Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
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Ross Old Books is now online only
New listing We Do Books
Chapters Charity Bookshop in Hereford has closed
new shop Midland Air Ambulance Charity Shop Hereford
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35 West/LEOMINSTER/35 West Street
35 West
35 West Street LEOMINSTER HR6 8EP
map
tel:
07740 437377 e-mail 
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 8.30 - 5.00
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3000 ever changing books with a distinct emphasis on books for readers, including a room of paperbacks. Presented alongside locally roasted coffee, local cakes, local apple juice and free sun (subject to availability) in our South Facing Terrace.
A wonderful surprise to find this shop on our last visit to Leominster. Bought several and will be back. A delightfully eclectic mix of stock. To misquote Mrs Trellis "very good". David 13.08.19
Excellent. A discerning stock of literature, the arts and the humanities all along one wall and in a few other niches: and great coffee and cakes and savouries too. Very civilised! Mark V 09.09.23
Essentially a coffee shop with books along one long wall of the shop. It felt a little cramped for space, but very good quality stock with many Folio Society books in their slipcases and plenty of other interesting and unusual books. Sam Boswell 28.04.24
Aardvark Books _ Cafe/BUCKNELL/Manor Farm, Brampton Bryan
Aardvark Books & Cafe
Manor Farm, Brampton Bryan BUCKNELL SY7 0DH
map
tel:
01547530744 e-mail web 
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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Housed in 19th century former granaries in the village of Brampton Bryan, North Herefordshire, Aardvark Books is an Aladdin’s cave of new, second-hand and rare books, with over 50,000 titles in stock; also CDs, maps, musical scores, DVDs, greetings cards, gifts and much more. Small cafe in the middle of the bookshop serves, teas, coffees, hot chocolates, cakes and light lunches.
This is a bookshop I would never have known about without tbg! Large converted barn just off the main road (well signposted), loads of books on two floors, strong on art and fiction, but most areas covered. Some new/almost new books also. Prices range from reasonable to rather enthusiastic. Excellent cafe in the barn. A great place to visit on a wet autumn day, WAD. PaulH 03.11.22
Very good browsing shop, lots of space for those with sticks and v good wheelchair access (though not sure about front step). No lift but stairs wide and well banistered. A little bit disorganised within sections but that just makes the searching and finding more interesting. Definitely worth visiting. Good cake also. KM 23.04.23
Albion Books /LEOMINSTER/Bookroom The Merchants House Antique Centre 10 Corn Square
Albion Books
Bookroom The Merchants House Antique Centre 10 Corn Square LEOMINSTER HR6 8LR
map
tel:
07818 213278 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
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About 5000 books, mostly (prob 90% ) non-fiction. Large sections of carpentry & crafts, agriculture & natural history.
The sort of general titles to be expected in an Antiques Centre. Average but worth a visit if you are in the town. Anon 29.10.12
Very small stock - about five bookcases. Mark 10.11.12
Large upstairs room with wide range of material - holiday paperbacks to more interesting stuff. Owner very keen to help. Explained he was expanding, and was sorting out. I suspect a place well worth keeping an eye on. Book Buyer 31.05.14
Quite a surprise to find part of an Antiques Centre given over to shelves of books. Everything in its correct category and very easy to peruse. Fairly general stock. Nothing spectacular but worth a look. Co-owners friendly and helpful. Chris Harte 09.04.15
The best of the options in Leominster. Well laid out, clean and bright stock, reasonably priced. Also on offer is a wide range of traditional tools and architectural ironmongery. You want a billhook of any specified vernacular type? You'll probably find it here! Didn't find any books to take home, but happy with a miscellaneous selection of wooden bits. TravellingLibrary 18.05.18
Decent sized room of books on the first floor, rather more fiction than the last comment but sections on most subjects. Worth a look if you're passing. PeterM 08.09.22
One large room of books on the upper floor of an antiques shop. Strong on local history of Herefordshire, Shropshire and mid-Wales, as well as nature, rural life, crafts and cookery. Also good general non-fiction stock. Prices not cheap but, broadly speaking, reasonable. I enjoyed a browse and came away with a few serendipitous finds. Sam Boswell 28.04.24
David Thomas Motoring Books /LEDBURY/Tudor Yard Lawnside Road
David Thomas Motoring Books
Tudor Yard Lawnside Road LEDBURY HR8 2BZ
map
tel:
01531 636313 e-mail web
Open: Usually Monday - Friday 9.30 - 2.30, but please phone ahead if travelling as I may be away at a show or an auction.
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Motoring and motor racing books, sales brochures, automobilia, ephemera. Mostly out-of-print, some new. Over 3000 motoring books in stock. Items bought.
