Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
News:
Bosorne Books has closed
Newlyn Books has closed
Abbey Bookshop has closed
Oxfam Launceston is no longer a bookshop
Bookends of Fowey has closed
Just Books Truro is now online only
New listing Trelissick NT nr Truro
Shrew Books Fowey now stocks secondhand books
New shop Women in Word (The Hypatia Trust) Penzance
The Bookspace Helston has closed
Willow Books Redruth has closed
New listing Into the Realm St Austell
The Book Shop Liskeard now only sells new books
Just Books of Truro has reopened in Falmouth
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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Barton Books/PENZANCE/45 Causewayhead
Barton Books
45 Causewayhead PENZANCE TR18 2SS
map
tel:
01736 363300 e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Friday 10.00 - 4.00, Saturday 10-3.00.
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A carefully selected range of secondhand books on Art and Literature, chosen to complement the shop's new books which specialise in all things visual and creative. Visit for beautiful new and secondhand books, greeting cards and the occasional print or painting.
Beerwolf Books/FALMOUTH/3 Bells Court
Beerwolf Books
3 Bells Court FALMOUTH TR11 3AZ
map
tel:
01326 618474 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 12.00, Sunday 12.00 - 11.00.
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Books from £3, beers and ciders from £2.90.
One large room within the pub. Several browsers present during our visit, but surprisingly few drinkers. Wessexman 25.08.21
Bonython Bookshop/TRURO/16 Kenwyn Street
Bonython Bookshop
16 Kenwyn Street TRURO TR1 3BU
map
tel:
01872 262886 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
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General secondhand stock, Cornish history and topography, art and children's books. TBG
An interesting medium-sized shop with a few items worthy of a second glance. Good for the general reader. Chris Harte 20.04.10
Nice shop, but seemingly with a slow turnover of stock; I visit about three times a year with little visible change. Part of this is because of pricing; everything slightly higher than expected (£6 for non-mint Penguin classic?) C Pittard 31.10.11
Visited again after about ten years and recognised many of the same books. Nothing for the trade. Overpriced. J Jones 06.04.13
Interesting general selection with some goodies but very expensive prices for an individual buyer. Norman Davies 02.07.13
Have to agree with previous comments about prices - they were more than I was prepared to pay (especially given the condition of the two titles I had considered buying). In addition, some books were haphazardly placed where they would be at extra risk of sustaining further damage. Having said that, there were some rather interesting titles for those who do not frequent this shop on a regular basis. Graeme Rendall 18.09.14
Always looks hopeful but somehow I never find anything worth buying. Prices vary from high to very high, which no doubt accounts for slow turnover. CC 26.01.15
Can only re-iterate previous comments re very high prices here. David 29.09.17
When will s/h bookshops wake up. Ridiculously high prices. No sales, stale stock. Bazza 23.12.17
Very nice Bookshop. Always enjoy visiting. Great selection of stock at a reasonable price. Very satisfied. MC 15.01.18
Nine years since my last visit and nothing seemed to have changed. Cluttered single room with no access to rear which was stacked. Good on Cornish material but nothing else to get excited about. Chris Harte 09.04.19
Good selection of quality books especially Cornish interest although the cluttered nature of the shop renders some stock inaccessible! Ghost of Driff 08.10.21
Bookmark/FALMOUTH/34 Arwenack Street
Bookmark
34 Arwenack Street FALMOUTH TR11 3JB
map
tel:
01326 211252 e-mail web 
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Specialising in maritime, Cornish history, art, military history, aviation and transportation. We also have fiction, classics, poetry, plays and some much more quirky and rare titles. Our main speciality is kindness, smiling and the human touch something missing from clicking on a mouse.
