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John Adams
Books
10 Angel Walk
TONBRIDGE Kent TN9 1TJ
tel: 01732 353519
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30 and occasional Sundays.
General stock of new and secondhand books.
As the embarrassed manageress said when
confronted: "We're not really a second-hand bookshop. It's that
we just have some used titles in with the new books." Exactly. Don't
waste your time visiting. - Chris Harte 29.06.09.
The Albion
Bookshop
44-46, Albion Street
BROADSTAIRS Kent CT10 1LX
tel: 01843 862877
map
Open: Wednesday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.30, Sunday 10.30 - 4.30.
Medium size general secondhand stock with a large section of literature
and literary criticism.
The "secondhand department"
of a shop selling new books . Vast and rather sprawling - can be
difficult to get into some rooms for the piles of books. But helpful
staff and pretty good on literature and travel. - Herne.
Certainly worth a visit, but the piles of
new/unshelved stock seem to increase every time I visit, to the
detriment of the overall experience - perhaps a sort-out to concentrate
on quality over quantity might help? - Henry Middleton 05.02.08
I would agree that it is really time for
this shop to have a sort out. Many of the prices are optimistic
and much of the stock needs to be skipped. There are some bargains
to be had but most people would soon get fed up trying to find them.
Bookshops such as this are going to the wall every week and a complete
rethink is needed here. - Nicholas Pendower 17.11.08.
Very muddled shop but overflowing with all
types of books. Most titles from the 1970-2005 era and very little
pre-war material. Owner was helpful but his pricing was all over
the place. Worth a visit for his political autobiographies which
are there in a large number. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
The Aviation
Bookshop
31-33 Vale Road
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kent TN1 1BS
tel: 01892 539284 fax: 01892 539597
e-mail website
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30
For over 50 years we have stocked literature on the subject of aviation
in all its aspects. Parking is available in the multi-story car
park opposite the shop. The shop is situated in the centre of town
about 200 yards from the main line station: Tunbridge Wells on the
Charing Cross Line.
City Books
(was Backroom Bookshop)
41 High Street
ROCHESTER Kent ME1 1LN
map
tel: 07531-397407
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 6.00 Sunday 10.00 - 5.00
We stock a variety of specilist and popular books.
A small bookshop which suffers from the
curse of narrow aisles - best visited on a quiet day only by persons
of slim build. - Henry Middleton 05.02.08
Has a reasonable varied stock with emphasis
on Kent. Owner is knowledgable about both availability and pricing,
which I found to be very fair. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
City Books is actually in the (much larger)
shop unit next door to the original Backroom Books, and offers greatly
improved access - there is even room for small antiques as well
as the books. - Henry Middleton 26.10.09.
Baggins Book
Bazaar
19, High Street
ROCHESTER Kent ME1 1PY
tel: 01634 811651 fax: 01634 840591
e-mail website
map
Open: every day 10.00 - 5.50
Secondhand books in profusion, all subjects. We run a secondhand
booksearch service.
Whether it really is the largest second
hand bookshop in the country may be open to debate, but the front
part of the shop, which holds the better quality stock is alone
always worth visiting in its own right. Behind this the shop goes
on and on, over two floors, with a wide selection and volume of
stock. I rarely leave empty-handed, but customers would be advised
to wrap up well if visiting in winter! - Henry Middleton 05.02.08
Vast stock but is actually fifteen different
dealers under one roof. When I asked for a price on wishing to buy
in bulk I was refused on the grounds it was the individual dealers'
decisions. Having said this the manager (who reminded me of Arthur
Daley in his pomp) then went and priced a three-figure rare title.
Hmm! - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
Mike Banwell
Unit 17 The Corn Exchange The Pantiles
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kent TN2 5QJ
tel: 01892 750944
map
Open: Tuesday and Thursday - Saturday 10 - 4.30*
A small shop with a small - but interesting
and attractive - stock and a few antiques, located in the Corn Exchange
just below the Pantiles. Within 5 minutes walk of Pantiles Books,
The Secondhand Bookshop, Hall's and Oxfam. - Richard.
*Only appears to be open on Friday and Saturday.
A small antique shop with a few books on shelves. - Chris Harte
29.06.09.
Barely Read
Books
18 The Green
WESTERHAM Kent TN16 1AX
tel: 01959 565854
map
Very large secondhand stock covering most subjects and particularly
Biggles, Blyton and Churchill.
