Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
News:
The Bookshelf (Scarborough) is now called Gallery 6
Mansergh's Secondhand Bookshop has closed
The Old Library Bookshop closed before May 2021
Pages Books has moved to Barnoldswick Lancashire
Ken Spelman has closed
Books for Amnesty York has closed (NOW REOPENED)
Keogh's Books has moved here from Gloucestershire
Clewlow Books of Whitby has closed
The Grimoire Bookshop has closed
Fossgate Books is now online only
New shop Miss Havisham's Book Shop Bedale
New listing Oxfam Whitby
Grosmont Bookshop has closed
New listing Potterton Books Thirsk
Treasure & Relish is now online only
Taikoo Books has gone from Bootham York and we can't trace them.
New listing Deep Neutral Books York
Mark James Books has taken over Scarborough Book Bazaar in Market Vaults
Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary
Status unknown, update requested
We do our best to make sure these details are correct and up-to-date. However we recommend that you contact bookshops before making a special journey.
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Amnesty Bookshop/YORK/19 Micklegate
The Amnesty Bookshop
19 Micklegate YORK YO1 6JH
map
e-mail web 
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
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Newly re-opened in light and spacious new shop, 5 mins from railway station. Good quality stock.
Long anticipated reopening in new much larger premises with fresh stock. What could go wrong? - Nothing. Been twice & come away with bags already. Plenty space mid-shop to add further shelves too. Prices reasonable. Amnesty holding the candle,(sorry)for the best charity bookselling operation in the UK. SaltaireTom 18.10.22
Great, spacious and airy shop. Nice feel and came away with some spot on purchases, one or two higher prices in the collectable and local history field but I suspect I'll go back for those. Very good indeed! Anthony 03.11.22
Happy to endorse the comments above. This is a most pleasant and well set out shop with a stock full of variety and very pleasant staff. Prices were reasonable and this will now be my first port of call next time I'm in the city. Wessexman 18.08.23
A large, bright and airy store which extends a surprisingly long way back. Friendly and helpful staff. Everything nicely displayed both on shelves and tables. A display of new arrivals on the right as you enter. They had an “old and interesting” shelf which lived up to its name. Large selection of crime titles. Couple of shelves of orange penguins. I picked up a lovely numbered limited edition of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for a tenner. My preference is to browse with no distracting music which is the case here - it’s the Wetherspoons of charity bookshops. Overall a very pleasant and rewarding experience. Jon R 17.09.23
Books For All/HARROGATE/23a Commercial Street
Books For All
23a Commercial Street HARROGATE HG1 1UB
map
tel:
01423 561982 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00
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General stock and children's and illustrated, history and transport.
On the outskirts of the main shopping area, from the street and even on entering this appears to be a tiny shop albeit stocked to the ceiling with bookcases. However away from the Police Box like ground floor, up the steep narrow stairs and you enter a virtual Tardis of books stretching over two rooms, including quite a selection of Doctor Who titles. Mainly books with some LPs at the far end, their selection of children's books is impressive, but should not distract from the sheer number of books on most subjects. Jeremy Briggs. 05.11.07
Excellent - good stock, sensible prices. Geoff Hatherick 22.07.08
A fantastic shop, great selection of children books and very reasonable prices. Horror selection is good and reasonble prices as well. Sara Pannel 09.10.08
A good old-fashioned shop! Extensive stocks, floor to ceiling (ladder provided for those hard-to-reach items) and reasonably priced. Daedalus 29.07.09
Good bookshop. Plenty of stock. Usually come out with something! Good sections particularly on art and children's books. Also the shop is open when it's supposed to be!! J.S. 15.02.10
Excellent shop, some gems to be found at reasonable prices. Ernest LeClerc 24.02.10
A very well stocked and reasonably priced shop with a good regular turnover, so well worth the occasional return visit. Nicholas Pendower 27.04.10
Now the only proper shop left in Harrogate - always bargains to be found, brilliant biog section, great turnover - sign of a great shop. Paul P 11.05.10
First visit. Quality stock, very pleasant owner and amazingly reasonable prices. Came away with two large bags of goodies and a generous discount. I'd started to think this kind of shop now only existed in books. Book Buyer 16.09.14
Can only reiterate what others have said. Excellent shop with good prices and good stock. Well worth a visit. Bought two bagfuls. David 25.05.17
Can only but agree with all of the previous comments. A lovely bookshop; a most pleasant owner and prices so low one can only wonder how she makes a profit. The shelves were crammed with good interesting titles, many being unusual. Most certainly worth a visit. Chris Harte 03.09.19
A lovely traditional shop, with a tiny ground floor but two sizeable rooms upstairs. Also sells vinyl and CDs. Wessexman 05.10.21
The kind of shop you thought had died out long ago. Lots of interesting stock and reasonable prices. Be prepared to use ladders, acclimatise to altitude before visit. Seems ok at keeping advertised hours - one of my favourites. SaltaireTom 28.03.22
Nothing very different to report than others have over many years. Access to stock is OK, some double-banking (far better than half-empty shelves). The highest books were not stratospheric. Prices: a few seemed expensive but one or two seemed ridiculously cheap, possibly because they won't overprice books in less than fine condition. I'm sure on average prices are good. And of course, such a delight to find a real old-fashioned bookshop still in business. Adrian 06.04.22
Proper generalist secondhand bookshop, with upper floor much larger than the small ground floor entrance. Prices a little hit-and-miss: some a little adventurous, others seemed like a bargain. Steven Kelly 06.08.22
Went to this excellent bookshop yesterday. A good stock up to the ceiling over 2 floors. Ladders necessary to examine on high. Prices reasonable. A good stock of history by country and period. PeterD 03.09.22
This was a treasure trove and exactly what a second hand bookshop should (and used to) be. Organised yet chaotic with a single room downstairs, the owner wedged in behind a desk in the corner surrounded by bags of books waiting to go on the shelves.