General secondhand books on two floors. TBG
Probably the second best bookshop in Cornwall. Well worth a hours' search if you can find somewhere to park. Most helpful assistant for whom nothing was too much bother. Strong on nautical matters. Chris Harte 20.04.10
Bit of a Driff Special. We used the Park and Ride. Steven 05.11.11
Splendid selection for the transport/nautical enthusiast and worth a visit. Variable condition of some books though. Take the train to ease the strain ... Norman Davies 02.07.13
Not nearly as impressive as it was a few years ago, when there were three floors; stock now seems stagnant and overpriced (sometimes laughably so). Owner seems visibly annoyed when I leave without buying anything... CP 08.01.14
Quite a lot packed into this smallish shop on two/three floors on the main shopping street. We did not have enough time to do it justice, so a return trip is needed. Wessexman 25.08.21
A proper old fashioned secondhand bookshop on 2 floors, some books on floor and a little untidy. Strong on maritime and local books. Other sections, cookery, biography, etc charity shop level at best, dated and in some cases in poor condition. Odd signs about not taking photos of books to then buy online (surely signs like that won’t stop those who will do it anyway but make genuine browsers feel uneasy) Pricing slightly erratic, eg modern paperback thrillers £2.50 but tatty (and therefore not collectible) Agatha Christie paperbacks £5. Falmouth has 2 secondhand bookshops so worth a visit but I only came away with purchases from a charity shop HB 08.06.22
Bosco Books /EAST LOOE/The Old Hall Bookshop Chapel Court Shutta Road
Bosco Books
The Old Hall Bookshop Chapel Court Shutta Road EAST LOOE PL13 1BJ
map
tel:
01503 263700 web
Open: Monday Tuesday Friday & Saturday 12.30 - 4.30
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Large general stock and local, military, natural and nautical history. Also prints, maps and original paintings.
Good general stock and fair prices. Pondcott 30.03.11
Worth a detour and, while in Looe, check out the TocH secondhand room near the main car-park: a true Driff Special of charity shops. Steven 05.11.11
Well worth a visit. Great stock & prices. Friendly & helpful owner. Dick Leaper 30.08.18
Not open on a Thursday morning visit after a hike up a steep narrow hill. Chris Harte 26.04.19
The owners have appointed a manager who now does regular hours throughout the year. This is a gem of a bookshop - well worth visiting. It's not easy to find - as another reviewer says, it's up a steep hill behind the main shopping street. PLF 27.07.21
Unfortunately not worth the steep climb - substantial stock but nothing to tempt the serious buyer or browser. NWAD like many bookshops around here unfortunately. Ghost of Driff 06.10.21
Excellent bookshop open as advertised in early July. Good general stock, well laid out, with a good local history section. Easy to find - go along Fore St towards the sea, I'd advise not taking the narrow steep steps up to Shutta rd by the pharmacy but go a little further on and walk up Shutta St itself. Probably not WAD, but definitely worth a visit if in the area. Paul H 10.08.22
Churchill Books and Antiques/TRURO/The Coinage Hall
Churchill Books and Antiques
The Coinage Hall Boscawen Street TRURO TR1 2QU
map
tel:
01872 273799
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30.
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A room mostly devoted to secondhand books across the hall from Clifford Gibbs Golf Collectables.
Stronger on non-fiction and WWAD for golfing books. Also worth a look for sports books in general, particularly sailing. Steven Whitehead 04.08.12
Interesting selection. Prices varied but worth a look as some quite well priced. David 29.09.17
Plus one (or should that be plus fours?) to both comments above. Steven 30.10.17
Good clean stock, prices vary, very helpful owner. Great golf selection. Bazza 23.12.17
Excellent for golf in one room. Main area heavy on Folio Society but the impression was that much was for the well-heeled tourists. Chris Harte 09.04.19
Cornish Bookworm/HAYLE/Foundry Shopping Village (formerly Pratt_s Market)
Cornish Bookworm
Foundry Shopping Village (formerly Pratt's Market) Chapel Terrace Foundry Square HAYLE TR27 4AB
map
tel:
07729 759 315 e-mail
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 11.00 - 4.00.
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Wide range of Cornish Books including family history, archaeology, mining, marine, antiquity, literature and local history. Leather books and fine bindings bought and sought. Please note times may vary. Please feel free to telephone to check opening times especially if travelling.
