Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
News:
The Secondhand Bookshop in Oxted has closed
Books 'n' Bits has closed
New listing Dapdune Bookshed
New listing Haslemere Bookshop
New shop Surrey Hills Books
New branch of Holybourne Rare Books in Farnham
Oxfam Bookshop Dorking has closed
New listing UCE Charity Bookstall Egham
New listing East Surrey Museum Caterham
The Secondhand Bookshop in Oxted has closed
Books 'n' Bits has closed
New listing Dapdune Bookshed
New listing Haslemere Bookshop
New shop Surrey Hills Books
New branch of Holybourne Rare Books in Farnham
Oxfam Bookshop Dorking has closed
New listing UCE Charity Bookstall Egham
New listing East Surrey Museum Caterham
A Novel Idea (was Rethink Bookshop)/GODALMING/9 Queen Street
A Novel Idea (was Rethink Bookshop)
9 Queen Street GODALMING GU7 1BA
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tel: 01483 415950
Donated secondhand books and mental health resource centre.
One of the nicer independent charity bookshops with a good selection of general stock in the usual sections and quantities. My last visit yielded a couple of good buys. Good prices and a team who clearly keep a well organised and decent bookshop. Prices are average for a charity shop. misterg 07.05.25
Blacklocks Bookshop/EGHAM/8 Victoria Street
Blacklocks Bookshop
8 Victoria Street Englefield Green EGHAM TW20 0QY
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tel: 01784 438025 e-mail web
Open: By appointment only.
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Blacklocks specialize in polo prints and polo books. We have probably the largest stock of polo books and prints in Britain.
A small shop containing many good quality titles. Very strong on Polo as well as a top of the range selection of sporting books. I found the owner's conversation on publishers, and the trade in general, to be extremely helpful. Chris Harte 09.02.10
Books Bought and Sold/WALTON ON THAMES/Unit 9 Image House
Books Bought and Sold
Unit 9 Image House 326 Molesey Road WALTON ON THAMES KT12 3PD
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tel: 0208 224 3609 e-mail web
Open: By appiontment.
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Formerly trading as a bookshop in East Molesey since 1994,now trading solely on internet and book fairs. Stock can be viewed by appointment as office is not always manned, extra details and images supplied by email, all books described accurately.
Brian P. Martin Antiquarian and Collectors_ Books /DORKING/Christique 11 West Street
Brian P. Martin Antiquarian and Collectors' Books
Christique 11 West Street DORKING RH4 1BL
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tel: 07773112101 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00. Some Sundays towards Christmas
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A large stock of good quality books on many subjects within a large antique centre, including Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, London and other topography, naval & military, sports, fine bindings, poetry, literature, children's, history and much much more. Christique has an excellent cafe and nearby parking. Book search offered.
Probably around 1,500 books. The categories highlighted by the owner appear to be represented but there are not necessarily many in each category. Steve 31.10.12
Went today and was most disappointed. Basically this is an Antiques shop with a few shelves of books. Ian P 19.05.15
Chaldon Books and Records/CATERHAM/1 High Street
Chaldon Books and Records
1 High Street CATERHAM CR3 5UE
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tel: 01883 348583 e-mail
Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
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Good mix general bookshop with LPs and classical cds. (established about 1994)
Little or no antiquarian material, but good general second-hand stock; particular strengths in transport, politics and business history, and an extensive selection of reasonably priced classical CDs and vinyl records. Turnover tends to be fairly slow, but certainly worth a visit, particularly if you have not been before do call in before yet another of Surrey's dwindling number of second-hand bookshops disappears. Free parking at the Raglan shopping centre two minutes away. John 25.05.17
A resolutely old-fashioned shop, strongest on non-fiction and with subjects meticulously categorised; there is even a section labelled 'Insects'. I got the impression that turnover is slow; the arts section contains almost nothing on practitioners working in the last 50 years. Railway and other transport holdings are especially impressive, and prices are reasonable. Well worth a shufty. Nicholas Sack 24.12.18
Nice little bookshop. I echo the other reviews: not a huge turnover of stock, but I never have a problem finding something interesting when I pop in every few months. Prices reasonable. Short drive to Oxted's The Secondhand Bookshop, so I usually head their after. (Oxted seems to have nicer cafes for lounging while admiring my purchases... perhaps TBG should have a section on reader friendly cafes!) TheWavesBroke 12.07.19
A second-hand bookshop of the traditional kind. Turnover is slow here these days and the stock in some sections is dated, but good things can be found. The fiction is slightly underwhelming; the shop is much stronger for non-fiction. But the fiction prices are on the low side, whereas the pricing for some of the non-fiction is a little ambitious. About ten shelves of general paperback fiction, mostly literary novels, a curious preponderance of which have blue spines, cheaply priced: mostly £2 and below; none over £3. Same prices for the crime fiction; the sci-fi is slightly cheaper. A small stock of vintage green Penguin crime novels in mostly good condition (£1.50 to £12). Also a reasonable selection of first edition hardbacks at mixed prices (some a bit high) and quite a lot of vintage children's books. Little drama. The poetry section is larger, but dated.
