaybe there is, but I digress. This is not your borders, not your B&N, I was a lovely book shop with wall to wall books, including the newest craze, Adult coloring books, and yes, I picked a new one up! They didn't have the foul language one I was looking for, but they did have Notes from the Universe, which was just as nice.

Helpful knowledgeable staff, well organised book shop with 15 odd rooms to browse through, many a…read morehappy hour spent here (now with coffee) and some great bargains to be had. A gem.

Very quaint little independent bookstore crammed into a very small space. Not somewhere to go for…read morethe latest Richard & Judy recommended travesty but a place to uncover a gem with some real character to boot. The owner is very helpful and friendly if you know what you're looking for and even if you have no idea. It might not be modern but I love places like this.