Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
News:
New bookshop The Plantagenet King
New small stock at The Leas Lift Railway Cafe
The New Romney Red Cross shop is no longer a bookshop
The Book Palace has closed (see Catching Lives entry)
New Oxfam bookshop in Deal
New listing Hospices of Hope Faversham
New book and record shop Ghost Papa in Margate
Roadmaster Books has closed
Oxford Street Books Whitstable has reopened in new premises
New listing Oxfam Books & Music Folkestone
Michael's Bookshop has reopened after Covid closure.
Plantagenet King, Canterbury has closed.
Margate Bookshop now sells new books only.
Mr Books Tonbridge is now Teppa Books
Broadstairs Bookshop 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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Baggins Book Bazaar/ROCHESTER/19 High Street
Baggins Book Bazaar
19 High Street ROCHESTER ME1 1PY
map
tel:
01634 811651 e-mail web
Open: Every day 10.00 - 5.45
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Secondhand books in profusion, all subjects. We run a secondhand booksearch service.
Whether it really is the largest second hand bookshop in the country may be open to debate, but the front part of the shop, which holds the better quality stock is alone always worth visiting in its own right. Behind this the shop goes on and on, over two floors, with a wide selection and volume of stock. I rarely leave empty-handed, but customers would be advised to wrap up well if visiting in winter! Henry Middleton 05.02.08
Vast stock but is actually fifteen different dealers under one roof. When I asked for a price on wishing to buy in bulk I was refused on the grounds it was the individual dealers' decisions. Having said this the manager (who reminded me of Arthur Daley in his pomp) then went and priced a three-figure rare title. Hmm! Chris Harte 27.06.09
Boasts that it is the largest secondhand bookshop in England, but I've been in a number that are larger. Having said that, the shop does have a very large stock and is well worth a visit. I found the sections on biography, politics and history particularly good. However, in the case of history, you will need to look at the upstairs travel section as well as the history section proper downstairs, as many history books are shelved alongside travel and other books related to the countries concerned. A number of shops do this for reasons best known to themselves and if you aren't aware of the possibility, you can miss out on some valuable finds. Geoffrey Warner 07.10.10
Contrary to the advertisment of being the "largest 2nd hand bookshop in England" - its not! Its big, but noweher near as big as Book Barn near Bristol. Its similar size to Astley Book Farm and Barter Books in Northumberland. Books in sections bit muddled up. Worth a visit though. I Baillie 26.04.11
Smelly old bookshop but frequented often for many years. But they charge top price for their books and they're subject to wet conditions as the roof leaks! Plus they should be in a position to have a database of all their books by now but expect they don't want to pay for someone to do it. saxplayer67 20.02.12
Good, solid range of books. Layout has improved somewhat in recent years, albeit from an awful baseline with plenty of scope to improve further. Maybe biased as I was locked in once. David C 10.01.13
The front half of this shop is starting to show signs of the curse of second hand bookshops - crates, bags, boxes ( one labelled "really crap novels"!) and piles of unsorted books blocking access and obscuring the lower shelves. Henry Middleton 05.04.14
Some of the stock has been here for years and needs culling: the arts section mainly comprises 1960s monographs of painters reproduced in black & white. Pricing is ambitious in some cases: I spotted two small and slim collections of old postcards that I had just bought from a charity shop for four quid the pair, priced here at twenty-five each. Nicholas Sack 08.07.14
Some evidence that the ravages of time like decaying and descending ceilings is being addressed. Sadly though not the decaying and rarely changing stock. This shop is still very strong on history and military but the modern or indeed any fiction is stale and a large scale cull as the previous reviewer has suggested, is long overdue. The piles obscuring shelves are a constant irritant here as elsewhere. Jon Morgan 07.08.14
I really cannot find many faults with this shop. Yes, the same people are at the front desk; Yes, some of the stock hasn't moved for a while, and Yes, there are a few damp spots. But on the positive side the vast number of titles do offer a wide selection for these looking for generic publications. Fortunately, on this visit I had taken my wife's shopping trolley in with me. It left full to the brim. Chris Harte 06.06.15
It may not actually be the country's biggest secondhand bookshop (as it claims to be) but this place is amazing. It is huge, with an extensive and varied stock of fiction, non fiction, hardbacks and paperbacks covering all genres and subjects. Baggins is a browser's paradise, and the owners are friendly as well. Upstairs there is a good selection of science fiction paperbacks, but whatever your area of interest, you are likely to find something you want in this amazing place, rivalling Barter Books up in Northumberland for the sheer range of stock on its shelves. Richard 20.07.15
Great shop, lots of books on lots of subjects. You wander around, wishing to find nothing special. Why? Because this shop is seriously overpriced. Not just the rare books, all books. Don't expect a lucky find here, expect tourist prices! Hees 15.11.15
I must disagree about being overpriced. My last visit saw me pay 35 pounds for two volumes worth at least 150 pounds each. Also remember that the shop comprises fifteen dealers who price in their own way. I visit every six months and each time easily fill my wife's shopping trolley. Chris Harte 26.11.15
Advertised as the largest bookshop in England - I'm not sure Barter Books in Alnwick or Bookcase in Carlisle would agree but who cares? Plenty - more than plenty - to browse and prices for the most part in the range you'd expect. Steven Kelly 13.07.17
The fiction sections (there seem to be at least two) are specially worth investigating by those seeking once-popular but now half-forgotten authors like Ann Bridge, Jane Duncan, Lilian Beckwith, Richard Gordon and "Miss Read". I noticed a lot of books by those writers when I visited today. Laurence Purcell 15.01.18
Another visit and another two boxloads of purchases. My specialities are well catered for and the stock of them had been replenished since last time. Prices very acceptable. Chris Harte 10.07.18
Huge stock but I have found them overpriced at times. Slow moving stock. loracs 10.07.18
Don't be suckered in by the 750,000 books claim. It's more like 75,000, if even that. A lot of what I saw on the shelves was dusty and not in the best repair. Prices a little on the high side. Some old and unusual titles but nothing compelling. Left empty-handed and won't be hurrying back. Stive 18.10.21
Their website announces that Baggins will not be buying any stock "until further notice". That of course means no turnover, just depletion, so be warned. If you've never been, it's worth a visit particularly if you're after veteran authors; the rest of us may have to wait for better days. Laurence Purcell 03.01.22
Still highly equivocal as to whether new stock is accepted ("send an email itemising etc etc"). As a result an inspection of the books on the shelves suggested the lines of the old song "I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places..." Laurence Purcell 22.09.22
I appreciate the comments above, however, from my point of view and my interests each annual visit provides me with more for my collection. I always take my trolley along for potential purchases and this time I left with it full to overflowing. The stock changes - for me - are always a bonus as rare and scarce titles are snapped up. I cannot fault or complain. And to add to an enjoyable visit I found that the assistant on the till, and I, enjoyed the mutual friendship of numerous Kentish writers. Chris Harte 05.10.22
Better days have arrived and the stock seems to have been substantially refreshed and replenished. Well worth visiting therefore if you've not been for a bit. Would-be vendors are still being treated with caution, however. Laurence Purcell 16.03.24
Chapel (was The Albion Bookshop)/BROADSTAIRS/44-46, Albion Street
The Chapel (was The Albion Bookshop)
44-46, Albion Street BROADSTAIRS CT10 1NE
map
tel:
07837 024259
Open: Sunday - Wednesday 3pm - 1am, Thursday - Saturday 3pm - 2am
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Re-opened in 2013 as an ale and cider house, coffee shop and secondhand bookshop.