Upstairs, a rabbit warren extending over the next-door property with shelves floor to ceiling and several ladders for the very brave. Most subjects catered for with excellent modern fiction, a good children’s section and history by the shed-load.
Whilst the prices were very reasonable, I spent far too much on two first-edition W.E Johns books I did not have in my collection.
On street parking – paid for at machines which take cards - is readily available but the streets are narrow so take it slowly. Firedrake 26.10.23
Brimham Rocks National Trust Bookshop/HARROGATE/Brimham Moor Road,Summerbridge
Brimham Rocks National Trust Bookshop
Brimham Moor Road,Summerbridge HARROGATE HG3 4DW
map
tel:
01423 780688 e-mail web
Monday - Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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Book room in the visitor centre at this popular scenic attraction. Good quality general stock from donations, circa 1,000+ items. Reached at the end of the main path from the car park, 10 mins walk. No charge for the Rocks or the bookshop, but car park charges. Well worth popping in after enjoying the weird shapes of the rocks and the wide-ranging views.
Deep Neutral Books/YORK/Unit 16, Bull Commercial Centre, Stockton Lane
Deep Neutral Books
Unit 16, Bull Commercial Centre, Stockton Lane YORK YO32 9LE
map
tel:
07734 831670 e-mail web
Open: by appointment
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'Deep Neutral Books seeks to offer high-quality modern first editions for the modern book collector. . . Officially, we are open by appointment only. However, we spend most days at our premises above, and you are welcome to pop in whenever. Please do call or email beforehand to confirm.'
Gallery 6/SCARBOROUGH/6 Victoria Road
Gallery 6
6 Victoria Road SCARBOROUGH YO11 1SD
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tel:
01723 381677 e-mail 
Open: Wednesday Fiday and Saturday 11.00 - 4.00 but check Facebook to confirm
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Was called The Bookshelf. Art gallery with small stock of books on the arts, mainly fine art, local history, poetry and some fiction. Payment by cash only.
Scruffy stock in a scruffy shop Bookworm 13.04.10
Very helpful proprietor, who was most apologetic about the general state of the bookshops in Scarborough, but sadly the stock reflected the disappointing nature of all the bookshops in the town. I'm afraid I won't be making a special trip to that part of Yorkshire again in a hurry - very sad! Nicholas Pendower 27.04.10
Small stock but excellent for art/design, literature and history. Not in the slightest a scruffy shop. Frogstopper 02.08.10
Closed. A sign in the window said it will reopen in May. Jayne 25.04.22
Grove Rare Books/SKIPTON/The Old Post OfficeBolton Abbey
Grove Rare Books
The Old Post Office Bolton Abbey SKIPTON BD23 6EX
map
tel:
01756 710717 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
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A country bookshop in an 18th Century building the on Duke of Devonshire's Yorkshire estate, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A wide range of books, but particularly, Yorkshire topography, angling and field sports, art and architecture, British topography, and natural history. Also antiquarian maps and prints.
This bookshop just oozes class and quality. It is one of the finest of its genre and MUST be visited by any serious collector. Both the owner and his son were knowledgable and very pleasant men. The Yorkshire holdings were top of the range as were the field sports section. There were other groupings none of which were anything but worthy of perusal. Chris Harte 26.10.09
A superb bookshop, but not the place to buy a cheap paperback! Quality second hand books on a wide range of topics. On entering the shop you are instantly made welcome, and under no pressure to buy ... and what a beautiful building and setting. Nigel Baker 10.06.17
A beautifully located book cottage in this honeypot rural tourist destination. A long established and reputable PBFA seller has curated a large and really excellent selection of quality collectable books. Attractively laid out and focussing on the traditional & time worn collecting areas. Don't look for modern paperbacks, shelf-fillers & bodice-rippers here. A very polite welcome too. A sense that the shop hours may not entirely be cast in stone though. This seller attends book fairs so maybe check first. The prices were not eye-brow lifting either. Worth a visit & combined with the delights of Bolton Abbey & the nearby Devonshire Arms it's a no brainer. SaltaireTom 01.08.23
Janette Ray/YORK/8 Bootham
Janette Ray
8 Bootham YORK YO30 7BL
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tel:
01904 623088, mob 07803941307 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Friday 10.00 - 5.00 and by appointment
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Specialist in high quality books on architecture, gardens, art and design subjects, also photography. Catalogues issued.
An Impressive range of architecture books - particularly strong on postwar modern. The prices are at the high end, as one would expect of a specialist, but the quality is consistently high. George Marshall 04.02.10
A superb selection of architectural titles. It is an education to browse these shelves. Charming proprietor. Simon Jarvis 01.10.10
Don't go here unless you can afford to - you will buy, you can't resist. Excellent selection. Neil McAllister 10.08.13
JR is the publicity person for the York Book Fair. Chris K 08.10.13
Back again at York. Had a good look round in the shop and bought a nice older item about Kent, for £25. Chris K 29.09.17
Changed opening hours. Sign on door reads: "We are open by chance, appointment or for special events," but adds, "We are often here." Mark V 21.01.19
John Atkinson Fine _ Rare Books/HARROGATE/5 Montpellier Mews
John Atkinson Fine & Rare Books
5 Montpellier Mews HARROGATE HG1 2TQ
map
tel:
07540 279897 e-mail web
Open: Monday & Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10.00 - 4.30.
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100 Rare Books spanning modern fiction, crime, sport and art.
This is nothing like a traditional secondhand bookshop. A very small stock of high quality items, beautifully laid out. Mainly modern 1st editions, many signed. Prices are high, but not unduly so for the quality and condition of the available titles. However,the sports titles did seem excessive. Cricket titles,for example, were significantly higher than the two leading dealers. Although I bought nothing, it was a real pleasure to visit and will return. The owner was very pleasant and helpful. CGB 07.09.21
Quite a large bookshop given entirely over to a beautifully elegant presentation of curated modern first, collectable and early editions with many signed copies. All displayed as one would see in a museum but accessible to browse. Some very polite & knowledgeable people here who certainly know their Aeschylus from their Eliot. A gallery experience for the discerning collector who is looking for informed guidance. Located in the fashionable and expensive Montpellier quarter of Harrogate. SaltaireTom 22.08.23
Keogh_s Books/SKIPTON/71 High Street
Keogh's Books
71 High Street SKIPTON BD23 1DS
map
tel:
01756 691987 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Sunday 10.00 - 5.00
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One room, medium sized stock with a leaning to the literary, also local walks and history, children's, antiquarian.
