This post is slightly different from my usual hiking and outdoor content however, it combines my love of exploration and my love of reading as I share with you my favourite secondhand bookshops that I’ve visited across England and Scotland so far. I haven’t featured Wales here because I haven’t really been to that many bookstores there yet. I’ve also never been to Hay-on-Wye (although I’m desperate to!), and I’m sure that one of those would make the list. You may also notice that it’s quite Northern England-centric and that’s mainly because it’s where I live and grew up! If there are any you think I’m missing here – especially in the South of England – please do let me know as I’m always on the look out for new ones!
England
Carnforth Bookshop
The first one is a goodie! Selling both secondhand and new books, Carnforth Bookshop is a real hidden gem. The town is most famous for being a filming location for the 1945 British classic ‘Brief Encounter’, but the real reason for my visit was just up the road on Market Street. The Carnforth Bookshop is independent and family-run. It was first established in 1977 though it’s thought that a bookshop was also on the same site in the Victorian period, too. The upper floors host their second-hand collection whilst the bottom floor is new releases, maps, cards and stationary.
The Old Pier Bookshop, Morecambe Bay
Next, we have a book shop just down the road from Carnforth in Morecambe Bay. Lancashire does have some great second-hand bookshops! This one has that classic second-hand bookshop feel and is a real rabbit warren. You could spend hours scouring all the shelves and still feel like you haven’t really looked at everything. They have a great mystery and thriller section as well as fantasy which I’m always on the look out for. It may seem a little out of the way in Morecambe Bay but it is well worth the visit to the town just for this bookshop. It’s one not to be missed.
Bookcase, Carlisle
Keeping with the North West theme, we have Bookcase in Carlisle. This is one of the largest independent bookshops in the country, spanning four floors with over 30 rooms, a garden and a cafe. If none of the titles in here catch your eye, it’s sister shop, Bookends can be found next door. Bookends sells new books, whereas Bookcase is for the second-hand collection. The shops are located in the historic end of Carlisle and set in a beautiful five-storey Georgian property.
Westwood Books, Sedburgh
It would be remiss not to include a second-hand book shop in England’s book town, Sedburgh. It seems that Sedburgh has struggled as a book town, perhaps because it is less well known than its Welsh and Scottish counterparts. That means that there sadly aren’t actually that many left. My favourite of them all, though, is Westwood Books. This shop is spread over 2 floors and has over 70,000 books to choose from, most of which are second-hand. They also have a collection of first editions and Folio Society books for sale.
Barter Books, Alnwick
Jumping across the country to Alnwick on the North East Coast of England in Northumberland, you’ll find Barter Books. I’ve only visited here once, but it quickly became one of my favourites as soon as I stepped inside. What used to be Alnwick’s railway station, built in the Victorian times, is now a fabulous multi-room bookshop and cafe. I guarantee you’ll find at least one book here to interest you. It’s so well organised that they have maps to the different bookshelves to help you find your way. It will undoubtedly be very busy, and the shop has only a small car park, so it may be worth parking in the town and walking if you’re able.
Minster Gate Bookshop, York
York is a beautiful city and is home to plenty of second-hand book shops and charity shops, making it the perfect place for a book-buying day out. A trip to Your wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Minster Gate Bookshop. This one is packed with books in a tiny space, so it’s one of those where you have to squeeze through to explore a new section. It specialises in antiquarian and second-hand books and also sells historic prints and maps. Don’t forget to pop down to the basement to look at their value, new book collection!
Yorkshire Quality Books, Pickering
Yorkshire Quality Books will always be my favourite bookshop of all time, and it’s been a few years since I visited. As a child and into my teens, we often went on holiday to Whitby or the North York Moors, and on the way, we’d stop in Pickering. I don’t think I ever left Yorkshire Quality Books without a bagful, and neither did my sister. It was this bookshop that really started my love for second-hand book shopping, and the rest is history! I also remember that the man who owns the bookshop was always so helpful and accommodating. I’m always looking for an excuse to go back over that way so I can visit again…
Scotland
Leakey’s Bookshop, Inverness
Leakey’s in Inverness is the newest addition to this list and a very well-deserved member. It’s Scotland’s second-largest second-hand book shop and is both independent and family-run. It was first opened in 1979, but the building has been around much longer, as it’s in a 17th-century church! It has a fabulous old fireplace. I will say, the books are slightly more expensive here than other second-hand places, but you have to expect it to be slightly inflated, given the fact that this is a bit of a tourist attraction now too.
Armchair Books, Edinburgh
I think Armchair Books holds the trophy for my favourite bookshop in Scotland. It’s located just off the popular Grassmarket in Edinburgh and always has a fantastic selection. I’ve bought a lot of Robin Hobb fantasy from there, as well as other popular and newer releases. Again, like Leakey’s, these are a little more expensive, but it’s well worth it. Every time I go to Edinburgh, I have to visit. On the most recent occasion, I went to Scotland and said, “I can’t buy any more books, so we can’t go into any bookshops.” I went into Armchair Books and left with four, and I could have bought at least four more…
Shelter Charity Shop, Stockbridge, Edinburgh
In all honesty, most of my secondhand books are bought from charity shops. Oxfam should get an honorary mention here, as they tend to have a great selection no matter where you are in the country. They are always a safe bet. Shelter in Edinburgh had to get its own mention on this list, though, as it always has a fabulous selection. The people of Edinburgh must just have great taste in books as they’re always donating fabulous ones! It’s great to give to a worthy cause too.
The Bookshop, Wigtown
We’ve covered England’s book town, and now it’s time for Scotland’s. Wigtown is host to many bookshops, both second-hand and new, so I could have added a few onto this list. I had to go with The Bookshop, though, which is Scotland’s largest independent second-hand bookshop and the oldest in Wigtown, as it opened over 50 years ago. Shaun Bythell, the owner of the bookshop, has now actually published two books with tales of the store over the years!
The Book Nook, Stirling
Finally, we have The Book Nook, which is a staple for any University of Stirling student. This is a fabulous cafe with great coffee and bagels. As well as that, though, they have a selection of new and secondhand books for you to browse. I can tell you from experience that it makes for a great study break to peruse the shelves.
Have you visited any of these?
Amie x
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