Our Favourite Indie Bookshops

Readers and bookshops go hand in hand, we can’t actually legally walk past a bookshop without going inside, especially if it’s an indie bookshop! Indie bookshops are independently owned retail bookshops and are not part of a larger retail chain. By supporting an indie bookshop, you’re supporting a small business which we love to see!

Here are some of our favourite indie bookshops for you to explore:

Mr B’s Emporium Bookshop, Bath

My B’s Bookshop is pure magic! From the baths used as bookshelves to the amazing bookseller recommendations. You know will go into this bookshop and leave with a book you’ve never heard of before, but can’t wait to read. It’s spread over three floors and contains a range of books from general fiction to fantasy, romance, non-fiction and a great children’s section with a dedicated children’s graphic novel shelf. 

We love Mr B’s, it is beautiful, unique, fun and welcoming! 

Books on the Hill, St Albans

Books on the Hill quite literally feels like a warm hug in shop form. It has a beautiful dark wood, almost Victorian looking vibe to it, which makes you never want to leave. There’s a great non-fiction section stretching from art books to biographies, and of course a fabulous selection of fiction, young adult books and a really fun children’s section that feels really interactive.

Books on the Hill also has a book club and reading room above the store, which has a great community feel! 

Coles Books, Bicester

Coles Books has the atmosphere of a bookshop you could browse for hours and come out with a stack taller than you. This bookshop feels so grand from the centerpiece staircase leading to a second floor dedicated to special edition books and records to the beautiful shelving displays, this bookshop just feels epic.The fiction section is so vast, with a great selection of general fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, lit fic, translated fiction and romance. There’s also a really fun children’s section with interactive areas to keep your kids busy whilst you browse right by them. 

Coles Books is well worth a visit, and the book sellers have brilliant recommendations too! 

Linghams, Heswall

I think anyone who grew up on the Wirral will have spent a good part of their childhood at Linghams. In the lovely village of Heswall, this cosy bookshop and cafe is a small sanctuary! The range of adult books and special editions, alongside a great kids selection and comfy spots to sit means you can lose hours in there! They also host some brilliant author events, as well as kids events during holidays. 

The West Kirby Bookshop, West Kirby

Another Wirral gem, although much newer, having only opened in summer 2022! A beautiful, fresh, modern (and modest!) book shop with an array of adult and childrens books, best sellers and more unusual picks from smaller presses. This bookshop is a joy with a whole host of regular fun events and a book club! 

Credit to Mr B’s website, Linghams’ Instagram and The West Kirby Bookshop website for these photos. 

Supporting small businesses is so important, especially in today’s economy, so we hope you have a great time visiting some of these small bookshops and buying even more books!