Independent bookshops to visit this year

Why visit a good independent bookshop? Because the staff you’ll find there care about books and care about their customers. They will find what you want (even if you don’t know it yourself) and point you in the right direction for gifts for all ages and occasions. And they offer a shopping experience that you will want to repeat again and again. They may not be able to offer the discounts to match online retailers but they offer so much else. Give them your support – you’ll get a lot in return.

Try the following…

Mainstreet Trading, St Boswells in the Scottish Borders

A destination bookshop

A stunning, well-stocked bookshop with friendly, knowledgeable staff and the best coffee in Scotland. Free car-parking at the rear and a converted barn offering excellent event accommodation seating up to 200. Very supportive of local authors but also attract the biggest names for signings and events on their way to the local Borders festival or Edinburgh.

Yeadons of Banchory & Yeadons of Elgin

If Yeadons don’t have your book in stock they will find it for you quickly and without fuss. Beautifully laid-out shops both at the heart of their communities. Events are held in local libraries and community halls.

The Watermill, Aberfeldy

A destination bookshop

Standing in the heart of the beautiful town of Aberfeldy in rural Perthshire, the Watermill is just that, a converted flour mill powered in its time by a water wheel that you can still see. Coffee, cakes, books and open fires on the lower floor and two further wonderful floors of books, bookgroups, art exhibitions and event space. Events held in the shop, local hall or Castle Menzies nearby.

The Edinburgh Bookshop, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh

A gem of a bookshop in the heart of one of Edinburgh’s favourite shopping areas, this small shop is well stocked and again, knowledgeable staff are on hand to offer advice and recommendations.

Mr B’s Emporium, Bath

Tucked in a back lane in the centre of Bath, locals and visitors seek out this shop. Well stocked and with a hugely knowledgeable staff, this shop offers experience gift vouchers for the lucky recipient to be pampered with cake and coffee as their own personal shopper finds the perfect book for them.

Toppings of Bath

A long thin shop on one level but with many quiet areas and chambers to browse and the opportunity to find new friends on the shelves.
Wooden bookshelves stretch along the walls offering temptation at every glance. Saber’s knowledge of his books is unsurpassed. Events are held in local churches.

Toppings of Ely

Nestled in a busy, traditional street just beside the Cathedral, Toppings stretches over three floors – each crammed full of books (hardbacks with covers thoughtfully protected in clear plastic wrapping), personally selected by and known to the staff. Coffee is offered to browsers (not an actual coffee shop but very welcome) along with advice and friendly chat. Events are held in the local riverside theatre or the cathedral itself.

h2.Daunts, Marylebone High Street, London

There are now five excellent branches of Daunts in and around London but this one is still the best. A travel bookshop which displays fiction, travel, history, map and art books by country. Tremendously well stocked and the staff seem to know EVERY book in their shop. They also get to know customers quickly and can offer welcome recommendations when new stock arrives.

Hatchards, Piccadilly, London

This is not strictly an independent but it has the air of an independent and the quality of staff you would expect to guide you through the huge range of titles stocked. Authors sign here whenever in London and the staff know exactly what their customers like.