A book-lovers paradise!…read more We heard about this place when staying at a nearby B&B. Apparently, it's the largest second hand book seller in the UK, and after visiting I can truly believe this. The Book Barn is a massive warehouse on an industrial estate not far from Bath. It doesn't look much from the outside, but enter at you peril and be prepared to be overcome with the musty smell of second hand books - and what better smell is there, if we are honest?! Shelves are stacked floor to ceiling with every genre of book that you could possibly imagine - cookery, health, travel, science, religion - every topic under the sun. The fictional novels take up most of the space and are loosely categorised alphabetically. It can be a little overwhelming but the staff will run a search for you if you are looking for a particular author, and there are a couple of computers available for public use. The best bit about these books? They are all priced at £1!! I challenge you to come out with less than an armful! There is also a children's area and a rare book section, obviously with a slightly higher price tag. There is a cafe here too selling everything from hot drinks, to freshly baked cakes, cooked breakfasts, and light lunches. A great place to make a start on one of your new purchases. This really is book heaven. Bring a large bag and be prepared to lose a few hours in here!

I'm going to Bookbarn tomorrow and have been several times...its heaven!…read more Literally the biggest library of books you've ever seen in a huge converted barn just outside of Bristol...all books are £1!!! They have free parking and a small tea shop with homemade cake and big old sofas. There is a vintage book section as well with rare books at still very cheap prices. The last time i went i bought 16 books i kid you not. Out of those included the complete works of Shakespeare for £1 (mint condition) complete works of oscar wilde (less mint condition) and the best thing ever: the complete sonnets of Shakespeare which had a sweet message written inside from 1962 where a man bought this book and gave it to her on their 20th Anniversary..and here it was going home with me in 2014. Love that so much. You really can spend hours here, books are put into genres and you are given a map when you come in, sofa's and chairs dotted around for you to casually read along with wheel-able shopping baskets. The staff are super friendly and helpful, it's a bit rough around the edges but super cute, exactly the kinda place i feel at home. If you don't see me for 3 days, i've been in bookbarn :)

Tons of books and a friendly knowledgeable staff that has a good sense of humor! Shop here!read more

Bath is hardly short of book shops (being England's publishing mecca) - so what sets Mr B's…read moreEmporium apart from the rest? Outstandingly friendly service, fantastic book signing events and a room dedicated to tranquil reading to name just a few. Voted Best Independent Bookshop, Mr B's Emporium isn't just a shop - it's an experience. My favourite thing to do of a lunch hour, is to pop along to the Bibliotherapy room at the top of the show, pick up a book, sit on the sofa and listen to the relaxing music. They also have a special booth equipped with tea, biscuits and headphones if you're looking for the ultimate in 'me time'. The shop spreads over three floors and covers a number of genres from cookbooks to psychology. These books are always sold at full price, so don't expect to get a bargain here, but you will find a carefully chosen selection of publications which you don't find on the highstreet.

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!

This bookshop is one of a kind! It is huge and has many entry points along the storefront. It…read morealmost feels like a few shops from the front, but once you go inside, it all connects in the back. The highlight is the large room that has the sunken area full of books. There is even a photo spot marked for you to take it all in on your camera. I love that although it is large and has tons of books, it didn't feel cramped and unorganized. My favorite part of the store was in the back where they had high value books for sale. Thee are one of a kind, super ild editions that are in great condition and there is a whole team to curate and market these books. We got to see them in real life!

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.

Aladins Cave this little bookshop is.Tucked out of the way off the lower high street..Books of…read moreevery kind are overflowing everywhere When the Bookcases are full Tables the Floor will do and if you want to look at the book which is under 30/40 other books you will just have to rearrange the display!! They have all the usually popular paperpacks and recent nonfiction at a reasonable priceBut they expertise is, all the older books Not rare but just old. Been a knitter I have picked up loads of 1950s knitting books..And a lovely collection of Just William stories.. They do attempt to sort the books into section but it is a little hit and miss.. Staff are lovely loads of people just pop in for a chat..There is a small internet cafe upstairs. Great shop Great atmosphere. Recomend

Bit cluttered and disorganised however they have a lot of books, even old very niche ones that are…read moregenerally hard to find, and they're always very reasonably priced.

This bookstore is a real cutie on the Main Street in Stowe. I was in need of a book for our five…read moreday walking trip and was able to find a winner here. Despite being tucked into a small space, they had a wide variety of hard packs, paperbacks, kids books and more to offer. The shopkeeper was both friendly and helpful. I should add that it's also conveniently located a few doors down from the tasty Cotswold Creamery cheese shop (which I also highly recommend). If you're in need of a read or for some literary perusing, this spot is for you!

Must stop here if you're in the area. The books are well displayed with wonderful reviews to help…read moreyou make a selection. However, for me it was the customer service! We were looking for where to travel to next and the two kind ladies working took the time to look up and write down directions since my phone has spotty service.

This is a long running and established book shop that sells most of the books you can get…read more The only obvious downside is they are the only one and you have to pay full price for most of the books, however they have the added convenience that you don't need to go in to Newbury to buy a book.

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.

Topping & Co is pretty much the ideal bookshop for this new frame of mind. Set in a beautiful…read moreformer Quaker meeting house, just round the corner from Bath Abbey. it is literally the stuff of book-lovers' dreams. Gorgeous shelf ladders, carefully curated displays, and a really friendly atmosphere, coupled with a quirky building and fabulous views. There's a wonderful gallery/walkway and a huge basement, so the whole place is surprisingly big. We visited just after Christmas, which only added to its charm. Topping and Company Booksellers, in the beautiful and quintessentially English city of Bath, have many different incarnations. We bought one book, had a cup of coffee, did chit chat with the owner/staff, and then proceeded to the other stop

The most adorable bookstore. I wish I had more time to browse before returning to my tour bus. Only…read moredownside is that it is a little bit cramped at times.

What a fantastic find this book shop is. Hidden down at the bottom end of the main street where it…read moreis buried among the Estate Agents and charity shops it is easy to miss it, but it is a really excellent place to find really cheap books. We always pop in here when we're in town and I always find some excellent bargains. The book range changes all the time and usually they only have 1 or 2 of each book, so its hit and miss but there is often plenty of works by well known authors if you are looking for fiction and an interesting range of information books too. Their kids books are very good and they have a good range of board books for very young children. They often have special offers for example buy 2 books for £5 etc. The staff are very friendly and the shop is rarely crowded.