A new and welcome addition to Skipton's retail trade from an established book dealing family returning to the high street. A good selection of subjects in stock in the shop backed up with online catalogue. Very central and with the Oxfam Bookshop a stones throw away hard to avoid visiting. SaltaireTom 09.11.22
Lucius Books/YORK/144 Micklegate
Lucius Books
144 Micklegate YORK YO1 6JX
map
tel:
01904 640111 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
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Rare and collectable; modern first editions, particularly crime and detective fiction; children's and illustrated books. Original art including illustrations; rock and pop memorabilia. Prices from £10. Members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association, International League of Antiquarian Booksellers and Provincial Book Fairs Association.
Has now moved to 144 Micklegate, York, 5 mins from railway station. Mark V 21.01.19
Very upmarket, too much so for a simple chap like me. Laurence Purcell 27.08.21
Agree with the last comment. Staff polite but the shop does what it says on the tin. £10+ so at least you are warned before you venture inside! Steve Newman 08.09.21
Yes, very expensive, but the books are often really rare and in beautiful condition. It's a shop for collectors who want to treat themselves. Sue Sims 20.09.21
Mark James Books/SCARBOROUGH/basement of Market Hall, St Helen_s Square
Mark James Books
basement of Market Hall, St Helen's Square SCARBOROUGH YO11 1EU
map
tel:
07553 814743
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.00 or by appointment
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At no.15, are Ramrod Antiques who have several shelves of books related to shooting, gaming, and fishing. Many of the other vendors there carry some books or ephemera as well. John Eggeling
Ramrod Antiques have moved out but might still be worth checking out. TBG 26.11.17
We couldn't find any bookstall at the Market Vaults. Jayne 25.04.22
Well, there is one, consisting of a few cabinets of generally bedraggled paperbacks and a few shelves of hardbacks, most of them stricken in years. Most emphatically NWAD. Laurence Purcell 07.09.22
This shop does indeed exist, hidden underground in the cellars beneath the Market Hall. Access is via the back of the Market Hall direct from the street. The shop was closed on my visit though there was several large shelves outside the shop. Based on this I took the charitable view that the stock was not dead but merely on life support though I personally could not find a pulse. Once inside things may improve a little. The vaults are home to a large number of antique & bric a brac dealers some of whom have books but seem low priority with optimistic pricing. SaltaireTom 09.02.23
Pleased to find this shop open. (Thursday pm). The owner confirms his regular hours of Tuesday-Saturday 9.30-2.30pm and the door sign calls itself Scarborough Book Bazaar. Two small vaulted rooms, dark in places. My small phone torch was very useful. Pleasantly surprising compared to the outside shelves I looked at on my last visit. A good general selection of stock crammed in. Condition was variable & don't expect many high value books. Prices were good to fair. Worth a visit after all. I found a very useful 5 volume set. Elsewhere in Scarborough the charity shop scene is generally a biblio-desert carpeted wall to wall with modern unwanted paperback pulp. SaltaireTom 06.07.23
Visited on a Thursday 1pm. Bookseller AWOL at advertised shop times. A theme is emerging here. No point checking his Facebook before travelling, his last post was October 2020. Pity, I was returning to buy books I knew he had. Call his number before travelling, if you can find it. NWAD. SaltaireTom 26.09.23
Mark James Books took over Scarborough Book Bazaar in Market Vaults early this year, with all stock. Previous comments may become irrelevant to the new business. TBG2 10.04.24
The premises of what was once Scarborough Book Bazaar has received a very welcome makeover since Mark James has taken on the business two months ago. Welcome also is the prospect of the shop keeping much more reliable hours. The shops had a comprehensive clean & redecoration. The two basement windows are now free to let in daylight which together with bright strip lighting and more efficient shelving makes this a far more pleasurable browsing experience. Two vaulted rooms packed with general book trade stock. Less for the specialist collector perhaps. Lining up outside the shop in the vaults area (and permanently on show even when closed) are maybe 6-8 tall stacks of popular & casual reading material. A generalist shop where the prices are very reasonable so now promoted to worth a shufti (WASH), if you are in Scarborough. SaltaireTom 10.04.24
Minster Gate Bookshop/YORK/8 Minster Gates
Minster Gate Bookshop
8 Minster Gates YORK YO1 7HL
map
tel:
01904 621812 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30, Sunday 11.00 -12.30 & 1.30 -5.00.
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Books on art and architecture, philosophy, theology, music, travel, history, local guidebooks, from leather binding to paperback. Old prints, maps and engravings are also stocked.
