General second-hand, hard to find & out of print books.
Large and spacious shop spread over a range of farm buildings, with ample parking - a little out of the way, but well worth a visit if nearby, simply because of the size, quality and variety of its reasonably priced stock. Must be one of the largest shops in the country. Gareth James 12.09.08
Definitely the best shop in the Midlands. The stock of novels is huge, they're in perfect alpha order and browsing room is plentiful. Prices are also surprisingly reasonable, mostly in the £1.50-£3.00 range even though the books are all in good condition. Nick Campsall 04.11.08
How nice to find an owner who knew her subject. Found the division of subjects easy to follow. Strong on county matters. Chris Harte 01.04.09
A real find, although difficult to find - (Now I have bought a sat nav it will be much easier.) Don't go into Bedworth itself unless for the very 'cheap' petrol (£1.33). The shop is a delightful barn(s) conversion with a 'ten bob' section outside. Dry but cold - some good books there but mostly not worth even 50p. Inside a different matter warm, friendly and well-organised. Probably the biggest fiction section I have seen outside Hay on Wye. All good quality, some older stock and the 50's/60's Pan paperbacks a little pricey but otherwise very good value - some examples of eclectic pricing. large children's section on the mezzanine . A good military and WW1/2 section. Languages section a little sparse. Excellent cafe with a really lovely log burner and free wifi access to ensure I don't buy duplicates (again). After reassuring the proprietor that I was not checking out whether her prices were fair on the web, staff were friendly and knowledgeable and you have the option of using a supermarket type plastic basket for the many purchases to avoid 'book-buyer's cramp' in the left arm.(Be warned you will come away with a nasty bout of 'book-buyers cricked neck'). Worth keeping an eye on their webs site as they have a marquee sale of books twice in the late spring at very good prices I am led to believe. Well merits the ultimate Drif accolade of WAD and ETGOW. Definitely be back! Jon Morgan 03.03.12
Definitely worth the detour - massive stock, quantity and quality across pretty much all fiction and non-fiction. We came away with arond 15 books, from £1.50 to £20, almost everything we saw there very well-priced. M&O 14.04.12
My favourite bookshop in the world. Very reasonable prices, huge well ordered stock on all subjects and knowledgeable owners. And cake! Rosie Gamgee 10.11.12
A revisit and well worth the time spent wandering around. The general stock was fine and well categorised but it was the collectables which caused me to part with my money. Take your time with these sections for there are some very good items to be found. Chris Harte 16.11.13
A great selection of books spread across several converted barns. I have been a regular visitor now for several years and recommend several hours for your visit. The onsite cafe has great cakes, sandwiches and you must try the Frank Parker (a famous local butchers in Nuneaton) sausage rolls! Also good to visit August b/hols as 15% off and a marque full of 50p books. Laurence Batchelor 02.01.14
Wonderful!! Andrew Bradley 14.08.14
Still a great shop although I found the extensive fiction section slightly tired. I have not dropped in for 6 months and there did not seem to have been a great turnover, Still wwad if only for the excellent coffee and the coffee and walnut cake. Top tip - make sure you take a coat as the season changes. The barns can be chilly due to sheer size. Jon Morgan 07.10.14
Our second visit. The owners work hard at what they are doing, and there is no air of preciousness about the place. Prices for what I'm interested in are very fair. Two rooms featuring science fiction/adult fantasy. Must try the roast beef sandwiches next time. Have a safe trip, Sarah. Andrew Bradley 27.10.14
This is still one of the best general second hand bookshops in the country. Unfailingly helpful staff who never fail to greet a regular, albeit sporadic customer, as an old friend, are unfailingly helpful and accommodating. The stock of modern fiction is fantastic and needs at least 90 minutes scan through. The cafe with its roaring log burner on a cold may day is great value and of high quality. I could live here happily ... if the very friendly dog would let me. Long may it continue. Jon Morgan 09.05.15
About a 100 mile round trip for us, so we can't visit too often - but we would if we could. Browse in the morning, eat roast beef sandwiches, browse in the afternoon. A day out we look forward to. Andrew Bradley 20.06.15
Fabulous place. Enormous selection, well categorised, arranged in many many shelves and cases arranged in such a way that I lost my wife at one point! Well heated in winter, plenty of stock, much at very reasonable prices; a good mix of the cheap and not so cheap. Picked up a mix of HB and PB for just over £30 including some decent early 60s James Bond novels. Cafe is excellent and warm - soup and sandwich very filling! Did get full by 12.30 - I can imagine some coming just for lunch to be honest. Very glad its only 50 minutes away; I'll definitely be back again and again. Flip M 16.01.16
