Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
News:
Pages Books has moved from Settle to Barnoldswick
New bookstall in Lancashire Antiques and Interiors RawtenstallSt Catherine's Hospice Bookshop Chorley has closed
Book Bargains of Lytham St Annes has closed
New St Catherine's Hospice bookshop in Preston
The Halewood & Sons at 37 Friargate has closed (the one at 68 is still open)
The Barnardo bookshop in Lancaster has been closed for some years.
International Aid Trust Book and Record shop Morecambe has closed
New shop Brian House Book and Music Store St Anne's
New shop Trinity Hospice Books and Music Store Cleveleys
New listing Book-Cycle Orrell
New listing Blackpool Secondhand Book Shop
New listing Fleetwood Museum Bookshop
New listing Samaritans Charity Bookstall Colne
New listing The Bookshop Colne
Pages Book Shop Barnoldswick has closed
New listing Books & Bygones Chorley
Great-Grandfather's Books Leyland has closed
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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Assembled Books/LANCASTER/Assembly Rooms
Assembled Books
Assembly Rooms King Street LANCASTER LA1 1JN
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tel:
0790-383-3399 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
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Come and browse a range of quality second hand books in Lancaster, ranging from classics to whodunnits, local history to academic texts.
Takes about a quarter of the main assembly hall (a building that is worth a look in its own right) with the rest of the hall being taken up with retro clothing, jig-saw puzzles, and yet another coffee shop. The books were well presented with a good section on history, including local history and some academic titles. Too small to be WAD in its own right but worth a look if in the area. Steven 05.10.17
Return visit after five years. Still worth a look with a small but well-chosen stock of readers' books of above average calibre and condition and fair prices. Steven 06.11.22
Around 5 or 6 bookcases of mainly low quality fiction in the back left-hand corner of a sort of emporium with a wide of mix of things like gemstones to dressing up clothes. NWAD and no purchases made. Laurence Batchelor 18.08.23
Atticus /LANCASTER/26 King Street
Atticus
26 King Street LANCASTER LA1 1JY
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tel:
01524 903383 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday - 10.00 - 5.00.
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Secondhand books but also has a small stock of vinyl and CDs. We specialise in Indonesia and South East Asia, most of these books will be sold online and not kept in the shop. We are pleased to bring our online books into the shop for viewing and direct sale.
Small shop with eclectic stock almost verging on eccentric and not always in good condition. Relatively strong on literary fiction and with some quirky non-fiction and while certainly more interesting than the many charity shops in the city not worth a special trip. Steven 06.11.22
Was thinking of entering with my family but someone was sitting infront of the doorway smoking and I did not want them or me to inhale whatever it was. From walking past looks a small Indie type bookshop. Laurence Batchelor 18.08.23
Not open at 11 am on Saturday. Sign in window says shop is closed until end of September while the owner goes in search of the Fountain of Eternal Youth, El Dorado etc. Mark V 09.09.23
Blackpool Secondhand Book Shop/BLACKPOOL/90 Topping Street
Blackpool Secondhand Book Shop
90 Topping Street BLACKPOOL FY1 3AD
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Open: Monday,Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday 9.30 - 4.00, Wednesday 1.00 - 4.00, all hours approximate and liable to variation at short notice
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A large and very diverse second-hand stock, ranging from mass-market paperbacks to rare and antiquarian books.
An old-fashioned kind of shop, opened ten years ago. In 2022 it moved to its current location (its third), in the town centre and about half a mile from the sea front. Its venerable proprietor, Robert Bartlett, has been in the book trade since 1998. Specialities include industrial history, railways, shipping and books on the local area, along with fiction of many different genres. The opening hours can be variable, as the owner quite often ventures out to source more stock, and there is no easy way to get a quick response to enquiries, so one just has to turn up and hope for the best. But about 7,000 people do manage to gain entry each year, according to Mr Bartlett. This shop is the best place in town as far as second-hand books are concerned - sadly, there isn't much competition - so if you are in this iconic seaside resort (which has seen much better days), it would be a mistake not to check it out. Booker T 31.05.24
Book Stop_s Here/PRESTON/Stall D9
The Book Stop's Here
Stall D9 Large Section Preston Market PRESTON PR1 2JA
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e-mail
Open: Every day except Thursday 7.00 - 4.00.
