There are fewer simple pleasures in life more relaxing than sitting down with a good book and a hot cup of coffee – something which the owners of these beautiful bookshop cafes must know all too well.
The idea of bookshop cafes has been around for a long time, with a handful of popular London spots being opened over the last years. However, there has been no shortage of new bookshop cafes popping up around the country in recent times, with plenty of charming and inviting spots around the UK for travellers to enjoy. Wherever you are in the country, you’re never too far from one of these delightful little coffee shops, ready to welcome you in to experience the warm atmosphere with fellow book lovers.
So, if you’re the type who enjoys browsing the local bookshops or stopping at a coffee shop for some tea and cakes in the afternoon, then why not drop into one of the UK’s many bookshop cafes and enjoy a couple of hours of reading and refreshments?
Here are just a few of the cosiest bookshop cafes across the United Kingdom.
Jaffe and Neale Bookshop
Jaffe and Neale, Chipping Norton
Visitors to the historic market town of Chipping Norton, Cotswolds, should most definitely make sure to stop by Jaffe and Neale during their stay.
Opened in 2006, this charming little establishment has been providing guests with the perfect spot to enjoy great coffee, great books and great company for the last fourteen years. In that time, they’ve also entertained some famous faces – Pointless star Richard Osman, Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson and Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith have all dropped by in the past.
Taking pride of place on a street corner in the idyllic Peak District village of Bakewell, this inviting little bookshop offers guests a chance to stop for a break from exploring the area to enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat as they sink into a good story.
As quaint and traditional as the village of Bakewell itself, The Bakewell Bookshop provides a lovely cosy spot to spend a couple of hours of your day. You may even leave with one of the mystery books from the store’s ‘Do you judge a book by it’s cover?’ section, where books are wrapped in paper and string so that shoppers must take a chance on the book without even seeing it first – a great way of giving visitors a reason to branch out into genres they would never normally read.
This charming bookshop is the Shropshire market town of Oswestry has been delighting visitors for eleven years and has grown over that time into a real hub of the community, hosting various book clubs and events.
Booka is a little bigger than many of the stores on our list, too, set across two separate floors. Despite being spacious, Booka still feels just as warm and inviting, and has hundreds of books on offer to visitors, with a wide selection across a range of different genres.
This delightful little cafe is in a prime location within the Welsh town of Conwy, right in the middle of the high street. The interior of the cafe is warm and inviting enough that visitors will feel right at home, maybe even comfortable enough to curl up on one of the cosy sofas as they enjoy a good book.
There’s also a colourful courtyard at the back of the store, where visitors can read in the sunshine on a hot summer day as they enjoy one of the cafe’s delicious drinks.
The Hours describe the cafe on their website as ‘Brecon’s food and cultural hub’, and it’s easy to see why – they have previously been awarded the title of ‘Best Eating Out Experience’ by Brecon Beacon Tourism. The shop is built across three-storeys in a wonderful Tudor building and includes a dedicated reading room where visitors can enjoy a look through a book in some peace and quiet.
There’s even a delicatessen within the shop, where you can take home some of the delicious food on offer in the cafe. This really is an all-round great spot for those who like a good book with a bite to eat.
A charming 19th-century mill, beautifully refurbished to house the bookshop and cafe that now reside in the building. Aberfeldy Watermill carries an extensive range of books across a variety of different genres and has received high praise for their delicious cafe menu, including delicious baked goods and tasty vegan options. There’s something for everyone at Aberfeldy Watermill, whatever your taste in books and whatever your taste in food.