For non-fiction, the shop is exceptionally well-categorised. The "insects" section survives (with quite a good stock). "Tanks", "gypsies", "psychic", "spies/spying" and "Edward VIII/Mrs S." are among other niche categories. The main non-fiction strengths are literary biography, cricket, military, all forms of transport, music and film/theatre, including many biographies of performers. The history section is large, but of only middling quality, especially for English history - too many stodgy old volumes of limited appeal. Travel/exploration is also afflicted by a high proportion of dated dust-gatherers, as are theology and UK topography. Some smaller categories have quite good stock, for example criminology (true crime). The art section is of patchy quality. About 30 Observers (£3-£8) and the same number of Ladybirds (mostly £3 and below). The affable owner is coming up to 90 (hard to believe), but has no plans to retire.
The shop is up towards Caterham on the Hill, a steep climb of almost a mile from Caterham railway station, from which the 400, 409 and 411 buses (the last does not run at weekends) will get you there. Two other buses - the 404 from Coulsdon and the 466 from Addington via Croydon - stop at nearby Westway Common, without descending into Caterham Valley.
Next door to Chaldon Books is Emmaus (Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm): 800 books upstairs, general charity-shop fare, but cheap (hardbacks £2, paperbacks £1; children's books half of those prices) and a bookcase downstairs with individually priced vintage books. Booker T 19.05.25
For non-fiction, the shop is exceptionally well-categorised. The "insects" section survives (with quite a good stock). "Tanks", "gypsies", "psychic", "spies/spying" and "Edward VIII/Mrs S." are among other niche categories. The main non-fiction strengths are literary biography, cricket, military, all forms of transport, music and film/theatre, including many biographies of performers. The history section is large, but of only middling quality, especially for English history - too many stodgy old volumes of limited appeal. Travel/exploration is also afflicted by a high proportion of dated dust-gatherers, as are theology and UK topography. Some smaller categories have quite good stock, for example criminology (true crime). The art section is of patchy quality. About 30 Observers (£3-£8) and the same number of Ladybirds (mostly £3 and below). The affable owner is coming up to 90 (hard to believe), but has no plans to retire.
The shop is up towards Caterham on the Hill, a steep climb of almost a mile from Caterham railway station, from which the 400, 409 and 411 buses (the last does not run at weekends) will get you there. Two other buses - the 404 from Coulsdon and the 466 from Addington via Croydon - stop at nearby Westway Common, without descending into Caterham Valley.
Next door to Chaldon Books is Emmaus (Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm): 800 books upstairs, general charity-shop fare, but cheap (hardbacks £2, paperbacks £1; children's books half of those prices) and a bookcase downstairs with individually priced vintage books. Booker T 19.05.25
Dapdune Bookshed/GUILDFORD/Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road
The Dapdune Bookshed
Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road GUILDFORD GU1 4RR
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tel: 01483 561389 e-mail web
Open: varies according to season, check website
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Wide range of donated fiction and non-fiction, plus a large children’s selection, DVDs and CDs. No charge to visit the Bookshed.
