Bookshops in Central/Northamptonshire

Brackley Antiques Cellar/BRACKLEY/Draymans Walk

Brackley Antiques Cellar Open at advertised times

Draymans Walk BRACKLEY NN13 6BE

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tel: 01280 841841

Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.00.

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Situated under the Waitrose supermarket. A huge area of treasures including thousands of books of a very high standard. Well worth a visit. Chris Harte 19.05.09

Interesting place in a lovely town, even in the rain, but the books such as they were scattered throughout numerous antiques stalls and number in the hundreds and not the thousands. Much very dead stock and the whole place smelled damp , rather surprising as under Waitrose, a relatively new building. NWAD but the Old Hall Bookshop is worth a visit. Jon Morgan 03.03.12

I'd agree with Mr Morgan the books were in the 100s and mostly dead stock. He is also correct about the damp and musty smell. Also if you are politically motivated then perhaps the UKIP sticker on the front door might make you think twice before entering. Inside there is a vast array or antique stalls and 1 which did postcards so the books are merely 'mixed in'. There was an onsite cafe and toilets but we decided to eat on the high street instead. Although I picked up 1 title here at 20% off I would say NWAD if its books you seek. Laurence Batchelor 14.06.14

Various parts of the cellar include selections of books but I would not go out of my way to visit for books alone. SteveBrissle 04.08.14

I've been here a few times over the last year - most recently just last week - and the number of outlets here with books does vary a bit. Quite a few most recently but it IS primarily an antiques type place, not a bookshop. I always view the books being there as a bonus. Saying that, not found any to buy so far. If you're not interested in the antiques and collectibles side of things, probably NWAD. Worth popping in if you're visiting Old Hall Bookshop nearby though (which is WWAD). Flip M 08.04.17

Visited again after 4.5yrs gap and the book holdings have improved somewhat. There is now an alcove at the back with 4 bookcases worth and Steven Rench from Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, and main champion of the PBFA book fair in Stratford Upon Avon, now has 2 units inside 1 entirely of antiquarian stock and one which had a bookcase of military and history books. Pricing was fair and there are also other scatterings of books by the antique dealers. Laurence Batchelor 06.12.18

Would reiterate previous comments. Some bargains to be had if you have a good look through. WAD. David 24.12.18

Close Encounters/NORTHAMPTON/29 Abington Square

Close Encounters Open at advertised times

29 Abington Square NORTHAMPTON NN1 4AE

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tel: 01604 602311

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New and secondhand comics and graphic novels.

Always a good stock of new and old comics plus ephemera/models etc. Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. The owner once valued my large collection for free. Ron Johnson 12.03.22

Delapré Abbey Secondhand Bookshop/NORTHAMPTON/London Road

Delapré Abbey Secondhand Bookshop Open at advertised times

London Road NORTHAMPTON NN4 8AW

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tel: 01604 760817 e-mail web

Open: 7 days 9.00 - 3.00

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Historic house and gardens, free parking, museum, gift shop and cafe on site. One room of donated books.'Filled with a range of fiction, non-fiction and children's books to chose from! Come and give it a try, through the walled garden or our takeaway cafe.' No admission fee to the bookshop.

Heyford Books/NORTHAMPTON/155 Kettering Road

Heyford Books Open at advertised times

155 Kettering Road NORTHAMPTON NN1 4BS

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tel: 07814 555516 e-mail web

Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00

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An Amazon seller with a shop, recently moved into Northampton. Stock mostly non-fiction, reading area, refreshments, prices between 50p - £3.

Old Hall Bookshop/BRACKLEY/32 Market Place

The Old Hall Bookshop Open at advertised times

32 Market Place BRACKLEY NN13 7DP

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tel: 01280 704146 e-mail web

Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.

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Large general stock of new, secondhand and antiquarian titles, located in beautiful Georgian house. Fast ordering system for books in print and full booksearch service for those that aren't! Members of ILAB, ABA, PBFA, BA. - Established 1977.

Very good quality stock. They obviously take care about what books they buy in. Military in abundance. Visit recommended so long as you ignore the upper middle-class twittering mothers in the room set aside for children's books. Chris Harte 19.05.09

Flourishing and well worth a visit. Tony Laverick 25.06.09

Excellent shop with a large stock in most areas - yes it has a room for new children's books. Sensible prices seemingly good turnover too. Pleasant browsing environment. Norman Davies 31.10.11

A beautiful shop in a beautiful building in a beautiful town. Stock was good new and old. Bit light on fiction but very good prices generally , excellent atmosphere. Almost everything a second hand bookshop should be! NB the antiques centre under Waitrose is very poor for books but wad for antiquey stuff. Jon Morgan 03.03.12

Excellent secondhand section (and the new books were good too). Stronger on non-fiction but plenty of interest for readers, collectors, and dealers (and children too). Steven Whitehead 13.09.12

A hand-picked stock with plenty of meat on the bones which deserves quality time and serious attention. I spent a small fortune and will visit regularly. OWC 13.09.12

Always worth a visit. Great mostly non-fiction stock at sensible prices. Steve Brissle 24.08.13

