Brilliantly Historic Bookshops
We love any excuse to celebrate a bookshop, with their comforting atmosphere and wonderful smell.
With World Bookshop Day quickly approaching, we thought it would be best to recommend our top 5 bookshops in the UK.
Here are some highlights from around the country…
Daunt Books, Marylebone, London
Housed in a former Edwardian bookshop, built in 1910, and believed to be the world’s first custom-built bookshop, Daunt Books is at the top of our list!
Make sure you take in the William Morris printed wallpaper, oak bookshelves and sky lights on your visit.
The building was bought by James Daunt in 1990 and there are now several branches across London (and growing!) The shop specialises in travel books and literature, and is organised by country – no matter the genre!
Salts Mill Shop, Saltaire, Yorkshire
Salts Mill is a huge Victorian Grade II listed former textile factory. Now though, it is filled with art, books, flowers, and food.
Salts Mill was built by Sir Titus Salt in 1853 and produced cloth until 1986. It was then purchased by young entrepreneur Jonathan Silver, who opened the ‘1853 Gallery’, showing work by his friend and fellow Bradfordian David Hockney..
Bayntun's Bookshop, Bath, Somerset
Bayntun’s bookshop is a world famous bookshop and bindery - be sure to pay a visit!
The founder, George Bayntun started his own bookbinding business in Northumberland Place in 1894, soon moving into a larger workshop in Walcot Street.
In 1920 he bought the business of George Gregory, with a stock of books filling 23 rooms, and in 1939 the Bayntun and Riviere binderies were incorporated into the present premises in Manvers Street!
George was a renowned bookbinder, well-known among American book dealers and a recipient of the frequent patronage of Queen Mary. In 1950, she granted him the appointment of Bookseller to Her Majesty.
Sam Read Bookseller, Grasmere, Cumbria
This quaint bookshop has had a total of six owners since 1887… The proprietor Sam Read ran it until his death in 1919, when his daughter Helen continued the business.
The present owner, Elaine Nelson, has been in charge since 2000. The bookshop is situated in the heart of the English Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
St Olave’s Church, Chichester, West Sussex
The bookshop is the oldest building which is still in use, located in Chichester. Predating the city’s cathedral, the church was built in 1050 and an extension was later added in the 13th century.
The church was converted into a Christian Bookshop in the 1950s. The shop is owned by the St Olav’s Trust, a registered charity made up of representatives from local churches, including the Cathedral, the Baptists, Free and Independent churches as well as individuals from various different Church of England congregations.
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