Open as advertised but it was another
of my pet hates: narrow aisles made worse by piles of books on the
floor, up to 3 feet high and obscuring half the shelves behind them.
I accidentally knocked a book down, carefully replaced it then had
the whole pile fall over. When I eventually located my subject it
was behind two of the mammoth heaps so I didn't dare move anything
and left empty-handed. - Old Erithian.
Not only are the aisles narrow (no more
than two feet wide in places) but many of the shelves are double
banked and some rows of large books are shelved spine down, which,
together with the massive piles concealing the lower shelves, means
that little more than half the stock can be visible! It's almost
impossible to move without knocking a book off one of the piles.
Although there are good books in there somewhere, a visit is generally
a dispiriting and negative experience - what is the point? - Henry
Middleton. 01.04.09.
I agree with other comments about the cramped
space. It was difficult to browse. Pricing was very high so it was
no surprise that I was able to negotiate with ease a 55% discount
on titles I wished to purchase. - Chris Harte 29.06.09.
The Bookmark
15c Rainham Shopping Centre
RAINHAM Kent ME8 7HW
tel: 01634 365987
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30. Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
Over 40,000 reasonably priced books at your fingertips. Wide range
of both fiction and non-fiction. Very Good History, Travel, Biography,
Childrens & study sections. Book searches undertaken. Range of large
print & audio books. Great jazz while you browse.
On entry started muttering to myself
about wasting 50p in car park charging. Within a few minutes realised
that there was good stock so long as you had your eyes looking upwards
on to the top shelves. Eventually came away with two carrier bags
full but be aware; the manager's spoken English is not very good.
- Chris Harte 27.06.09.
Books
168 High Street
DEAL Kent CT14 6BQ
tel: 01304 368662
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Secondhand and antiquarian books including the arts and architecture.
What a contrast to the other (alleged)
bookshop in the town. Here they were pleasant, charming, knew their
subject and could not have been more helpful. Had some really good
late-nineteenth century Colonial material all of which were priced
fairly. Purchased some reasonable aged books and will certainly
return. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
Booksharp
22b King Street
GRAVESEND Kent DA12 2DU
tel: 01474 561101
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
Mainly secondhand paperbacks for readers.
The Book
Palace
32 Palace Street
CANTERBURY Kent CT1 2DZ
tel: 01227 470120
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Charity bookshop run entirely by volunteers for benifit of The Scrine
Foundation.
The Broadstairs
Bookshop
7 Albion Street
BROADSTAIRS Kent CT10 1LU
tel: 01843 860824
map
Open: ?
Smaller and more low key shop in the
same street (as Albion Books) which had a presentable stock - in
much the same areas. - Herne.
A most knowledgable owner who was candid
enough to state that his good material went virtually as soon as
it arrived. He had some interesting bits from between the wars but
little else from pre-1960. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
The Canterbury
Book Shop
37 Northgate
CANTERBURY Kent CT1 1BL
tel: 01227 464773
map
Open:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
General secondhand and Antiquarian stock, children's, illustrated
and typography.
An excellent, good-quality bookshop.
It's a bit of a distance from the city centre, at the far end of
Northgate, but well worth the walk. - Henry Middleton 05.02.08
C & M Framing
3 Corner House Buildings Red Lion Square
HYTHE Kent CT21 5BD
tel: 01303 260933
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00, closed Wednesday pm.
A picture framing business with a small stock of secondhand books.
C P Books
9 High Street
EDENBRIDGE Kent TN8 5AB
tel: 01732 300814
e-mail
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.00, closed Wednesday.
General secondhand stock of about 4,000 items with emphasis on the
arts disciplines: Art history, English literature, history, philosophy,
religion. Also sells online. Chair provided for visitors and toys
available for children to use while parents browse.
Chaucer Book
Shop
6-7, Beer Cart Lane
CANTERBURY Kent CT1 2NY
tel: 01227 453912
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Large general stock of quality secondhand and antiquarian books.
An excellent quality shop on two floors.
Aside from any other attractions Canterbury may have to offer, this
and the Canterbury Bookshop make the city a very worthwhile stopping
point for any passing bibliophile. - Henry Middleton 05.02.08
Falconwood
Transport & Military Bookshop
5 Falconwood Parade The Green
WELLING Kent DA16 2PL
tel: 020 8303 8291
map
Open: Thursday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
Specialist transport & military stock.
Stanley Fish
& Co
215A Upper Grosvenor Road
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kent TN1 2EG
tel: 01892 546431
e-mail website
map
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 4.00.
