Hidden bookshops
Anyone who knows me, knows I love to spend my weekends getting lost in amazing, undiscovered bookshops.
And if you're a major book addict like me, then you'll know that there's nothing better than spending an afternoon browsing shelf after shelf in Surrey's & SW London's bookshops.
Just when you might think that the digital age has taken over, all you have to do is take a look at these 14 bookshops and see for yourself...
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Haslemere Book Shop
2 Causewayside High Street, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2JZLocated in the quaint and charming market town surrounded by beauty, The Haslemere Book Shop is definitely worth a visit. This thriving independent bookshop is in the heart of Haslemere Highstreet and offers a wide of new and secondhand books for children and adults. Many people crave that real bookshop experience and The Haslemere Bookshop can certainly fill that hunger with its knowledge and service for all of its customers. It also stocks a wide range of maps, guidebooks, and information on local authors; ideal for anyone visiting the area.
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Barnes Bookshop
Barnes Bookshop is incredible because it really has something for everyone. The staff are so friendly and work extra hard to help you find that one special book. This is incredibly handy when it comes to gift giving! You can email the expert staff and let them know the interests of your reader and they'll be able to give you some recommendations to choose from. Talk about going the extra mile! Or, if you're after something in particular, the shop can order almost any book and have it ready to be picked up the next day.
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The Cobham Bookshop
A bookshop that welcomes dogs! Yes, that’s right! This thriving independent bookshop has been situated in the attractive Surrey village of Cobham for over thirty years. And it has everything you could ever wish for. Whether you are looking for an enthralling novel, a great film or a special present, its staff has the knowledge to help you find the perfect selection. New titles arrive daily and the shop can usually get next-day delivery for customer orders.
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South Kensington Books
Sat at the top of Exhibition Road, a stone's throw away from London’s museum district is a bookshop with so much character it seems to live and breath. South Kensington Books specialise in Visual Arts, Architecture, and Photography but also have a plethora of fiction, biographies, cookbooks, poetry, history books and much, much more.
Managers Charlotte and Dave source a lot of their stock from remainder warehouses, so you can be sure to find a bargain that will leave you practically salivating. The staff are all cheery individuals who are more than happy to give your browsing some direction, with their worldly wisdom on everything books. It’s a shop you can easily find yourself entering in the middle of the afternoon, and not leaving until the sun sets.
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Barton's Books
Barton’s Bookshop is an independent family-run bookshop with a difference. This beautiful bookshop is ever so enchanting because of its personal service. The owners, husband and wife, Peter and Josephine know their craft and offer an efficient out-of-print book search service, which rarely disappoints. Barton’s encourages you to browse at a very, very leisurely pace – with the free coffee, a comfy sofa next to the inglenook fireplace, shelves stacked high with books, and Henry, its giant 35-year-old teddy bear. Now, that is an experience!
Also, the shop hosts fantastic children’s and adults’ events, including story time, seasonal celebrations and occasional signings. Barton’s also has a book group, where members get together to share their love for books.
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Foster Books
Housed in the oldest shop on Chiswick High Road and specialising in out of print, rare and used books – Foster Books is cloaked in the stillness that clings to old artefacts. Filled with first editions of classics like Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, there is no better way to while away an hour, than leafing through pages brittle from use, studying inscriptions on first pages written in fading ink and dated in the 1800s. They also sell a wide range of second-hand books at a reasonable price.
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Regency Bookshop
An independent bookshop based in Surbiton, they stock a wide selection of children’s books as well as a broad range of general books. Owner Pat never fails to make book recommendations based on your preferences that I promise, will not disappoint.
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Wimbledon Books
40 High Street Wimbledon, Wimbledon,, Surrey, SW19 5AUFounded in 1996, Wimbledon Books holds the independent bookshop flag for perhaps the greatest bookshop in the area. For 22 years, the bookshop has been independently run and is known for stocking an extensive collection of fiction and non-fiction and for their children's and young adult section. It also has a beautiful large display of greeting cards, in particular, fine art cards and a range of beautiful gift wrap.
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The Open Book
Tucked on a cobbled side road leading on to Richmond Green, the Open Book is run by a good-natured lady with an unbelievable knowledge of books and the book-trade. The fact that a Waterstones opened up at the top of the same road, but is failing especially at putting this defiant gem out of business, speaks volumes for the quality of this shop, and its place in the local's hearts.
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Blacklock's Bookshop
Specialising in rare and historical prints, Blacklocks in Englefield Green, Egham is definitely worth a visit for something special. Boasting a stock of over 40,000 titles, it is safe to say, it can cater to anyone's most specific needs. It has an in-depth knowledge of Egham & Englefield Green local history and has continually purchased collections of English 18th, 19th and 20th-century antique prints for more than 32 years. That is not all, Blacklocks claims to have an amazing selection of some leather-bound rarities to scarce modern first editions; so, we believe it is mandatory to have a look.
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Wisley Shop
Perhaps the biggest gardening book selection ever is held at RHS Wisley. This large shop is any gardening enthusiasts haven as it holds green-fingered titles galore, but also stocks a healthy selection of other books, along with some high-end kitchenware, jewellery, gifts, and home-made goods. What is even more spectacular, all profits go to support the RHS's charitable work.
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A Novel Idea
A Novel Idea is a bookshop making a difference to the Godalming community and beyond. It is a high-quality bookshop for local people and those further afield. It was founded by Catalyst and the Welcome Project, who took over the bookshop to help people with their wellbeing and mental health. The bookshop survives entirely on donations and caters to fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. This remarkable bookshop is only run entirely by dedicated volunteer staff, some of who have been there for more than 20 years.
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Lloyds of Kew Bookshop
9 Mortlake Terrace, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DTCome and have a coffee and browse around at Lloyds of Kew Bookshop. Situated just off Kew Green, adjacent to Kew Gardens, it is in the ideal location for book lovers visiting the area. It has everything you need from general second-hand stock to rare and collectable, and antiquarian. Boasting a wide range of literature, classics, London, history, biography, children's books, and many more categories.
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Peter Harrington
100 Fulham Road, Surrey, SW3 6HSLooking to visit something beyond spectacular? Look no further than renowned Peter Harrington Bookshop on the famous Fulham Road. Expect to be blown away with its incredible four-storey building in the south-west, which is filled with more than 20,000 books and 6,000 prints. Established in 1969, Peter Harrington has become one of the leading rare bookshops in the world and is the place to go to discover the rarest of the rare.
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