Well worth a visit with an extensive and wide-ranging stock of beautifully presented books. Andy Overton
Not as good (as Spelman) but plenty to look through and worth a visit. Geoff Hatherick 22.07.08
One of the most picturesque and elegant bookshops in Britain in a tall townhouse overshadowed by York Minster. A wide range of subjects (reasonable prices including good quality remainders) in tiny rooms off a winding stair. George Marshall 04.02.10
Well worth a visit, the shop itself a superb house. Remainders and s/h but decent quality and prices. Norman Davies 09.02.11
Steep stairs to the basement remainders and the 2 storeys above, but well carpeted and with a good handrail. (Unlike another shop in York.) Treated myself to 3 large art and architecture items. Could have bought more - these were fairly priced heavyweights. Chris K 18.06.12
Visited in the spring of 2012 this is a lovely bookshop in a lovely setting. The sales assistant was very helpful and looked after my wet umbrella downstairs whilst I browsed upstairs. A good selection of military WWII books and reasonable prices. I left with 2 or 3. Like with most of York's second-hand book shops you'll need to park elsewhere and walk to this little gem. Laurence Batchelor 08.01.14
Super bookshop, makes York worth a detour. PaulP 08.07.14
Not been in for years, pleased to see a decent selection and good prices. Fell up the stairs though! Anthony 30.08.14
It was more the quality of the 'remainders' than anything else which caught my eye. The general stock was reasonable enough but it was the newer material which got purchased. Chris Harte 23.03.15
A very well-stocked shop, very clean and tidy. Usually superintended by one of three charming assistants. The basement has remainders, but is ever so-slightly damp. The ground floor features smart paperbacks, which have always at fancy prices, uncommon hardbacks, which are well-worth a careful kook, and an interesting range of drawings in the back room. The first floor features natural science, philosophy, politics and theology (is the common factor the right use of imagination?), and the top floor has Lit and History (even more imagination, and rather less imagination?), plus some Latin and Greek distributed about the staircases. There has been a marked increase in pricing levels, and I have noticed that the stock has tended to 'stick' much longer than it used to do Caveat emptor (et vendor). The Bookman 16.07.16
Had a good look round in all the rooms and only found a nice Yorkshire item for £3.99. Hope to be back next year. Chris K 29.09.17
Three floors and well worth extensive browsing. Some beautifully presented collector books downstairs. Nicely laid out throughout. I thought the prices were very decent. Came away with two volumes and happy with an hour spent very agreeably. Ian Ellis 13.11.17
Mix of solid roast beef of above average calibre, condition, and prices along with plenty of remainders - priced for tourists. Well categorised and worth a look but do not expect bargains. Steven 18.05.18
As good a shop as Ken Spelman's and the remainders do not seem to get in the way. It's easy to miss things with all those stairs so be alert! Laurence Purcell 27.08.21
One of the more expensive York bookshops, plus the place is full of expensive remaindered books too. You may find a gem but rest assured it will not come cheaply! Steve Newman 08.09.21
A bit pricey yes, but as well stocked as ever. This shop in the very centre of the tourist area of the city consists of multiple small rooms connected by narrow corridors and stairs, and can be a bit of a squeeze at busy times such as this morning. Currently mask-wearing is a prerequisite of entry. Wessexman 01.10.21
This is a proper bookshop. This shop will really suit academics (like me) looking for rare books in their field. The shop has a huge stock over most subjects on several floors and in 7 rooms. I do not think the books are overpriced. In my field I checked out the books I am familiar with and it was not expensive. Also, if you check Abebooks on line you will not find it overpriced. But you will not find books that are a ‘real steal’. The stock is arranged clearly and has many out of print, ‘hard to find’ books. PeterD 05.09.22
Rather good selection. A couple of areas of interest are quite thin, but the "new arrivals" section is well worth looking through. Anthony 15.11.22
I hesitate to review this shop even though I go there frequently. This antiquarian bookshop has been on the go since 1970. It is perfectly placed for the York tourist trade sitting next to the Minster and footfall is huge. Its stock is also huge and sits over 4 1/4 floors. The website says 5 floors, I count four floors and a paltry landing;(where the climbing & mountaineering books are kept; why are they at the top & always just out of reach?). Much of the stock is high quality in terms of condition & rarity.This shop has serious stock and prices to match. Its ability to blend and assimilate antiquarian, collectable, new, and remaindered books rivals G. Davids bookshop in Cambridge in scale and ambition, (which for me is a gold standard on how to do it.) It's near the apex of the secondhand & antiquarian retail trade in the UK. It's best stock ain't cheap. As a collector you have to be on your mettle. The antiquarian & collectable prices reflect the latest trends if not more. The building is hundreds of years old. Access to stock for those with many types of visible disability will rule out a physical visit to all floors entirely. For the able bodied this is another ancient shop where a polite but frustating hokey-cokey on the endless narrow stairs is part of life's rich pageant. G Davids welcome was always affable but the vibe here in York always seems polite but chilly, but hey that's maybe just me. Next time your're in try asking for a bit of discount. SaltaireTom 07.07.23
A stone’s throw from York Minster, this is an old building full of character with steep staircases leading to tiny rooms and every square inch devoted to books. The first room as you enter has some expensive classics and modern first editions. The first floor landing (just before a room devoted to maps and prints) has a range of interesting titles - but be warned, browsing has to be snatched in intervals of a minute or so in between shuffling out of the way of people coming down the stairs (although I was there at Saturday lunchtime so probably their busiest time). Strong on Arthurian legends and mythology. There are excellent literature and history rooms on one of the upper floors. At the very apex of the building is a landing devoted to classical history, Greek and Latin texts. Folios are liberally sprinkled throughout every room. Descend to the lower level for remainder titles - although some of these make multiple appearances in different rooms anyway. I didn’t think prices were unreasonable. There was one Folio I regretted not buying and when checking online later all copies were more expensive. Jon R 17.09.23
Miss Havisham_s Book Shop/BEDALE/1a Emgate
Miss Havisham's Book Shop
1a Emgate BEDALE DL8 1AH
map
e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 4.00
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Immaculate pre-loved books on the Arts, the classics and poetry. Upstairs children's floor.
Mrs Lofthouse_s Secondhand Book Emporium/SCARBOROUGH/4 Queen Street
Mrs Lofthouse's Secondhand Book Emporium
4 Queen Street SCARBOROUGH YO11 1HA
map
tel:
01723 506057
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.00.
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Large general secondhand stock.