The "secondhand department" of a shop selling new books . Vast and rather sprawling - can be difficult to get into some rooms for the piles of books. But helpful staff and pretty good on literature and travel. Herne
Certainly worth a visit, but the piles of new/unshelved stock seem to increase every time I visit, to the detriment of the overall experience - perhaps a sort-out to concentrate on quality over quantity might help? Henry Middleton 05.02.08
I would agree that it is really time for this shop to have a sort out. Many of the prices are optimistic and much of the stock needs to be skipped. There are some bargains to be had but most people would soon get fed up trying to find them. Bookshops such as this are going to the wall every week and a complete rethink is needed here. Nicholas Pendower 17.11.08
Very muddled shop but overflowing with all types of books. Most titles from the 1970-2005 era and very little pre-war material. Owner was helpful but his pricing was all over the place. Worth a visit for his political autobiographies which are there in a large number. Chris Harte 27.06.09
If your idea of a bookshop involves sitting amongst books drinking real ale & cider this is definitely the place for you. Don't expect bargain prices either with the books or ale and stock is all over the place, but worthy of a call if in the area and thirsty! Steve Newman 03.12.14
Now a Bookshop In Name Only. The gallery is closed and to examine the stock which remains downstairs involves bobbing and beg-pardoning over the heads of drinkers seated at tables ranged before the shelves. Avoid. Laurence Purcell 17.09.21
The only thing to add to the above comment is that there is a decent range of real ale on offer. I did ask if any new stock was being acquired and was told that some had come in this week, but nothing here to interest me. Steve Newman 03.09.22
I visited at 3 on a Monday - no sign of life, and couldn't stay. Opening hours were 1pm, recently changed to 3pm and maybe this too is a hopeful target. Yes, the front room has books and there may be space to see most of them without disturbing drinkers too much. The stock is clearly the remains of the real bookshop's that preceded it. As a bar with a late licence this must have the latest closing times of any shop listed. Adrian 12.09.23
Chaucer Book Shop/CANTERBURY/6-7 Beer Cart Lane
Chaucer Book Shop
6-7 Beer Cart Lane CANTERBURY CT1 2NY
map
tel:
01227 453912 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00
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Large general stock of quality secondhand and antiquarian books.
An excellent quality shop on two floors. Aside from any other attractions Canterbury may have to offer, this and the Canterbury Bookshop make the city a very worthwhile stopping point for any passing bibliophile. Henry Middleton 05.02.08
A very well laid out shop spread over two floors. There is quality on the shelves with top of the range selections in most categories. Owner was very helpful in searching his database for any of the titles I required. This is a shop a collector should have on their visiting list. Chris Harte 20.05.10
As the existing comments suggest, this shop is primarily for collectors and this is reflected in the prices. However, the general browser may find the odd title and the books are in impeccable condition. Geoffrey Warner 15.12.11
One of the best selections outside London - most bases covered. Found it difficult to leave. Herne 30.03.12
Good quality bookshop only a minute or so from the very heart of Canterbury. David Collison 14.06.12
All the previous comments are true and it is a lovely shop, but little here for the book buyer / reader as opposed to the collector. Lots of lovely books wrapped in cellophane but only a small modern fiction section, much of which appears to be new / remainder as opposed to second hand. The history / military sections are really excellent though. Jon Morgan 01.10.15
This is a largish - 100 bookcases secondhand bookshop - you can reckon on about 250 books on a bookcase so about 25,000 books, the stock is almost entirely collectable books chosen for content, condition and edition, so some books will be considerably more expensive than a non-book collector would expect. Michael Child 27.09.16
Always a pleasure to visit. Well curated stock, ordered and displayed with care. Prices are fair and the owners very ETGOW. Conveniently located between station and town centre. Particularly strong on architecture,literature and biography. Michael Ross 22.12.19
As agreeable an experience as ever to visit: a most civilised shop. The section on cars is the most extensive I've ever seen in a general secondhand shop. Laurence Purcell 21.08.21
Excellent shop. Everything well displayed and in very good condition. Prices fair. A real pleasure to visit. Strong on literary biography. David 14.09.21
A great shop, with a wide selection of books at very reasonable prices. Particularly strong on non-fiction, including topography, travel and the arts. Archive61 04.09.22
Large, high quality stock, beautifully presented, plastic coated, and with prices to match. Some stock at 'normal' prices, but some I looked at very highly priced, such as a book I often see at £5 or less on sale here at £20. PeterM 25.03.23
Hall_s Bookshop _ Adrian Harrington Rare Books/TUNBRIDGEWELLS/20-22 Chapel Place
Hall's Bookshop & Adrian Harrington Rare Books
20-22 Chapel Place TUNBRIDGE WELLS TN1 1YQ
map
tel:
01892 547531 e-mail web
Open: Thursday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30, other days by appointment. See also in description.
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Good general secondhand stock of 10,000 volumes and a separate stock of about the same size in rare books upstairs. We specialise in modern literature, especially spy and crime, and our shop manager is a world authority on Ian Fleming. Currently we have a very large general second-hand stock of art books. Viewing books offered for sale on Tuesdays only. Main website is
Harrington Books
The most famous secondhand bookshop in Tunbridge Wells, Halls "established 1898". Two floors of antiquarian and secondhand stock, a browser's paradise and knowledgeable staff. Kim Andrews
Lots of helpful staff large quantity of books on all subjects at reasonable prices. John F Bacon
Excellent stock which took me three hours to assess. Spent quite a bit on very reasonably priced items and made a promise to myself to visit more regularly. Chris Harte 27.06.09
This shop is large: two floors and bargain shelves outside. Very strong in history (including military history) and in arts and literature generally. Not to be missed. Geoffrey Warner 07.10.10
Looked fantastic from outside, with purpose designed windows which opened and gave access to the stock from outside. Even the bargain bins outside were interesting. It reminded me of Beech's Bookshop in Salisbury when I was a kid. The stock is interesting, very strong on history and esp. military history, a bit light on fiction. But a pleasure to be in and breathe in the book smells ... Jon Morgan 06.03.13
Full of atmosphere and ghosts from the past (real or imagined), this is a wonderful bookshop to spend whole days in, even when it's sunny outside. Browser-friendly and enticing, with extremely helpful staff, this shop has it all. Atricia Dunseith 22.03.13
Now reopened after refurbishment. Ground floor much as before, though slimmed down and polished up - with a little of the old atmosphere lost, sadly. Still well worth a visit, though! Floored-over gallery to reopen shortly for rare books. Henry Middleton 03.01.15
Fears that the new owner would charge silly prices are unfounded. I grabbed a hefty and handsome history of photography in Brighton for just four-pounds-fifty. Most of the stock, high quality throughout, is Mylar-covered and neatly shelved; helpful young staff. Well worth a visit. Nicholas Sack 27.01.15
Well, my worst fears were unfounded. Pine shelving, less stock and definitely less atmosphere. But the prices are fair, the staff are nice and the stock will expand once the first floor reopens. We will get used to it. Michael Ross 05.02.15
The change of ownership has ripped the soul out of what was once a delightful shop to visit. I wish to keep those memories so will not be returning. Chris Harte 06.06.15
Five years after my previous visit, this handsome shop still appeals. Books are attractively presented and neatly shelved. Strong on topography and history; the arts section has been moved to the basement room. Browsers should not be daunted by the rather refined ambience: prices are fair and staff are courteous. Highly recommended. Nicholas Sack 06.02.20
The books are beautifully presented and reasonably priced. Books in the window have price tags which I like to see. Some shelves are very high and although steps are available it's not easy to browse them. HB 08.02.20
One of the most attractive secondhand bookshops in the country, very well appointed. Prices not as forbidding as the shop's appearance might suggest, although a good head for heights is needed to scale the tops of the very tall bookcases. Broad-ranging stock, with some bargains to be had. Do not overlook the £1 shelves which are outside on non-rainy days. Steven Kelly 06.08.22
I agree with everything in the previous post - this is a beautifully laid out shop, where a purchase will not break the bank. It was raining today so there were no books outside, but several portable units inside had paperbacks and hardbacks at £1 and £2 each. I spent some time browsing the Topography and Nature sections and shall look forward to another visit. Wessexman 29.02.24
Hythe Books _ Media/HYTHE/100 High Street
Hythe Books & Media
100 High Street HYTHE CT21 5LE
map
tel:
01303 262403 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 4.30, Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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Charity Bookshop run by Demelza House Children's Hospice. Recently moved to new premises.
