The Best Independent Yorkshire Bookshops to Visit This Bookshop Day
Bookshop Day is 12th October, and the theme is Bookshops Making a Difference
Salts Mill
Salts Mill may be best known for their art gallery with its impressive collection of Hockney paintings, but their bookshop isn’t to be neglected. Light and airy, the shop is especially loved for its poetry collection and fun children’s section.
Victoria Road, Saltaire BD18 3LA
saltsmill.org.uk
The Little Ripon Bookshop
A family-run bookshop near Fountains Abbey, The Little Ripon Bookshop has a range of ever-changing titles. From new publications to classic old favourites, you’ll definitely find something here to curl up with. Plus, their colourful children’s section is a stand-out, certain to capture the interests of little minds.
12–13 Westgate, Ripon HG4 2AT
littleriponbookshop.co.uk
Criminally Good Books
An entire bookshop dedicated to the crime genre, Criminally Good Books is a thrilling recent addition to the York literary scene. With everything from whodunnits and police procedurals to true crime, they have an impressive choice, including special editions, and are a must-visit for crime newbies and super-sleuths alike.
14 Colliergate, York YO1 8BP
criminallygoodbooks.co.uk
Hold Fast
What makes Hold Fast so unique is the fact that they are afloat! Moored at Leeds Dock, this boat bookshop, tucked into the hull of former coal barge Marjorie R, stocks multiple genres for adults and children alike. They also sell cacti and succulents for readers with a green thumb.
Upper Dock Mooring, Leeds Dock LS10 1LJ
holdfastleeds.co.uk
Kemps Books
After three years of selling a limited selection of titles out of Kemps General Store, Kemps Books has now been providing the people of Malton with a proper, independent bookshop since 2020. An oasis of calm in a market town best known for its food, Kemp Books offers a gorgeous selection of books and gifts from artisan local makers.
11 Malton Place, Malton YO17 7LP
kempsgeneralstore.co.uk
The Grove Bookshop
For nearly 50 years, The Grove Bookshop have been selling books in Ilkley. They have a great selection, priding themselves on a carefully-curated collection complete with a comprehensive travel department downstairs. They’re also the official booksellers for the popular Ilkley Literature Festival, taking place from 4th to 20th October this year.
10 The Grove, Ilkley LS29 9EG
grovebookshop.com
Fox Lane Books
With more than 20 years of bookselling experience, Kirstie and her family opened Fox Lane Books from beautiful Thorpe Willoughby. The shop is online only, though they also do pop-up stalls at literary festivals and fairs. What really makes this shop stand out is its subscription service; a monthly box containing a newly-published book, luxury hot drink, bookmark, postcard and some luxury chocolates or sweets – the perfect gift for bookworms.
foxlanebooks.co.uk
Books on the Lane
Wakefield’s Books on the Lane is based in a renovated joiner’s shop, in a quaint countryside garden. They sell everything from fiction to Yorkshire- and Wakefield-based interest books. They share their location with Walton Herbs, so you can stock up on unusual herbs and plants when you visit.
59 Oakenshaw Lane, Walton WF2 6NJ
booksonthelane.co.uk
The Stripey Badger
This award-winning bookshop, coffee shop and kitchen is in the pretty village of Grassington, a film location for television series All Creatures Great and Small. Selling all genres, one of their best-sellers is Julia Chapman’s The Dales Detective series, cosy crime thrillers set in the very heart of Yorkshire.
7 The Square, Grassington BD23 5AQ
thestripeybadger.co.uk
Rhyme and Reason
With their colourful orange shopfront, Rhyme and Reason has been part of the Sheffield community for more than 20 years, and this small but mighty shop is described as an Aladdin’s Cave of books, with something for everyone. They’re also dog friendly, so four-legged friends are welcome to join you as you browse.
681 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8TG
rhymeandreasonbooks.wordpress.com
The Book Corner
A finalist for The British Book Awards’ Independent Bookshop of the Year, this shop in Halifax will delight history buffs as well as literature lovers. They’re located inside the historic Piece Hall, which dates back to 1779 and is the sole survivor of the great 18th century Northern cloth halls. They’re also close to Shibden Hall, the former home of famous diarist Anne Lister.
23–24 Rustic Level, Piece Hall, Halifax HX1 1RE
bookcornerhalifax.com
The Wonky Tree
Opened in 2022, The Wonky Tree in picturesque Leyburn offers a wide selection of adult and children’s books, and what they don’t stock they will get for you the next day. They also sell a small range of greetings cards, stationery and gifts.
Market Place, Leyburn DL8 5BD
thewonkytreebookshop.co.uk
The Minster Gate Bookshop
This secondhand bookshop fills seven rooms across four floors and specialises in folklore and, unusually, Medieval and Arthurian literature. Located near York Minster, the street has a rich literary history and was formerly known as Bookbinder’s Alley due to being a hub of bookselling and printing. On the corner of the street, a statue of Roman goddess of wisdom Minerva can be seen reclining against a pile of books, so don’t forget to pay her a visit.
8 Minster Gates, York YO1 7HL
minstergatebooks.co.uk
The Whitby Bookshop
Whitby is a Yorkshire literary capital, having been the setting and inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel Dracula. This bookshop has been operating since 1985, and has thousands of titles to choose from, as well as 13 million available for next day delivery. After shopping, you can climb the 199 steps that lead to Whitby Abbey, the very vampiric heritage site that features in Stoker’s work.
88 Church Street, Whitby YO22 4BH
whitbybookshop.co.uk