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Massive selection of paperback fiction, true crime & abuse cases. Collectable hardbacks, non fiction especially crime, travel & history. A long established local business serving the bibliophiles of Lancashire for the best part of two decades. Also at Clitheroe's Collectors' market every Sunday & on line sales @ ebay under name BIBUXMARKETMAN.
Couldn't find this but then the market was half empty and apparently being redeveloped? Norman Davies 06.02.17
Occupying a sizeable expanse of Preston Market's main area, the lion's share of the stall is given over to mass-market paperbacks (with a special fiction section entitled "Dog and Cat Books"). Not WAD in its own right but if you're visiting Oxfam and the Halewoods it's worth having a quick look. Steven Kelly 19.10.19
A few tables containing typical charity fare of mass market paperbacks. If you have a penchant for authors such as Dick Francis or Catherine Cookson then you’re in luck here. Otherwise, you’re likely to come away empty-handed. Jon R 30.03.24
Book-Cycle/ORRELL/241 Orrell Road
Book-Cycle
241 Orrell Road ORRELL WN5 8LY
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tel:
01942 665646
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 4.30
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A very large choice of second-hand books. No fixed prices. Take up to three books each day and pay what you can afford. Book-Cycle is a charity that promotes literacy in developing countries and also plants trees in England.
Located in a former public library at Orrell (three miles west of Wigan), this is currently one of three Book-Cycle shops in the UK. The other two are at Wigan (Beech Hill) and in Exeter. The outlet in Wigan town centre, which is still listed on the charity's website, had to close in 2022 owing to demolition and redevelopment of the shopping complex in which it was situated. I have not been to the Orrell branch, but it looks similar to the one at Beech Hill, where the stock is very wide-ranging and quite good-quality. All branches are staffed by volunteers and I have found that their opening times are not always entirely reliable. Booker T 06.05.24
Book-Cycle/WIGAN/Old Beech Hill Library, Buckley Street West
Book-Cycle
Old Beech Hill Library, Buckley Street West WIGAN WN6 7PQ
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tel:
01942 829333 e-mail web 
Open: Monday t- Saturday 10.30 - 4.30, Sunday 12.00 - 3.00
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Over 20,000 books on a wide rage of topics. There are no fixed prices as you may choose to donate whatever you wish for up to three books per day. Proceeds send free books to developing countries and plant trees around Lancashire. Book-Cycle is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, for more info: www.book-cycle.org
Strangest place. A real old library crammed full with well ordered books in a suburb of Wigan. Help yourself, max 3 per day make a donation. If in the area please visit - some remarkable finds and good charities too. Norman Davies 14.12.12
Revisited. Still a hidden gem, an old library full of books, including some decent. Limit of 3 books per day, any donation you like so genuine bargains. WAD if in the north west. Norman Davies 13.02.19
Bookmark/THORNTON-CLEVELEYS/2 Victoria Road West
Bookmark
2 Victoria Road West THORNTON-CLEVELEYS FY5 1BU
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A small shop near the seafront, packed with a mixture of hardbacks and paperbacks suitable for holiday reading. Mainly fiction but also popular non-fiction, particularly biographies and esoteric. You can also get your palm read there! (Presumably that service is "while u wait") Bridget the Browser
Books _ Bygones/CHORLEY/8 Clifford Street
Books & Bygones
8 Clifford Street CHORLEY PR7 1AQ
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tel:
01257 265535
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 10.00 - 4.30
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Long-established town-centre shop with a good general stock of second-hand books, as well as new books by local authors. Also sells antiques and collectables. Books account for about 75% of the stock.
