“Independent booksellers – it’s not exaggerating to say that they are lantern bearers of civilisation” Sir Philip Pullman
I absolutely adore Hay-on-Wye and would quite like to live there one day, but in the meantime, I will lust over it from afar. Here are just some of the fantastic bookshops on offer.
Gay On Wye
Opening in 2023, Gay On Wye is not just a bookstore, it’s a sanctuary where the LGBTQ+ community and its allies can find literature that resonates with their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The store’s extensive collection spans various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, young adult, poetry, memoirs, and graphic novels.
North Books
One of the newest additions to Hay-on-Wye is North Books, which opened in late 2022. It’s a beautiful little bookshop specialising in an interesting range of titles: from new fiction to fantasy, young adult, and contemporary female fiction, it stock everything you could want.
The Children’s Bookshop
Just outside Hay-on-Wye on the Clifford road. The Children’s Bookshop have a large and varied stock, covering all aspects of children’s literature.
Hay Cinema Bookshop
Hay-on-Wye’s converted cinema carries a running stock of 200,000 second-hand and antiquarian books on all subjects. Bargain books in the sculpture garden. The shop is multi-levelled with stairs.
Hancock and Monks Music
Hancock and Monks Music is a long-established classical music shop. Trading in Hay-on-Wye for over 25 years, the shop sells sheet music, scores, CDs, DVDs, and books on music.
Green Ink Booksellers
One of Hay-on-Wye’s newest bookshop, Green Ink Booksellers buy and sell second-hand books; from literature to history, philosophy to art, modern fiction to poetry, private press, Folio Society, and children’s books.
Addyman Books
A two-level labyrinth of books, Addyman was established in 1987, stocking children’s, science fiction, arts, myths, sports, transports, and performing art books. They also stock Vintage Penguins, paperbacks, and occults.
Murder and Mayhem
An offshoot of Addyman Books, Murder and Mayhem offers a huge range of detective fiction, true crime, and horror, including Green Penguins, Agatha Christie, and Sherlock Holmes.
Addyman Annexe
Described by the Antiquarian Book Review as “The jewel in the crown of this famous book town.” Addyman Annexe is another offshoot of Addyman Books, stocking books from antiquarian to new children’s books. It’s also said to stock one of the best paperback fiction rooms in the UK.
Richard Booth
Probably the best known Hay-on-Wye bookshop, Richard Booth’s extends over three floors and is managed by specialist department heads. Packed with a vast selection of new, second hand, children’s, and antiquarian books, a large range of gifts, games, stationery, puzzles, and crafting material.
*Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of bookshops. All photos sourced from each individual shop’s online presence. If you have any concerns regarding the photos, or concern regarding the text, please get in touch.
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