A charity run bookshop with a good range of fiction and non-fiction books for sale. Reasonably priced and very helpful staff. Steve Newman 15.09.15
Much the same as previous visits. A charity run bookshop with a good range of fiction and non-fiction books for sale. Reasonably priced and very helpful staff. Steve Newman 22.08.21
A better than average "chazza" (as I believe they're called in the demotic). Inevitably rather a lot of paperbacks and there is some mixing of these with hardbacks, a practice I deplore. However, the hardbacks have their own quarters as well and there is a section cautiously labelled OLD AND/OR INTERESTING BOOKS which nearly lives up to its title. Certainly NWAD but well worth popping into if you're visiting this most appealing little town. Laurence Purcell 17.02.22
One of the best charity bookshops, we always visit when we are in the area and always leave with a pile of books. Not an especially large shop but a good selection of paperback fiction, childrens and non fiction. Good history/biography sections. Prices very reasonable. HB 11.10.22
Called in yesterday, the new larger premises now ensures books are displayed to advantage, mostly excellent stock and well categorised and laid out. Vinyl and other media now added, but not at the expense of space for the large selection of reasonably priced books. Steve Newman 15.10.23
John Bartholomew Books/APPLEDORE/Old Forge Antiques
John Bartholomew Books
Old Forge Antiques 16 The Street APPLEDORE TN26 2BX
map
tel:
01233 758585
Open: Wednesday & Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
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Good quality stock of arts, crafts, topography and transport. No fiction. Helpful proprietor. Nicholas Sack 29.07.14
Excellent bookshop run by a very honest man. In a rush the other day I bought a book which I £20. I didn't look at what I was paying because I was in a hurry and because I had seen the price inside the book. When I was doing my banking on line I noticed that I had been charged £30. I called the shop owner, Gary and without any hesitation he offered to refund me the money. He was mortified that he had made a mistake. I will be coming back to his shop to buy more excellent books. So I told him I would probably spend the money in there anyway. Sam Jaffa 09.01.15
Enjoyed a return visit to browse interesting stock of art and design, crafts and collectables, local history, military and transport - all meticulously categorised and shelved. Fair prices and helpful proprietor: from stock housed elsewhere he brought in books on my specialist subject. Bought an unusual collection of child art. Recommended. Nicholas Sack 03.07.15
Enjoyed a return visit to browse John's carefully ordered shelves of highly attractive and often unusual titles in the categories listed above. Bought a Thames & Hudson collection of American Realist painters: a bargain at a tenner including a gracious discount. Nicholas Sack 30.06.16
Made my annual visit while on holiday and found an unusual collection of old photos of East London. Everything is currently half price, to free up space for fresh stock. Nicholas Sack 04.07.17
Leas Lift Railway Cafe/FOLKESTONE/Lower Sandgate Road
The Leas Lift Railway Cafe
Lower Sandgate Road FOLKESTONE CT20 1PS
map
web 
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 4.00, Saturday - Sunday 9.00 - 5.00
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Small (about 400 books) stock of cheaply priced modern, mainly paperback, books on Literature and the Humanities, including vintage Penguins, provided by Unsworth's.
Marrin_s Bookshop/FOLKESTONE/149 Sandgate Road
Marrin's Bookshop
149 Sandgate Road FOLKESTONE CT20 2DA
map
tel:
01303 253016, mob: 07982 731001 e-mail web
Open: Monday & Tuesday by appointment, Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 1.00, 2.30 - 5.30
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Antiquarian and general second hand books, Kent topography, maps & prints. We are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association, and the PBFA.
Saturday curse. "The owner isn't here today." Stock is piled on floors and I had to crawl along to view books hidden behind portfolios. Asked about my speciality. Told they had none. Spotted a row of them as I was about to walk out of the front door. Checked them: saw the prices so went down the road for a large coffee ice-cream instead. Chris Harte 27.06.09
I visit Marrin's on a regular basis and have always found the proprietors knowledgeable and helpful. There is an excellent, large and realistically priced stock in this shop and there is always plenty that is worth buying. Perhaps Mr. Harte should stick to his ice-cream rather than visit bookshops - he is clearly not the type that proper booksellers take seriously! Nicholas Pendower 18.08.09
I cannot agree with Chris Harte's view of Marrin's bookshop. The firm is a very reputable one which has been in business for over half a century now and must be something of a Folkestone institution, akin to Hall's in Tunbridge Wells. I have been visiting the shop now and again for several years and have always found the staff very knowledgeable and helpful (they even volunteered a discount once). Their prices have always struck me as very fair - running an antiquarian/second hand bookshop can hardly be a licence to print money and the dealer has to make a profit somewhere or us buyers will have nowhere to go. Henry Middleton 26.10.09
Having noted the above two comments, I paid another visit. The stock is generally excellent and of some quality so I cannot argue that point. What I do disagree with are the views that the books are reasonably priced: they are not. I went with lists of what I collect with minimum and maximum prices as noted and gleaned from various sources. In not one instance, in checking over thirty titles I would normally have purchased, were the asking prices within my figures. I went off again and had an ice-cream and put the cost onto Mr Pendower's account. Chris Harte 24.05.10
Marrin does at times price his material somewhat high, but he does issue catalogues and his Kentish books, pamphlets and broadsides are quite impressive in range. Richard Goulden 09.07.11
Rather mixed combination of run-of-the-mill stock and high-quality material. Well worth visiting for the latter, especially for Kent subjects. Free short-term on-street parking nearby. DavidC 13.09.12
I visited this shop last year during a trawl of Kent bookshops. I enjoyed my hour spent here. For a start, the shop was open (I was holidaying in high summer, but most of the county's bookshops seemed not to notice). Then, it had a wide and interesting stock (I collect titles by individual publishers and binders, so my interests are genuinely varied). Finally, it offered a big reduction on what I would have considered to be a sensible sum for an unpriced title, presumably because I was buying several other books, none of which I would consider bargains but which I was prepared to buy. People need to realise that bookshops are businesses which need to make money to survive. If we only shop for bargains there will soon be no secondhand bookshops left. Andrew 15.06.13
Just to add another positive review on this charming bookshop. A lovely jumble of books with all kinds of treasures to find. Mr Marrin and his colleagues have always been friendly and well informed when I have met them at the shop and at fairs (though perhaps one or two temporary staff I have met have been less so as might be expected). No, they are not cheap, but I am afraid that as the last reviewer said, this is no longer a business where we can expect the rule to be a bargain. I do not find the antiquarian stock over priced though - and the proprietors do not mind a bit of a haggle. Anthony Davis 09.02.14
Called in on a Saturday around 2pm but closed. Open by appointment only now, according to the notice on the door. Only one customer allowed in the shop at a time apparently. Door notice gave two numbers to phone, that listed and 07982 731001. I did phone and was offered a appointment at 2:30pm, but as I had to catch the 3pm train home had to decline. Steve Newman 22.08.21
I am resistant to the whole idea of visiting shops by private appointment but the staff were discreet and unobtrusive so that my visit didn't feel much different from those made in the past. There were some familiar spines to be seen but there seemed to be a fair amount of new stock compared with when I was last here two years ago. A full range of everything but very strong on travel and exploration and books about the locality. Prices are high-ish but I was given a discount on my purchase. I felt it was worth the fal-lal and fandangle of having to ring beforehand. Laurence Purcell 17.02.22
The admissions policy has now been relaxed, thank heavens. The shop commendably has a small selection of works by rare author Jocelyn Brooke, the Proust of Folkestone, but come with deep pockets if you're hoping to buy. Laurence Purcell 08.07.23
McConnell Fine Books/DEAL/The Golden Hind
McConnell Fine Books
The Golden Hind 85 Beach Street DEAL CT14 6JB
map
tel:
01304 375086 web
Open: Appointment necessary
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Secondhand and antiquarian books including literature, history and books about Kent.