A pleasingly old-fashioned shop, with a wide-ranging stock of both non-fiction and fiction. Several thousand second-hand books, including some uncommon and antiquarian volumes. Although the shop is quite small, there is a lot packed in here. It opened in 2000 and has been run by the present owner, who is friendly and knowledgeable, since 2020. The shop is just 30 seconds' walk from the bus station and 90 seconds from the railway station. There is one step up from the pavement, but no internal steps. Cash and cards accepted. Booker T 17.07.24
Bookshop/COLNE/22 Church Street
The Bookshop
22 Church Street COLNE BB8 0LG
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tel:
01282 871440
Open: Monday 09.30 - 5.00, Tuesday 09.30 - 1.00, Wednesday - Friday 09.30 - 5.00, Saturday 09.30 - 4.00
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Long-established shop; mostly new books, but with a small second-hand section.
Colne, a former textile town surrounded by hills and moorland, is quite a nice place to visit and has a surprisingly large number of independent retailers, including this rather good bookshop. The ETGOW owner, Mark, has run it for the past 12 years, but it dates back many years before that. Although most of the stock is new, it also sells second-hand books. These are mostly hardback non-fiction, with history and biographies featuring prominently. There is a small selection of fiction and some older books. Although the second-hand stock is not very extensive and the quality is not especially high, there is next to no dross here. Prices are generally reasonable and there are a few bargains to be had. Booker T 09.06.24
Bookshop/HEYWOOD/Units 48 _ 49 Heywood Magic Market
The Bookshop
Units 48 & 49 Heywood Magic Market York Street HEYWOOD OL10 1LT
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tel:
07912 077338
Open: Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 8.30 - 5.00.
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Massive range of fiction and non-fiction in paperback and hardback arranged in categories and by author. Regular clearance offers and bargains always available from 10p. General fiction paperbacks - £2 each or 3 for £5 with 50% book exchange. Heywood Market offers free raffle tickets with each purchase. The winner of the weekly draw receives £50 market vouchers.
Brian House Book and Music Store/ST ANNES/6 Wood Street
Brian House Book and Music Store
6 Wood Street ST ANNES FY8 1QS
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tel:
01253 727378 web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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Dedicated to selling books and music, supporting Brian House Children's Hospice
Carnforth Book Shop/CARNFORTH/38-42 Market Street
Carnforth Book Shop
38-42 Market Street CARNFORTH LA5 9JX
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tel:
01524 734588 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
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Roughly 100,000 secondhand books over two floors. We stock most subjects and we try not to be "precious". We try and keep our books in reasonable order, but a good root can always turn up something interesting. We also keep new books and maps on the ground floor as well as gifts, cards and toys.
Spread over three floors with the ground floor an ordinary new bookshop, the first and second floors are devoted to second hand books with mainly large rooms on the first floor and smaller rooms on the second. The big selection of stock covers most subjects and it can take quite some time to peruse this large shop. Jeremy Briggs
So nice to be greeted by a charming lady who knew her subject. Decent antiquarian holdings. I took far longer here than expected but my purchases were worth the searching. Chris Harte 27.07.09
Downstairs is tidy with stationery and gifts too. The s/h and rare books rooms are in need of a hoover and the stock on the shelves could be neater. Male vs female! Some very good books are also online - the rest includes a lot of old stuff whcih may never shift. Worth a ride from Lancaster which lacks a university-proficient s/h book shop. Chris K 09.06.12
Excellent exponent of comforting old-book-smell. This, however, may be due to the 30,000 or so too many unsellable old books. Still came out with 3 good finds, but slightly too much rummaging for my liking. 6/10. Joe 19.12.13
Always worth a detour, the post Christmas sale at 25% off was most welcome. Was told the shop has just been sold as a going concern, hope it continues. Anthony 03.01.14
Excellent 'old fashioned ' bookshop. Well worth a detour. Corso 22.03.14
I suppose that it's a penalty we have to pay these days to ensure that many bookshops remain open, but the problem of maintaining an interesting and realistically priced stock on your shelves whilst also selling on the internet is not an easy one to solve. The Carnforth Bookshop clearly tries to combine the two, but this causes something of a conflict, as passing trade is not often going to be tempted by books that are priced up at internet rates. I came away with a few items but was disappointed not to have been able to have bought more, and, as is the case with so many larger shops of this kind, volume does not necessarily reflect quality. Nicholas Pendower 18.07.14