A big shop near the main pedestrian shopping area and close to Doodles. The back is a bit of a warren of shelves and alcoves with books everywhere, but it gives the impression that what you are after will probably be just round the next corner. Jeremy Briggs
What can one say of a bookshop owner who tells a teenage customer that she's never heard of Ann Radcliffe but have a look in horror?? - Geoff Hatherick 22.07.08
If I was looking for Ann Radcliffe's Gothic fiction, Horror is one of the places I'd look! Gareth James 12.09.08
Not really that big and what I was after definitely was not around the next corner. Nicholas Pendower 27.04.10
A really nice shop with a nice maze of bookshelves and lots of stock. The owner is incredibly friendly and welcoming. Jakob Pieterson 07.07.11
I visited this shop yesterday and was impressed. The stock was in the right sections, good condition and fair prices. 50p discount on a £2.50 book can't be bad.Also try the bookstall in the Market, books from only 25p each. All sales go to the Air Ambulance Service. Malcolm Dallison 23.03.15
An "old fashioned" shop with shelving in all directions off into the back of the shop. Books were in categories but not sorted within that, so its down to the customer to rummage through, really. Unfortunately the biogs were near the front with a lot of bags of unsorted books on the floor in front, so getting to some shelves was impossible without moving a lot. Chap behind desk to be fair looked like he didn't quite have the energy to get those bags sorted ... but was friendly and pleasant. Nothing for me this time but my wife found a couple of things and all books I had a look at were quite cheap while still in good condition. Flip M 04.07.17
Large bookshop. Fiction and nonfiction. Hardback and paperback. Not all books are in alphabetical order. Prices of books I looked at seemed reasonable. I didn't make any purchases on this visit. Jayne 25.04.22
Went to this shop today. Excellent store with a large stock. Good sections on classic literature and history. Very reasonable prices. A helpful assistant too. PeterD 03.09.22
Too much of a jumbalorum for me and it's mostly paperbacks. However, there are substantial outcrops of worthwhile hardbacks and if you have time (say on a wet afternoon in Scarborough) you might well unearth gems. Laurence Purcell 07.09.22
After an hour of book-mining I came away with one worthwhile item. Persistence and endurance is needed looking through a lot of mundane stuff in this large warren of a shop but nuggets can be had. SaltaireTom 09.11.22
Changes are on the way for this Scarborough mainstay shop. Depends who you talk to but the gist of it is they are extending into adjoining premises or moving a couple of doors up the street. Take your pick but apparently happening soon. SaltaireTom 08.07.23
Mrs Lofthouse's Emporium has now moved to a larger premises at number 4 Queen Street next door and is open for booklovers as I write. The new premises are much larger and on two levels with just 4 steps with handrails halfway down the shop interior. Much better strip lighting too and plenty of step ladders. The outside is still work in progress. All the signage still needs changing from the motorshop it used to be. The shop benefits from a huge section of railway books. Goth, horror & fantasy feature well too. Local history and antiquarian is very good. The proprietor is especially fond of requests for books on the Scarborough Bombardment - I think he keeps a tally. SaltaireTom 26.09.23
Investing in the future of book selling. On my latest visit it was heartening to see the artisan craftsman signwriter up a ladder outside. With his stick laboriously painting in the old style a business sign which was identical to the old premises next door. A message that the business is here to stay. The owner could have just printed a banner - but no.
This is 'the go too' place now in Scarborough to find out of print books. The shop was a busy place on my arrival and the owner was engaging well with visitors. It's a large shop after its fairly recent move and the stock is substantial and interesting. Witchcraft, esoteric, goth, manga, comics, railways galore, English lit, biography, natural history, great military history, strong on Folio, penguins/pan/pelican etc. Scarborough & North Yorkshire history a speciality. Sci-fi & classic sci-fi and a full stack of LGBTQIA+XYZ!? stuff. Not to mention the racy and risqué top shelf above the the railways..but I won't mention that. A great shop to visit if you can survive the mail coach ride over the North Yorkshire Moors. SaltaireTom 12.04.24
Oxfam Books and Music/SKIPTON/46 High Street
Oxfam Books and Music
46 High Street SKIPTON BD23 1JP
map
tel:
01756 799454, mob: 07484 087182 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.15 - 4.45, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00
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A bountiful selection of fiction and non-fiction titles to whet the appetite of all readers. Find us across the road from Skipton's Town Hall on the High Street.
A reasonably wide ranging selection of non-fiction stock. Some really niche railway items among the coffee table type titles. Usual Oxfam prices but the shop was busy during my visit. Not to be confused with the general Oxfam in the town centre, this is located at the north end of the High Street/market area almost at the top roundabout. Graeme Rendall 11.07.19
A busy shop most times and although fairly small it has a great selection of books, cd's (good on classics & jazz at times) & some vinyl. Stock seems plentiful and arrives often at the door. Strong on travel, topography, history, p/b & H/B fiction, local history, childrens, classics, literature and a collectable shelf at the back. I can't tell you what I found on my first visit. SaltaireTom 09.11.22
Skipton rumour mill in overdrive. Actually I overheard the manager and read a sign on the door. This small but perfect little shop has had storage & capacity problems for a while now. They are moving to the old bank building two or three doors down the High Street on the same side which is undergoing refurbishment & fitting as I post. SaltaireTom 06.07.23
Skipton's Oxfam bookshop has finally moved. It was quite an event, maybe a hundred customers, well wishers and volunteers turn up. Two speeches and a red ribbon later the queue disintegrated into a front door melee dash. These solid premises were once the old Penny Bank. Its had a full refurbishment by the landlord and smells newly decorated & is very swish. Maybe three times the selling space of the old shop and a huge backroom with its own dedicated doorway round the side for incoming stock. There's bright ceiling tile lights and good natural light. There are just two interior steps up just inside the front door then its all on one floor. A new wheelchair lift is installed to avoid these steps. Mainly books then CD's & vinyl playing second fiddle just as before. Congrats to all the staff & volunteers who worked hard to achieve the move. SaltaireTom 24.01.24
My first time to Skipton: it's a good looking place and parking seemed easy (on a wet April afternoon anyway!). This Oxfam bookshop is a large one with a wide range of subjects, all well arranged. As is quite often the case with Oxfam, I found prices erratic: some fairly ordinary stuff seemed very high and others very sensible. Perhaps that's due to different volunteers at work or perhaps it shows my ignorance. Definitely worth a visit. PLF 18.04.24
