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Devon and Cornwall have some fantastic bookshops, from cosy independents to antiquarian treasure troves.
Hop on the train to more than 50 of them (plus more by onward bus from the station). Any we've missed? Let us know at railpart@plymouth.ac.uk
Skip to bookshops in...
Independent bookshop stocking new classic, local and quirky books.
Independent bookshop stocking new and secondhand books. Specialises in art, landscape and travel books.
Secondhand bookshop at 10 The Arcade Steps.
Bestsellers and a range of titles across all genres including local interest.
Independent bookshop stocking new books, including many signed copies.
Stockist of antiquarian pre 1960s books and American comics dating back to the 1940s.
Antiquarian and secondhand bookshop specialising in all aspects of Cornish history.
Large store in the heart of the city where you can expect to find all the latest new releases as well as local interest books.
Wide range of books donated by the local public.
Large store situated in the heart of the city with a large children’s section and in-house café.
A treasure trove of secondhand books awaits in this gem of a bookshop.
Part bookshop, part pub, this is a great place to while away a few hours.
Independent shop in the middle of town with a wide range of titles, including local interest.
Specialists in rare and secondhand books. Maritime, railways, motoring and aviation are specialist areas catered for.
Primarily pre-loved books, with a particular interest in art, Cornwall and children’s literature.
Located on busy Market Street, this shop has the latest releases as well as local interest.
Good selection of secondhand books, including some decorative old editions. Good selection of vinyl records too.
Located in the heart of Padstow this bookshop stocks a wide range of new books from the latest releases through local interest and history.
Lovely bookshop which not only stocks the newest releases, but also has a whole room of secondhand gems to discover too.
Stocks new, secondhand and antiquarian books as well as specialising in authors with links to Cornwall, such as Daphne du Maurier.
A new arrival for 2025! Specialises in secondhand books. Re-located from East Looe by the owner of the Old Hall Bookshop.
Stocks an eclectic selection of secondhand books, from poetry to history and politics, as well as children’s books and local interest. Located at 19 Fore Street (PL14 3JA).
The Bookshelf is a great cafe and bookshop in one. Stocks fiction, non-fiction, walking books, railways, Cornish folklore and more.
Housed in an historic building on The Barbican, this shop has more than 200,000 books in stock, including rare out of print and first editions.
Large store in the busy Drakes Circus that features the latest releases alongside local interest books.
Housed over two floors this large store has all the latest releases.
This newly opened bookshop has a special focus on the natural world, children's books and local authors. They aim to create a community-minded shop reflecting the interests and passions of Totnes.
Independent book shop (previously known as Arcturus) that carries many titles, including new releases and best sellers but also has a focus on self-development and health.
Community bookshop featuring second hand fiction, art, poetry, history, natural history, local interest and more.
Located in an historic part of the town, ‘The Narrows’, this charity shop stocks a range of secondhand books.
All the latest releases as well as stationery and cards.
Main focus is books about the West Country, both new and second-hand. Also children’s, fiction, natural history, railway and history.
Branch within a charming listed building on the high street.
Located on Regent Street, a short walk from the station.
Family run bookshop specialising in new and secondhand books, including an extensive transport section.
Secondhand books donated by the public.
All the latest releases as well as stationery and cards.
Independent, family-run second hand bookshop on Queen Street.
Charity book shop that provides free books for children through donations and sales in the shop.
Independent bookshop selling new books, fiction, non fiction, art books, children's books and teen books.
The shelves are stacked with books for the most serious bibliophile to the casual reader.
This great antique and book centre is housed on the city's picturesque quayside.
Exeter’s city centre branch on Roman Gate is well stocked with a full range of new books.
Located in the Guildhall Shopping centre area, this store has the latest releases and new titles alongside local interest books.
Previously known as Crediton Community Bookshop, this is a lovely independent bookshop and social enterprise which supports local community projects as well as stocking a wide range of titles including latest releases and local interest books.
Stocks a hand-picked selection ranging from philosophy to natural history, classics to the best in new fiction. Dedicated section for children and young people.
Located at Okehampton station, the shop sells new railway books, second hand railway books, magazines, DVDs, jigsaws "and anything else with a railway connection". See website for opening times.
Centrally located independent secondhand book shop which also offers a book finding service.
Buzzing little bookshop in the heart of the town stocking new titles including local interest.
Located near the historic Pannier Market, this shop has all the latest releases in store.
There is often a specialist secondhand bookstall in the Pannier Market. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9am-4pm.
General book store housed over two floors in the vibrant market town of Tavistock. Children’s books and local history a specialism.
The charity specialist bookshop has been trading in Tavistock for many years and stocks a wide range of secondhand books from local interest and history to fiction.
Located near to the Pannier Market this shop stocks all the latest releases and new titles.
Large bookshop housed over three floors in a 17th century building in the town centre. The shop stocks out of print and secondhand books.
Owned by a mother and daughter, this small bookshop on the high street has its own coffee shop and prides itself on being a hub for the community.
Superb range of antiquarian and second hand books.
Huge range of second hand books. Trades at Tiverton Pannier Market on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday.
Branch on Fore Street in the town centre.
Aladdin’s cave of a bookshop which specialises in rare and secondhand books.
This is a book and antique shop which specialises in rare secondhand and out of print books.
Located on the high street, this store has all the latest releases.
Housed in an historic building in the heart of the town, this independent shop has books galore over two floors.
Bookshop specialising in children’s books from toddlers to young adults.
Rare and antiquarian books can be found in this shop as well as a very knowledgeable owner.
Cosy and welcoming shop with rare books through to new titles.
Independent bookshop stocking a wide range of titles to suit all ages and tastes.
Housed in a listed building in the centre of town you will find secondhand books galore.
Bookshop stocking a wide range of titles, including signed copies.
General bookshop with a broad selection for both adults and children.
Branch in the heart of the town on East Street.
Discount bookseller The Works has branches in Exeter, Plymouth and a number of towns across Devon and Cornwall.
As well as those listed above, there's also a branch of Waterstones in Torquay.
There are more branches of WH Smith in towns in addition to those listed above. Visit their store finder.