Deja-Vu Antiques and Books/LOSTWITHIEL/31 Fore Street
Deja-Vu Antiques and Books
31 Fore Street LOSTWITHIEL PL22 0BN
map
tel:
01208 873912
Open: Monday - Saturday: 10.30ish - 5.00-ish.
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An antiques shop with a carefully selected stock of some 2,000 books. Subjects include: local history and Cornish topography, art, antiques, cookery, and some fiction.
Not a bad selection of books at all and if one added together all the books in all the antique shops in town it is worth a visit - and the main car park is free. Steven Whitehead 04.08.12
Just 600 or so books and nothing to excite the serious buyer. NWAD. Ghost of Driff 06.10.21
I was in Lostwithiel last month and did most of the antique shops in town, but did not come across this one. Did I miss it or has it gone? None of the other antique shops here have many books. PaulH 12.05.23
I was in Lostwithiel last month and did most of the antique shops in town, but did not come across this one. Did I miss it or has it gone? None of the other antique shops here have many books. PaulH 12.05.23
Now seems to be a gift shop. TBG2 12.05.23
Dunamis/LISKEARD/22 Fore Street
Dunamis
22 Fore Street LISKEARD PL14 3JB
map
tel:
07453 351710 e-mail
Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 10.00 - 3.00.
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Modern first editions, annuals and comics on the ground floor. A small stock of general secondhand books on the first floor.
A small stock of modern first editions and general secondhand books over two floors. In combination with Jack Ryder’s bookshop makes a visit to Liskeard worthwhile for a book hunter. Simon 19.08.19
Saturday 2nd Oct - shop closed at 1300hrs no clues why. Sign on doors shows Tue, Thur, Sat 10 to 2.30. Waste of a trip! Ghost of Driff 02.10.21
Open as advertised in early July. Along with an extensive stock of devotional/religious texts a reasonable selection of second-hand titles over two floors, worth at least a quick look if in town. Paul H 10.08.22
Greenbank Books/FALMOUTH/9 Old High Street
Greenbank Books
9 Old High Street FALMOUTH TR11 2AB
map
tel:
07876 454357 e-mail
Open: Monday - Friday 10.30 - 5.00.
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General stock with special interest in Maritime, Motoring, Railways, Art, Architecture, Design & Crafts, Children's Books and Cornish History.
Good general selection contained within a single room: I was particularly impressed by the extensive railway selection. Prices were in line with other establishments visited in the county. Graeme Rendall 18.09.14
Worth the short walk up the hill from the main shopping area, this is a well stocked and neatly laid out shop. Wessexman 25.08.21
Hurley Books/MEVAGISSEY/3 Jetty Street
Hurley Books
3 Jetty Street MEVAGISSEY PL26 6UH
map
tel:
01726 842200 e-mail web
Open: Monday -Saturday 10.00 - 5.00 (9.00 - 6.00 in summer).
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A good range of secondhand titles - particularly children's, railways and Cornish interest, and some new books.
Idler/REDRUTH/74 Fore Street
The Idler
74 Fore Street REDRUTH TR15 2AT
map
tel:
07934 204 820 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30
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Antiquarian and mostly pre 1960 books. American comics from 1940's. Large selection of theological books from 1650 to present day. A good selection of signed by the author books. 3 minute walk from Redruth rail station.
This shop was the surprise package during my West Country trip. The owner (who used to have a shop in London) is building up an excellent stock. He showed me recent auction purchases which were real collectors' items. Prices were so reasonable that I left with a bagload gleaned from the very well classified shelves. Well worth a visit, more especially after next month's extra shelving has been erected. Chris Harte 09.04.19
Passing through and chanced a stop. Glad I did met by a happy Hammer and found a couple of bargains. Sadly Redruth is a little neglected so shops like this need all the support we can give. Will return on my next trip. Bazza 18.09.23
Into the Realm/ST AUSTELL/Units 7 _ 9, The Market House, Market Street
Into the Realm
Units 7 & 9, The Market House, Market Street ST AUSTELL PL25 5QB
map
tel:
07919 361580 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.00
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Independent retailer, established in 2014, dedicated to second-hand comics and sci-fi and fantasy books. Also manga. Large stock, including many elusive titles.