Oxfam Books and Records/HARROGATE/43 Oxford Street
Oxfam Books and Records
43 Oxford Street HARROGATE HG1 1PW
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tel:
01423 506262 web
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Just down the hill from Betty's Tearooms, from the street and on the ground floor this is a normal Oxfam shop, but go up the stairs and you are into the Oxfam Books and Records shop. Split over two rooms with the smaller room having music, videos, postcards and even some cigarette cards, the main room has a good selection of well laid out books. The book stock is perhaps slightly more upmarket than the Harrogate BHF charity book shop. Jeremy Briggs. 05.11.07
Just a note to say this has moved a hundred yards from a general Oxfam to a proper bookshop in Oxford Street. PaulP 08.10.13
This was one of the worst Oxfam Bookshops I have visited. The stock was pure tat. Waste of my shoe leather. Chris Harte 03.09.19
I would not be quite as critical as Chris above. From my point of view there were a few interesting titles, plus music, ephemera, postcards and stamps. By no means the worst Oxfam Books I have visited. Wessexman 05.10.21
Maybe new management, better donations or better allocation of donated stock have changed things, but this seemed much better than I expected. I didn't have time to form a strong opinion of pricing but saw nothing silly in that respect. Adrian 06.04.22
My visits over the years here have been mostly & strangely unrewarding. Oxfam's corporate bookselling formula excels in this Horrorgate shop. Its fairly standard layout & stock is perfectly good & I'm sure many people love it. One just gets this little niggle that the keyboard in the backroom is doing zealous overtime on the book meta-sites for a little too long. A shop not generally well-known for its serendipity. Very well educated volunteers. Level access for disabled and all on one floor. SaltaireTom 12.12.22
I returned with humility to reconsider my last review. I felt it might not have been fair. Is it inflation; or is it Brexit; is it a European war; or the cost of Liz Truss's honours list. Yet still the price of any book within a gnats crotchet of collectability continues to amaze and entertain this lifelong hard-bitten collector. The most wonderful thing about this shop, (apart from the educational level of its volunteers) is the music. Who ever puts it on has very good taste. It keeps you in the shop while you grit your teeth. (Their music section is very good by the way - better than most.) I was hoping for some Van Morrison but no joy, so I left to walk and talk in Harrogate's gardens all wet with rain. SaltaireTom 25.03.23
Oxfam Bookshop/YORK/46 Micklegate
Oxfam Bookshop
46 Micklegate YORK YO1 6LF
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tel:
01904 652140 web
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Definitely a superior Oxfam bookshop spread over two adjoining shops and just a few doors down from the venerable Spelman's. George Marshall 01.04.09
I walked in, I looked at the prices, I walked out. The Wanderer. 18.08.09
Like all Oxfams seemingly overpriced. However an excellent selection in many areas and I did obtain a couple of decent finds. Norman Davies 09.02.11
Never know what to expect, some very high priced material, but a couple of bargains which came home with me. Always worth a look in, clean and well organised. Anthony 10.03.14
Good selection again today, but nothing grabbed me that I don't already own. Always worth a browse though. Anthony 05.02.15
A hop skip and jump across the Ouse and up a slight hill is this larger than average Oxfam shop which is clean and bright with a really good range of subject areas. Prices were reasonable with the exception of the stock deemed 'collectable' (Why and by whom?). Like Anthony though, nothing grabbed me either. Maybe, as my children frequently accuse, I have 'too many' books! (No not even close!) Jon Morgan 13.05.17
Back there again - but could not find anything to add. Still worth trying this from time to time. Chris K 19.04.18
In my experience the better of the two Oxfam Bookshops in York. Laurence Purcell 27.08.21
More reasonably priced than the Oxfam in Low Petergate, and a good selection of stock, well laid out. Helpful staff too. Steve Newman 08.09.21
Agree that this is the best of the York Oxfam shops, though it has shrunk slightly in size since my last visit. Found a couple of well-priced maps today. Wessexman 01.10.21
One of the best stocked Oxfam shops I have been in. Large sections on history, literature, art, and the ‘soft’ social sciences. Light on science, technology and maths - but then nearly all Oxfam shops are!! 3 volunteers working there when I visited, all very eager to please. Carefully set out and clear sections. Not many real bargains - but then Oxfam bookshops don’t really do bargains these days. I think they price by looking up online and finding a price point where - if you really want the book, then you are prepared to pay!! But they are doing their best for their charitable mission. (But putting book selling private enterprises out of business at the same time - but that’s the world we live in!!) PeterD 05.09.22
Still more affordable than the Low Petergate shop, but prices in my fields of interest were creeping up. A couple of good purchases made, always worth a wander in. Anthony 03.11.22
A well run shop. The best Oxfam offering in York. Two rooms with level access from the street. A strong showing in a well ordered shop. I always manage to find something here. Micklegate area once again may become a honeypot area for second-hand & antiquarian book trade in York as Amnesty recently opens and Spelman is destined apparently for a phoenix like transformation. Who else will join the party? Coffee & cake opportunities on this street are legion. SaltaireTom 05.03.23
I found this to be the better of the two Oxfams in York. It’s not as central as the other one but it’s a pleasant walk across the river and it’s near the Amnesty bookshop. Lots of orange and green penguins. Strong on history and literary criticism. They have vintage sections for both adults and children. The music playing was a stream of hits of the 1960s. They also have lots of CDs available. Jon R 17.09.23
Went in on spec the other week as was working in the City. Found a shelf of books of particular interest and fell over at the prices asked - in a good way! Left with 11 purchases, and less than £40 out of pocket. I daren't go back, that was too dangerous... Anthony 20.11.23
An embarrassment of over stocking on my recent visit. Every shelf zealously crammed to the point of having to leverage a title out to examine. (I just chuck a book flat on top and hey-ho no need to prise any longer). The condition, freshness & cleanliness of stock, (not necessarily the quality or collectability mark you), was also visibly better in very many categories. Modern late 20th & early 21st C. published titles in excellent condition everywhere to be had in many categories. York residents are clearly either very well read but need more house-room or bore easily with their unread Waterstone's purchases. All a malady of wealth methinks. This is a very well run shop that benefits & makes full use of donations from its high net worth residents. But I do wonder where all the older donated books go. Because there isn't that many in the shop. Algorithm prices goes without saying. SaltaireTom 13.04.24