Always enjoy a browse when over this side of the country, but agree with Nicholas on the balance to be struck, all my purchases were not from the internet stock this time. Still worth a visit though. Anthony 24.11.14
Was directed towards the "internet room" at the end of a fruitless search upstairs (previous comment about unsalable old books turned out to be correct) and wondered whether I'd walked into the bargain basement bin instead. Wasn't as good as I was led to believe. Graeme Rendall 10.07.15
Neil, the new owner, has done wonders with this shop. I could only devote two hours to checking the stock but what I found were priceless to me. Criticisms above really do not reflect the true nature of what is on offer. Chris Harte 14.06.18
First visit here for many years. Unfortunately, not as remembered. Plenty of stock but much of it not in the best of condition. Did manage to find a few items after much looking and prices were reasonable David 06.10.18
Stock appears to be moving again compared with my last visit. If a price appears to high, it's worth having a chat with the owner as a lot of the older stock was priced by his predecessor and no doubt is languishing due to the latter's ambitions. A £25 book was slashed to £5 without so much as a prompt from me.
The Booths/Aldi car park at the back offers 2hrs free parking if you can nab a spot. Stive 08.04.24
Excellent range of books and well organised Stuart 13.07.24
Chapter Two Book Shop and Coffee Shop/FLEETWOOD/14 North Albert Street
Chapter Two Book Shop and Coffee Shop
14 North Albert Street FLEETWOOD FY7 6AA
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tel:
07908 127760 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00
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Quirky bookshop with a huge variety of genres. Has a cafe inside. Offers book trade ins.
Clitheroe Books/CLITHEROE/29 Moor Lane
Clitheroe Books
29 Moor Lane CLITHEROE BB7 1BE
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tel:
01200 444242 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.
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General stock as well as children's, literature and transport.
Superb, wide selection. Very pleasant shop with a knowledgeable owner. Stephen Almond 06.02.09
A rather austere place. The owner soon became known to me as "Dr No," for he answered my eleven question with just that two letter word: nothing else. Felt unwelcome. Chris Harte 27.07.09
Always lovingly looked after and with large stock of good quality books. Usually leave with several books. This visit was no different. Also child friendly and that's such a selling point. Doc 29.08.15
A lovely shop, spacious, bright and well-ordered. All subjects are represented, and though the stock is not large it punches above its weight in terms of quality, condition and interest. Dustwrappers are protected with clear film, a careful touch I always appreciate, making the books sparkle on the shelves. Clitheroe is well worth a visit: streets of small independent shops, ginnels and yards, a castle and not just one, but now two, secondhand book shops. TravellingLibrary 03.09.15
Nice shop, usually make at least one purchase, agree above re Clitheroe but didn't find another bookshop? Chatty proprietor too. Norman Davies 06.02.17
Fleetwood Museum Bookshop/FLEETWOOD/The Dolls House, adjacent to 6-7 Queen_s Terrace
Fleetwood Museum Bookshop
The Dolls House, adjacent to 6-7 Queen's Terrace FLEETWOOD FY7 6BT
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tel:
01253 876621 e-mail
Tuesday to Saturday & bank holiday Mondays 10.30 - 3.30, April to November. Tuesday & Thursday, 11.00 - 2.00, January - March
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Second-hand bookshop, run by volunteers, in the adjoining premises to the museum. Entry to the bookshop is free; the museum has an entry charge.
One of the few bookshops where the easiest way to get there is to hop on a tram! Very cheap prices - many of the books are only 50p. Fiction and books on the local area are among the mainstays of the stock. The museum is open only eight months a year, but the bookshop is closed only in December, albeit with very restricted hours in the winter months. Booker T 31.05.24
George Kelsall_s Bookshop/LITTLEBOROUGH/22 Church Street
George Kelsall's Bookshop
22 Church Street LITTLEBOROUGH OL15 9AA
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tel:
01706 370244 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00
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A large general stock including art, history, northern topography, industrial history, transport and literature. Books bought. PBFA member.