I go here a couple of times each year. The excellent cafe has a long wall of novels whilst the separate, very large shed is a joy for novels and non-fiction. Dapdune Wharf is a half-mile walk from Guildford Station. It's National Trust but there's no entry charge for non-members. MikeB 10.09.24
If arriving from the centre of Guildford, you reach the tearoom first, with its 300 novels (£2) and 150 cookbooks (£2.50 to £4). But the cavernous bookshed - a minute or so further on - has a much bigger selection. The quality is typical charity shop, perhaps a little better for fiction, and some of the books are in rather iffy condition. However, the prices are low. Almost all of the paperback novels (and most of the hardbacks) are £2: dozens of shelves of general fiction; half a dozen shelves of classics; three of sci-fi/fantasy; and a huge number of crime novels on the central tables. Also a couple of dozen French-language novels (£1.50). Not much poetry or drama. A large and good selection of children's books (almost all £2 or less). The non-fiction is less impressive, although the better sections - history, transport, gardening, travel/walking and the natural world - could repay careful perusal as not everything in them is run-of-the-mill. Some of the smaller categories, such as waterways, local history, philosophy and science, are also worth a look. The books on music are quite varied. The art section is lacklustre, but the prices are low; the same goes for the few shelves of vintage books. Quite a large biography section, but mainly mass-market.
When the shed is unattended, put cash into the tin there, or pay by cash or card at the tearoom. The shed has level access, but a slightly uneven floor; the tearoom has internal and external steps. Dapdune Wharf is less than a mile from the Oxfam bookshop and a shorter walk from Guildford railway station. It can be reached by bus (2, 4, 20, 28 and 91) from the city centre; alight at the County Cricket Ground on Woodbridge Road. This is a nice location and there are pleasant walks to be had along the banks of the River Wey. Booker T 30.12.24
When the shed is unattended, put cash into the tin there, or pay by cash or card at the tearoom. The shed has level access, but a slightly uneven floor; the tearoom has internal and external steps. Dapdune Wharf is less than a mile from the Oxfam bookshop and a shorter walk from Guildford railway station. It can be reached by bus (2, 4, 20, 28 and 91) from the city centre; alight at the County Cricket Ground on Woodbridge Road. This is a nice location and there are pleasant walks to be had along the banks of the River Wey. Booker T 30.12.24
Very few books now on display in the tearoom. In the large shed I manage to eke out 5 novels (£2 each) but on this visit my overall impression was of low quality paperbacks. There are better quality and more modern fiction books to be found in charity/second-hand bookshops within an hour of my home. MikeB 15.05.25
East Surrey Museum/CATERHAM/1 Stafford Road
East Surrey Museum
1 Stafford Road CATERHAM CR3 6JG
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tel: 01883 340275 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday & Thursday 10.00 - 5.00, Saturday 10.30 - 4.00
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Small stock of second-hand local history books in the shop in the reception area. Free to visit.
The shop at the East Surrey Museum - all parts of which are free to visit - has a small but good-quality selection of second-hand local history books, with a marked focus on this part of the county. Prominent among these are the books and journals of the Bourne Society, the local history society for north-east Surrey, including areas now in the London borough of Croydon. There are a few hundred second-hand books and booklets, including some on broader aspects of history, but the shop is only really worth a visit for those whose interest is the local area.
The museum is on the corner of Stafford Road and Church Hill, a minute's walk from Caterham railway station. Buses from East Grinstead (400, 409), Crawley (400), Sutton and West Croydon (407), Redhill (400), Reigate/Redhill (411, no weekend service) and Coulsdon (434) all stop nearby. Booker T 19.05.25
The museum is on the corner of Stafford Road and Church Hill, a minute's walk from Caterham railway station. Buses from East Grinstead (400, 409), Crawley (400), Sutton and West Croydon (407), Redhill (400), Reigate/Redhill (411, no weekend service) and Coulsdon (434) all stop nearby. Booker T 19.05.25
Hampton Court Emporium/EAST MOLESEY/52-54 Bridge Road
Hampton Court Emporium
52-54 Bridge Road Hampton Court EAST MOLESEY KT8 9HA
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tel: 01252 782201 web
Open: Open Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.30, Sunday from 11.00.
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A mixture of good Secondhand & Antiquarian hardback books (usually about 1,000 books on view) within a 30 dealer Antique Centre. Mainly non-fiction but usually some good classics, including books on Transport, Biography, Travel, Topography, Architecture, Science, etc. Across the bridge from the Palace with a few other Antique shops close by.
