Wales is a country known for its natural beauty. It also has some lovely bookshops. In this post, we’ve featured 10 of the best bookshops in Wales.
1. Book-ish
Located in Crickhowell, Book-ish was founded in 2010 by book lover Emma. Their store on the high street combines an independent bookshop with a café serving hot drinks, cakes, and light meals.
Alongside books from all sorts of genres, Book-ish runs quite a few events, such as a board game night, writing group, and author meet-and-greets. You can also sign up to their subscription boxes, with a choice of a book and a gift, or a book and coffee each month! They will also work with schools to help them to procure their next class read.
Get in touch with Book-ish.
2. Browsers Bookshop
Situated in Porthmadog, Browsers Bookshop started out in 1976 in a small cellar space in the town. Now in a shop on the high street, they sell a range of books, art supplies, and gifts. They are still family-owned and operated to this day.
There are all sorts of books on offer, whether you are looking for fiction or non-fiction. They also have a selection of titles in the Welsh language, including some for children. You can also find a selection of curated lists if you are looking for a little inspiration for your next read.
Give Browsers Bookshop a call.
3. The Mold Bookshop
You can find The Mold Bookshop on the upper high street of the town of the same name. They’ve been in business since 1981, meaning they have been providing books to the local community for over 40 years! Due to their countryside location, expect to find lots of walking books on offer!
Although they have lots of different books for sale, of particular interest is their selection of books on local history. You can also pick up signed copies of books here too. If you can’t find what you are looking for, they are happy to order it for you.
Reach out to The Mold Bookshop.
4. Seaways Bookshop
On the West coast of Wales in Fishguard in Pembrokeshire is Seaways Bookshop. They sell a selection of books, gifts, stationery, and art supplies in the store. They have a great children’s selection, including books in Welsh.
If they don’t seem to have the book you are looking for, or you are unable to visit them, you may wish to take advantage of their next-day ordering service. Depending on the book and when you request it, you could be able to pick it up the very next day!
Say hello to Seaways Bookshop.
5. Hay on Wye Booksellers
Hay on Wye Booksellers is located on the English border. They’ve been in business for over 40 years, and have on offer a wide assortment of new, second-hand, and antiquarian titles on their shelves.
They are always updating their stock on a regular basis. This is thanks in part to the fact that they are always looking to buy used books, so if you have a need to clear some shelf space, it’s worth enquiring to see what they’ll take!
Start a conversation with Hay on Wye books.
6. Cover to Cover
Cover to Cover is located in Swansea and is the only independent bookshop in the city! They stock an assortment of new books, including the latest releases, children’s books, and books on local history and music.
They have a very active events calendar throughout the year. Head along to one of their literary lunches featuring prominent authors, or to a book launch for a local author. You may also be interested in the range of gifts they have in store, as there is a selection for young and old alike!
Find out more about Cover to Cover’s story.
7. Griffin Books
Situated in Penarth, Griffin Books is owned by Mel. She and her friendly team are always more than happy to make sure you find exactly what you are looking for, or provide the best recommendation possible if you’re not sure!
They have all sorts of books on offer, including children’s literature. Griffin Books is always up to something, with regular events being hosted, and a range of services including book clubs, subscription boxes, and party favors!
Why not pay Griffin Books a visit?
8. Awen Teifi
Awen Teifi is located in Cardigan. The shop was set up in 1999 by Geraint and Siân James, who wanted to offer the community an assortment of Welsh books, cards, and gifts. Their books cover all manner of things to do with the country, in both the Welsh and English languages.
Since then the shop has expanded to include a large toy selection, especially focused on farming and agriculture models. They also have a gallery space where Welsh artists are celebrated and exhibited, so there is more to browse than just a book or two!
Connect with Awen Teifi.
9. Great Oak Bookshop
In the town of Llanidloes in mid-Wales, Great Oak Bookshop has been operating since 1992, giving them over 30 years in the bookselling trade! The book store is filled with shelves with all sorts of books, and dotted around are various chairs for you to make yourself comfy.
On offer is a range of new and used books, including some on local interest topics. They also have close connections with the local community, helping with local events and supporting local businesses that run alongside them.
Check out Great Oak Bookshop.
10. Bys a Bawd
Bys a Bawd is located in Llanrwst in Conwy. On offer here are books, cards, gifts, toys, stationery, and more. Books come in both English and Welsh versions, and they even have a section for children and those looking to learn the Welsh language.
Alongside selling books, it’s worth keeping Bys a Bawd in mind if you are looking to host an event. They have a meeting room for hire at the back of the store. They also offer printing and photocopying services if you need a document in a hurry.
If you have any questions, why not ask away?