23 independent bookstores in the UK to buy from right now

We all know that the messaging about what and what not to do during times of quarantine, lockdown and a pandemic is pretty unclear right now. 

But I would have to say, if you can, please stay at home. 

Understandably, being at home for such a long time (we’re well over sixty days here) gets a bit boring. Once you’ve exhausted your “to be read” pile of books, I thought a great idea was supporting local independent bookshops across the United Kingdom. 

I know how important small businesses are to our communities and I wanted to try to drive support to them in any way that I can. 

So without further ado, please find below my list of independent bookstores that are currently shipping across the United Kingdom. If you are looking for a book, please try and call up one of these shops or order from them online – whether local or from across the country. 

I know in the age of e-readers, Kindles and iPads that you could choose to buy and download, but if you can, try and spare a little extra pocket change to support your booksellers. After all, we most certainly want to go back to normal at some point when we can peruse through their shops, and catch a whiff of that familiar bookstore smell. Nothing quite beats the smell of a good bookstore, you know?

I’m also compiling a list of bookshops across America who are currently still shipping, for my US readers too. 

And please note that I’m planning for this to be an ever expanding list, so let me know your favourites if they aren’t on here yet. I’m only a one woman show, so it’s impossible for me to know all the great bookshops… but I certainly am excited to learn all about them!

23 Independent Bookstores across the United Kingdom to buy from right now:

England

London

• John Sandoe Books, Sloane Square – One of my favorite bookshops in London (and one of the most Instagrammable too). 
• Pages of Hackney, Hackney 
• Primrose Hill Books, Primrose Hill
• Daunt Books, Marylebone 
• Hurlingham Books, Hammersmith – They are currently offering delivery in the Hammersmith, Fulham, Putney and Barnes area. They’ve created a “lucky dip” with their delivery service where they’ll be sending you something they’d recommend based on your interests. This Instagram post explains it much better than I can!

South England

• P&G Wells, Winchester – Another favourite of mine, tucked amongst the beautiful streets of Winchester. They are even hand delivering to local Winchester residents for order over £30 (not hard to do for book lovers). 
• October Books, Southampton – A bookshop that doubles up as a grocery store as well. Free delivery to local post codes! 
• Westbourne Bookshop, Bournemouth 

South East England

• Sevenoaks Bookshop, Kent 
• The Chaucer Bookshop, Canterbury

South West England

• Harbour Bookshop, Devon
• Mr B’s Emporium, Bath

North 

• Chapter One Books, Manchester
• News from Nowhere, Liverpool – They are known as Liverpool’s not-for-profit radical and community bookshop, established in 1974, and run collectively by a women workers’ co-operative. Which their website says means no boss & no owner, pretty rad indeed!

Scotland

• Golden Hare, Edinburgh 
• The Lighthouse Bookshop, Edinburgh
• McNaughten’s, Edinburgh
• Hyndland Bookshop, Glasgow

Northern Ireland

• No Alibis, Belfast
• Keats and Chapman, Belfast
• Little Acorns Bookstore, Derry – Though their website doesn’t state details about ordering online, you can find more information on their Facebook page on how to order books as they are still operating.

Wales

• Cover to Cover, Swansea
• Seaways Bookshop, Fishgaurd

If you have other additions of independent bookstores who are currently shipping within the United Kingdom, please let me know in the comments or on social media and I will continue to update this post. I’m aware I’m lacking in a few sections at the moment but wanted to get this up ASAP to help local businesses.

Much love and stay safe out there!

Kelly xoxo

PS. Don’t forget to check out some of my recent posts to help you during these times, like 10 positive quotes to get you through the week and 9 of the best TV shows to rewatch right now.