Shelves of Magic: UK Fantasy Bookstores
Image courtesy of WikimediaPicture the scene… You’re walking down a tree-lined street, heading for home. It’s early evening and there’s a chill in the air that brings the promise of midnight frost. You pull your chunky scarf tighter and peer up at the swaying branches. Still clasped to their tips are the last leaves of autumn, kissed by dusk’s apricot light. At home, a capacious chair awaits you, adorned with cushions and soft knitted blankets - all warmed by your sleepy pet. You’ll make yourself a hot drink served in a thick ceramic mug. You’re looking forward to warming your hands on it, the hands that are currently holding a heavy canvas bag. You smile. Inside the bag are dreams. Dreams of other worlds and other lives. Of far away places, of magic and terror and the hope of adventure. For you have been to a bookshop, and the bag is full of fantasy…
Read on, bookish friend, for a list of the best bookshops this side of Rivendell.
The Grimoire Bookshop - York, UK
They have very little online presence, but this matches the shop’s spooky and nostalgic feel. It’s snuggled in an old street in York. The city is an absolute treat to visit. It’s full of winding streets, ancient buildings, gorgeous little coffee shops and absolutely heaps of bookshops. Going inside The Grimoire feels like stepping back in time and perhaps even over the threshold to another world. Maybe when they shut the doors at night, fae folk creep out from behind the shelves?
They say, “Our 17th century shop has two floors of books on a wide variety of subjects. We also specialise in esoteric titles, science fiction and fantasy.”
Cold Tunnage - Devon, UK
This bookshop is entirely online, but it’s well worth putting the kettle on and settling down to have a rummage through their catalogue. They have some fantastic rare prints and signed editions, including a fair few from one of my favourite authors, Robert Rankin.
They say, “We are specialists in new and out-of-print, collectible science fiction, fantasy, horror and the supernatural first editions: hardcovers, vintage paperbacks, pulps, magazines and much more.”
Transreal - Edinburgh, UK
This shop is a wonderful treat. It’s very close to all the main sights in Edinburgh, so you can easily pop in and grab yourself a page-turner to snuggle at home with that evening. Perhaps with a nice dram of single malt and a wee dog to warm yer lap?
They say, “Transreal Fiction is a shop dedicated to selling science fiction, fantasy & related books, together with a limited selection of other merchandise. But really, it’s about books.”
Murder and Mayhem - Hay-On-Wye
It would be hard to list UK bookshops and not mention one in Hay-On-Wye, the UK’s spiritual home for books. Murder and Mayhem primarily stocks and sells crime, but they also have a good glut of horror and fantasy. When you visit, see if you can spot the chalk body outline on the shop’s floor!
They say, “The UK is known across the world for its crime fiction and our specialist sections devoted to the golden age attract visitors from all over the world. Agatha Christie still sells every day and visitors love the area dedicated to this queen of crime. We also specialise in Sherlock Holmes, Cozy Crime, British Library Reprints, True Crime, Horror and Ghost Stories.”
Fantastic Literature - Online, UK
This is another online only store, but they have a plethora of goodies… I spotted signed editions of The Complete Conan and The Wasp Factory!
They say, “Fantastic Literature is the UK's largest and best online purveyor of out of print books, rare books and used books in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, crime, thrillers, ghost stories, weird tales and macabre fiction, historical fiction, vintage SF, Horror & Crime, small press, fanzines and graphic novels both in paperback, hardcover and magazines, signed books and uncorrected proof copies.”
Mr. B’s Emporium of Reading Delights - Bath, UK
Bath is another of those must-visit cities in the UK. There are beautiful buildings, lovely parks and, of course, the thermal spas! Tucked amongst some other delightful shops is Mr. B’s. It’s an ideal place to rest your feet after a day of exploration - they have some cosy armchairs and delicious coffee to enjoy while you choose your next read.
They say, “Mr B's is a beautiful, energetic and innovative bookshop on John Street in the heart of Bath. It's a bright labyrinthine space where book-related chatter and advice seems ever-present and you never know what you might encounter next, from claw-foot bath book displays to toilets illustrated by Chris Riddell. We opened our shop in 2006 and it has twice been named the UK's best independent bookshop.”
Halcyon Books - London, UK
While this shop doesn’t specialise in fantasy, it is an absolute treat to visit. The shelves are positively groaning with books! Imagine the library of a scholar - books piled high in every corner and a wonderful welcome from the people who work there.
They say, “We are an established family-run secondhand bookshop in Lee [London]. We have 40,000 books available in our shop or online for home delivery. We have books to suit all tastes and budgets. We also buy and sell postcards and records. Our shop on Lee High Road has books, coffee and a selection of specialty teas available.”
Durdles Books - Online, UK
Another excellent online store. They have lots of affordable books, but also some rare treats. If you have a spare £895 you can purchase a collector’s set of LOTR from 1962!
They say, “We have excellent stock to browse or search, we specialise in Science Fiction and Fantasy, have good selections of Modern Firsts, extensive collections of mainstream hardback fiction, non-fiction, and children's illustrated books.”
I hope wherever you purchase your next book from, it leads you to adventure!