7 of the best bookshops to visit in the UK

With summer bringing Independent Bookshop week to UK shores, we’re celebrating bookstores that are well worth travelling to. From a hilltop spot in York to a cool cafe hangout in London’s East End and far beyond, we’ve selected independently run shops that continue to draw book-lovers to towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. Many of these have been recognised by the Independent Bookshop of the Year award, past or present, and all are lovely places to linger over a good read, graphic novel or open mic night, before exploring the local area — complete with a travel tip from each bookseller.

1. Falmouth Bookseller, Cornwall

With its broad collection taking in fiction, natural history, children’s stories and current affairs, plus a selection of local interest books, this port town indie offering has something for everyone — including a ‘study’ with co-working desks and an upstairs cafe selling local Yallah Coffee and giant pasties from Stones Bakery.

Bookseller tip: Manager Eloise Rowe recommends taking a walk around the point to sheltered Castle Beach. “Enjoy a brilliant cake at Castle Beach Café and dip your toes in the crystal-clear water under the castle.”

2. Far From The Madding Crowd, West Lothian

In the Scottish market town of Linlithgow, this much-loved bookshop occupies one of the handsome Georgian buildings flanking the high street. Describing itself as an ‘indie bookshop with a bit on the side’, it offers a strong selection of Scottish titles, along with a bothy for quiet reading, poetry evenings and a shop bunny called BB.

Bookseller tip: Manager Sally Pattle says, “Visitors should walk up to the Grange from the east end of the loch, where you’ll find the best views over Linlithgow Palace, the loch and the gleaming golden spire of St Michael’s Parish Church.”

3. The Bookshop by the Sea, Ceredigion

This seaside spot is the host and founder of Aberystwyth Poetry Festival (6-8 June) and also holds children’s storytelling sessions, book clubs and music nights. Settle into the corner armchair with a detective noir by locally schooled novelist Malcolm Pryce, or have afternoon tea in the pretty courtyard.

Bookseller tip: Owner Freya Blyth says, “The seafront, with its colourful Victorian houses, has the best sunsets, sometimes accompanied by starling murmurations. The nearby National Library of Wales is worth a visit for its rare books.”

4. Little Acorn Bookstore, Derry

This former Georgian house, the largest indie bookshop in Ireland’s northwest, is a temple to words of all kinds, from the reclaimed schoolteachers’ chairs signed by hundreds of authors, actors, directors, broadcasters, musicians and artists to the 25,000-strong book collection and a typewriter museum that opened last summer.

Bookseller tip: Owner Jenni Doherty says, “On the banks of the River Foyle, Derry is a vibrant, welcoming place; a walled city of pride and personality. Walk the walls, talk to all and fall in love.”

5. Wave of Nostalgia, West Yorkshire

Located in the Brontë sisters’ hometown, Haworth, this hillside spot specialises in fiction and non-fiction written by or about inspiring women. There are also titles on nature, the environment and inclusivity, plus gifts such as suffragette greetings cards, feminist T-shirts and homemade children’s clothes.

Bookseller tip: Owner Diane Park recommends lifting your eyes from the page to enjoy the panorama: “The view from the top of our hill takes in a winding cobbled street with many independent shops, bars and restaurants, opening out onto moors scenery that inspired the Brontës.”

6. Barter Books, Northumberland

A curio collection of second-hand books stacked up in an old Victorian railway station in Alnwick is the setting for this cathedral-like shop where you’ll find a model railway strung between bookshelves. Bring paperbacks to exchange, have a bacon butty in the Station Buffet cafe or head to Paradise, an ice cream parlour in the former stationmasters’ office selling local Morwick Dairy scoops and sundaes.

Bookseller tip: Founding director Mary Manley suggests: “Head west out of Alnwick through Northumberland National Park to Kielder Observatory. First, take Kielder (Forest) Observatory Road to see one of artist James Turrell’s brilliant Skyspace installations, found worldwide, and spend some time looking up through its oculus at the sky above; then, go another half mile to Kielder Observatory to watch the nighttime sky through a telescope (book head).”

7. Bàrd Books, East London

This local hangout has a curated collection of literary fiction, canonical classics and poetry. Browse over a masala chai and a pastry from the cafe or a rum-based Hemingway spritz in the garden, and return for tarot readings, authors in conversation and open mic nights.

Bookseller tip: Manager Kristin Griffin says, “We’re located near Victoria Park. With weekend markets and green space aplenty, it’s the perfect place to sprawl out with a new book.”