Some 5,000 books on the railways of Britain, North America and the
World. Please ring before travelling for directions. We are hard
to find, and it gives us a chance to put the kettle on for you.
Halls Bookshop
20-22 Chapel Place
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kent TN1 1YQ
tel: 01892 527842
e-mail website
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.00.
General secondhand stock and history, children's and antiquarian.
The most famous secondhand bookshop in
Tunbridge Wells, Halls "established 1898". Two floors of antiquarian
and secondhand stock, a browser's paradise and knowledgeable staff.
- Kim Andrews.
The Yellow Pages advertisement may be 20
years old but people still walk into the bookshop that featured
in it for a brief second and ask for a copy of Fly Fishing, by J.
R. Hartley...more
Lots of helpful staff large quantity
of books on all subjects at reasonable prices. - John F Bacon
Excellent stock which took me three hours
to assess. Spent quite a bit on very reasonably priced items and
made a promise to myself to visit more regularly. - Chris Harte
27.06.09.
The
Hospice Bookshop
Dymchurch Road
DYMCHURCH Kent
tel: ?
Open: 7 days.
On main through village near Amusement
Park. Notice on door shows it as open 7 days a week. Not large but
looked interesting. Unfortunately I was passing through after it
had closed for the day. Clive Cheeseman 10.09.07.
Hythe Bookshop
86 High Street
HYTHE Kent CT21 5AJ
tel: 01303 265666
e-mail
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00
General, mostly hardback, including history local history, topography,
natural history, military, transport and travel, outdoor pursuits.
Hythe Bookshop has been selling new books for 30 years and in May
2009 opened a second-hand department.
The Kentish
Bookshop
1 Bank Buildings Ash Road
HARTLEY Kent DA3 8EH
tel: 01474 702170
map
Open: see below
Secondhand and antiquarian stock, particularly books on Kent and
Nelson.
Notice in the window gives opening hours
as Monday and Tuesday 9.30 - 2.30. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
by appiontment only, Sunday closed. Saturday is missing from the
list of days, so presumably it is closed. Needless to say I went
on a "wrong" day. Don't you just love these half-hearted bookshop
owners? - Old Erithian.
Marrin's
Bookshop
149 Sandgate Road
FOLKESTONE Kent CT20 2DA
Tel: 01303 253016
e-mail website
map
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.
Antiquarian and general second hand books, Kent topography, maps
& prints. We are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association,
and the PBFA.
Saturday curse. "The owner isn't here
today." Stock is piled on floors and I had to crawl along to view
books hidden behind portfolios. Asked about my speciality. Told
they had none. Spotted a row of them as I was about to walk out
of the front door. Checked them: saw the prices so went down the
road for a large coffee ice-cream instead. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
I visit Marrin's on a regular basis and
have always found the proprietors knowledgeable and helpful. There
is an excellent, large and realistically priced stock in this shop
and there is always plenty that is worth buying. Perhaps Mr. Harte
should stick to his ice-cream rather than visit bookshops - he is
clearly not the type that proper booksellers take seriously! - Nicholas
Pendower 18.08.09.
I cannot agree with Chris Harte's view of
Marrin's bookshop. The firm is a very reputable one which has been
in business for over half a century now and must be something of
a Folkestone institution, akin to Hall's in Tunbridge Wells. I have
been visiting the shop now and again for several years and have
always found the staff very knowledgeable and helpful (they even
volunteered a discount once). Their prices have always struck me
as very fair - running an antiquarian/second hand bookshop can hardly
be a licence to print money and the dealer has to make a profit
somewhere or us buyers will have nowhere to go. - Henry Middleton
26.10.09.
McConnell
Fine Books
The Golden Hind 85 Beach Street
DEAL Kent CT14 6JB
tel: 01304 375086
map
Open: Friday and Saturday.
Secondhand and antiquarian books including literature, history and
books about Kent.
It is a long time since I have been so
angry after visting a bookshop. I found the owner's attitude towards
myself and other customers to be beyond the pale. His main aim is
to sell "fine bindings" and little else. Stock small and unexamined
as in my two minutes in the shop I was looked upon as scum and totally
unwanted. Visit only if you want to be insulted. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
I am all for constructive opinion and have
used your guide in the past. However, this review completely blurs
the distinction between 'fair comment' and malicious comment. It
is not at all constructive or informative and appears to be nothing
more than a personal attack on the shop's proprietor. "I was looked
upon as scum" "Visit only if you want to be insulted" ? And all
of this formulated in a "two minute" visit. I am suprised that a
publication that sets out to actively encourage book buyers to visit
'real' as opposed to 'virtual' bookshops has allowed such a comment
to be posted. - Steve Baxter. 11.08.09.
What utter nonsense your initial reviewer
has written! I regularly visit the Golden Hind and have always found
Nick McConnell enthusiastic, knowledgeable and utterly charming.
Mr. Harte must be an idiot not to spot that this is quite obviously
a shop that specialises in fine bindings and in some very good local
history, and, if he had bothered to find out, would have discovered
that it contains one of the finest selections of this type of book
in the world, let alone in East Kent. That a reviewer can so utterly
misunderstand a business and be allowed to do so much potential
damage to a seller that has an international clientele and reputation
is disgraceful, and he should ensure that he gets his facts right
before going into print.
- Nicholas Pendower 18.08.09.
I was sorry to see the first review. It's
true that the Golden Hind is not the charming little local bookshop
it was in Michael Hoskins' day but Nick McConnell has at least kept
it open. Important to remember that he is an antiquarian dealer
not a second hand bookseller then you wont be disappointed. Stock
is high quality and Nick is a very pleasant fellow who has never
been rude to a customer while I was in the shop! I always visit
when in the area and recommend it, depending on your interest. -
Anthony Davis 13.10.09.
Michael's
Bookshop
72 King Street
RAMSGATE Kent CT11 8NY
tel: 01843 589500
e-mail website
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30
A fairly large general bookshop, about 30,000 books arranged on
over 100 bookcases. About half of our stock is secondhand ranging
from ordinary paperbacks to collectors items.
Helpful owner and well organised stock
with a good selection of Kent local history, aviation and military
- Roger Leverdier 29.04.8.
As has been stated very good on Kent and
Military titles. Also quite a good lot of aviation, sci-fi and occult.However,
little for an antiquarian collector. Owner pleasant and helpful.
- Chris Harte 27.06.09.
Monkton Nature
Reserve Bookshop
The Field Study Centre Monkton Nature Reserve Monkton
RAMSGATE Kent CT12 4LH
tel: 01843 822666
e-mail website
map
Open: Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
Based in the reserve Field Centre, several rooms, containing 1000s
of second hand books available at very competitive prices, including
many collectable items. All proceeds go toward maintaining the reserve
and the work of the Thanet Countryside Trust.
Standard donated charity stock but very
cheap. - Richard 30.04.09.
This charity bookshop set in a beautiful
nature reserve expands by the week. Deliveries of books arrive and
are on the shelves and priced by the knowledgable staff while you
are still browsing the thousands of books. Reasonably priced and
for a worthwhile charity. Additional extras are the free parking
and if you are lucky a cup of coffee. - F Love. 07.09.09.
MR. Books
2 Bank Street
TONBRIDGE Kent TN9 1BL
tel: 01732 363000
e-mail website
map
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00, 8pm Thursday.
Large general stock. Tonbridge, Kent, Sussex. Very large children's
and TV annual collection. Sport, modern fiction. Also top of the
range Anglepoise lamps. Find me right near the castle in Tonbridge.
Also organiser of the Tonbridge Book Fair, on Sunday April 1st and
October 28th, 9.30 - 4.00.
Interesting little “warren” situated
in a side street near the castle. Owner very helpful but advises
a phone call if travelling a distance as sometimes has to take an
hour out. - Clive Cheeseman 15.08.07.
Nice shop; most co-operative owner; stock
slightly muddled but a wonderful selection of Kentish publications
from over the past century. Also good military stock. - Chris Harte
29.06.09.
Oxfam Bookshop
51 St Peter's Street
CANTERBURY Kent CT1 2BE
tel: 01227 454091
map
Surprisingly good - Bernard Dixon 22.04.08.
Some very good quality books can be found
here at reasonable prices. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
Oxfam Bookshop
34 Gabriels Hill
MAIDSTONE Kent ME15 6JJ
tel: 01622 753585
map
On two floors, well laid out, and does
have a high turnover of stock. - Clive Cheeseman.
Oxfam Bookshop
25-29 High Street
ROCHESTER Kent ME1 1LN
tel: 01634 814790
map
Quite a large shop with a good selection
of books too, though not quite as many as Baggins. Most were in
rather better condition though, and at least the Observer books
were cheaper! - Steve Newman 05.08.09.
A fairly good selection of general books
with a special section on Dickens and three shelves of pre-1914
titles. However, the shop specialises in pianos and harmoniums (!)
with some bargains to be had here. - Chris Harte 14.12.09.
Oxfam Bookshop
6 Chapel Place
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kent TN1 1YQ
tel: 01892 616269
map
Oxford Street
Books.com
20a Oxford Street
WHITSTABLE Kent CT5 1DD
tel: 01227 281727
e-mail website
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
General mix of approximately 20,000 secondhand and antiquarian books
across all categories. Sensible prices and friendly service.
Nice varied stock. Most helpful owner.
Will go back on a regular basis. - Chris Harte 14.04.09.
Pantiles
Bookshop
12/14/16 The Pantiles
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kent TN2 5TE
tel: 01892 618191
e-mail map
Open: Seven days 10.30 - 5.00.
Good general stock. We specialise in a big way on books on or about
the County of Kent its villages, towns and people. 10 shelves of
railway, lots of cricket, cinema, military, esoteric and topography
also ephemera. Wanted to buy: early foreign travel particularly
Africa and old cricket and football.
Very organised, business-like premises with
plenty of general interest. - Kim Andrews.
Excellent range of books at very reasonable
prices, well worth a visit. - H Macfarlane 04.05.09.
Don't be put off by first impressions as
this is actually a very good place in which to while away a couple
of hours. If you need assistance then the owner's wife is your source.
It took quite some searching but I found a few items. Very strong
on railway material. Reasonable and sensible pricing. - Chris Harte
29.06.09.
Past Sentence
119 West Street
FAVERSHAM Kent ME13 7JB
tel: 01795 590000
map
Open: Monday 10.00 - 2.00 & Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
Good quality secondhand books bought and sold.
Parked in the nearby Co-op. Walked up
the pedestrianised West Street opposite and found, in the bookshop,
two treasures marked at such a low price that I ran back to the
car with them and drove out of town before anyone could stop me.
General stock is run of the mill but the stuff on the shelf behind
where the owner sits is superb. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
Periwinkle
Press
Bagham Barn Antiques Centre Canterbury Road Chilham
CANTERBURY Kent CT4 8DU
tel: 01227 732522
e-mail website
map
Open: Wednesday - Sunday 10.00 - 5.00.
Antiquarian book sellers, trade and retail picture framers.
We specialise in antique prints, maps and books. Established in
1968.
Situated in a small quality country retail
centre. Stock small but of a very high standard. Owner, who was
very knowledgable, said he had many thousands more book in store
as he also works off the internet. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
Regal Books
16a, Stone Street
GRAVESEND Kent DA11 0NH
tel: 01474 326656
map
Open:
Monday - Saturday 8.30 - 5.00.
About 2,500 secondhand and some collectable and antiquarian books.
The Secondhand
Bookshop
13 Nevill Street
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Kent TN2 5RU
tel. 01892 547005
map
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 4.30, closed Wednesday.
Books that would not sell in my Oxted
shop reduced to half price or £2 each. Most secondhand books
do not sell quickly so the stock here is good but not my best. Books
bought all the time. Please telephone me on 01883 723131 or at the
shop on Fridays.
Friendly and a good range of quality
stock. - Kim Andrews.
Good range especially on topography and
very realistic prices. Halls recommended it ! Halls themselves are
good for fiction and poetry and elderly owner( ?) was helpful in
finding things. - Herne.
Very friendly owner who has a wide understanding
of the book trade. Wide range of books on all subjects with some
prices extremely low. - John F Bacon.
Everything is priced at £2. That says all
you need to know. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
Wadard Books
6 High Sreet
FARNINGHAM Kent DA4 0DG
tel: 01322 863151
map
Open: Tuesday & Thursday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
Secondhand and antiquarian books including cookery, military and
local history and topography.
I was amazed at the high quality of books
in this shop which also has a very knowlegdable owner who is always
willing to help. The scarce titles scattered around are very tempting.
- Chris Harte 27.06.09.
What a super bookshop. It is in a pretty
village near the M25 and M20 between London and the bookshops of
East Sussex. Pleasant and airy with a mixture of antiquarian and
secondhand stock, much of interest with a special focus on military
history. The owner is very charming and helpful. This is what a
bookshop should be. Am most grateful to your website to cause me
to stop off there. - Anthony Davis 13.10.09.
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