Bookshops in Southern/Isle of Wight

Babushka Books/SHANKLIN/67 Regent Street

Babushka Books Open at advertised times

67 Regent Street SHANKLIN PO37 7AE

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tel: 01983 652880 e-mail web

Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.45.

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22.12.18. After nearly 7 years we have now moved from our little shop in Carter Road and have completed our takeover of The Shanklin Gallery (Regent St).

Pleased to see that the stock has expanded greatly since it was taken over last year. Now with a great selection of non fiction to go with the masses of p/b fiction. Looks cleaner, and much more organized. Came away with a little bundle and very happy! Fei 17.04.09

Funky little bookshop, cool younger atmosphere, the ceiling is covered in pictures of their customers with their purchases! They had wifi too which was good, interesting window display too! will be back! - Coco 22.06.11

Recently relocated, now somewhat off the tourist trail, but presumably cheaper rent and more space. Steve Newman 14.06.12

In their move Babushka books got in a muddle with biblio.com and consequently lost some sales, as some books never re-surfaced. However they gave exemplary service by crediting me with a higher value than the book originally ordered. Mary C 26.07.12

Second visit to this small but well stocked shop. Great selection of titles and a good section on Isle of Wight books. I came away with two further books on Isle of Wight railways. Reasonably priced and a friendly, helpful owner. SteveBrissle 09.09.16

Lovely little shop, excellent standard of books on a variety of subjects. Helpful owner. Well worth a detour. Note opening time now 1000. Sadly saw an advert in estate agents advertising shop for sale - hope it can keep as a going concern. Norman Davies 31.05.18

I was a visitor many years ago and was delighted with this store and bought a number of books I could not find in the USA My particular interests are with illustrated books for children. Jeanne Haarper 27.02.19

Always was one of the best bookshops on the Island, and following the recent move to larger premises even more stock displayed and far less cramped too. Wide selection of generally good quality books and reasonably priced too. Vintage typewriters and camera's also feature, and picture framing too. Diversification perhaps the way forward if bookshops are to survive these days. well worth a visit. Steve Newman 02.07.19

My first visit to the larger shop and I was not disappointed. Two reasonably priced books purchased and a good selection of other books on the shelves confirmed this shop is always worth a visit. SteveBrissle 28.11.19

High quality stock, well-ordered and reasonably priced, and with friendly and knowledgeable staff. A pleasure to visit. Michael Ross 08.04.22

Pleased to report nothing has changed since my visit in 2019, my comments then are still valid. Recommended if visiting the Island, probably the one shop not to miss. Steve Newman 29.05.22

Bookroom/YARMOUTH/Jirah Place

The Bookroom Open at advertised times

Jirah Place YARMOUTH PO41 0NR

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tel: 01983 761756 e-mail

Open: Monday, Wednesday & Friday - Sunday 10.30 -4.30. Closed Tuesday & Thursday.

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Anything you can think of, we will have some thing on the subject - sailing a particular speciality. Just a few yards from the Lymington Yarmouth ferry terminal, a great little town to visit

A small bookshop but containing a remarkably large number and variety of books. Good both for holiday reads and for serious non-fiction, especially history and transport. Reasonable prices. Mark 06.04.13

Very cramped; difficult to see books on shelves, decent stock but nothing for me. Worth a look if in North Wight. Norman Davies 31.05.18

Good quality stock at reasonable prices. Still rather cramped for space, but I have known a lot worse. Sailing and maritime, hardback fiction and architectural history seem to be its areas of strength. Michael Ross 18.07.22

Books 2 Love/NEWPORT/53 Pyle Street

Books 2 Love Open at advertised times

53 Pyle Street NEWPORT PO30 1XB

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tel: 01983 533494

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Rather limited selection of mainly remaindered and paperback fiction but with a few nonfiction as well. Steve Newman 06.10.10

Everytime I go in I enjoy my visit as they know their stock and can recommend books. The shop has a wide range of new and used books. I usually come out with a couple of books. Soraia 30.11.12

This shop felt full of sunshine, it was bright and cheery and inviting and I enjoyed delving through boxes of books to find some unexpected gems. bookshopblogger 18.12.13

I really dislike not recommending a real s/h bookshop, but I am afraid this was desperately disappointing with a very limited modern range. Norman Davies 08.04.17

Best for used paperbacks on IW good large selection, many that just not obtainable via normal sources. I always ask if I don't see something particular, they have loads more upstairs. A bit of a muddle but always come out with something :-)) PS money goes to charity. Debbie 22.12.19