After reading so many positive reviews here about this book shop I decided to travel the 50 miles to see what I was missing. The shop itself is very beautiful and parking was easy nearby in the high street for 3 hours free. Both ladies inside were helpful and now the BUT there were just 7 naval books, 1 shelf of WW2 and around 2 shelves of biographies or aviation all of which were poor quality. I expected so much more! It took me all of 5 mins to browse all the shelves of topics I collect. I made the two ladies aware of my plight and they were helpful and went upstairs to check for more stock but sadly nothing appeared. How disappointing as when you walk in the front door you expect 3 floors of books to peruse when there is in fact just 1 spread around a few small rooms. Laurence Batchelor 14.06.14

The stock does seem a little lighter but it is always worth a visit. Purchased yet another railway book at a very fair price. SteveBrissle 04.08.14

Six years since my last review although I visit this excellent bookshop at least twice a year. I have absolutely no criticism to make of well laid out rooms and excellent stock. Subjects vary to satisfy everyone with pricing very fair. I had no hesitation in parting with my money for such varied titles. If you are very lucky you might be allowed in the huge storeroom at the rear of the main building. What is on those shelves is mind blowing. Chris Harte 19.05.15

My 3rd visit here. Smaller than it appears from the outside but does contain a large antiquarian collection - almost like walking into the library at a NT place at times. Not huge overall and some genres like military are small, but usually an interesting selection across most genres nonetheless - and prices mostly reasonable. I picked up 2 paperbacks and a biog of Raleigh from 1882 in fine condition for 8 quid. Flip M 15.03.16

My 2nd visit after 4.5yrs and I'm pleased to report that their stock of military had improved. Around 60% on the shop are new books but the 'old books' section and the 2nd-hand room to the right of the till is now brimming with stock all priced and categorized. Pricing is still a bit variable e.g. 2 naval books priced reasonably purchased, but an official history of WW2 in the Med 3 vols. of 4 £100 here whereas all 4 volumes were £40 at the antiques basement down the road in the same condition! Laurence Batchelor 06.12.18

Oxfam Books _ Music/OUNDLE/39a West St

Oxfam Books & Music Open at advertised times

39a West St OUNDLE PE8 4EJ

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tel: 01832 274025 e-mail web

Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00

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Average size for an Oxfam bookshop in a small town.

A small shop, but with quite good stock at reasonable prices. Although Oundle is a small town, it is a distinctly affluent one, and the quality of donations here is above average. A dozen shelves of general fiction (mass/mid-market and literary) and half a dozen shelves of crime/thrillers (paperbacks £2.99; hardbacks £3.99). Only a small choice of classic fiction (Penguin paperbacks £2.99/£3.49). Not much poetry or drama. The "antiquarian" section contains little to excite, save perhaps for a few vintage children's books, but the pricing is moderate. Several shelves of "bargain" books - both fiction and non-fiction - including some of high quality, at £1, with a few discounted further to 50p. A good selection of children's books (paperbacks mostly £1.99; hardbacks £2.49/£2.99, but up to £3.99). Lots of revision guides, perhaps reflecting the proximity of Oundle School. The biographies are a mix of mass-market and more rarefied titles: all are modestly priced (paperbacks £2.99; hardbacks £3.99).

Few non-fiction subjects have extensive selections. The history and travel sections are the largest, and both are quite good. Lots of OS and other maps (all £1.99). Other categories with a smaller but decent-quality stock include natural history, local interest, art, cookery, gardening, humanities and crafts/hobbies. The transport books currently include old railway annuals (such as "Locospotters" from the 1960s and "Railway World" from the 1970s/80s) at £3.99. The music section has lots of scores and songbooks (mixed pricing, but mostly reasonable), as well as sheet music (20p each or six for £1).

The shop is not large enough and nor is the quality really good enough for it to justify a special trip in its own right. However, Oundle is very attractive, with many fine old buildings, and so the town itself is worth a visit. And obviously, once there, do not overlook this shop. Oundle no longer has a railway station, but the X4 bus route provides an hourly service from Peterborough, Kettering, Wellingborough and Northampton. Booker T 05.03.25

Reading Tree/WEEDON/Building 1, The Depot, Northamptonshire

The Reading Tree Status unknown, update requested

Building 1, The Depot, Northamptonshire WEEDON NN7 4PS

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tel: 07920 164103 e-mail web

Open: 7 days 10.00 - 4.00, check Facebook for any unforeseen closures.

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On the site of The Booksmith which closed around 2019, the Reading Tree has 40,000 secondhand books and a cafe, also heavily discounted new books. First floor premises, accessible only by stairs. Free parking.

Sherwood Antiques/RUSHDEN/59 Little Street

Sherwood Antiques Open at advertised times

59 Little Street RUSHDEN NN10 0LS

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tel: 01933 0353265

Open: Tuesday & Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 11.00 - 5.00.

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Several shelves of books in the main shop and a room full of antique stock (much of it in fairly ropey condition) upstairs: viewable by request. I bought 6 or 7 books. Richard 31.03.09

Wellingborough Museum Bookshop/WELLINGBOROUGH/12 Castle Way

Wellingborough Museum Bookshop Open at advertised times

12 Castle Way WELLINGBOROUGH NN8 1XB

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tel: 01933 276838 e-mail web

Open: Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm

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'Local social history museum in a Victorian swimming pool building. Free admission. Shop with toys, books and souvenirs. Refreshments by the ‘pool’. Working penny slot machines, model railway and six-ton stationary engine display.' Second-hand and reduced price book room, particularly of local history.

Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland