Far be it from me to suggest you make a trip to Oxford just to visit one of the most wonderful…read morebookstores ever, but if you happen to be in or near Oxford it'd be a shame to miss out. Despite a plethora of 1-star reviews of Blackwell's online ordering service, the in-store experience is sheer delight. The selection (on multiple stories of the building) is simply stunning. Not wanting to come back home with a suitcase full of books (well, wanting to but loathe to carry them), my purchase here was a single book which I read in its entirety before leaving the UK. Bookstores which began their lives in the 1800's are rare finds. Blackwell's is one and they haven't endured due to mere good luck. Someone is paying attention to the look and feel of the place as well as the vast and deep selection of great reads. Blackwell's is a great place to get lost in.

Blackwell's is a bookstore experience! It reminded me of the bookstore I grew up in with a big…read morekid's section upstairs, places to sit and read, and the good, booky smell that can only be captured by a place constantly shelving and sharing books. Note that there is a one stall bathroom inside the children's section that gets a lot of use and gets smelly.

Housed in a beautiful old house, bibliophiles will appreciate this lofty, dusty book shop. The have…read morea small selection of new books, which are sadly much more expensive than the likes of WH Smith. However, the real book lovers will prefer the second hand selection, ranging from last year's dog-eared bestsellers to dusty Victorian tomes.

Poor shop really. It's far too small and tries to be all things to all men. Because of its size it…read moresuffers from cramped shelving, things being packed too tightly, no room to breath when someone else is in the same aisle as you. It's probably ok if you just want to pick up a bit of stationery or a magazine, but their book selection is awful and I've certainly put back more than one book because it is damaged. This is purely due to the way in which they try to cram as much onto a shelf as possible. The possible benefit is that Smiths do various offers on their books, but then from what I've seen in other shops they all tend to do very similar ones. Basically, if you're buyinig books you should go to Coles just a few doors down. Otherwise for magazines etc. Smiths should do you.

Words that describe Arcadia: Whimsical, magical, adorable, twee, cute, colourful…read more This is an adorable little shop, just off Cornmarket St on St. Michaels. It's a shop filled with trinkets, vintage items, books, pretty stationary, calendars, cards and more. This absolutely gorgeous spot almost feels like a step back in time, with classical music playing, an old-world parisian vibe, and a collection of vintage penguin books for your perusal. Definitely worth a visit if you need a gift for someone, or just want something pretty for yourself. Prices seem reasonable as well.

This little gem is hidden off the main shopping street in Oxford. It is a real treaure chest,…read moreeverytime i go in there are new little things filling every possible space. Vintage books, scented candles, boxes, cards and so much more. This is always a stop on my christmas shopping runs.

Cute, quaint, quirky, cosy and homely little bookstore-come-cafe (:…read more It's average opening hours are 11-6 during which time you can grab a slice of cake, tea, coffee etc, have a peruse through some books, and chill on their big comfy sofa! I find a lot of coffee places just don't really want you stay and they have hard, uncomfy furniture to reflect that. But not here! This place often has events that extend its opening hours, too. My favourite is the 'big comfy folk club' which are folk and acoustic sessions hosted on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Next one is on 4th March and tickets are only a fiver! Brilliant intimate venue, and the performers usually stick around for a while afterwards which is nice (: OH ALSO, WINE! The big comfy book shop serves alcohol! Live music + book shop + cake + red wine = total winner. See you on the 4th!

I really like The Big Comfy Bookshop!…read more It is a quant used book shop that is family owned. The owner spent over a year compiling books to open his shop, and ever since has kept a good variety of books that are unique to customers, or a popular search result of a used book. There is always fresh coffee, tea options, beer and wine, and some sort of snacks like crisps or cake for sale. Seating is available to hang out with friends for a little while or to start tucking into your future purchase. Also I noticed that live folk music nights and game nights regularly occur here too! Great place!

Almost on the brink of being horribly alternative, I could not keep myself away from here after my…read morefirst visit. My very strictly-no-red-trousers boyfriend coyly lured me here on the pretence of it having coffee and cake after a long walk. He usually does this so he can roam around bookstores for 2 hrs+. While I normally find it annoying I could not stop looking around. There are some new novels but there is a great deal of used books, beautifully bound. Most of the collection is 20th century fiction. Modern classics (Dr. Zhivago and Slaughterhouse 5) and poetry are well stocked and there is a peculiar feeling that the books are meticulously chosen as the categories are select but complete in depth. I found some gorgeous Oxford emblem bearing 1947 published versions of 'English Short Stories' 'Lorna Doone' and a stunning gold leafed Dante's Divine Comedy. So on to the second layer of the shop: The Cafe. A small number of colorful tables occupy the front where you can sit and sip a enviable selection of international leaf teas, ranging from your standard Earl Grey to things like "Green Chai" "Brazilian Mate", "Russian Caravan" and a satisfying amount of Chinese teas. They go for 2 pounds a pot and you can choose your own cup. I haven't tried the cake selection...yet. There is also coffee available but in a refreshing hipster without being hipster fashion there are no lattes or americanos. Sorry. No wi-fi either so don't think you can spend your day here with your macbook and your big glasses. The time limit is an hour unless you want to buy another pot. Very nice to see people of all ages come in to the whimsical bookshop and there is no huge open glass for everyone to spot you being every-so busy. Just go about your business. Also, the owner is just the right amount of involved, which is nice. Overall an independent Jericho based bookshop of which Oxford is very much in need. They host poetry and jazz evenings which I hear are extremely popular as well. Carry on, AB.

Friendly bookstore in Oxford. Stopped in to look for some books on the local area and ended up…read morestaying for a coffee too. Found a book we liked about historical sites around Oxford (the whole place is a historical site!), some post cards and the coffee was really good too. I think it's a British chain, but it definitely didn't feel that way.

very good books are yummy i like eating it very tasty and beautiful drawings and picturesread more

Happy to find out the Inner Bookshop is still going. Now off to take a long browse on their website.read more

This is a wonderful treasure trove of books on all sorts of weird and wonderful subjects at really…read moregood prices. My visit today unearthed a number of great potential Xmas presents and a few books that I want for myself too! They also sell some marvellous postcards, joss sticks and are a hub of information for alternative health and local groups. You can then also retire next door to the wholefood cafe to relax on a comfy sofa and read your new acquisitions! If you are looking for alternative magazines they also stock a plethera of them from around the globe - not a place for anyone without an open mind but the staff give everyone a warm welcome!