Small shop but well stocked. Prices on the high side though, a common Observer book for £14.50p for example. Presumably paperbacks are their bread and butter though, worth a look if you are in Newport I guess. The Oxfam bookshop close by is well worth a visit. Steve Newman 29.05.22

Central Collectables/NEWPORT/8 Central MarketScarrots Lane

Central Collectables Open at advertised times

8 Central Market Scarrots Lane NEWPORT PO30 1JP

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tel: 07754 212055

Open: Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 3.00

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Small collectables shop selling diecasts & tinplate, music memorabilia, I.o.W postcards, books & ephemera, general books, etc.

I have been calling in here for a few years now. Whilst not an out and out book shop, they do have a fair amount (over 50% of the shop is devoted to books). Mainly Transport and Local Interest, but 'collectable' books such as Observer Pocket Series and Red Guides, Ladybird etc too. I always find something of interest here, more than can be said for the other two bookshops in Newport, and at much keener prices too. Steve Newman 02.07.19

Recent visit produced a couple of goodies. As Steve N says this is a very small shop with very limited books but much better than elsewhere in Newport. Excellent IoW vintage postcards too. Norman Davies 28.10.19

Dead Writers Detective Agency Book Shop/NEWPORT/High Street, opposite the Castle Inn

Dead Writers Detective Agency Book Shop Status unknown, update requested

High Street, opposite the Castle Inn NEWPORT PO30 1BA

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Opened in May 2022

A small shop recently opened with an interesting range of books competitively priced. Helpful owner who has branched out into opening this shop after selling on eBay for a time. Deserves your support if in the area. Steve Newman 31.05.22

Still going strong, small shop but interesting selection. I found an Ian Allan ABC I had never seen before, and I have collected over 600 different ones over the years! Steve Newman 14.07.23

A very small shop, but has a surprising number of great books. Well worth a browse. Polixines 23.11.23

Goose/ST.HELENS/Newlands House Lower Green Road

The Goose

Newlands House Lower Green Road ST. HELENS PO33 1TS

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tel: 01983 874063 e-mail web

Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00

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Large stock from £3 to £3000. Subject matter all sorts - strong on military and Isle of Wight. Situated on delightful village green with buses from Ryde every 30 mins.

One of the best rambling second hand bookshops I have visited. Many obscure and interesting tomes to be had at cheap prices. Paleo 10.09.13

The best secondhand bookshop on the Island - a gem. sdv 10.08.15

Visited midweek at end of March to find closed with a notice stating "winter hours Saturday 10-4". Norman Davies 08.04.17

Visited again when open - check times always in advance. Remarkable collection, more recent additions in piles on the floor. Worth a rummage. Norman Davies 28.10.19

Now The Goose Bookshop and under new management and with better year-round opening hours (10am - 4pm Monday- Saturday) and with a website. Well worth a visit and with an idyllic situation on the second biggest village green in England and within a short walk of Bembridge Harbour. Michael Ross 08.04.22

Superbly laid out shop with wonderful classification labels that are accurate. Prices very reasonable and wide range of topics. Parking VERY easy around the green. Normanghast 26.09.22

Delightful shop, one of the best on the Island. New owner since 2019 has resulted in prices on a downward trend, a good thing as the previous owner valued her stock highly, and priced it accordingly! Well worth going out of your way to find, but please note buses are now hourly not every 30 minutes. Steve Newman 10.09.23

IW Steam Railway Bookshop/HAVENSTREET/Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Main Road

IW Steam Railway Bookshop Open at advertised times

Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Main Road HAVENSTREET PO33 4DS

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tel: 01983 882204 e-mail web

Sunday to Thursday from March to October 10.00 - 17.00

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The bookshop has around 24 shelves half of which are dedicated to second hand railway books and half to general fiction, non fiction, childrens and puzzles. Currently cash only but will shortly have a card payment machine. All money taken goes to help run the IW steam railway.

No trace of any second hand books on my visit last Sunday. Quite a lot of new construction has taken place here, and the old carriage which used to house second hand books is no more, replaced by a new building being used to house sales stands etc under cover.

The shop in the station has a good selection of new transport books, but no second hand books for sale on the day of my visit. Steve Newman 29.05.22

Medina Bookshop/COWES/50 High Street

Medina Bookshop Open at advertised times

50 High Street COWES PO31 7RR

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tel: 01983 300044 e-mail web

Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00

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Mainly new books, but they have a good selection of second-hand/used books on naval/maritime and on the Isle of Wight.

