5 Beautiful Bookshops in Bath to Add to Your Literary Bucket List

Looking for bookshops in Bath to add to your itinerary? Dearest, darlingest reader, look no further!

Bath is such a literary destination so naturally while I was there I just had to do some bookstore browsing (ok, and shopping). We managed to pop into three and walked by two more that were closed but looked promising. I’m sharing them all below for your literary bucket list.

5 Independently-Owned Bookshops in Bath

George Bayntun

So bummed we didn’t actually get to visit! George Bayntun is a mainstay in Bath and one of the most famous bookshops specifically for rare books. It even houses the Bayntun-Riviere Bindery, which goes all the way back to 1829. If you’re planning to get a special copy of a beloved classic, this looks like the place to do it!

Pair it With: The train station. It’s right across the way, so perfect for a first or last stop in Bath.

Mr. B’s Emporium

If you only have time for one bookshop in Bath, Mr. B’s Emporium will have the largest selection and the most space to wander through. It’s such a whimsical labyrinth with gorgeous murals and a truly ginormous variety. One thing I really loved is that they created their own publishing house with Fox, Finch & Tepper. Co-founder, Juliette Bottomley, curates old literary fiction titles that may be somewhat out of print. This is how I discovered the book, Winter Love by Han Suyin!

Pair it With: The Jane Austen Centre. It’s right around the corner, so head over after you do a tour of the center. Foodwise, The Raven is around another corner. Get the raven ale pie.

Persephone Books

You know I was utterly charmed by Persephone Books because gray is probably my least favorite color, and I fully loved their gray book covers. I even got the tote bag. (Instagram seemed to love it too because that reel took off).

They’re both a bookstore and a publisher focused on reprinting mid-20th century fiction and non-fiction, mostly by women writers. All their books come in this iconic pale gray color (though they’ve designed more colorful ones for select books as well), and it’s just such a lovely store. Like in my head, this bookstore is the setting for a charming Bath romance.

It’s really just one room so you can spend all your time reading through the different book summaries to select the one. I opted for One Afternoon by Siân James.

Pair it With: It’s slightly farther but still close to the Jane Austen Centre, so you could always visit before you go then hit up Mr. B’s after. It’s also in the direction of the Bath Assembly Rooms.

Bath Old Books

Bath Old Books is another shop that was closed when I tried to visit. (We were there on a British holiday hence the scheduling conflicts). It’s a tiny lil shop so I could at least see what it was like through the window. As the name suggest, it focuses on secondhand and antique books.

Pair it With: A visit to the Royal Crescent. It’s quite literally nearby and that whole little street has different shops and cafes. If you visit on a Sunday, The Chequers is also nearby for a tasty roast.

Topping & Company Booksellers

Topping & Company was right by our hotel so we actually stumbled across it while we were sightseeing. It’s located in what was once known as the Friends Meeting House and the interiors have that gorgeous library/bookstore type of vibe. Their Coffee with a Bookseller consultation sounds so lovely!

Pair With: Bath Abbey & The Roman Baths. It’s quite literally on the same street as the baths! For food, Sally Lunn’s is also nearby to get try the classic Bath buns.

And there you have it five charming bookshops in Bath to choose from when you come! Let me know if I’m missing any below.

For more England travel:

• Essential London Travel Tips
• How to Visit Seven Sister Cliffs
• Lovely Bookstores in London

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