It is a long time since I have been so angry after visting a bookshop. I found the owner's attitude towards myself and other customers to be beyond the pale. His main aim is to sell "fine bindings" and little else. Stock small and unexamined as in my two minutes in the shop I was looked upon as scum and totally unwanted. Visit only if you want to be insulted. Chris Harte 27.06.09
I am all for constructive opinion and have used your guide in the past. However, this review completely blurs the distinction between 'fair comment' and malicious comment. It is not at all constructive or informative and appears to be nothing more than a personal attack on the shop's proprietor. "I was looked upon as scum" "Visit only if you want to be insulted" ? And all of this formulated in a "two minute" visit. I am suprised that a publication that sets out to actively encourage book buyers to visit 'real' as opposed to 'virtual' bookshops has allowed such a comment to be posted. Steve Baxter. 11.08.09
What utter nonsense your initial reviewer has written! I regularly visit the Golden Hind and have always found Nick McConnell enthusiastic, knowledgeable and utterly charming. Mr. Harte must be an idiot not to spot that this is quite obviously a shop that specialises in fine bindings and in some very good local history, and, if he had bothered to find out, would have discovered that it contains one of the finest selections of this type of book in the world, let alone in East Kent. That a reviewer can so utterly misunderstand a business and be allowed to do so much potential damage to a seller that has an international clientele and reputation is disgraceful, and he should ensure that he gets his facts right before going into print. Nicholas Pendower 18.08.09
I was sorry to see the first review. It's true that the Golden Hind is not the charming little local bookshop it was in Michael Hoskins' day but Nick McConnell has at least kept it open. Important to remember that he is an antiquarian dealer not a second hand bookseller then you wont be disappointed. Stock is high quality and Nick is a very pleasant fellow who has never been rude to a customer while I was in the shop! I always visit when in the area and recommend it, depending on your interest. Anthony Davis 13.10.09
Revisited after reading what the owner's friends (see above) thought of my initial comments. My opinion has not changed one iota. Chris Harte 13.01.11
I agree with those who find the owner of McConnell's bookshop in Deal offhand and unhelpful. It wasn't entirely unreasonable to ask if he carried local marine subjects. It would be nice if the reviewers avoided so much personal sniping. Lee 25.01.11
Now only open by appointment. TBG 23.10.13
Michael_s Bookshop/RAMSGATE/72 King Street
Michael's Bookshop
72 King Street RAMSGATE CT11 8NY
map
tel:
01843 589500 e-mail web
Open: Monday Wednesday Friday & Saturday 10.00 - 5.00
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A fairly large general bookshop, about 30,000 books arranged on over 100 bookcases, priced between 5p and £20 and ranging from ordinary paperbacks to collectors items. All of our stock is now secondhand, we dropped remainders several years ago, the only exception being local books around 150 titles which we publish ourselves.
Helpful owner and well organised stock with a good selection of Kent local history, aviation and military Roger Leverdier 29.04.08
As has been stated very good on Kent and Military titles. Also quite a good lot of aviation, sci-fi and occult.However, little for an antiquarian collector. Owner pleasant and helpful. Chris Harte 27.06.09
Large straightforward general stock with a focus on military titles and extensive reprints of local history material. Parking meters opposite. DavidC 13.09.12
Ironically the only place on my visit to Kent that I actually bought anything. Mostly modern stuff but a good deal of variety, extensive crime and modern fiction and a good strong military section. It is all the more suprising to find it in the environment of Ramsgate which is thoroughly depressing. Most of the neighbouring shops are shut down as are the pubs and the streets have that post apocalypse chic look and a pit bull seems to be an essential accessory. It is also a hefty trek from the station. There is a pseudo bookshop several hundred yards down the road. Keep out as the owner has yet to discover the concept of the 'shelf' and books are piled high. You would risk life and limb, even were there any gold in the piles of dross. Were it not for a natural instinct to support any purveyor of the hard copy book, I would never go anywhere near the town again! Jon Morgan 06.08.14
The best bookshop I have visited for a long time. The reprints of local books is truly splendid and a venture well worth supporting. The excellent stock is very well signposted and the owner is really helpful and recommended both the lovely bistro cafe at the seaward end of the beautiful Ramsgate harbour and the remarkable Monkton Nature Reserve bookshop. William 14.02.15
I fully endorse the positive comments on stock and presentation. Pricing too is reasonable. When I deplored its distance from home (i.e. London)' assistant said some customers schedule annual visits! Philip Jones 26.04.19
Still closed from coronaterror. Reading the website may suggest that for the foreseeable future a visit to Australia or New Zealand is as likely as one to this shop. Laurence Purcell 17.09.21
Friday March 11th 2022- sadly still closed. This shop was a real gem in Ramsgate so its continued closure is a real loss to the town. Given the lapse in time since Coronavirus restrictions were relaxed, we must sadly conclude that reopening is now unlikely. JK 15.03.22
But it has reopened! TBG2 03.08.22
Indeed it has, the staff now sheltering within a glass-fronted cubicle, there presumably to protect them from diseased customers. The stock seems to have been substantially refreshed. Laurence Purcell 10.10.22
Large stock. Much of the humdrum stuff reasonably priced. For higher quality stock the owner says that he has changed his pricing policy, and now prices to (just) undercut internet prices. PeterM 25.03.23
Monkton Nature Reserve Bookshop/RAMSGATE/The Field Study CentreCanterbury RoadMonkton
Monkton Nature Reserve Bookshop
The Field Study Centre Canterbury Road Monkton RAMSGATE CT12 4LH
map
tel:
01843 822666 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday Thursday and Saturday, April - October 10.00 - 5.00, November - March 10.00 - 3.00
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Based in the reserve Field Centre, several rooms containing 1000's of categorised books, old and new, plus a large selection of children's books. Also offer a well-stocked Nature Reference Library - loans available to members. All proceeds go toward maintaining the reserve and the work of the Thanet Countryside Trust.