Lovely little shop, well set out, prices fair, not a massive stock but always good for a few hard-to-find gems if you are lucky. The Wanderer 15.12.08
Nice general stock in shop. Ask to go out to the house at the back and you will be lost for hours wading through the truly massive number of books. Chris Harte 14.04.09
A surprisingly decent sized shop with a smallish frontage. Housed in a former bank this place is in serious need of some organisation. Topic sections, such as they exist, are not marked out or defined and repeat themselves erratically all over the shop. It does make looking for books in your particular field of interest something of a chore.
What wasn't expected is that the friendly owner is more than happy to let you into an adjoining house. accessed through the back of the shop. The house has quite some character and is crammed with books, slightly better organised than the main shop. Overall I felt a bit overwhelmed and found it hard to look systematically for what I wanted, which was a shame as I am sure there were plenty of gems I overlooked. Having said that, I was happy with what I came away with.
Allow yourself a little more time than you think you might need and don't be shy in asking to see the the books in the back building. Stive 01.10.23
For various reasons it had been a long time between visits to this absolutely wonderful bookshop. George is only in a couple of days a week now but his son, Ben, carries on the good work. I only had an hour to spare to look around, but even so I purchased quite a few titles as did my wife. Highly recommended. Chris 04.05.24
This PBFA dealers bookfair stalls are often the most realistically priced at any fair I visit so I had long meant to visit his shop which is very handily located only 200 metres from the train station and opposite Littleborough's stunning war memorial. The shop counts five rooms, two down & three upstairs and holds a larger than expected volume of stock. It is a very tidy and well ordered shop with good room to move and light to see. Everything is well categorised and the owner very helpful. No hassle with the prices which were reasonable to good. I arrived with high expectations but was surprised and deflated to find there really was not much for me personally on the day. I felt the stock did not raise the blood pressure or excite the imagination overmuch but I'm sure others will disagree because this has all the hallmarks and track record of being a well run establishment. Maybe I should have asked for the backroom and I look forward to seeing the George Kelsall's stall at the next PBFA bookfair. SaltaireTom 02.06.24
Halewood and Sons/PRESTON/68 Friargate
Halewood and Sons
68 Friargate PRESTON PR1 2AT
map
tel:
01772 252613
Open: Monday - Saturday 11.30 - 3.30
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The second of two shops (now the only one) in the town run by the Halewood brothers.
A shop I have been using for many years as between the muddle are titles normally difficult to obtain elsewhere. Specialises in Strand bound volumes and anything to do with Conan Doyle. Some of the runs of periodicals are quite staggering. The pricing is average but with what is in stock it's worth taking a bundle of cash when visiting. Chris Harte 18.06.12
An avalanche of books piled higgledy-piggledy makes it difficult to see the stock well, but there is ever such a lot of it. Specialising in Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, but much, much more. A knowledgeable and friendly shopkeeper. Michael 21.11.13
This Halewood brother is far more approachable and helpful. Very hard to find anything a shop that is full to the brim with stock piled everywhere; but the owner found things for me and his prices were fairly reasonable Archive61 04.10.21
Incredibly, this business was established in 1867 and is still owned by the Halewood family. It’s quite an overwhelming sight when you first enter as books cover every square inch and are stacked in piles several feet high. This doesn’t make for easy browsing as if the book you want is in the lower part of a pile it takes some effort to liberate it. You might want to practise with a few games of Jenga beforehand. If you do go to the effort of prising a book out of a pile then you’re likely to find that it doesn’t have a price in it so you have to navigate the small labyrinth around the shop (no easy feat when there’s another customer or two) to enquire as to the cost. I can’t help feeling that removing 50% of the titles and rotating the stock regularly would result in higher sales. But having said all that, it’s a bibliophile’s paradise with many obscure and interesting titles. They specialise in Arthur Conan Doyle and a corner of the shop is dedicated to him and Sherlockiana. Also plenty of Folios and vintage penguins. Pricing was fair to high I would say. They don’t accept cards so it’s either cash or bank transfer. There’s a cash point at the Tesco a few doors down the street though. The owner is very friendly, helpful and quick to offer a discount where appropriate. Most definitely worth a visit and I hope they continue for another century and a half. Jon R 30.03.24
History in Your Hands/ECCLESTON/Stand 506
History in Your Hands
Stand 506 Bygone Antiques Centre ECCLESTON PR7 5TZ
map
tel:
07722 084314 e-mail
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 5.30.