Oxfam Bookshop/YORK/69 Low Petergate
Oxfam Bookshop
69 Low Petergate YORK YO1 7HY
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tel:
01904 652749 web
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Like all Oxfams overpriced but worth a look with a seeming fast changing stock. Norman Davies 09.02.11
Never found anything here. Staff seem to be general volunteers, pleasant but not particularly knowledgeable about books. If busy, give this a miss in favour of the city's real bookshops. Mark 08.06.12
Found more to buy here than Spelman's down the road! Left with some volumes on Churchill at very reasonable prices. Staff are volunteers but its worth a visit as there is a good selection of books on pretty much all subjects. Laurence Batchelor 08.01.14
Bit of a mixed bag, never know what you will find, but three bound half volumes of DK Clark's "The Steam Engine" for £15 - the three just had to come home with me. Anthony 10.03.14
Once again some gems yesterday - don't forget to look on the recent arrival shelves - all my purchases were made from there! Anthony 30.08.14
Not too much to make the heart flutter. As mentioned the best section was 'New Acquisitions.' Chris Harte 23.03.15
Used to be a favourite but in recent months the music has become very loud and unsuitable for book browsing. Ironic that Oxfam Micklegate has a far bigger music section but plays soothing background music. Monty 22.10.15
Well stocked in most areas with traditional Oxfam fare . Good range and reasonable prices in a fair sized shop. I did not find piped music intrusive, so maybe they have taken the hint! I did not buy anything here but it was not for want of stock! Jon Morgan 13.05.17
A bit better than the the standard run of Oxfams though I usually do better in the Micklegate branch. I see that some Oxfam shops have begun the comical practice of sorting "antiquarian" books (i.e. ones from before 1960) by the colour of their covers. I expect that this is useful for collectors of (say) light red or dark brown literature. Laurence Purcell 27.08.21
One of the better Oxfam's but prices at the higher end of the Oxfam range. Slap bang in the middle of the main tourist drag, so not surprising really I guess. The Oxfam in Micklegate, York is far better value. Steve Newman 08.09.21
I queried the wisdom of selling obvious two volumes sets by pricing each volume individually. The shop sage replied they do it often. Doesn't bother them apparently - he smugly informed me stuff flies out the door. I fled. SaltaireTom 28.03.22
The ‘other’ York Oxfam shop. - see above comments. Slightly less well stocked and staffed with slightly higher prices - but this may be due to its tourist location next to the Minster. Still worth a visit as it is a very good shop with a good stock. PeterD 05.09.22
Scorched by the prices last week, I fled in terror Anthony 07.09.22
I dared revisit the shop and whilst the prices still burned my fingers, a couple of reasonable purchases were made. Worth a trawl, as the quality of the offer is good despite the prices asked. Anthony 15.11.22
A friendly greeting from the member of staff on entering. Strong on history and travel in non-fiction. Strong on crime, sci-fi and fantasy in fiction. In the literature section they had a whopping six shelves devoted to collections of short stories. Everything was very nicely displayed and easy to find. There was a large display of vintage books arranged by colour - so if you’re looking for that elusive magenta title then this is the place for you. Jon R 17.09.23
As previous reviewers have noted the LGBTQ+ rainbow colour sorting of the collectables shelf continues apace in this Oxfam, fashion-setting, yet tourist ravaged shop. But hey, things are looking up, - both good and not so good. Stock quality has improved overall since my last visit. A better selection of interesting stock overall being very welcome. Is it a flash in the pan or a new manager? The not so good is the increased and ambitious pricing which seems to be nudging up across all categories. In some cases laugh or cry, eye-watering in scale. - The Dead Hand of the internet and ABE strike again. Oxfam being welded and wedded to the god-like Algorithm. Yes I'm convinced they have software that does this with no book experience needed. SaltaireTom 17.10.23
Oxfam Shop Scarborough/SCARBOROUGH/67 Newborough
Oxfam Shop Scarborough
67 Newborough SCARBOROUGH YO11 1ET
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tel:
01723 351488 e-mail web
Please contact the store for opening times.
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A large selection of books in a room at the back of the shop. Realistically priced. Fiction and nonfiction. Hardback and paperback. Take cash and card.
As described above. Bargains to be had. Came away with a book I've not been able to find elsewhere. Will definitely visit again. Jayne 26.04.22
A general Oxfam retail shop with a larger than usual selection of books. Well ordered and presented stock by a manager who understands & appreciates the secondhand book market. Certainly worth a visit and very central. Prices very reasonable. SaltaireTom 09.02.23
A visit this week confirms this Oxfam general retail store continues to stock a much larger range of books than elsewhere. It displays them well and they are sensibly priced. I found one travel title here which made my day. This shop is always my aperitif before the main event round the corner at Mrs Lofthouse's. SaltaireTom 09.04.24
Oxfam Shop/RICHMOND/16/18 Finkle Street
Oxfam Shop
16/18 Finkle Street RICHMOND DL10 4QB
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tel:
01748 850 643 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00, Sundays 10.00 - 3.00
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Temporarily closed on Sundays
This is a very nice Oxfam shop, the manager has a real flair for shop layout. The pleasant book room at the back always seems to have some good things in it, priced very reasonably with a good turn over. makes this lovely town well worth turning off the A1 for! PaulP 10.09.14
Really good little bookroom at the back of the shop, nice selection and well presented with prices to like. A great find Anthony 06.09.21
A small bookroom at the back of the shop. The fiction stock is nothing special, although there is a lot of modern crime fiction and thrillers. The non-fiction stock is a bit better, especially for history and travel. The small "antiquarian and vintage" section contains nothing of any real quality. Pricing is very reasonable in all categories. About 50 British Geological Survey maps of British shipping areas are currently available, at just 99p each, showing sea bed sediments and quaternary geology. There are also recent editions of various magazines: "British Archaeology", "History", "National Geographic" etc. Although this shop is NWAD per se, Richmond - a very attractive town indeed - unquestionably is. A notice in the front window states: "Due to a temporary lack of volunteer support, we are currently unable to open on Sundays." Booker T 13.03.24
Oxfam Shop/WHITBY/Unit 3B, 7 New Quay Road
Oxfam Shop
Unit 3B, 7 New Quay Road WHITBY YO21 1DH
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tel:
01947 604680 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00
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A general Oxfam shop but the narrow frontage goes way back and opens out to a large dedicated book area.