Standard donated charity stock but very cheap. Richard 30.04.09
This charity bookshop set in a beautiful nature reserve expands by the week. Deliveries of books arrive and are on the shelves and priced by the knowledgable staff while you are still browsing the thousands of books. Reasonably priced and for a worthwhile charity. Additional extras is the free parking and if you are lucky a cup of coffee. F Love. 07.09.09
Well worth a visit. Very large wide ranging stock of very reasonably priced books. The free parking and fascinating museum, including local fossils, are an excellent bonus and amply repay a detour. William 14.02.15
This bookshop was a marvellous surprise. Well stocked and excellent prices. A lot of standard stuff but a good number of more unusual finds. We came away with two bagfuls for £19.00. If we lived in Kent we would visit here every week. Please note they are currently only open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. David 15.09.21
Old Bank Bookshop/MARGATE/Old Midland Bank Building17-18 The Parade
Old Bank Bookshop
Old Midland Bank Building 17-18 The Parade MARGATE CT9 1EY
map
tel:
01843 220 239, mob: 07967 650911 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00
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A good general selection on two floors, but whether it can keep up the quality after the best of the current stock has been sold is debatable. John Renwick 07.10.10
Still plenty for the general reader to find and very attractive prices. Herne 30.03.12
A beautiful building on the edge of Old Margate which unhappily is never far from Drossville wherever you look, which appears to be selling books and other media on behalf of a charity. A fairly varied stock but only of a charity shop nature. Now if Tiverton Bookshop moved down here and opened more than Sunday and Tuesday ... Jon Morgan 06.08.14
Well organised shop helpful staff and reasonably priced books too. Steve Newman 03.12.14
Mostly middlebrow stock at knock-down prices. A Tempus Publishing collection of photos of Kentish shipwrecks for one-pound-fifty was a no-brainer. Cheerful staff. Nicholas Sack 22.10.16
Nothing for collectors of any genre but a very pleasant second hand book shop for the general reader. Loyola 05.11.16
One of the better charity run bookshops. Quite an extensive range, prices keen, and very helpful staff. Steve Newman 03.09.22
There's a fair proportion of hardbacks but a dismaying array of paperbacks as well. Two cabinets are labelled ANTIQUARIAN and contain the usual motley collection of shamefaced and battered impostors. Laurence Purcell 19.08.23
This three-room charity bookshop supporting Pilgrims Hospices is well-organised, with shelving that looks like it's from a public library. Plenty of typical donated stock but better quality and less usual items amongst them.
Yes, those Antiquarian shelves. Charity shops set themselves up for mockery with these namings. At least it didn't call them Collectable; when I see that I know that price and content will make them of no interest to me and I look no further. How about "Old and Strange", charity shops? Adrian 12.09.23
Oxfam Books _ Music/FOLKESTONE/10 Sandgate Road
Oxfam Books & Music
10 Sandgate Road FOLKESTONE CT20 1DP
map
tel:
01303 245178 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.0, Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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An average Oxfam, certainly not the equal of the Canterbury branch. The usual depressing wall of paperback fiction and the usual strange and dilapidated volumes making up the supposedly COLLECTABLE section. However there is a much better selection of hardbacks on the righthand side of the shop. NWAD but worth visiting if you're in the town. Laurence Purcell 01.07.22
Oxfam Bookshop/CANTERBURY/51 St Peter_s Street
Oxfam Bookshop
51 St Peter's Street CANTERBURY CT1 2BE
map
tel:
01227 454091 web
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Surprisingly good Bernard Dixon 22.04.08
Some very good quality books can be found here at reasonable prices. Chris Harte 14.04.09
Always worth a visit when in Canterbury for military, sport, music languages and general fiction. Neil 31.10.11
Agree very much with Neil's comment. Because of its proximity to two universities, there is always a good selection of academic texts too. Geoffrey Warner 15.12.11
Never have I been to a bookshop where the stock was so rare and valuable (and Ive been to some pretty up-market ones) that Ive come across an assistant who felt the need to wear a pair of white cotton gloves. What was it that warranted such care and devotion? Was it the antiquarian nature of the books he was handling? Was it that Oxfam had decided that white gloves were now a necessary part of their health and safety campaign? Having being unable to escape his and his colleagues long, tedious and very loud conversation about Tolkiens "Lord of the Rings" (which was interrupted by a customers enquiry about Siegfried Sassoon, which he was unable to answer) I suspect that it was a mere affectation. We have been visiting the Canterbury Oxfam Book Shop for many years and over that time the pricing has become more and more bizarre. Items which usually command average prices are often extraordinarily overpriced, while within their own pricing system there appears to be very little uniformity, with some notable and glaring inconsistencies. On the whole, pricing bears the hallmark of someone who is somewhat up themselves, and potential customers should be aware that they will pay significantly higher prices than in the average town bookshop. Nicholas Pendower 02.11.13
Good location in city centre. Ecclectic range of stock from childrens to academic. Prices (at least in my areas of interest) were fair. Steven 13.08.14
An extensive stock covering most areas of interest but nothing of any great merit. It is charity shop plus but fairly run of the mill and the prices are average (for Oxfam). Jon Morgan 01.10.15
One of the best Oxfam Bookshops I have visited huge selection not as cheap as Oxfam Shaftesbury but pretty reasonable. John Bacon 18.04.16
In my considered opinion this is the best Oxfam bookshop I have visited. The stock is excellent; the prices reasonable and the manager brilliantly eccentric. My best purchase was an 1892 title by John Kent at the giveaway price of £12. I will return. Chris Harte 28.11.19
Quite simply one of the best charity bookshops in the country. A lot of high quality stock (but plenty of quality cheaper books too). Haydn the Manager is a delightful character and clearly loves his job. Long may it thrive. Michael Ross 10.01.20
I would agree entirely with these high estimates of this shop. But how do they do it? Like all charity shops it must be dependent on the quality of what's given to them and that must vary. I thought that the only (small) weakness is in hardback fiction. Laurence Purcell 21.08.21
Agree with all previous comments regarding the quality of the merchandise here. Must be one of the better Oxfam bookshops in the country. David 18.09.21
This is one of the few Oxfam bookshops that has some genuinely old books that are worth buying. Not cheap, but great quality stock and some pretty rate items Archive61 04.09.22
Oxfam Bookshop/DEAL/5 High Street
Oxfam Bookshop
5 High Street DEAL CT14 7AA
map
tel:
01304 364752
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 4.30
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Bigger and better than it appears from the outside: there are two floors. What looks like several hundred miles of paperback fiction downstairs but the shop also specialises in more or less contemporary hardback fiction. Things improve on the first floor with far more hardbacks. The ANTIQUARIAN AND COLLECTABLE section is large but even more laughably named than usual; disappointingly, these books have yet to be arranged by colour. Don't expect treasure trove but worth popping in if you should happen to be in this increasingly fashionable town. Laurence Purcell 05.10.21
Oxfam Bookshop/MAIDSTONE/34 Gabriels Hill
Oxfam Bookshop
34 Gabriels Hill MAIDSTONE ME15 6JJ
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tel:
01622 753585 web
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On two floors, well laid out, and does have a high turnover of stock. Clive Cheeseman
Have now been in twice and on each occasion purchased books which were a fraction of their expected second-hand prices. Varied stock on two floors which seems to change regularly. Often has some antiquarian titles. Chris Harte 20.04.10
Friendly, helpful bookshop. Especially good for history, classics and old sci fi. Be sure to ask them to look out the back if you can't find what you're looking for. bookshopblogger 18.12.13
