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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

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Open at advertised times   Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling   Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary   Appointment necessary
Status unknown, update requested 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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A Novel Idea (was Rethink Bookshop)/GODALMING/9 Queen Street
A Novel Idea (was Rethink Bookshop)  Open at advertised times
9 Queen Street   GODALMING   GU7 1BA
map
tel: 01483 415950 
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Donated secondhand books and mental health resource centre.


Blacklocks Bookshop/EGHAM/8 Victoria Street
Blacklocks Bookshop  Appointment necessary
8 Victoria Street  Englefield Green   EGHAM   TW20 0QY
map
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  Appointment necessary
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   Open at advertised times
Christique  11 West Street    DORKING  RH4 1BL
map
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  Open at advertised times
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

Dapdune Bookshed/GUILDFORD/Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road
The Dapdune Bookshed   Phone before travelling
Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road  GUILDFORD  GU1 4RR
map
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

Hampton Court Emporium/EAST MOLESEY/52-54 Bridge Road
Hampton Court Emporium  Open at advertised times
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  Open at advertised times
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  Open at advertised times
16 Lion and Lamb Yard  FARNHAM  GU9 7LL
map
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.


JW McKenzie Cricket Books/EWELL/12 Stoneleigh Park Road
JW McKenzie Cricket Books  Open at advertised times
12 Stoneleigh Park Road   EWELL   KT19 0QT
map
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  Open at advertised times
4 East Street   FARNHAM   GU9 7RX
map
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

Oxfam Bookshop/CRANLEIGH/168 The High Street
Oxfam Bookshop  Phone before travelling
168 The High Street   CRANLEIGH   GU6 8RG
map
tel: 01483 275 956 
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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  Open at advertised times
220 High Street   GUILDFORD   GU1 3JD
map
tel: 01483 504257  web 
Open:  Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30, Sunday 12.00 - 4.00.
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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

Oxfam Bookshop/REIGATE/66 High Street
Oxfam Bookshop  Open at advertised times
66 High Street   REIGATE   RH2 9AP
map
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/69 High Street
Sam Beare Hospice Bookshop  Open at advertised times
69 High Street   EGHAM   TW20 9EY
map
tel: 01784 431063 
Open:  Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 4.30.
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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/7 High Street
Sam Beare Hospice Bookshop  Open at advertised times
7 High Street   WEYBRIDGE   KT13 8AZ
map
tel: 01932 857103 
Open:  Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 4.30.
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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

Surrey Hills Books/CRANLEIGH/7 Ewhurst Road
Surrey Hills Books  Open at advertised times
7 Ewhurst Road  CRANLEIGH  GU6 7AA
map
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