Leominster Books/LEOMINSTER/Book Room
Leominster Books
Book Room The Secondhand Warehouse and Antiques Centre New Street LEOMINSTER HR6 8DR
map
tel:
01568 614114 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30.
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On the first floor of this large Antiques Centre. A good selection of secondhand and antiquarian books on all subjects. New stock added regularly.
Quite a good selection on the first floor. All in category order with a number of shelves of old children's books. Chris Harte 29.10.12
Well organised, well lit and stocked with an interesting mix of old and modern books at reasonable prices, even some sheet music. Handy for the car park and free coffee too. One not to miss. Laura 29.10.12
Very small stock. About half a dozen bookcases. Mark 10.11.12
The customer above must have missed the book room and only visited one of the antique dealers on the ground floor of the Centre who carries a small stock of books. Leominster Books is on the first floor (up the main staircase by the cash desk) and has a substantial stock of several thousand books in considerably more than half a dozen bookcases! Simon, Leominster Books 14.11.12
Yes, if you go straight upstairs you will find the real books - excellent selection, decent prices. WWAD. Norman Davies 24.08.13
A fairly large unit in a bright and interesting antiques centre. The stock is well presented and in good condition, and there is a comparatively wide selection of well-chosen books at quite reasonable prices. However, there is no facility for those who like to rummage in interesting and dusty corners. Nicholas Pendower 12.04.14
Asked for Leominster Books at the main desk, only to be met with puzzlement. There is a unit of books upstairs, but it is fairly small in size and general in character. TravellingLibrary 18.05.18
Moderate sized section of this antiques centre, sited upstairs and at the back. Mostly older books, seems to be a lot of hunting and fishing. I may be wrong, but it felt that the stock had been sitting there a long time. PeterM 08.09.22
Matthew Nutt Books/LEOMINSTER/Leominster Antiques Centre Minster House 34 Broad Street
Matthew Nutt Books
Leominster Antiques Centre Minster House 34 Broad Street LEOMINSTER HR6 8BS
map
tel:
01568 615505 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
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Room full of books within Minster House Antiques Centre. Subjects include antiquarian and collectable, transport, militaria, art, Herefordshire. Large amount of new stock added monthly
Limited stock but remarkable range of accessible antiquarian titles. Seemed quite pricey but might have the one book you need ? Norman Davies 24.04.10
Absolutely magnificent, both on the ground and second floors.The quality of the antiquarian books was a treat I never expected. I spent three hours sifting through the offerings before buying a number of them, after which my wife purchased some from her interests. WWAD. Chris Harte 29.10.12
One room of miscellaneous cheap stock in a conservatory, one room of antiquarian, including quite expensive vintage photo albums. No real general stock or modern literature. NWAD. Mark 10.11.12
This is a roomful of books in an antiques centre, which, having taken a wrong turning upon entry, I found quite difficult to locate. Once I was there I was lucky enough to hit a seam of the sort of stuff which interests me and I bought quite a few old and interesting titles. While there is not a large stock, it is strong on a number of specific, non-fiction subjects, with some fascinating antiquarian items, and containing a good selection of maps and prints. Nicholas Pendower 12.04.14
There are still two rooms of books here, as described above. The antiquarian room is a crush of old leather bindings and paper; the conservatory has a small range of more recent titles. TravellingLibrary 18.05.18
I looked all round this antiques centre but I didn't find much in the way of books. PeterM 08.09.22
I found this one by chance last year, went back this October and couldn't find the bookroom! I was in the wrong shop - there are two very-similar looking antiques emporia on the east side of Broad St: The Antique Market at no. 14 (where I went first) which has very few books, and the Leominster Antiques Centre at no. 34, in which this book room is at the back on the ground floor. The best place in Lem for rummaging amongst antiquarian as opposed to recent books. Prices reasonable and I came away with a pile again. PaulH 03.11.22
Midland Air Ambulance Charity Shop/HEREFORD/7 Commercial Street
Midland Air Ambulance Charity Shop
7 Commercial Street HEREFORD HR1 2DE
map
tel:
01432 800959 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00, Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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Very large general charity shop over two floors with a few books on the ground floor and upstairs devoted to books and music.
This shop opened in 2023, I think. It is right in the centre of town. Roughly 2,500 books altogether. The non-fiction divided into broad categories, fiction arranged A-Z by author surname. Quality low, but prices also low. Most items at £1, some less than that. Books mostly in reasonable condition, typical charity shop fare, preponderance of not very enticing paperbacks but bargain finds a possibility. Sam Boswell 29.04.24
New Strand/EARDISLEY/Church Street
The New Strand
Church Street EARDISLEY HR3 6PW
map
tel:
01544 327285
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 8.00, closed Tuesdays and in January.
