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.

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.

Mostly Books is a relatively new, and really good, bookshop in Abingdon. It's not huge, but has an…read moreinteresting display of books and a regularly changing window display to entice you in. There's also lots going on - with special events, author signings and talks - and it's worth keeping an eye on their newsletter to keep up-to-date. It's a much warmer atmosphere than a chain bookstore, and you can get a decent cup of coffee/ tea and a slice of cake too - there's a little patio at the back where you can sit outside if the weather is nice.

I haven't tried the coffee and cake yetbut I love browsing this shop…read more There's a good selection of books in a wide variety of genres, and the staff are always warm and friendly. When talking with them, I got the impression that opening a bookshop like this was a life dream, and the fact that they enjoy what they do shines through. One real plus point to this little shop is their great range of 'book mugs' - mugs with the titles of Penguin Classic books on them. I've not seen them elsewhere in Abingdon, and they make great gifts. An antidote to the big chain bookstores like Waterstones, and a pleasant place to browse and buy.

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.

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!

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 :)

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!

Oxford University Press is famous the world over for producing good quality academic books,…read morejournals and reference articles. This shop is just a sample of the huge range you can find on the internet, but it's really nice to be able to flick through the pages and physically hold the books, especially considering the obscurity of some of the topics. There are academic books on arts and science subjects, with some catering for people who really know their stuff, and others serving as great introductions for people who want to know more but in a more casual way. I love the 'Very Short Introduction' series, which explains things ranging from dinosaurs to Nietzsche to particle physics all in easily digestible but non-patronising form, and all at an affordable price. It makes me feel pretty smart having them lying around the house, and I now don't feel completely lost at dinner conversations when someone mentions Postcolonialism or Classical Mythology. Aside from this, there really is a huge range of books, including resources for teachers and textbooks for child and adult learners, as well as the usual stock of reference books like the infamous Oxford dictionary. The prices are what you'd expect from an academic shop stocking its own products and they have sales on every now and again. The staff are friendly and know their stuff. Pop in, treat yourself, and learn about something new. A book will last a lot longer than a TV programme, although it may be equally addictive!

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.

A handy shop for newspapers, magazines, sweets, cigarettes, greetings cards and the odd bit of…read morestationary. Just dont go in there between 8am and 9am or 3pm and 4pm on weekdays or you will be swamped by children on their way to and from school buying sweets out of their dinner money! Quite a big newsagents, friendly staff and a good variety of magazines although they are often in a bit of a mess, and muddled up. You can also get lottery tickets here, and there is plenty of parking right outside the shop.