In reality, just a mishmash of odds and ends. Certainly no antiquarian. The only discernible 'section' comprised a hundred or two very tired children's books. Muggins 17.10.14
Don't agree above. This had a number of small units with a variety of fairly decent books. OK not for the antique book dealer but for the general reader/collector like me not at all bad and low prices. Norman Davies 07.04.16
A gross exaggeration. Perhaps a couple of hundred miscellaneous odds and ends. No discernible subject sections. No antiquarian at all. Charity shop fare, at best. Stephen Miller 06.10.22
Haslemere Bookshop/HASLEMERE/2 Causewayside, High Street
The Haslemere Bookshop
2 Causewayside, High Street HASLEMERE GU27 2JZ
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tel: 01428 652952 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30- 5,00
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Long-established shop selling new and second-hand books. Extensive second-hand stock on the first floor.
This commendably good shop, established several decades ago, has been unaccountably absent from TBG until now. The current owner, Ian, took it over in 2014 and has improved it significantly, not least by rejuvenating the second-hand section. The second-hand books are in the three rooms upstairs; the new books are downstairs. The second-hand stock is generally quite a solid one. The fiction is predominantly paperback, but there is a wide selection. Other categories with a good stock include history, biography, politics, art and natural history. Also a decent range of children's books. This is a thriving shop in a pleasant and affluent town, and worth checking out. At the 2022 British Book Awards, it was judged the best independent bookshop in south-east England. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. I have visited half a dozen times over the years (most recently in 2022) and have never left empty-handed. Booker T 20.04.24
Holybourne Rare Books/FARNHAM/16 Lion and Lamb Yard
Holybourne Rare Books
16 Lion and Lamb Yard FARNHAM GU9 7LL
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tel: 01420 82808 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 5.00, Saturday 10.30 - 5.00, Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
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Modern first editions, antiquarian books, fine bindings. New branch, opened in mid-2024, of Holybourne Rare Books (long-established in Alton, Hants). Situated in the town centre and open seven days a week.
This is now the main of the two bookshops under this brand. It's not enormous with maybe a few thousand books. With either of the shops I'd recommend calling ahead as they can be a little tight on staff. Nigel who owns the business is an affable dealer interested in buying and selling and a member of the trade associations, he can be found at many of the book fairs. The strength here is high quality fiction at the £30 to £1000+ price range. The years are from pre-war to present day. Highlights I noted were a set of all four first editions of the Richard Osman books. Actual firsts at £120 for the set, beautiful condition for books which scuff very easily. Also signed JK Rowling at a not unreasonable price (with hologram) He knows his stuff, runs a professional outfit and is charming. Plenty of on street parking near by (follow signs for Waitrose) or Farnham train station is a 15 minute walk through town. WAD misterg 20.05.25
JW McKenzie Cricket Books/EWELL/12 Stoneleigh Park Road
JW McKenzie Cricket Books
12 Stoneleigh Park Road EWELL KT19 0QT
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tel: 020 8393 7700 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00.
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Specialist stock of cricket and some theatre books.
Downstairs stock is very good. Upstairs is better. Locked room (opened under supervision) magnificent. This shop is for the very serious collector. Chris Harte 14.04.09
Oxfam Books and Music/FARNHAM/4 East Street
Oxfam Books and Music
4 East Street FARNHAM GU9 7RX
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tel: 01252 821354 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
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We offer a wider selection of books than most shops, from modern fiction and leisure interest to more specialist subjects, classics, and rare or collectable books.
Good quality books on all subjects at a reasonable price. John Bacon
Well worth a visit - a good stock for a charity shop including some collectables. Herne 25.11.11
Does not seem to getting the stock like it used to when it was a really top notch shop to buy books but still worth a visit. John Bacon 18.04.16
Absolutely bog standard Oxfam bookshop if a little larger than many which gives it some room for breathing. Usual sections, usual quality, usual pricing.
This could be an Oxfam anywhere, perhaps, given the local demographic it is marginally better than some. misterg 06.04.25
This could be an Oxfam anywhere, perhaps, given the local demographic it is marginally better than some. misterg 06.04.25
Oxfam Bookshop/CRANLEIGH/168 The High Street
Oxfam Bookshop
168 The High Street CRANLEIGH GU6 8RG
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tel: 01483 275 956
The usual Oxfam Bookshop with a wide range of books on most subjects prices slightly higher than other similar shops but not too bad. The one at Farnham not that far away in the same borough of Waverley I think is similar but prices are lower and is heavily frequented, always find books to buy there. John Bacon 19.07.14
Decent size stock. Quite a large and varied history section, including military but not limited to. No antiquarian but some older children's stuff. Prices ... slightly higher than some charity shops but by no means the worst I've seen (£2.95 each for 3 fairly recent history PBs). Good shop if you're in the area. Flip M 30.01.16
Oxfam Bookshop/GUILDFORD/220 High Street
Oxfam Bookshop
220 High Street GUILDFORD GU1 3JD
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tel: 01483 504257 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30
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We sell a wide range of subjects including fiction, literature, history, academic subjects, travel & languages, leisure etc. Out of print & collectable books. We also have a stamp section and a large music section selling c.d.s, vinyl, sheet music and books on music.