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20,000 secondhand books on all subjects.
A bit jumbled but there are treasures to be found if you look hard enough. Chris Harte 01.04.09
I can't think what one would call this place ... it's a teashop, a pub, a hotel and bookshop all piled on top of each other. It is extremely eccentric and rambling, and there are indeed a large number of books here piled up all over the place and stuffed into an annexe. Worth a visit for the sheer oddness of it. George Marshall 23.09.10
Definitely worth a detour,very old fashioned,very variable stock.Take kneeling pads and a headtorch. There should be more shops like this!! Corso 11.09.12
This is one of the most eccentric bookshops it has ever been my pleasure to visit. The stock is sort of categorised but like the above reviewer I needed to borrow a large torch to look into the crevasses'. What I found was excellent and I completed my search just as the battery faded. From the cafe side purchase of jars of the home-made raspberry jam should be compulsory. R S Cavendish 29.10.12
A pub, cafe, greengrocer and bookshop all in one. Mostly paperbacks out the front, but don't miss the hardbacks out back (which can be a bit chilly), fiction ground floor, non- up the stairs. Very moderate prices and lots to browse. Friendly and welcoming. Mark 16.11.13
Hadn't visited this one for some years so thought we would give it another try. Have to say that although there may be some good stuff it is not very evident. Would not return. David 20.11.17
Despite my previous comment I did return. It looks as though there has been some attempt to tidy up downstairs. Mostly still pretty chaotic though and time needed to sort through it all. Some stock decomposing quietly in datk corners but did find a couple of good ones at very good prices. David 29.05.22
Oxfam Books and Music/HEREFORD/36 Broad Street
Oxfam Books and Music
36 Broad Street HEREFORD HR4 9AR
map
tel:
01432 279527 web
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Can't comment as it was 'closed for staff training 9.30-12.30' on the Friday morning we were in Hereford. Alastair Palmer 29.06.09
Typical Oxfam. Overpriced, boring, and the little quality stuff priced by an optimist with an Abe Books fixation, not realising that they are still for sale on ABE at those prices because nobody wants them at those prices. The Wanderer. 30.10.09
Miserable stock, eye-watering prices, weirdly conceited staff. A truly dismal experience. The Dikler 30.11.10
STOP PRESS: Opening hours are becoming erratic due to 'staff shortages', but at least the prices are holding up: a 1926 copy of Fowler's Modern English Usage without the dj? £25.00. Hurry, hurry! 1torygloom 16.03.11
Pleased to say that this time when bringing in 3 large boxes of books for donation, I was greeted by a very pleasant & polite middle-aged gentleman who was very grateful for them. On the previous occasion (at least a year ago) when donating a box of books, they were sniffed at for not being good enough. Not everyone donates first editions of rare books. Well done Oxfam for getting rid of the arrogant staff! La Boheme 12.05.11
Ham-fisted. 1/10. The Boxer 17.09.13
Popped in as its across from the cathedral we'd just visited. One of the largest charity shop stocks I've seen but clearly they don't want anyone to get much of a bargain. Highest priced oxfam shop I've been in and I speak as someone who visits the Bloomsbury branch quite regularly in central London. Disappointing. Reasonable stock but nothing for me at those prices. Flip M 18.03.16
Visited after Xmas and the stock seemed rather uninspiring. The prices seemed average for Oxfam and the end of Xmas sale encouraged me to purchase a couple of items. Refused to take my Scottish £20 note! Booksellerbull 03.01.20
Medium size shop, moderate stock. Usual erratic Oxfam pricing. I couldn't find anything to buy. PeterM 08.09.22
Rather better than I was expecting. Stock not huge but some good local books, a collectables section and some interesting academic stuff as well. Pricing seemed generally pretty reasonable for Oxfam and all their Folio books were at £5. Sam Boswell 28.04.24
Retro Station/LEOMINSTER/Unit 11-13 Station Yard Industrial Estate
The Retro Station
Unit 11-13 Station Yard Industrial Estate LEOMINSTER HR6 8TW
map
tel:
01568 610614 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
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A number of bookcases and some stock displayed in boxes on the floor.