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Specialising in quality and unusual railway and transport books. Also industrial history/ mining and local history. Ephemera on the same subjects. In a huge antiques centre in a former mill building. There is a café.
Lancashire Antiques and Interiors/RAWTENSTALL/Unit 5, Brookside Business Park, Burnley Road
Lancashire Antiques and Interiors
Unit 5, Brookside Business Park, Burnley Road RAWTENSTALL BB4 8HH
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Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00
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A new antiques centre, with a bookstall which has a good range of general stock at low prices, and an interesting selection of collectable children’s books. At present there are four large bookcases, this may increase if sales are good. Parking on site.
Old Pier Bookshop/MORECAMBE/287 Marine Road Central
The Old Pier Bookshop
287 Marine Road Central MORECAMBE LA4 5BY
map
tel:
01524 409360 web
Open: Monday - Sunday 11.00 - 5.00
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On Morecambe seafront between the RNLI station and the clock tower, even if you didn't know exactly where is was located you would still find it with its large wall sign and collection of pavement bookcases. From the outside it looks like a typical seaside tourist targeted secondhand bookshop with the usual paperback fodder and familiar hardbacks on the outside bookshelves. Inside the big shop stretches off into the back of the building with glass cases and alcoves full of books giving the impression of a real box of delights. Unfortunately closer examination shows alcoves blocked with book trolleys and boxes preventing access to others, while some even have collapsed piles of books abandoned on the floor. The shop is divided into subject sections but there is little or no alphabetisation in them with the science fiction section, which takes up the entire back room from ceiling to floor plus cardboard boxes, having no discernable order whatsoever. With the sheer amount of stock you will probably get something from the shop, assuming that you haven't despaired at the amount of time it takes to wade through the titles in the section you are interested in. Jeremy Briggs 14.08.08
Tatty is the first word that springs to mind. Most of the stock is damaged and creased paperbacks, no real order to the shop other than science-fiction/fantasy being in separate area, and most of the stock generally is over-priced tat. Oh yes, there is also a young puppy, not house-trained, so watch where you step. I am not joking. The Wanderer. 14.12.08
The last comment I'm sorry to say is very accurate. I had quite a bad experience when greeted by the owner who went out of his way to try and convince me said tat was a lot more valuable than it was. I felt so uncomfortable that I had to abandon the few (barely car boot sale worthy) books I had picked up and leave quickly when he wasnt looking. Furthermore the comments application on the nothing to see here old pier bookshop site that most people find first by WWW search does not work, it is my opinion that the few comments on the website were written by the owner as they are evidently very misleading. John 20.10.11
Very poor customer service, low quality at high prices, not the old fashion bookshop experience you might expect, I advise avoidance. Joe 20.10.11
The book shop is big.The books are not classified. The owner however is a very polite man and very helpful too. There are few serious books, mostly they are light fiction. abstracthinker 24.07.12
The Old Pier Bookshop is one of the main attractions of Morecambe. It's like an Aladdin's cave - you never know what you may find there, which adds to its charm. Its quirky interior makes it unique. Its owner obviously has a passion for what he does and is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Every time, I have visited this bookshop, I have discovered many wonderful books that have all been excellent additions to my library. Any visit to Morecambe is enhanced by visit to this bookshop. Go with an open mind, enjoy its unique interior and let chance help you to discover a, or many, fantastic find(s) and if chance doesn't work then ask the owner - a lovely man who is always willing to help. Khetran 18.07.13