Well, yesterday was my 2nd visit since my review above. The first without my wife - big mistake, I spent 3 hours here (including lunch in the cafe) and spent far more than normal! Pointless to pick out any particular area - they have a large selection of most areas - history, military, biogs, sport; the largest Churchill selection I've ever seen too. Quite simply, if you love a good browse among old books - go. Flip M 15.03.16
Having read the above encomiums I approached the Book Farm in a state of eager anticipation, but have to confess to a degree of anticlimax. Yes, it is big and yes, the prices are reasonable, but to my mind the stock overall lacks somewhat in quality. Recently published books are present in a high percentage and there seems to be an awful lot of paperback fiction, sci-fi and suchlike. In the end I suppose that it all boils down to where ones interests lie. That said, it is well worth a detour from anyone on the M6 and I certainly managed to leave with four purchases with which I was very pleased! Henry Middleton 31.01.17
Like Flip M (above) I made the financial error of taking wife and adult children here, supposedly to go buying books. They saw the coffee shop and the food on offer so I was on my own while they gorged. As always I had no difficulty in sourcing the books of my interests and found that the stock had been replenished since my last visit. The owners have also obtained a huge collection of South African titles some of which are rare. As always I never seem to have enough time to look at everything. Maybe next time. Chris Harte 30.10.17
What a marvellous shop. Our first visit and, despite the 150 mile round trip, will certainly return. Excellent stock and good prices. WWAD. David 07.12.17
It's a great place to lose yourself in a browse and most subjects seem covered, and prices and quality of the books are both still very good. BUT... Don't go at halfterm, or at weekends, unless you go early in the day, or late. They serve great food and drinks in their cafe but many locals visit just for the cafe I think. We left our latest visit until my wife had a day off, just after halfterm in Bucks where we live. And went on a Monday - not realising Warwickshire had their halfterm start that day... The car park was full (we were lucky to get a space) - as was the cafe. Had an hour's browse and picked up some books but the number of pushchairs being wheeled around the narrow walkways,little ones running around, and several people eating at tables and blocking access to the biographies in the last room did grate a bit. By now, the cafe now had a queue waiting to order that was several deep (there were no tables free), so we bought our books and left, swearing to be more careful when we visit next time. But they're clearly doing something right - they're busy. Flip M 10.03.18
Its been several years since my last review which is odd as I'm lucky to have Astley on my doorstep. The latest expansion on this farm is they have now opened a 'retro shack' in a sort of shed in the middle courtyard fill with bric-a-brac and novelty items. Frankly, I'd have preferred if they'd have added more space for the cafe or yet more books (there was talk of 80k in storage). The stock I'm happy to report has been refreshed and for the 1st time in the 15 years I've been buying from the owners, I found a title in the antiquarian section. I came away with 7 titles at reasonable prices. If you fancy somewhere which is massive to browse and has an excellent cafe this is worth travelling any distance for but avoid lunchtimes. Laurence Batchelor 15.09.18
Still as good as ever. Wednesday morning and the cafe was packed. Lots of new stock and a large bag full of purchases. Such a friendly welcome from the owners too. This place deserves it success and is testament to the hard work which has been put into it. Jonathan Morgan 15.09.18
Visited on a rainy Saturday and pleased to see the stock has been refreshed. This is my local 2nd hand bookshop and still one of the best in the country. Bulk discount offered without asking. Lovely cafe, warm owners and still 70k more books uncatalogued in storage. Give them a bigger farm is what I say! Laurence Batchelor 13.06.19
Visited twice over lockdown. They have built a Yurt outside to give their excellent cafe more seating options. On my last visit on a Saturday morning the place was surprisingly not too busy. The owners have also taken the time over lockdown to improve the access road by chopping back the vegetation and expand the car park. All good previous feedback acted upon. Inside I found the new acquisitions shelves bulging and many new titles on the shelves which were not there pre-lockdown. I still wish I could get access to the 1000s of books they also have in storage in shipping containers outside. Maybe run a winter open day or something? I came away with 5 purchases and pricing is still reasonable. This is my local 2nd hand bookshop and its still as strong as ever. VERY VERY WWAD. Owners ETGOW Laurence Batchelor 08.08.21
What else can you say about perfection? Every time I visit, the shelves holding titles of my interests have been restocked, resulting in bags full of purchases. Even my wife spent time going through books on her subjects. Snacks and coffee were enjoyed at the cafe which concluded yet another lovely day in heaven. Chris Harte 15.08.21
Visited today with a friend who had never been before. An Astley Virgin....She was absolutely stunned! I got a great 'welcome back' from the VETGOW owner and felt, not simply like a valued customer but also like an old friend.