A very good Oxfam shop with largish history and literature sections. Sputnikchaser 03.03.12
Usual Oxfam fare, very helpful staff if a little pricey. Steve Newman 14.08.12
A long, narrow shop - which makes browsing difficult - on two levels, with four steps between them. The stock is quite good and the prices generally low. Three dozen shelves of mass/mid-market paperback novels (almost all £1.99), with some literary fiction among these. About 80 recent hardback novels, from trashy to rarefied (£2.99/£3.49). Half a dozen shelves of classic fiction (paperbacks £1.99; hardbacks £2.99) and the same amount of sci-fi (paperbacks £1.99 to £4.99; hardback prices very varied). A dozen shelves of paperback crime fiction, mainly fairly recent (mostly £1.99, some £2.99). Four shelves of "last chance to buy" paperbacks and another four of random Penguins, Puffins and Pelicans, all 99p. About 50 Folio Society volumes - quite a few uncased - generally around the £5 mark. The poetry and drama sections are small and unexciting. A fair amount of foreign-language fiction (French, German and Spanish; typically £1.49). The selection of children's books is unusually good (mostly £1.99). The "antiquarian/collectable" books - almost 20 shelves - are overpriced but are above the usual Oxfam standard, with some interesting vintage children's titles currently among them.
For non-fiction, the best sections are history and military (a dozen shelves of each) and sport. Quite good for politics, transport, cookery, crafts, gardening and travel. OS maps £1.99. For art books, the choice is limited, but the quality is fairly good and the prices low. The biography section is largely mass-market; literary biographies are shelved separately, near the classic fiction. The music books are nothing special, but a decent selection of scores. Stamps and old postcards also available. The shop is about a 10-minute walk from the main Guildford railway station, slightly less from the Friary bus station, and not much more than five from London Road railway station. Booker T 29.12.24
For non-fiction, the best sections are history and military (a dozen shelves of each) and sport. Quite good for politics, transport, cookery, crafts, gardening and travel. OS maps £1.99. For art books, the choice is limited, but the quality is fairly good and the prices low. The biography section is largely mass-market; literary biographies are shelved separately, near the classic fiction. The music books are nothing special, but a decent selection of scores. Stamps and old postcards also available. The shop is about a 10-minute walk from the main Guildford railway station, slightly less from the Friary bus station, and not much more than five from London Road railway station. Booker T 29.12.24
As usual it is impossible to argue with BookerT's impeccable analysis. Emerged with 5 signed first editions in various genres and change from £20 so in Oxfam terms that's a win. The Oxfam Chocolate Creep continues unabated with a few less shelves of books and a few more of Tony's.
Was impressed by the quality of the perhaps 120 hardback fiction. Plenty to choose from. misterg 20.05.25
Was impressed by the quality of the perhaps 120 hardback fiction. Plenty to choose from. misterg 20.05.25
Oxfam Bookshop/REIGATE/66 High Street
Oxfam Bookshop
66 High Street REIGATE RH2 9AP
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tel: 01737 248316
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 4.30, Saturday 9.30 - 5.00
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Collectors edition books as well as popular fiction, non-fiction, academic books and CDs.
Unusually for Oxfam, this has the homely feel of an established bookshop. There are some uncommon titles among generally good quality stock, as befits this prosperous part of Surrey. Also sells CDs and small potted plants. Cheerful staff. Well worth a shufty. Nicholas Sack 30.05.19
Have been here many times and invariably leave empty handed. Grossly overpriced. Mandalay Bookshop 13.06.19
This shop goes from bad to worse. Notwithstanding the crazy prices, the stock never changes. I am still seeing the same books from last year. No more wasting my time in this apology for a bookshop. Mandalay Bookshop 21.08.19
Popped in briefly. Paperbacks still expensive at £3.50! MikeB 23.09.24
Sam Beare Hospice Bookshop/EGHAM/The White House, 55 High Street
Sam Beare Hospice Bookshop
The White House, 55 High Street EGHAM TW20 9EX
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tel: 01784 431 832 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00
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Books, comics, vinyl and more. proceeds go to the running of the hospice and care services. Two hours free parking at Egham library, see website for details.