S/H section barely a single bookcase and nearly 100% maritime related. But Cowes is a nice town to look round if on the Island, so I guess pop in if you are in the area. Steve Newman 10.09.23

Mrs Middleton_s Shop/FRESHWATER/49 School Green Road

Mrs Middleton's Shop Open at advertised times

49 School Green Road FRESHWATER PO40 9AS

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tel: 07973 212723 web

Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00

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The Isle of Wight’s rich cultural and artistic legacy inspires our range of gifts and books - antiquarian, scarce and local authors.

Welcoming, friendly and interesting (both conversation and stock). Some books overpriced. Nodnerg 16.07.16

Charming old fashioned and friendly little shop, eclectic but interesting selection, prices variable. Worth a look if you are in west Wight. Also owns shop a few along in same arcade which has superb children's selection. Norman Davies 31.05.18

Good, varied stock at reasonable prices. The owner has an excellent teashop a couple of doors away and there is a working public lavatory opposite - an old man's dream! Stop press: Mrs Middleton has just re-married, but told your roving correspondent she is retaining the name of the shop. (You heard it here first....) 18.07.22

Mrs M's marriage, which I mentioned after my last visit, has resulted in welcome additions of good quality stock from new husband Nick Creagh-Osborne (ex-The Travel Bookshop of Notting Hill fame). The two of them provide a warm welcome and knowledgeable advice. The Rabbit Hole is still open Thursday - Saturday for tea and cake and also contains additional stock. Michael Ross 10.12.23

Oxfam Books and Music/NEWPORT/4-5 St Thomas Square

Oxfam Books and Music Phone before travelling

4-5 St Thomas Square NEWPORT PO30 1SN

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tel: 01983 821623 web

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Being a Sunday this one was closed, but looked like more of the same through the windows! Steve Newman 14.08.12

Not a great selection of books to chose from and quite expensive to boot. Anything deemed to be a 'collectors' book attracts a considerable premium. Worth a look I guess if you are in the area but I would not make a special trip. Steve Newman 14.06.14

Not bad for an Oxfam, particularly on music. Same joke prices for best older items. Norman Davies 08.04.17

One of the better Oxfam's. Decent stock, at reasonable prices, and helpful staff too. Steve Newman 29.05.22

Ryde Book Shop/RYDE/135 High Street

Ryde Book Shop Open at advertised times

135 High Street RYDE PO33 2RJ

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tel: 01983 565 227 e-mail web

Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00.

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Over 30,000 new and secondhand books on all subjects, displayed in ten rooms.

I think this comment from their website sums the stock up rather well. "Visitors will find specialist books rather than bestsellers. The range of subjects includes Island history, travel, transport, the military, literature and titles on many other themes, plus a range of postcards." Steve Newman

A large and sprawling shop with a fairly broad selection in almost every subject and in its selection of literature both modern and Victorian. Large children's book section. I make a point of visiting this shop every time I'm on the Island and find something to come away with every time. RS 11.06.10

I agree with both of the above opinions. This is a shop which can surprise the collector. I came away with a particularly scarce title after having spent some time searching the three floors of tightly packed shelves. Prices were very reasonable. Chris Harte 12.10.10

It is surprising the owner knows his stock as well as he does and can find things so easily given the massive number of books in stock. The prices are quite reasonable. Great bookshop. Carole 28.08.12

Simply a great bookshop. Wide variety of stock, many unusual items priced reasonably ... I even got discount without asking on my last visit, what more could you want! PaulP 15.05.13

This is a great shop with a huge amount of books. Despite this, it is easy to navigate and there are no piles of books obscuring everything behind. I managed to find a hard to get book and I was offered a discount. My only advice is to leave plenty of time to browse. I did not, so a return trip is a must. John Edwards 22.10.14

A little bit of heaven for me. Spent hours here, one of the best traditional s/h shops around - crammed full of all subjects, extensive stock, came away with a bag full, several floors worthy of browsing. Norman Davies 08.04.17

Update - ceiling now held up by new RSJs! Owner sorting books on to new shelving this week. WWAD. Norman Davies 31.05.18

Always worth a visit. Huge stock and all at reasonable prices, Set aside an hour or two to do it justice. Michael Ross 08.04.22

Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland