York bookshops may not be what the town is known for but there are over 10 bookshops in the centre of this tiny Medieval town.

You can walk from one end of York to the other in around 15 minutes meaning that you could very well visit all the bookshops in York in one afternoon, which is precisely what I did.

READ MORE: 48 Hours in York

The majority of the bookshops in York are independent bookshops, run by lovely book mad people.

In recent times, a number of York’s oldest and best bookshops have had to close due to financial hardship – The Grimoire Bookshop, Fossgate Books and Ken Spelman Books.

This was hugely disappointing to me and is a stark reminder as to why it’s so important to support your local independent bookshops!

Each and every single bookshop on this list is well worth a visit though, keep scrolling to find out why!

READ MORE: Reasons to Visit York

DISCLOSUREI was invited to York by Visit York to explore the city’s literary sights. However, as always, all opinions are my own, as were any book splurges (there were many!).

The Minster Gate Bookshop sits in the shadow of York Minster and you can get spectacular views of the cathedral from just outside this bookshop. What may just be even more beautiful, however, is the inside of this shop.

The bookshop sits in a tall and narrow building with books in every nook and cranny. In the summer months, books will be laid out on shelves outside the door, but otherwise, there are bookshelves all around you from the moment you enter.

There are over five floors of books here and even the narrow staircase is lined with them!

In the first room, you’ll find rare and vintage editions. As you venture into the shop you’ll find more second-hand books with topics covering general fiction, classics, history, politics, York, and more. With five floors, you can bet they’ve got every possible genre covered!

I’ve visited Minster Gate bookshop a number of times now and can confirm that you could literally spend hours browsing these shelves.

Even when I thought I was finally on my way out of the shop, I found myself crouched in the doorway checking out some lovely Murakami editions on the bottom shelf of the first bookshelf.

There are a number of chairs and stools dotted around the bookshop too if you’d like to stay and read for a while. This shop never disappoints!

Speciality: Antiquarian and second-hand booksWebsite: www.minstergatebooks.co.ukAddress: 8 Minster Gates, York YO1 7HLOpening Hours: 10am – 5:30pm every day (11am – 5pm Sundays)

The Little Apple Bookshop is a small and adorable bookshop a few doors down from The Grimoire Bookshop.

It specialises in children’s books, which is evident from the moment you walk through the door as there are bright colours everywhere.

There is a carefully curated selection of the best children’s books from first readers to young adult. There are also some new releases in the adult general fiction genre.

Clearly the booksellers here know their stuff as one employee here, went on to be shortlistFiona Mozleyed for the Man Booker Prize!

If you’re looking for gifts, there are also plenty of bookish gifts for both children and adults alike.

Speciality: Children’s booksAddress: 13 High Petergate, York, YO1 7ENOpening Hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday; 9am – 6pm Saturday; 11am – 5pm Sunday

Another recent addition to the York bookshop family is The Blue House Bookshop. It opened in October 2019 and specialises in children’s and young adult fiction.

It’s a small shop with a carefully curated selection of the best children’s books around. The interiors feel like a cross between a very aesthetic and minimalist children’s playspace and an art gallery.

For parents and adults, there is a small shelf of adult fiction on the top floor in the far corner.

Speciality: Children’s booksAddress: 10 Bootham, York YO30 7BLOpening Hours: 10:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday

There are three Oxfam charity shops in York, two of which specialise in books. The Micklegate branch is the bigger of the two and stocks second-hand fiction and non-fiction in every genre imaginable.

The general fiction section is the most impressive with an extensive array of popular titles from across the past few decades as well as classics.

Additionally, you’ll find comic books, children’s books, history, art and more. In the back corner, there is also a music section where you will find lots of old CDs as well as records for you old souls.

Prices are astonishingly low at the York Oxfam Bookshops and you’re helping a good cause so shopping here is a no brainer really.

Speciality: Antiquarian and collectable books of all typesWebsite: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/Address: 46 Micklegate, York, YO1 6LFOpening Hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm every day (11am – 4pm Sundays)

Much like its sister store at Micklegate, this Oxfam bookshop stocks a wide array of fiction and non-fiction books.

This shop is smaller but it is more central, which makes it a little more convenient if you’re just dropping by to see what you might find.

Speciality: Second-hand booksWebsite: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/Address: 69 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HYOpening Hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm every day (11am – 4pm Sundays)

The Portal Bookshops is one of York’s newer bookshops only having opened in October 2019. It is currently the only bookshop in York that specialises in LGBTQIA as well as sci-fi and fantasy books.

The bookshop sits under a colourful rainbow sign and there’s a welcoming notice in the door that says there are free hot drinks and nibbles available for browsers.

Upon entering your eyes are assaulted with the vibrant colours of the shop and you can’t help but feel you have entered a den of happiness. The owner, Lali Hewitson, is just the loveliest, chatting to customers and offering recommendations.

Upon the bookshelf in the centre of the room, there are other goodies you can buy such as pins and patches in support of the LGBTQIA community.

For those interested in LGBTQIA reads, York LGBT Forum hosts a Rainbow Reading Group aimed at readers between 14 and 21 years old. It will focus on young adult LGBT fiction and you can find out more here.

Speciality: LGBTQIA literatureWebsite: https://the-portal-bookshop.square.site/Address: 5 Patrick Pool, York, YO1 8BBOpening Hours: 10am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday; 11am – 5:30pm Saturday; 11am – 5pm Sunday

RELATED: A Book Lover’s Guide to York

The Travelling Man is a busy bookshop with a steady flow of people going in and out. Despite the name, the Travelling Man is nothing to do with travel but everything to do with board games, graphic novels and general geekery.

Inside, you’ll find the walls lined with row upon row of board game. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, offering advice on the best games to pick up based on your preferences and gaming experience.

The small chain actually dates back to the 1980s and has been operating for almost 30 years. Whilst the first shop was in London, their three branches are now based in York, Manchester and Newcastle.

Speciality: Boardgames and graphic novelsWebsite: travellingman.comAddress: 74 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LFOpening Hours: 10am – 6pm Monday to Saturday; 11am – 5pm Sunday

Books for Amnesty is a charity bookshop that supports Amnesty International’s work to fight human rights abuses across the world. When I visited, they were having a huge sale and practically everything was just £1.

I managed to pick up a like-new copy of Number One Chinese Restaurant, which has been on my wishlist for ages, for just £1! This is where to come if you want to seek out the best bargains on books in York.

Although the shop is quite small, there is a decent collection of classics as well as general fiction and some more specialist genres.

Speciality: Cheap secondhand booksWebsite: www.amnesty.org.uk/shopping/second-hand-books-vinyl-york-minister-volunteerAddress: 42 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LFOpening Hours: 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday; 11:30am – 4:30pm Sunday

Pitch 22 is a mishmash of music, books and art. it’s a small shop on the outskirts of the city and browsing these shelves feels a little like poking around in the back of your Dad’s garage. Soft jazz music plays as the owner sits behind a small table, reading.

The selection here is small but the prices are good and you may pick up a classic that you’ve been meaning to read. I loved the small pile of old photographs on a table near the door, perfect for vintage lovers.

Speciality: Records, books, artAddress: 22 Fishergate, York, YO10 4ABOpening Hours: 12-6pm Wednesday to Saturday

Lucius Books has a friendly and inviting atmosphere as music softly plays and two booksellers sit chatting and laughing behind the till.

This York bookshop has a very different vibe to some of the other rare booksellers on this list as their shop is pristine, very orderly and there’s lots of open space.

It’s full of stunning first edition copies that are in very good condition. This is because each book has been carefully wrapped in plastic, which I found rather disappointing, if still understandable.

This shop is the perfect place to shop for presents for a loved one as you could pick up a beautiful edition of one of their favourite novels. It’s not just vintage first editions either – there are plenty of first editions of modern classics and new releases too!

Speciality: Rare first editionsWebsite: www.luciusbooks.comAddress: 144 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JXOpening Hours: 10am – 6pm (11am – 4pm Sundays)

Janette Ray Booksellers sits next to The Blue House Bookshop but has a very different niche. They stock rare books about architecture, photography and art.

As soon as you enter, you’ll be hit with the smell of old books that bookworms know and love. It’s a small shop but with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, there are plenty of titles in here to browse.

Since they stock rare books, if you spot something, snap it up quick – it might not be there for you when you come back!

NB. Janette Ray is only open three days a week so be sure to check opening times before you visit.

Speciality: Fine and rare books on art & architectureWebsite: www.janetteray.co.ukAddress: 8 Bootham, York YO30 7BLOpening Hours: 10am – 5pm Wednesday to Friday

Waterstones doesn’t need much of an introduction as book lovers will know exactly what to expect here. This is where to come if you want the latest releases on the very day they come out.

Although Waterstones is a chain store, each bookshop is curated to have the feel of an independent bookshop and this one is no different.

Towards the front of the shop, there are collections of books according to which genres and themes are trending at the moment.

There is also a section dedicated to both fiction and non-fiction about Yorkshire or by York writers, which I enjoyed browsing.

Waterstones York regularly holds events for touring authors so if you’re a local, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for any new announcements. They often relate to York authors or books but also international bestselling authors such as Holly Bourne.

There is also a wide range of stationery, games, bookish accessories and gifts to buy.

Speciality: New books, gifts, stationeryWebsite: www.waterstones.com/bookshops/yorkAddress: 15 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QLOpening Hours: 9am – 6:30pm Monday to Saturday (11am – 5pm Sunday)

Other York Bookshops:The Works YorkChristian Science Reading Room Taikoo Books Ltd.

If you want yet more bookish York, check out my book lover’s guide to York!

York is very easy to get to by train. It’s just 2-2.5 hours from London King’s Cross. Book via the Trainline for the cheapest tickets. 

If you’re travelling to York by car, you can leave your car in one of six Park & Rides sites surrounding the city. Parking spaces here are completely free and then you can hop on the bus to York city centre.

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For more bookshops, check out these guides:Bookshops in OxfordBookshops in CambridgeBookshops in BathBookshops in EdinburghBookshops in Hay-on-WyeBookshops in BrightonIndependent Bookshops in LondonSpecialist Bookshops in LondonSecond-Hand Bookshops in LondonBookshops in DublinBookshops in San Diego

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