Visited here today, the shop is clean (no dogs around) and easy to get around, the books are not particularly well ordered but that's a minor complaint. The owner was very friendly and helpful. Definitely worth a visit. Jakob1978 98.09.13
On the strength of the last two reviews I drove to Morecambe specifically to visit the Old Pier Bookshop... I wish I had never bothered. Once you have negotiated the tat outside you will be faced with books that are strewn about in uncategorised shelves and in precarious piles of no particular order. There is no system whatsoever, so there's no point in even bothering to find the section that contains your interests - the books will be all over the shop! If you're lucky you might strike a seam somewhere in the chaos and dirt, but that's only if the books came in together. a previous reviewer found it quirky - I certainly didn't and came away empty handed. Nicholas Pendower 18.07.14
Chaotically disorganised, but it makes discovering things all the more exciting. To be fair, the owner knows where most things can be found. Mostly reasonably priced, with a few exceptions Archive61 04.10.21
Oxfam Books _ Music/LANCASTER/54 Penny Street
Oxfam Books & Music
54 Penny Street LANCASTER LA1 1XF
map
tel:
01524 380478 web
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Ironically Lancaster's two charity bookshops live opposite each other in Penny Street in the pedestrianised town centre. Oxfam is the more interesting of the two with a more diverse selection of titles plus music, comics and magazines in the rear of the relatively narrow shop. Jeremy Briggs 07.07.08
One of the better small Oxfam's I've got to. Though I only bought some postcards. Volunteer staff excellent. The Barnado's opposite is a general shop with a dull range of books. Chris K 09.06.12
Good Oxfam bookshop with wide range of slightly rarer stock perhaps reflecting the university town. Doc 29.08.15
By far the best charity shop in Lancaster although not large enough to be WAD. More magazines and comics than I expected. Books well categorised, prices reasonable and bargains to be found. Steven 29.09.17
Nine minutes walk from the station. I was soothed on entry by country & western music. Not busy just now but I was making a train connection so had to rush. Nice ambiance - a happy shop. Good disabled access. Good for outdoor & local history titles and lakes District material. I had to zip through it but would certainly return. No outrageous valuations seen. SaltaireTom 29.04.23
Seemed to me the best place for bibliophile's to go 1st in the city as the general charity shops were bereft of any decent quality. A well laid out store along 2 walls, selection weak in the children's area, but 1 purchase made from military history. Prices normal Oxfam level and as one expects mainly popular fiction dominates the shelves with a little local history and lake district books. Laurence Batchelor 18.08.23
Oxfam Bookshop/PRESTON/34 Market Place
Oxfam Bookshop
34 Market Place PRESTON PR1 2AR
map
tel:
01772 881590 web
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Standard Oxfam so worth a quick look when in Preston just in case. Norman Davies 06.02.17
It’s a typical Oxfam shop. Bright and well organised with most subject areas covered. Pricing seems reasonable. They have a “bargain bin” of books for 99p or less. These they describe as being in less than perfect condition which generally means a creased cover. But there are some surprisingly good titles in there if you don’t mind the imperfections. Jon R 30.03.24
Pendle Hill Books/CLITHEROE/John James Smith
Pendle Hill Books
John James Smith 32 Pendle Avenue Chatburn CLITHEROE BB7 4AX
map
tel:
01200 441572 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 5.00 by appointment.
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Online Bookshop and Rare Book Room by Appointment. Specialising in Modern First Editions, Victorian Fiction, Illustrated Fiction, Detective, Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Weird Fiction, Sci-Fi. Building Private Collections, Institutions, Book Search, Valuations. WE BUY BOOKS from Single Items to Small or Large Collections travelling the UK on a weekly basis.
Richard Thornton Books /RIBBLE VALLEY/Hillock Farm Old Langho
Richard Thornton Books
Hillock Farm Old Langho RIBBLE VALLEY BB6 8BD
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tel:
01254 247 874 mob: 0750 000 2797 e-mail
Open: 7 Days 10.00 - 9.00.