Mostly middlebrow titles in broad categories. Easy to browse, but slim pickings for the serious collector. Unusually for Oxfam, prices for non-fiction are generally pegged at under three quid. Nicholas Sack 06.05.16
My local Oxfam bookshop, so I call in fairly regularly - though sadly not to any great benefit to either party. The shop is fairly small and cramped, certainly in comparison with some other Oxfam bookshops, and I would put it in the bottom half of the Oxfam bookshop spectrum as regards stock - there’s no comparison with the Canterbury branch which is top-of-the-range! Henry Middleton 26.07.21
Oxfam Bookshop/SEVENOAKS/142 High Street
Oxfam Bookshop
142 High Street SEVENOAKS TN13 1XE
map
tel:
01732 779425 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
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As might be expected with such a (generally) prosperous hinterland, the quality of books is good. The shop is well-ordered too and the staff are helpful. Nice to see in my old home town. Worth a visit. Michael Ross 07.04.16
I echo Mr Ross's observation about the generally good standard of literature here. More stock, and more reasonable prices, than many Oxfam branches. On my visit, a batch of Collins New Naturalist titles from the 1950s was fresh on the shelves, and all biographies - a couple of hundred, some unusual - were discounted to £1.50 each in a flash sale. The arts stock is rather thin but this shop is well worth a browse. Nicholas Sack 27.02.17
I was particularly impressed by the range and quality of modern literary fiction: Wells, Lawrence, Waugh, Greene, Maugham, Isherwood, Capote, Naipaul, Updike, et al - and generally several titles by each author. Paperbacks are in good condition and priced at £2.49. Nicholas Sack 26.04.18
Medium size for an Oxfam bookshop, but the stock seems small for the shop size. I have bought the occasional good find here in years past, but the current visit was very disappointing. Lots of newish paperback fiction and not much of interest on the other shelves. I imagine that in a small shop the stock can be dull or interesting according to the generosity of the locals. A matter of luck when you visit. Today a box labelled 'Vintage SF, 99p each' sounded good, but the contents were far from vintage. PeterM 28.09.22
Oxfam Bookshop/TONBRIDGE/78 High Street
Oxfam Bookshop
78 High Street TONBRIDGE TN9 1EE
map
tel:
01732 355753 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Satorday 9.30 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 3.00
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Quite good for an Oxfam, fair selection of reasonably priced books, well laid out and helpful staff. Steve Newman 29.08.14
Good stock with one or two gems, and sensible pricing throughout. Well worth a look. Michael Ross 02.04.15
Plenty of neatly shelved stock in most broad categories - yet the standard is disappointingly middlebrow for a relatively affluent area. For example: in the arts section, a surfeit of Monet; in photography, manuals rather than monographs. Several other charity shops in the High Street are worth a shufty. Nicholas Sack 23.12.17
Small Oxfam outlet, prices reasonable by their standards, and just a few hundred yards down from Mr Books. Steven Kelly 06.08.22
A much larger Oxfam bookshop than at nearby Tunbridge Wells, although here some of the additional space is taken up with the usual fair-trade goods etc. Strong for all categories of fiction and, to a lesser extent, for history and children’s books too. Pricing seems reasonable throughout. Through a half-open door in the staff-only area at the back of the shop, one can espy half a dozen shelves of generally superior offerings, labelled “Oxfam online stock”. These should be out on the shop floor! Booker T 20.11.23
Oxfam Bookshop/TUNBRIDGEWELLS/6 Chapel Place
Oxfam Bookshop
6 Chapel Place TUNBRIDGE WELLS TN1 1YQ
map
tel:
01892 616269 web
Open: Monday - Satorday 09.30 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 3.00
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It is difficult to be critical of a charity shop except for the grouse of books especially 'the specials' [Book Club is not the same as a first edition whatever the internet says] being overpriced for donated books! Mary C 12.10.11
Good varied stock of the kind usually stocked by Oxfam at fairly good (For Oxfam) prices. Very strong on History. lost of other general and local charity shops in the High Street. Jon Morgan 06.03.13
This shop has improved markedly in the last couple of years. Stock is perfectly categorised; strong on history and biography, and there are some unusual titles on topography and local interest. Prices are surprisingly modest. Well worth a look when visiting Hall's, just a few yards along. Nicholas Sack 29.05.15
This is a very good charity shop. The wide selection of modern titles were all of a high standard. There was no tat on the shelves. The antiquarian section, although small, was of a decent quality. It is not often I pay a substantial, but fair, amount for a rare title at an Oxfam shop. Still, this is Tunbridge Wells. Chris Harte 06.06.15
Five years on from my previous visit, and this small shop retains its charm. There are some unusual titles, neatly shelved: at less than a tenner, Eugene Smith's seminal 'Minamata' is a fraction of internet prices. Nicholas Sack 06.02.20
Standard Oxfam stock and prices. Worth a visit if also visiting Halls which is quite close. HB 08.02.20
Very small premises, which is a shame, as the range and quality of the stock is quite high. Prices are reasonable and turnover seems fairly rapid. Good selection of fiction, art, history and children’s books. In a town with such an affluent population, a larger shop could be amply stocked with good-quality donations. Oxfam might be missing a trick here, although I am sure they are well aware of this. Perhaps high rents are a problem. That said, the town centre of Tunbridge Wells is not (by a long chalk) what it used to be. Anyway, this place is a decent-quality Oxfam bookshop, which has a good range of offerings in spite of its limited size. Booker T 20.11.23
Oxfam Shop/ROCHESTER/25-29 High Street
Oxfam Shop
25-29 High Street ROCHESTER ME1 1LN
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tel:
01634 814790 web
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Quite a large shop with a good selection of books too, though not quite as many as Baggins. Most were in rather better condition though, and at least the Observer books were cheaper! Steve Newman 05.08.09
A fairly good selection of general books with a special section on Dickens and three shelves of pre-1914 titles. However, the shop specialises in pianos and harmoniums (!) with some bargains to be had here. Chris Harte 14.12.09
Don't be taken in by the first review - it's nowhere near the size of Baggins. Worth looking at, though, if 2-3 hours in Baggins hasn't left you thoroughly exhausted! Henry Middleton 10.11.12
This place has gone downhill of late with large gaps appearing on the shelves (seems to be a trend in the Oxfam shops with a once decent book area). The prices as in many Oxfam shops range from the inflated to the obscene. It appears that they wish to capture the passing tourist trade rather than sell books. Jon Morgan 07.08.14
Still worth a visit. The shop is spacious with nearly half of the floor space given over to books. As expected, Dickins dominates but I still managed to purchase a couple of titles. Chris Harte 06.06.15
Common modern titles mainly. Over priced. loracs 10.07.18
Like Jon Morgan, above, I know this branch for its sad and forlorn half-empty shelves. Yet, the shop has now perked up - stock has doubled, with unusual curiosities lurking in Travel and Local History. Prices are a tad fanciful, as is the way with Oxfam. Still, worth a shufty before gawping at the prices in Baggins, a few doors along. Nicholas Sack 24.03.19
Certainly not "sad and forlorn" but nothing special either. Not WAD but worth looking into if you're visiting Baggins. Laurence Purcell 02.01.22
The selection of titles are varied but I found nothing of interest. Mainly modern although the Kentish local history section was fairly acceptable. Chris 05.10.22
Oxford Street Books/WHITSTABLE/The Waiting Room, Station, Old Bridge Rd
Oxford Street Books
The Waiting Room, Station, Old Bridge Rd WHITSTABLE CT5 1RB
map
tel:
07513 948831 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Friday 9.00 - 12.00, 3.00 - 6.30, Saturday 9.00 - 1.00, 2.30 - 6.30, Sunday 3.00 - 5.00
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Previously in Oxford St, now reopened in smaller premises and also known as Books In Waiting.
