Looking for the best Brighton bookshops? These are loads of independent bookshops in Brighton within walking distance of each other (and the beach!).
Most people go to Brighton for the beach. I went for the bookshops. Known for being a liberal and artsy city, it’s perhaps not a surprise that there are a large number of independent bookshops in Brighton.
There are new bookshops, second-hand bookshops, a feminist bookshop, children’s bookshops, an independent magazine shop and more.
Now let’s explore the best Brighton bookshops.
Best Brighton Bookshops
The Feminist Bookshop
If you only have time to visit one bookshop in Brighton, make it this one. This bookshop embodies the city’s liberal ethos being part feminist bookshop, part vegan café in true Brighton style.
The inside is clean, bright and modern with white bookshelves lining the walls from floor to ceiling on one side. There are tall tables with book piled up on them, books displayed on the walls, on the counter, under the windows and more.
If I had a dedicated reading room at home, I’d take inspiration from The Feminist Bookshop in Brighton.
The selection of books on offer here are all excellent and I struggled to find just one to take away with me. There are new releases and backlog books in every genre – all with either a feminist angle or written by a female writer.
In addition to the books, there’s a wonderful little café inside with seating in two small outdoor patios. It’s a lovely place to come find a new read, grab a cup of coffee and sit reading in the sun.
The owner is super lovely too!
I bought: If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
Address: 48 Upper N St, Brighton BN1 3FH
Website: https://thefeministbookshop.com/
Opening hours: Closed Monday-Tuesday; 11am-5pm Wednesday-Thursday; 11am-6pm Friday-Sunday
City Books
City Books is actually in Hove rather than Brighton, but it’s just a short walk down the beach from Brighton proper.
This is the largest bookshop in Brighton and Hove and has twice been shortlisted for the Independent Bookshop of the Year award so it’s definitely worth the walk!
Spanning two floors, this new bookshop has an extensive selection of titles on offer in each and every genre. This includes fiction, poetry, children’s books, cookery, art, business, travel and more.
There’s a particularly large collection of black Penguin classics here, so if you collect those editions then this is the shop for you.
As a literary traveller, I was also pleased to see a large section on local interest books.
If you’re in the area for a while, you should check on the City Books literary events schedule to see what’s coming up. They often have authors in to talk about their new books and attendees are given the opportunity to ask questions and purchase signed first editions at a reduced price.
Address: 23 Western Rd, Hove BN3 1AF
Website: https://www.city-books.co.uk/
Opening hours: 9:30am–5:30pm Monday-Saturday; 11am–4:30pm Sunday
Goldsboro Books, Brighton
Goldsboro Books specialises in signed, first editions and is a great place to browse for gifts or collector’s items (or simply those with deep pockets!). There’s a mix of titles here from new, signed copies of very recent releases as well as first editions of older titles, such as Ian Fleming’s James Bond.
All books are wrapped in plastic to preserve the covers with some of the more valuable items being stored in a glass cabinet.
What’s more, the staff are super lovely and are happy to recommend titles and gush about books with you. The bookseller and I fangirled over The Assembly by Natasha Brown when I visited, which made the experience all the more memorable.
The original Goldsboro Books is located in Cecil Court in London. Find out more about this specialist London bookshop here.
Address: 22b Ship St, Brighton BN1
Website: https://www.goldsborobooks.com/
Books for Amnesty, Brighton
If you’re looking for second-hand books in Brighton then Books for Amnesty is the bookshop to head towards. And with it’s iconic pink exterior, you won’t miss it!
Books for Amnesty bookshops are some of my all time favourite second-hand bookshops. All the ones I’ve visited have been very well stocked with super low prices. Somehow I always manage to find a book I’m looking for in here and am always surprised to see fairly new releases in here.
For example, in this Brighton bookshop, I spotted the recently released title The Push by Ashley Audrain, a hotly anticipated book of 2021!
Books for Amnesty Brighton is located in the North Laines, close to lots of other bookshops on this list. You should definitely check out this area of the city where there are lots of trendy cafes, restaurants and second hand shops. There’s lots of fun street art to admire too.
You can read about Books for Amnesty York in this York bookshops post.