Just along from St Michael's Hospice Coffee & Bookstore in Station Yard, Leominster two units of the industrial estate are occupied by The Retro Station a vintage and antique warehouse. In amongst the display cabinets and racks of clothing are a number of bookcases. Some stock is displayed in boxes on the floor. The displays seem a little random with antiquarian books and mass market sharing the same shelf space. Although the prices are very fair. I came away with 50+ old Penguins. Plenty of parking outside. Booksellerbull 02.01.20
We nearly didn’t go in due to the fierce ‘no mask, no entry’ sign as we didn’t have masks. Then we noticed the woman at the desk wasn’t wearing a mask. Very disappointing visit, previously picked up a pile of interesting, reasonably priced books but it appears there has been no new stock. The majority of books are 50p each but they are sub charity shop level, mostly old gardening and cookery books. Definitely NWAD HB 20.03.22
Hardly a book to be seen other than the junk that washes up in dusty piles in antiques centres. Should not be listed here. PeterM 08.09.22
Plenty of books here, dotted around and at least two rooms full of them. Yes, quality is variable, but many are 50p (including loads of Penguins) and bargains can be found. Definitely should be listed! PaulH 03.11.22
St Michael_s Hospice Coffee _ Bookstore/LEOMINSTER/Unit 6-8 Station Yard
St Michael's Hospice Coffee & Bookstore
Unit 6-8 Station Yard Worcester Road LEOMINSTER HR6 8TN
map
tel:
01568 614 137 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00.
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Situated next door to the Home and Living Store a brand new café and bookshop. Thanks to the specialist knowledge of our volunteers the store has an impressive range of military, history, transport, folio society, antiquarian and local tourism books.
Good selection of modern fiction and non-fiction with a selection of older books at the back. Parking right outside and a coffee shop at the front, the staff were very welcoming and as you can see I splashed out on a couple of 1970 Piccolo titles. Tim 13.11.18
Very impressive newly set out like a small library. VG modern books but also many older on subjects particularly transport and other non fiction. Good café too. Note is near station not in town centre. Norman Davies 26.04.19
Always worth a visit, well laid out, large selection of fiction and non fiction. History, biography and military well represented. Mostly reasonably priced although some ‘collectables’ have laughable prices and have obviously been on the shelves for some time. Prices are obviously checked but it’s always possible to find a few bargains. Nice cafe, easy parking HB 20.03.22
Two large rooms behind a small coffee and cake shop. The fiction is almost all newish paperbacks. Reading stuff, not collectible. The non-fiction room is more interesting and is mostly reasonably priced. The best bet in Leominster. Despite being in what feels like an industrial estate it seems to have a steady stream of custom. PeterM 08.09.22
Great shop, well laid out, mostly more recent books, though some antiquarian as well. Prices very reasonable. Excellent cafe which does a great cooked breakfast before 11.30. What better way to start a day's book hunting in Lem! PaulH 03.11.22
Nice spacious shop split over two connected units with a cafe at the entrance. Another high turnover location favouring the non-fiction collector Price stickers abound here but prices are too low to grumble. Very happy with my haul including one book I was after for a while in great condition for a princely £1.50. Stive 12.10.23
Location is on an industrial estate near the station, but pleasant once inside. Lots of paperback fiction, also strong on transport and history. Good value, with most books priced at £1. It was well-organised and busy, both with buyers and people bringing in books for donation. The on-site coffee shop also well worth a visit. Sam Boswell 28.04.24
St Michael_s Hospice/BROMYARD/44 Broad Street
St Michael's Hospice
44 Broad Street BROMYARD HR7 4AA
map
tel:
01885 483992 web
Open: Monday - Friday: 10.00 - 4.00, Saturday: 10.00 - 2.00.
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Upstairs, you will find a room dedicated to a wide collection of books and music.
Well laid out, a good roomful, very cheap, varied stock. Worth a visit if you’re in the area. Nodnerg 16.07.16
Standard charity shop but better than average childrens and music (mainly sheet music) in room upstairs. Norman Davies 13.03.17
Tarrington Books/TARRINGTON/Shire Cottage
Tarrington Books
Shire Cottage TARRINGTON HR1 4EU
map
tel:
01432 890746 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00, appointment necessary.
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Thousands of antiquarian and collectable books in stock including crime fiction, signed first editions, vintage Penguin paperbacks, military, history, theology, engineering and quality fine bindings. New stock added every month. We primarily trade online but browsers are more than welcome by appointment.
We Do Books/ROSS-ON-WYE/Cantilupe Road
We Do Books
Cantilupe Road ROSS-ON-WYE HR9 7AN
map
tel:
01989 763388 e-mail web
Open: Monday, Wednesday - Friday 10.00 - 3.30
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Charity bookshop with a medium-to-large selection of donated books at a flat price of £1 for hardbacks and 50p for paperbacks.
The bookshop does not open on a Saturday. Current hours according to a card on the door are 10.00 to 3.30 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These same hours had been handwritten against Monday as well so whether that was a one-off for this week or that they also now open on a Monday I don't know.
The shop seems to be a reasonable size from what we could see but cannot add anything more regarding type of stock, condition etc...at present. David 28.05.22
