The Coolest Independent Bookshops In Manchester

In the digital age of Kindles and Amazon Prime, it takes more than your standard branch of WHSmiths to tempt passers-by into a bookshop. Interesting collections, unusual gimmicks and creating the right atmosphere to get comfortable when browsing all help to create successful stores that keep print alive. If you’re a bit of a bookworm and live in the Manchester area, here are the coolest independent book stores in the city that will encourage you to step away from your tablets. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

The Art of Tea / Didsbury Village Bookshop

A bit of a hidden secret, this cosy little café-bar tucked down a side street in Didsbury Village is the perfect place to settle down with a good book and a cup of delicious loose leaf tea. Once you’ve ordered, open the doorway at the back of the bar and step through into a booklover’s Narnia. The decision to connect the Didsbury Village Bookshop to this charming little café was a stroke of genius, allowing visitors to browse the selection of second-hand books before bringing their purchases through to the café to enjoy with a cup of tea and locally sourced fresh food. A great place to look for gifts or niche tastes, the eclectic collection of both fiction and non-fiction offers something for everyone.

47 Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester, UK, +44 161 448 9323

Not too many people know about this relatively recent addition to the Northern Quarter, but those who do make a habit of visiting as often as possible. It’s nice to find a cosy and cool spot in the hip neighbourhood that isn’t full to capacity, with plenty of room to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and slice of cake whilst you browse their book selection. As well as offering the current best-sellers, Chapter One is perfect for those seeking something a little different, offering an unusual collection of tomes that you won’t find elsewhere in the city. The piles of reading copies mean that you can pick up a book to read with your coffee before deciding if you’d like to buy it and take it home. Keep your eyes open for their literary events and have a go at crafting your own novel in one of the typewriter booths.

Chatsworth House, Lever St, Manchester, UK, +44 161 298 2015

Chorlton Bookshop

This beloved local bookshop almost shut down a couple of years ago, riling hundreds of loyal customers who turned up to protest and proclaim their love for the family-run store. Thankfully, it survived, and still offers a diverse selection of current bestsellers, children’s books and a wide variety of genre fiction. One of the main delights of visiting Chorlton Bookshop is having a conversation with the members of staff, who are extremely knowledgeable and more than willing to recommend your next read based upon your favourite titles.

Paramount

It might not look like much from the outside, but inside you’ll find one of the city’s best collections of retro books with everything from a comprehensive sci-fi section to a wide variety of childhood favourite such as Enid Blyton and Tintin. A local institution beloved of Manchester bookworms, Paramount is as famed for its eclectic interior and bizarre deals (free fruit!) as it is for its diverse collection of books. One of our favourite stories about Paramount even made the local news – the MEN reported that a man had been so absorbed in the collection of sci-fi books in the back room that he didn’t realise that the store had closed and phoned the police to escape! Listen out for the classical music blaring from the outdoor speakers, pull a book from the shelf and settle down on one of the sofas. Just don’t get so absorbed that you also get locked in!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.