Address: 15 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EN
Website: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/shopping/second-hand-books-brighton-volunteer-north-laines
Opening hours: 12-5:30pm Monday; 11-5:30pm Tuesday to Saturday; 12-4pm Sunday
Raining Books
Raining Books is another secondhand bookshop in Brighton but this has to be the most chaotic bookshop I’ve ever set foot in.
If you’ve ever wondered what a book explosion might look like, the inside of Raining Books might give you an idea.
The wonky display of books in the left window pane is the first clue of the kind of book chaos you’re about to enter. But this bookshop greets you with that musty old book smell that most bookworms have come to love.
There are books piled up everywhere and there’s so little space on the shelves that some of them are piled sideways so you can’t even see the titles on the spines. There are more piles of books on the floor, on the tables, on the chairs – everywhere.
Each book has a small coloured sticker on the spine indicating its price with the most expensive being £4.95 so it’s a great place to pick up a bargain – if you can find it. There are a few special or rare editions that are priced individually with a post-it note on the front instead.
The condition of the books varies greatly but, on the whole, they are a little more dishevelled here than they are at some of the other secondhand bookshops in Brighton.
You’ll need to set aside a decent chunk of time to visit this one as sifting through these shelves is no easy task and requires patience.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a specific book or genre, the owner is very friendly and knowledgeable and can somehow make sense of the madness within his own shop.
But that’s not as fun as stumbling across a hidden gem!
Address: 28 Trafalgar Square, Brighton, BN1 4ED
Opening hours: 10:30am-6pm Monday-Saturday
Dave’s Comics
Dave’s Comics is split into two physical bookshops which are just a few doors down from each other and it’s one of the best shops in the country for comic book lovers and general nerds. Not only do they have an excellent collection of comics but they also stock collectables, funko pops, manga, board games and more.
The shop is well laid out with different sections for different interests and it’s easy to find new releases as well as popular backlog editions. The staff are really friendly too and happy to help with any requests you may have or offer personal recommendations.
If you can’t find what you want in-store then do ask the staff whether they can order it in for you as they’re often willing to do this and then reserve it for you.
Prices are mostly reasonable for what you’re buying but on a few items they are a little high. That said, I think the price is well worth paying for supporting a great indie bookshop in Brighton.
Address: 3 and 5 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EN
Website: https://www.davescomics.co.uk/
Opening hours: 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday; 11am-5pm Sunday
Oxfam Books, Brighton
There’s always a bargain to be found at Oxfam Books and this Brighton bookshop is no different. What I loved about this Oxfam bookshop in particular is that it was so colourful and cheerful. There is rainbow bunting and rainbow decorations hanging from the ceiling that really brightened the whole shop.
On some shelves, the books were even arranged in rainbow order (and if you follow me on Instagram then you know I love a good rainbow bookshelf).
There’s a wide range of books here from ranging from fiction to philosophy and everything in between. There’s a particularly good selection of crime and thriller books at the back here so if that’s your jam then you’re in luck.
There are also lots of old editions of classics, including orange Penguin classics, so collectors may find what they’re looking for on these shelves.
In addition to books, there are quite a lot of gifts, greeting cards, stationery and more to browse near the front of the shop. There are Fair Trade food products, ground coffee and other accessories for your travels such as reusable coffee cups.
Address: 30 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
Website: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/oxfam-bookshop-brighton/
The Book Nook
Again, The Book Nook is technically located in Hove so it’s a short walk over from Brighton, but definitely worth visiting for kids books.
This colourful bookshop has a large range of titles for kids from 0 to young adult so there’s something for every young reader.
The inside decor is fun with lots of displays and things hanging from the ceiling and the bright displays of books are inviting for youngsters so it’s generally a lovely place to browse.
What’s amazing is that the Book Nook stock lots of inclusive books too, something which is so so important for young, impressionable readers.
The Book Nook also frequently hosts events at the back of the shop including storytime and author events. They also run two regular bookshops for students in years 4/5 and 6/7, which is such a lovely idea.
There are often signed copies available to purchase here too which makes the books that much more special for keen young readers.
All in all, the Book Nook is an award-winning bookshop for a reason and this is a must-visit in Brighton and Hove if you have children!
Address: 1st Avenue, Hove, BN3 2FJ
Website: https://booknookuk.com/
Opening hours: 9am-5:30pm Monday-Saturday
The Wax Factor
NB. The book owner at Wax Factor is retiring and it will soon sell music & records only.