Nice varied stock. Most helpful owner. Will go back on a regular basis. Chris Harte 14.04.09
A little gem. The owner is, indeed, most friendly and helpful and may let you into his cellar, which contains even more books. (He hopes to expand.) History is my speciality and I found plenty of interest at reasonable prices. Geoffrey Warner 15.12.11
The cellar will apparently be open in the summer. And there is already a very extensive selection. Whitstable is definitely no clone town! Herne 30.03.12
Great to see the basement has now opened, increasing the range of material and ease of access. David Collison 14.06.12
On a return visit found the basement full of interesting items, especially on the subject of WW2. Also some good bargains in the boxes outside. Herne 15.05.13
Public car parks just behind shop, Weatherspoons next door, art deco Peter Cushing, must be seen, handy for loos and cheap food and drink. I bought about 60 books ranging in price from £1 to £35, speaking as a trade customer this is about as good as it gets in Kent, I take the rather relaxed approach of if it's a book I want for stock and it's in the same price ballpark or below what I would put it on my shelves for, then I buy it. So don't expect charity shop prices, but a good quality stock, priced to compete with the internet. My guess would be the shop contains about 20,000 books, which are on shelves, there are no great piles of unsorted books on the floor to wade through. Fiction arranged alphabetically and split into categories. Staff pleasant and easygoing, e-cigarette allowed, some chairs to sit on when browsing lower shelves. Michael Child 26.10.15
Seven years since my last review and the shop is still as good as ever. The cellar is now fully opened and contains a varied selection of titles all duly categorised. The ground floor has a pretty good antiquarian section along with much else. Well worth a visit. Chris Harte 22.06.16
Four years on from Michael Child's comments above, signed first editions of Peter Cushing's memoirs (he lived in Whitstable for 30 years) are on offer for around £125. Prices generally are reasonable in this labyrinth of small rooms on two floors. Stock is carefully ordered in categories, and neatly shelved. Strong on paperback fiction, but art and photography are disappointingly thin. Nicholas Sack 22.09.19
Stock well ordered, prices fair. All in all worth a visit if in the area. David 18.09.21
It's a great shame but this excellent second hand bookshop has been replaced by a nail bar. There more than enough nail bars already but the number of second hand bookshops is sadly continuing to decline. Their Facebook page says that Oxford Street Books is looking for new premises. John Moore 27.04.22
Past Sentence/FAVERSHAM/119 West Street
Past Sentence
119 West Street FAVERSHAM ME13 7JB
map
tel:
01795 590000
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00 and some Sundays
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Good quality secondhand books bought and sold.
Parked in the nearby Co-op. Walked up the pedestrianised West Street opposite and found, in the bookshop, two treasures marked at such a low price that I ran back to the car with them and drove out of town before anyone could stop me. General stock is run of the mill but the stuff on the shelf behind where the owner sits is superb. Chris Harte 27.06.09
An interesting and unusual selection of good quality photographers' monographs reflects the genial proprietor's former occupation. Small sections of local history and transport also bear fruit. Reasonable prices. Nicholas Sack 23.12.15
Fairly small bookshop my guess would be about 7,000 books good quality general stock mostly on shelves, some piles. Most subjects, good range of fiction sensible pricing, I was able to buy as a trade customer. Pleasant helpful staff. Michael Child 15.03.16
Just my type of bookshop wide range of stock well priced. There used to be loads of bookshops like this 20 years ago. John Bacon 18.04.16
The people who run this shop are among the nicest I've ever come across in a bookshop. Sometimes I find nothing, sometimes I come away with a bag-full of joy. Very WAD Peter M 03.09.19
Nice little shop with helpful staff. Prices average and a good cross section of subject matter. Faversham itself is an attractive town with many delightful old buildings. David 18.09.21
Periwinkle Press /SANDWICH/trading at Basil and Rose, 29 Strand Street
Periwinkle Press
trading at Basil and Rose, 29 Strand Street SANDWICH CT13 9DT
map
tel:
01304 614141 e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 5.00
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Established in 1968 we are general secondhand booksellers, specialising in Kent, Children's and Art books. We also sell antique prints, art, postcards, ephemera and collectables.
Situated in a small quality country retail centre. Stock small but of a very high standard. Owner, who was very knowledgable, said he had many thousands more book in store as he also works off the internet. Chris Harte 27.06.09
Steep Street Coffee House/FOLKESTONE/18 - 24 The Old High Street
Steep Street Coffee House
18 - 24 The Old High Street FOLKESTONE CT20 1RL
map
tel:
01303 247819 web
Open: Monday - Friday 8.30 - 6.00, Saturday 9.00 - 6.00, Sunday 9.00 - 5.00
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We are a literary coffee shop inspired by the famous book cafes in Paris. Our walls are lined from top to bottom with poetry and local literature, classics and coffee table hardbacks. The books are for browsing and are for sale. Our customers are welcome to take them off the shelves and read them during their visit.
Several thousand books in rather cramped spaces, with non-fiction grouped in broad categories. Strangely, I could find nothing that appealed among arts and local history; collectors of fiction might have better luck. Still, books do furnish a room, as Anthony Powell averred, and this is a pleasant setting in which to drink good coffee and browse. Nicholas Sack 26.06.19
Sunburst Books/RAINHAM/21-23 Station Road
Sunburst Books
21-23 Station Road RAINHAM ME8 7RS
map
tel:
01634 261 643 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 3.00
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Charity bookshop selling donated books.