Into the Realm occupies two units in St Austell's historic Market House. In Unit No.7 are tens of thousands of comics - modern, back-issue and vintage - from the 1960s onwards, including many from US publishers (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, among others) as well as UK ones (Judge Dredd, Warrior etc). Unit No.9 contains hundreds of second-hand sci-fi and fantasy books. Well-known series such as Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who feature prominently, but the stock of sci-fi books is wide-ranging. The shop is in the centre of St Austell and only a short walk from the railway station. It is the only specialist sci-fi and comics retailer for many miles around, so if these are your interests, it is well worth a visit. Booker T 02.07.24
Jack Ryder Books/LISKEARD/10 Pike Street
Jack Ryder Books
10 Pike Street LISKEARD PL14 3JE
map
tel:
07889 865882 e-mail
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 4.00 (summer 5.00)
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Books bought and sold. Specialist subjects Cornish interest, military history, natural history, art books, trains and transport, general antiquarian, collectible children's books.
I believe that Jack also runs Mainly Books which is situated on the edge of the town's market site. Phil 21.08.15
Most enjoyable chance visit today 1 August 2016. Owner knows his stock and immediately able to identify that he had what I was after. Brian Shacklady 05.08.16
Good general secondhand bookshop. Wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles. Owner is ETGOW. Simon Procter 21.08.19
Just Books/FALMOUTH/4 St Georges Arcade Church Street
Just Books
4 St Georges Arcade Church Street FALMOUTH TR11 3DH
map
tel:
01326 619862 e-mail web
Open: Most afternoons except Wednesday and Sunday.
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Small bookshop with large stock of books on Cornwall. Was in Truro, now reopened in Falmouth after a year online.
Gorgeous little shop. No rubbish at all, just a fantastic selection of books for casual shoppers and serious collectors alike. Small and crammed full of books, but also well laid out. A treasure trove. fastandbulbous
Hidden away in a mews with the owner somewhat startled by a request for anything pre-war or Victorian. Nice reading material but nothing collectable. Chris Harte 20.04.10
Shop has moved from the middle to the end of the mews since my last visit. The stock is interesting and fairly priced (for readers and collectors rather than dealers) and the owner ETGOW. Steven Whitehead 19.04.12
The selection of books on offer was worth the effort in seeking this establishment out and the prices were reasonable. However, on arrival, there was nobody "minding the store", but two men were having a rather frequently innuendo-laden discussion just outside the doorway which could be heard by both passers-by and my wife, who felt that this was extremely inappropriate, especially when one invited the other in for a coffee and the conversation continued in a similar vein in the downstairs part of the shop. On selecting a few titles, I went downstairs to pay for them, and found what appeared to be the shopkeeper having a different conversation with another passer-by in the alleyway outside (the first having seemingly vanished). My presence near the till was noted but ignored - this continued for several minutes until I was almost on the point of leaving the books behind and walking out. The shopkeeper made some apology about "having to talk to people and finish our conversation" although I would have expected him to ask to be excused whilst he dealt with me - rather than keep me waiting. A second customer had also appeared in the meantime and was similarly unimpressed - and also having a business card half-thrown at him when he asked whether he could sell some books. Not impressed! Graeme Rendall 18.09.14
Great shop. Always satisfied even when I haven't bought anything. Slightly cramped but that's mainly because it's packed with stock, which changes regularly enough for me (I visit once a year or so). The division over two floors works wonderfully: ground floor feels more selected, upper floor feels more like a lucky dip. Always spot something interesting in the books displayed cover-out too. Strong on local history, natural history, art, classic fiction, but at least a few things in every area. BSJ 06.10.16
Plus one to BSJ's comment above. Steven 30.10.17
Now closed on Tuesdays, so the town's other dealers told me, after I had been on a worthless visit. Chris Harte 09.04.19
Open Tues to Sat in summer, good selection, especially Books on Cornwall. Guido 13.08.19
Some decent Cornish material and plenty of good mp/b fiction but most other sections of lowish quality. Ghost of Driff 08.10.21
Great news, and a rare occurrence. This shop has returned to bricks and mortar after a year online. TBG2 10.08.24
Loe Books /LAUNCESTON/Landreyne Manor, Coads Green
Loe Books
Landreyne Manor, Coads Green LAUNCESTON PL15 7LZ
map
tel:
01566 782528, mob: 07407 708310 e-mail web
Open: 7 days 9.00 - 5.00 by appointment.
