From Buzz Feed:
1. Barter Books, Northumberland
Flickr: drgillybean Creative Commons
Flickr: itmpa Creative Commons
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Based in a former Victorian train station, Barter Books is breathtaking. Comfy sofas, a model railway and a children’s room too. Oh! And it’s the home of the original Keep Calm and Carry On poster.
2. The Bookshop, Wigtown, Scotland
Flickr: felibrilu / Via Creative Commons
Facebook: 162870870408640
Facebook: 162870870408640
You can tell by the destroyed Kindle on the wall (left) that this bookshop doesn’t mess around. Situated in Scotland’s National Book Town, The Bookshop stocks about 100,000 titles, so the odds of finding something good to read are high.
3. Octavia’s Bookshop, Cirencester
Facebook: octaviasbookshop
Facebook: octaviasbookshop
Facebook: octaviasbookshop
Octavia’s Bookshop won the 2013 Best Independent Children’s Bookshop award, and it’s not hard to see why. Utterly enchanting, with regular readings by authors, and Moomin fairies in the window!
4. Ross Old Book Shop, Ross on Wye.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Facebook: RossOldBooks
Facebook: RossOldBooks
Secondhand and antiquarian books, in a picturesque setting. And on Saturdays, there’s a cake sale. So charming!
5. Madhatter Bookshop, Oxfordshire
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Facebook: 177056669040766
This quirky shop sells both books and hats, and is utterly delightful. They’re committed to hosting literary events, as well as “book clubs, literary study groups, break-into-books groups and creative engagement with GCSE and A level groups.”
6. Scrivener’s Books, Buxton
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Facebook: scrivenersbooks
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@ceceliavincent on Instagram
With five floors of books, this is a bibliophile’s dream. And what’s more, there are cosy sofas, and tea-making facilities. Wonderful.
7. Honesty Bookshop at Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye
tripadvisor.co.uk
Flickr: silversprite Creative Commons
Flickr: silversprite / Via Creative Commons
A tradition since the 1960’s, the Honesty Bookshop has no till. All books are £1 or less, and the money is left in a collection box. Amazing.
8. Beware of the Leopard Books, Bristol
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yelp.co.uk
Named for a joke from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this second-hand bookshop has a big selection. Perfect for rummaging.
9. Wild and Homeless Books, Dorset
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@nmp31 on Instagram
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A bookshop named for a Virginia Woolf quote? How delightful. The cutest thing? Customers can leave reviews on their typewriter.
10. Leakey’s Bookshop, Inverness
Facebook: LeakeysBookshop
Facebook: LeakeysBookshop
Facebook: LeakeysBookshop
OMG this bookshop has an open fire. And a cafe. And yes, lots and lots of books.
11. Armchair Books, Edinburgh
armchairbooks.co.uk
greatergrassmarket.co.uk
greatergrassmarket.co.uk
Often described as a TARDIS, it’s easy to get swept up in Armchair Books. By the way, if you’re a book lover in Edinburgh, try and get a ticket to Electric Bookshop to chat about the future of books.
I'm clearly living on the wrong side of the Atlantic :)
ReplyDeleteHa! My thoughts exactly.
DeleteI want to open a bookshop now!
ReplyDeleteMe too! It would be a dream.
Delete