Whitby has been largely bereft of 2nd hand bookshops since the one on Grape Lane closed years ago so nice to see this Oxfam shop trying harder than most to cater for the out of print bibliophiles in town. The back of the shop is given over mostly to books with some books on cassette tape and vinyl. There are 5 shelves set aside for collectables and the rest is a fair selection of categories which are carefully sorted. Its very central and not far from Whitby's swing bridge. For a quiet life though don't go on Goth weekend. Copies of Bram Stokers Dracula in a yellow binding will be at a huge premium. SaltaireTom 06.07.23
Here Oxfam's book section remains largely the same as last year if a tad smaller overall. The collectible shelves have reduced in area with a good deal more terribly uncollectable mass populist paperbacks, (TRUMPS). I thought to use an alternative 's' word to end on but I thought your imaginations might suffice. Still - in Whitby this is the only second-hand game in town. SaltaireTom 10.04.24
Pitch 22/YORK/Records Books Art22 Fishergate
Pitch 22
Records Books Art 22 Fishergate YORK YO10 4AB
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tel:
07896 713988 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 12.00 - 6.00
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A small shop with an ever-changing stock. An eclectic mix of records of all genres, and a wide selection of books, ephemera and art.
Potterton Books/THIRSK/The Old Rectory Sessay
Potterton Books
The Old Rectory Sessay THIRSK YO7 3LZ
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tel:
01845 501 218 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00 or by appointment
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International Specialist Booksellers of new titles and unusual out of print books from around the world, specialising in architecture, gardens, interior design and furnishings.
Robin Hood_s Bay Bookshop/ROBIN HOOD_S BAY/1 Chapel Street
Robin Hood's Bay Bookshop
1 Chapel Street ROBIN HOOD'S BAY YO22 4SQ
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tel:
07811 455247 e-mail
Open: 7 days 11.00 - 4.00 from Easter to October, otherwise weekends only.
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We buy and sell good quality second hand books, and particularly those by Leo Walmsley.
There may still be a couple of other places selling secondhand books during the summer - current status unknown. TBG 26.04.11
This is a nice little shop, a good range of holiday reading, plenty of books on other subjects, good prices, older books a tad expensive. The dinosaur shop further down also sells paperbacks ... Not often you can write THAT in the BSG! Anon 01.10.15
Closed at 11.20 on an August Wednesday. Wasted visit. Supposedly open at this time of year. Keith 30.08.18
A quaint cottage book shop halfway down the death-defying steepness of Robin Hoods Bay main street. Off to the left just before crossing the beck. One large room, A generalist seller catering to the needs of the passing trade of day-trippers and hardened long distance walkers who pass this way. Specialising in Leo Walmsley books. Many paperbacks, light reading and travel/outdoorsy stuff. Local history shelf was surprisingly threadbare. Harry Potters seem to be a thing here. Be prepared for fewer higher end & specialism books. Prices were not off the mark. SaltaireTom 26.09.23
York Modern Books/YORK/Netherby House, Huttons Ambo
York Modern Books
Netherby House, Huttons Ambo YORK YO607HJ
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tel:
01653694620, mob: 07891 137038 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
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Modern first editions; illustrated books, private press, 20th British art and history.
Yorkshire Quality Paperbacks/PICKERING/1 Park Street
Yorkshire Quality Paperbacks
1 Park Street PICKERING YO18 7AJ
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Open: 7 days a week 10.00 - 5.00.
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Mainly paperback fiction, some children's, some hardback. Reasonable prices. Tom O'Reilly 27.09.08
Visited in September, 2013 - huge selection of fiction paperbooks, and a brilliant deal on boxes of hardback fiction. Very pleasant, helpful staff. Pat 02.11.13
Excellent and well ordered fiction. Super shop. Reasonable prices. Very helpful staff. The owner went to his stock upstairs to find titles I was seeking. Peter Smith 18.09.14
Quite a small place opposite the terminus for East Yorkshire Railway in a pleasant building with much potential, The stock was quite limited with sometimes and occasional hardbacks. With a clearout and judicious use of space available this could be a goldmine. Staff VVV friendly. Prices good. Jon Morgan 03.07.15
A very cheap place to buy books. Cheaper than most charity shops. Excellent for paperback novels and super Railways section. The owner is very chatty and explains his strategy of ‘pile the high and sell the cheap with high turnover’. He sells Folios at £3 each - but is surprised that he doesn’t have much stock!!!! Worth a look. PeterD 03.09.22
Super little bookshop. I wish I lived nearer. Picked up some British Library Crime Classics at £2 each yesterday. A real bargain. Owner very knowledgeable and welcoming. Located opposite the Steam Railway in Pickering. MarilynR 06.07.23
By far the happiest, cheerful & accommodating bookseller I have come across. Has a very liberal selling policy and aims to please. Volume & turnover are the watchwords here in this small bare flagged three-roomed cottage. Prices are low. A high percentage is paperback & pulp novels but he will take just about anything in so it very much depends on serendipity as to what you come away with. Railway books & military seem strong areas but most other categories have hardbacks too. A bookshop & well used by the locals. SaltaireTom 26.09.23