The Wax Factor is predominantly a record and vinyl shop but it does have a large selection of second-hand books on offer outside and inside the front of the shop.
All genres are stocked here and prices are currently at rock bottom as the book section is, sadly, being wound down. Most copies are in pretty good nick too so there are some real bargains to be found!
The owners are very knowledgeable and happy to lend a hand if you’re looking for something specific.
Address: 24 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4EQ
Opening hours: 10:15am-5:30pm Monday-Friday; 9:45am-5:30pm Saturday
Snoopers Paradise
Snoopers Paradise is a treasure trove of random trinkets and second-hand wares. Amongst all the clothes, homeware, and furniture there are also lots of books on offer.
And it was here that I discovered a book I’d been looking for for months! I was missing a copy of A Feast for Crows by George R R Martin and struggling to find a copy matching the rest of my collection, editions that are no longer sold.
It seemed like fate that in this shop filled with random second-hand items that I would finally find the book I had been looking for for so long!
There’s a wide range of books on offer here from classics to popular fiction to fairly recent releases. I was surprised to find a copy of Philip Pullmans’ The Book of Dust in very good condition here.
This whole shop is a Brighton experience in itself so it’s definitely worth having a snoop around Snoopers Paradise to see what’s inside. Perhaps you, like me, might find something that you’ve spent ages looking for!
I bought: A Feast for Crows by George R R Martin – perfect condition – £3
Address: 7/8 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
Website: https://snoopersparadise.co.uk/
Opening hours: 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday; 11am-5pm Sunday
Family Store
Family Store isn’t a bookshop but it does have a good selection of books on offer. Located in Brighton’s North Laines, a must-visit area in the city, you may as well pop your head in to browse their trendy clothes, caps, badges and books.
The books on offer reflect the cultural and liberal vibe of Brighton with some feminist books, translated fiction, graphic novels, and more. Their book selection is well-curated and this is a great place to look for a coffee table book or a gift.
The books are on the pricey side but worth browsing if you’re keen to support an independent Brighton shop and discover a great new read.
Address: 33 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
Website: https://familystoreuk.com/
Opening hours: 10am-6pm Monday-Sunday
Magazine Brighton
Ok so this one technically isn’t a bookshop but it is the sort of place that book lovers may also like to peruse. Magazine Brighton is a shop dedicated to independent prints and publications.
Whether you’re interested in travel, fashion, books, politics or art, there’s a publication for you. And if you’re just there for the aesthetics, well, they’re all beautiful.
Each week they spotlight one magazine and give it a shoutout so browsers can discover something new. If you’re after something specific, you can check their website to see what’s in or give them a ring to check they’ve got what you need.
Address: 23 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4EQ
Website: https://magazinebrighton.com/
Opening hours: 11am-5pm Tuesday-Friday; 10am-5:30pm Saturday; 12-4pm Sunday
Waterstones, Brighton
Waterstones needs little introduction as it’s much the same in every city. If you’re after a new copy of a specific title or recent release then you can be sure that Waterstones will have what you need.
This Waterstones branch also has a Waterstones café inside which is a great place to shelter from the rain with a new book if Brighton’s small indie coffee shops are all full.
There’s also a great selection of stationery, games and gifts on offer in every Waterstones so it’s a good choice for a last minute gift.
Address: 71-74 North St, Brighton BN1 1ZA
Website: https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/brighton-clock-tower
Opening hours: 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday; 11am-5pm Sunday
Other Brighton Bookshops
Sadly I wasn’t able to visit these Brighton bookshops on my most recent visit to the city but I’ll be back next time for sure!
Kemp Town Bookshop
An award-winning bookshop that’s over 50 years old!
English Language Bookshop
Brighton is home to many language schools and this is the bookshop to visit if you’re a visiting languages student. Established in 1985, English Language Bookshop Brighton is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of ELT materials.
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If you liked this post, check out my other UK bookshop guides:
Bookshops in Oxford
Bookshops in Cambridge
Bookshops in Edinburgh
Bookshops in York
Bookshops in Bath
Bookshops in Hay-on-Wye
Bookshops in Norwich
Independent Bookshops in London
Second-Hand Bookshops in London
Specialist Bookshops in London
Laura
Founder & Editor of What’s Hot?