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Natural History, general antiquarian, specialising in the New Naturalist Series. Stock (over 6000 books) is held in a converted barn and several rooms, well organised.
Oxfam Bookshop/TRURO/9 New Bridge Street
Oxfam Bookshop
9 New Bridge Street TRURO TR1 2AA
map
tel:
01872 264765 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00
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No longer a specialist bookshop! Not even the usual charity book shelves. Martin Roberts 09.04.19
Their Facebook page seems to show that it is very much a bookshop again now, with interesting items of stock mentioned. Time for a reviewer to visit? Adrian 10.08.24
I live in Cornwall and visit Truro every couple of months. This Oxfam branch is quite small but has a perfectly respectable range of books for a small town. Inevitably, it isn't of the size or range of Exeter or Tavistock but if in Truro, one should definitely visit. The shop is next to the much larger general Oxfam store which has a few books too, mostly cookery from memory. [I wonder if the earlier reviewer might have strayed into the main Oxfam shop and not spotted the adjacent book shop tucked beyond it. It's been there for years (and was definitely there in 2019)].
Truro is a very fine-looking town and has about 4 bookshops (including Oxfam) plus Trelissick Gardens about 4 miles away, which I rate the best one in the area. PLF 12.11.24
Shrew Books/FOWEY/4 South Street
Shrew Books
4 South Street FOWEY PL23 1AR
map
tel:
01726 833361 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.30- 5.00
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Mainly new books, but also a second-hand section.
Shrew Books - which in 2020 took over the premises from Bookends (formerly featured in TBG) - now sells second-hand books as well as new ones. Booker T 02.05.24
Trelissick National Trust/TRURO/Feock
Trelissick National Trust
Feock TRURO TR3 6QL
map
tel:
01872 862090 e-mail web
Open: 10.00 - 16.30 but check website
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About 4 miles South of Truro. Large range of books across 3 rooms. The biggest NT bookshop in Devon and Cornwall. Parking charge or NT membership needed to visit the bookshop.
Wadebridge Book Shop/WADEBRIDGE/43 Molesworth Street
Wadebridge Book Shop
43 Molesworth Street WADEBRIDGE PL27 7DR
map
tel:
01208 812489 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
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A New bookshop with a whole room full of secondhand books.
Small book room with only a few hundred books. Nothing of interest, better available in local charity shops! NWAD. Ghost of Driff 06.10.21
Small back room with books crammed in. Stock a little tired and priced rather optimistically. BAT (bring a torch). There are also a couple of charity shops in Wadebridge with a better-than-average book offering, but alas nothing really to make the town a book destination. Paul H 10.08.22
Women in Word (The Hypatia Trust)/PENZANCE/Lower Ground Floor, The Regent, 54 Chapel Street
Women in Word (The Hypatia Trust)
Lower Ground Floor, The Regent, 54 Chapel Street PENZANCE TR18 4AE
map
e-mail web
Open: Wednesday - Friday 11.00 - 3.00, Saturday 12.00 - 3.00
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Second-hand and new books, all by female authors, including novels, poetry and social history. The entrance to the premises is on Custom House Lane.
The Hypatia Trust is a charity that celebrates the achievements of women in literature, art and science. In 2022 it opened this bookshop to promote the works of female authors, past and present. Booker T 03.05.24