The stock is as good as ever - no empty shelves here, largely I suspect and from our conversation, due to the hard work of those running the place to ensure it is so and even on a late Autumn Sunday evening people were still arriving.
A Massive 30' diameter Yurt has been added outside in the Courtyard with gorgeous tables and a central wood-burner. It was a brilliant place to sit and read or contemplate your purchases... another bag load to catalogue and shelve.
Food and drink up to the usual high standard with attentive and friendly staff VETGOW gain..... I just wish I lived nearer. One of the very, select, few, in my view, to wholeheartedly deserve the Driff accolade of WAD! Firedrake 31.10.21
Agree with all previous glowing reports. This has to be one of the best bookshops anywhere, and with an excellent cafe too. We visited on a Monday in November and it was busy.
All categories well catered for, condition and prices all good. We came away with two boxfuls and were given a good discount without asking. Just wished we lived closer but well worth the 140 mile round trip and we will return. David 24.11.21
Still as good as ever and THE book place to visit in the Midlands. A lot of new stock found in the "new arrivals" shelves.
The outside Yurt with its log burning stove still brimming hot keeping it warm and snug for mother's day and a wonderful smell. Only downside on the food was carrot cake was sold out!
Anyway back to the books 2 purchases made in my naval history interests and both bargains. 1 was unpriced but I asked and was surprised. Several childrens books also purchased again all priced to sell.
This is still for me the model of what a really warm and friendly 2nd hand book emporium should be. All bookshop owners should visit and take notes! :) Laurence Batchelor 27.03.22
Hadn't been there for over two years when I visited in September 2022. Stock as immense as ever and interesting books are to be had given the time needed to search them out.
Two developments I disliked were:
1. Too high a proportion of books are now in padlocked cases which creates a forbidding atmosphere. The books behind glass looked fairly mediocre so couldn't see the need.
2. Many of the books I picked out had been priced with a heavily-applied, sharp, hard pencil scarring the paper for ever. This is disappointing if you are a collector. My advice: use a lightly-applied blunt, soft pencil such as a 2B. Andrew Walker 13.09.22
Early into 2023 and the previous comments hold good. Good quality books reasonably priced and a warm yurt where you can peruse your purchases over a cuppa. A long drive from Cambridge but certainly worth it. I will return soon. Bazza 04.02.23
All I can do is add to the positive comments about this place. I purchased a number of items from the locked cabinets and can fully understand why they are kept as such. Too many people fiddling through quality works can damage the books. A quiet word; the cases unlocked and a study can be made. My new purchases are top rate. A wonderful place to visit. Chris 14.03.23
Made a first ever visit over Easter as it is only half an hour from family. Why have I never been here before? Very helpful, friendly and interesting owner, with whom I chatted about the demise of Warwickshire bookshops of the past - turned out she had bought up much of the stock from Eastgate in Warwick and Portland Books in Leamington. Some keen prices, and 19 year old biblophile daughter found several titles too. Anthony 02.05.23
Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary
Status unknown, update requested