Offers a big stock of donated books at knock-down prices in support of local charities. Well worth a visit; I came away with a haul. Nicholas Sack 08.07.14
Since I was last here a few years ago they have opened up the storeroom at the back to make a reasonably sized shop. Larger than Bookmark round the corner. A lot of charity shop fiction and military history (like Bookmark, it reflects the area) but worth browsing for other non-fiction at decent prices. A separate room of older books better than most charity shops "collectibles" with a number of complete sets. Worth a look if you're near. John Allen 12.02.18
Well stocked and priced fairly. Staff not very helpful though. loracs 10.07.18
What a wonderful surprise. For a rundown town this charity bookshop ticked all the boxes for me. First visit resulted in a boxload being carried to the car. An hour later another lot purchased. This place is well worth a visit. Stock general but very well categorised. Prices a bargain. Chris Harte 28.11.19
Stock well organised, Prices very good. Strongest on paperback fiction but well worth having a good look round. David 18.09.21
Very large selection of books and CDs. Well worth visiting. PLF 28.02.24
Teppa Books/TONBRIDGE/142 High Street
Teppa Books
142 High Street TONBRIDGE TN9 1BB
map
tel:
01732 363000 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Wednesday 10.00 - 6.00, Thursday & Friday 10.00 - 5.00, Saturday & Sunday 10.00 - 6.00
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Books bought and sold. Rare and collectable, children's books, reference. New books ordered, almost any book found.
Interesting little 'warren' situated in a side street near the castle. Owner very helpful but advises a phone call if travelling a distance as sometimes has to take an hour out. Clive Cheeseman 15.08.07
Nice shop; most co-operative owner; stock slightly muddled but a wonderful selection of Kentish publications from over the past century. Also good military stock. Chris Harte 29.06.09
Mr Books has moved around the corner to 142 High Street but has lost none of its charm, in fact the bigger space has made it even more pleasurable to visit. Even before you step inside Mr Books shop, you sense the magic of the place. The window looks fantastic and you can see the books rising from the floor to the high ceiling. Once inside, the range of books is enormous and the owner himself is really helpful and knowledgeable. He's even been known to make customers a cup of tea! A truly lovely bookish escape from the anonymity and blandness of so many modern bookshops. Marie Lawson 08.06.12
Great to see this bookshop in new premises on Tonbridge High Street. Well-lit, easy access to the wide-ranging stock including good quality local material. A great improvement on the previous cramped premises nearby. David Collison 14.06.12
A really interesting shop. The owner was just popping out but kindly stayed in for me and was rewarded by two other customers. A good varied stock including some good first editions at fairly high prices. Generally, a pleasure to be in although quite a hike from the Station. A plethora of general and local charity shops on the High Street including a well stocked and not too pricey (for them!) Oxfam Bookshop. Almost WAD! Jon Morgan 06.03.13
Don't see what the fuss is about. Owner undoubtedly friendly and pleasant but 1) the shop is too crammed for pleasant browsing virtually every shelf double stacked and with so little room between the shelves it's difficult if not dangerous too get to the back shelves and when you do. 2) it's all internet prices at least. 3) It doesn't help that the categorisation is a little broad, it's always annoying seeing theology or science in the mind body spirit shelves but all the non-fiction seemed to be there. John Allen 04.04.16
Mr Books is threatened with closure (see http://www.kentlive.news/this-independent-tonbridge-bookshop-might-be-closing-8211-but-you-could-help-save-it/story-30202167-detail/story.html ) - a great loss to Tonbridge, and the surrounding area, if it happens. Henry Middleton 21.04.17
It seems that Mr Books has been saved and will continue under new management/ownership. See the link, above, to the new website which gives further details. Henry Middleton 21.07.17
I had to add a comment - the shop is transformed. No longer dark and 'dangerous'. We have cleared out some stock and livened the place up. We organise events and look forward to meeting you all - Clive, Chris, Marie, Jon, John and Henry ... in fact anyone who loves books. Mr Books 12.02.18
Thought I'd check what the new owners had done after his comments above. I'm glad to say he's right about it being easier to get around and view the books. Prices seemed on the reasonable side although not bargain basement. strong on local, natural history and children's - pity they're not my areas. John Allen 28.03.18
The person behind the counter (owner?) was bemoaning how tough times were post-Covid. I think if the prices were lowered just a touch this might help. Otherwise a well-stocked shop with a particularly strong local flavour. My one word of advice to the shop would be: get your stock off the floor and on to the ample empty spaces ob the shelves! Steven Kelly 06.08.22
“Mr Books” is no more. The shop is now called Teppa Books. Although now a charity bookshop, staffed by volunteers, it is highly atypical for such an establishment. It appears to have retained more or less all the stock from its previous incarnation, which makes it quite exceptional within the “charity shop” category. Basically, it is still a nicely old-fashioned general second-hand booksellers with a large selection of good-quality stock. It now supports the work of a small local charity, SWORDE-Teppa, founded by a Tonbridge resident to further sustainable development, environmental, educational and humanitarian activities in Tajikistan, where it has set up eight English-language libraries, including the country’s largest. The book stock in the shop is extensive and wide-ranging. Books on Kentish local history and topography are a particular speciality and the selection here is very large, although the prices for some volumes are distinctly on the high side. General history, military, children’s books and the natural world are all well represented, as is fiction. Prices on the whole are not unreasonable, although over-ambitious for a minority of the stock. A couple of alcoves at the rear of the shop are too dimly lit, but this is a minor gripe. The volunteers are pleasant and the shop Is well worth visiting if in or near Tonbridge. Booker T 20.11.23
Unsworths Antiquarian Booksellers /FOLKESTONE/16 Canterbury Road
Unsworths Antiquarian Booksellers
16 Canterbury Road FOLKESTONE CT19 5NG
map
tel:
07802 875469 e-mail web
Open: Appointment necessary.
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About 2000 books, We buy and sell collectable, rare and scholarly books from every century of printing and on all the humanities, including literature, philosophy and society, with an antiquarian focus on early printing, Greek & Latin classics, Medieval & Renaissance Europe, and British history & topography. Also has stock at the Leas Lift Cafe, see above
Wadard Books/FARNINGHAM/6 High Sreet
Wadard Books
6 High Sreet FARNINGHAM DA4 0DG
map
tel:
01322 863151 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday & Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
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Secondhand and antiquarian books including cookery, military and local history and topography.
I was amazed at the high quality of books in this shop which also has a very knowledgeable owner who is always willing to help. The scarce titles scattered around are very tempting. Chris Harte 27.06.09
What a super bookshop. It is in a pretty village near the M25 and M20 between London and the bookshops of East Sussex. Pleasant and airy with a mixture of antiquarian and secondhand stock, much of interest with a special focus on military history. The owner is very charming and helpful. This is what a bookshop should be. Am most grateful to your website to cause me to stop off there. Anthony Davis 13.10.09
Another bookseller who knows about books. A wonderful selection and competitively priced. Daren't go there too often though! Jane Jones 31.05.11
High quality stock, particularly strong on topography and local history, overseen by a most genial and helpful proprietor. Nicholas Sack 08.07.14
This shop is in fact closed on Mondays and Wednesdays as I discovered when I visited it today (Monday!) The information about opening days shown on the panel which is displayed when you Google the shop's name is wrong as well. This sort of thing is most annoying. Laurence Purcell 04.03.16
What a splendid bookshop. Kingmaker 04.04.16
Visited mid-day on Saturday - when they claim to be open. Shop closed. Faded note on door saying that they might be open later was not a comfort. It might well be a lovely shop but I'd advise anyone to phone first to avoid disappointment. Peter M 03.09.19