A clean, friendly place with a wide assortment of very reasonably priced books in all categories. Mandalay Bookshop 30.03.12
Charming, helpful staff and a large collection of all kinds of books very reasonably priced. Well worth a visit. Mandalay Emporium 24.11.14
Excellent shop with books on all subjects neatly laid out. John Bacon 13.02.16
What a joy to return to this shop after an absence of a few years and to find not only the same two charming and helpful ladies still there, but also the usual wonderful, fairly priced stock. A real treat. Mandalay Bookshop 24.03.19
Sam Beare Hospice Bookshop/WEYBRIDGE/11 High Street
Sam Beare Hospice Bookshop
11 High Street WEYBRIDGE KT13 8AX
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tel: 01932 239395 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00
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Quality donated books all sorted into categories. The books are priced competitively and include a wide range of hardbacks and paperbacks.
Bit disappointing. Excellent only really for newish paperbacks Oxfam type shop. Good cause though. Norman Davies 14.08.12
I could have sworn I found out about this delightful bookshop from rave comments on the thebookguide, but there's nothing, so that's a bit of a puzzle, but here's what I found. We bought 8 good-condition paperbacks for a bit less than £3 average cost. It's a bright, well laid-out shop, a real pleasure to browse. There's a short video on their website (https://wsbh.org.uk/support-us/shop-with-us/find-local-charity-shop/weybridge-bookshop/). I can't comment on whether there is much here for antiquarians but for the general reader it's well worth a visit. I hope to check out the Egham branch in due course. MikeB 21.03.25
Surrey Hills Books/CRANLEIGH/7 Ewhurst Road
Surrey Hills Books
7 Ewhurst Road CRANLEIGH GU6 7AA
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tel: 01483 272044 and 07912 405208 e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00
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Specialises in modern first editions, signed copies.
A high-quality stock at this small and very nicely laid-out shop, which opened in October 2022. Between 1,000 and 1,500 books on display at any one time, but always more just waiting to fill any gaps on the shelves. In addition to first editions and signed books, there is a small but good antiquarian selection, as well as biographies, art and design, classic fiction, poetry and children's books. The vast majority are in very good condition. The affable proprietor, Richard Cornelius (formerly co-owner of Worlds End Bookshop on Kings Road in Chelsea), is very knowledgeable and chooses his stock carefully. Prices range from about £10 to well into three figures, but are generally not unreasonable for the quality/scarcity of the books. Booker T 20.04.24
UCE Charity Bookstall/EGHAM/United Church of Egham, High Street
UCE Charity Bookstall
United Church of Egham, High Street EGHAM TW20 9EX
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tel: 01784 433645 e-mail web
Open: 9.00 - 6.00, one Friday per month, see website. No stall in January, August or December.
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Large-scale monthly church bookstall to raise funds for local charities.
The United Church of Egham operates this all-day Friday bookstall on only nine days per year, but it has grown from humble origins (the stall had just 42 books at its inception in 2000) to a huge scale. It now consists of upwards of 10,000 volumes, spanning a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and children's books, as well as a large vintage and antiquarian stock. The less exalted books are placed spine upwards in plastic containers, so they can simply be brought out of storage without having to be arranged on shelves. The books are sorted by category/author. If the weather forecast is fine, some of the tables are arranged outside the church, but otherwise the event takes place wholly in the church itself. The Friday book days raise over £1,000 per month; a different local charity receives £500 of the proceeds, with the balance going to the church's charity reserves, for future distribution.
The United Church of Egham is in the town centre, next to the Red Lion pub, and about a five-minute walk from Egham railway station. Buses from Staines (routes 8, 441, 500), Slough and Windsor (8), and Frimley and Camberley (500) stop near the church. Booker T 02.02.25
The United Church of Egham is in the town centre, next to the Red Lion pub, and about a five-minute walk from Egham railway station. Buses from Staines (routes 8, 441, 500), Slough and Windsor (8), and Frimley and Camberley (500) stop near the church. Booker T 02.02.25