The Best Bookshops In Oxford UK

With its unbeatable literary history and the best selection of independent bookshops around, Oxford is heaven for book lovers. Of course, you can expect to find the usual big chain bookshops in the city, but it’s the unique, indie stores run by people with a passion for reading that are the true gems here.

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Blackwell’s

No round-up of Oxford bookshops would be complete without Blackwell’s. Arguably one of the most famous bookshops in the UK, Blackwell’s is an Oxford institution and home to over 250,000 books – yes, really! The shop’s Norrington Room even holds the Guinness World Record for the largest single room selling books in the world, and at 10,000 square feet with three miles of shelving it’s not hard to see why. There are now nine branches of Blackwell’s in the city, but the original Broad Street shop is hands down the one to check out.

Do you know your Burgess from your Brontë?

This two-storey shop situated in the heart of the city was the very first Oxfam bookshop to open, back in 1987. It’s the place to go for second-hand books on all sorts of topics – expect to find everything from well-thumbed cookery books (perfect for uni students who’ve just moved away from home) to hefty, academic tomes. Although buying second-hand is usually a good way to save some money, don’t be surprised to find the odd pricey literary gem on the shelves. The shop is famous for selling a very rare, donated Graham Greene novel for £15,000 in 2008.

Last Bookshop

Not your typical discount bookshop, Last Bookshop stocks books covering a big range of topics, from art and music to fiction and philosophy, all at amazing prices. It’s hugely popular with students, and with good reason. There’s even a café here for you to sit down with a hot drink while you make a start on your new purchases.

St Philip’s Books

St Philip’s books specialize in rare books in the humanities and are known for their academic and theological texts. Whilst this may seem like a big choice, the shop is great to spend an afternoon looking at the books and if you are interested in buying, you can order online. You can find their catalogue here.

Arcadia

Arcadia offers a vast selection of vintage Penguin paperbacks and other second-hand books with reasonable prices. It is really a gorgeous spot that feels like a step back in time. Definitely worth a visit for choosing a gift or a book for yourself. The staff is very knowledgeable and often praised for their recommendations and friendly service.

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.