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We are always looking to buy new books; whether you have a small or large collection feel free to give us a call. We have some 14,000 books in stock and specialise in Rare Literature, Modern First Editions, Children's, Mountaineering, Arctic and Polar Exploration and Sporting Books. It is always best to ring first before you come as we are often out buying. You would be most welcome to come and visit. Parking is no problem. PBFA members.
Samaritans Charity Bookstall/COLNE/Hartley Square, Market Street
Samaritans Charity Bookstall
Hartley Square, Market Street COLNE BB8 0HS
map
tel:
07932 258312
Open: Monday, Wednesday - Saturday 8.30 - 5.00. Closed on Tuesdays.
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Large charity bookstall in indoor market, with a wide range of general stock.
endle Samaritans have run this well-stocked and busy bookstall in Colne since 2010. In January, its usual home, Colne Market Hall, closed for redevelopment. The stall, along with the rest of the market, is now at Hartley Square, 100 yards down the road, until the work is completed (September 2025, supposedly). There is less space at these temporary premises, so the stall is a bit smaller than before, but it still has quite a large and varied selection of books. The fiction is mainly paperback and mass-market - thrillers, crime, historical novels, sci-fi, romance etc - but there is a small and quite good selection of classics and literary fiction. Also a decent range of books for younger children and fiction for teenagers/young adults. History, local interest, travel, sport, gardening and natural history are the strongest non-fiction categories. Prices are very cheap indeed: all books are 50p unless otherwise specified. Some cost a pound or two, but only a small minority of the stock is priced above that level. The main exceptions are books on the local area with short print runs, which are mostly in the £3-£7 range, and (sometimes) a very small number of genuinely rare books, with appropriate - but not extortionate - prices. Turnover is very rapid: the stall sells more than 1,000 books each week and is the main source of fund-raising for the Samaritans locally. Worth checking out if you are in the area, but the quality is not really strong enough to merit a special trip from any great distance. Booker T 09.06.24
Pendle Samaritans have run this well-stocked and busy bookstall in Colne since 2010. In January, its usual home, Colne Market Hall, closed for redevelopment. The stall, along with the rest of the market, is now at Hartley Square, 100 yards down the road, until the work is completed (September 2025, supposedly). There is less space at these temporary premises, so the stall is a bit smaller than before, but it still has quite a large and varied selection of books. The fiction is mainly paperback and mass-market - thrillers, crime, historical novels, sci-fi, romance etc - but there is a small and quite good selection of classics and literary fiction. Also a decent range of books for younger children and fiction for teenagers/young adults. History, local interest, travel, sport, gardening and natural history are the strongest non-fiction categories. Prices are very cheap indeed: all books are 50p unless otherwise specified. Some cost a pound or two, but only a small minority of the stock is priced above that level. The main exceptions are books on the local area with short print runs, which are mostly in the £3-£7 range, and (sometimes) a very small number of genuinely rare books, with appropriate - but not extortionate - prices. Turnover is very rapid: the stall sells more than 1,000 books each week and is the main source of fund-raising for the Samaritans locally. Worth checking out if you are in the area, but the quality is not really strong enough to merit a special trip from any great distance. Booker T 09.06.24
St Catherine_s Hospice Ashton Book Shop/PRESTON/73 Wellington Road
St Catherine's Hospice Ashton Book Shop
73 Wellington Road PRESTON PR2 1BX
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tel:
01772 731997
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00
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Adult and children's fiction; non-fiction; text books; CDs; DVDs and vinyl, maps, music, jigsaws, games and computer games. Great for educational course books.
Towpath Bookshop/OLDHAM/27 High Street
Towpath Bookshop
27 High Street Uppermill OLDHAM OL3 6HS
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tel:
01457 877078
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00 & Sunday from 11.00.
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General secondhand stock.
Trinity Hospice Books and Music Store/CLEVELEYS/46 Victoria Road
Trinity Hospice Books and Music Store
46 Victoria Road CLEVELEYS FY5 1BU
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tel:
01253 829563 web
Open: Monday - Friday, Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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Dedicated to selling books and music on behalf of Trinity Hospice.
