A Guide to Bookshops in Oxford

Looking for the best bookshops in Oxford? Here are 12 bookshops to visit!

As a book lover and literature student in Oxford, I was never short of good bookshops to poke my head into. It’s a city with a long literary history as many of Britain’s greatest writers attended Oxford University.

Think Oscar Wilde, Phillip Pullman, Lewis Carroll and more.

Some of Oxford’s bookshops have closed over recent years, which is a great shame, so it’s time to start shouting about them!

Plus, it’s an ideal city for those looking for an independent bookshop. Oxford boast plenty of these, as well as independent eateries and cafes, so you can feel good about shopping local!

I’m an award-winning literary travel blogger and Oxford University alumna, and I’m going to show you the best of Oxford bookshops in this post!

There are second-hand bookshops, charity shops, independent bookshops and more.

Blackwell’s Bookshop, Oxford

Blackwell’s is somewhat of an institution in Oxford with three of its stores occupying the space at the end of Broad Street near the Sheldonian Theatre.  These shops are the crème de la crème of Oxford bookshops.

The brand was created way back in 1879  and they are historically known as academic booksellers. Today you’ll find all sorts here from general fiction to classics to textbooks. It’s where Oxford University students can guarantee their reading lists will be sold.

But why should you visit?

Whilst from the outside, the main Blackwell’s shop might look like any old bookshop, there’s a vast cavern full of books below. Underneath the main shop is the Norrington Room, which was built in 1966. This room contains a whopping 5km of shelving and is the largest single room selling books in the world.

There are actually four Blackwell’s bookshops in Oxford and the three on Broad Street are definitely worth wandering around. There’s the main Blackwell’s Bookshop described above, then there’s Blackwell’s Music and Blackwell’s Art & Poster Shop.

The fourth is also a small Blackwell’s in the Westgate shopping centre.  If you’re in Oxford for a spot of shopping and don’t have time to wander around the city, then you can poke your head into this small shop.

If you only visit one Oxford bookshop, make sure it’s Blackwell’s Bookshop.

Address: 48-51 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BQ
Website: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/home (Free UK delivery!)

Gulp Fiction

Gulp Fiction is one of the newest Oxford bookshops, but it’s already one of my favourites. Located inside Oxford’s Covered Market, Gulp Fiction is both a bookshop and coffee shop, the perfect combination for bookworms.

There’s a relatively small selection of books on offer but it’s a well-curated selection of new releases and popular fiction so I’m certain that you’ll find something worth reading.

What’s more, the staff are really friendly and knowledgeable – veritable bookworms themselves – so if you’re struggling to find something, they’ll be able to offer their personal recommendations.

With the purchase of certain books, you can even get a free coffee to enjoy with your new read. How great is that?

The cafe section has lots of comfy vintage armchairs and tables where you can while away some time, catch up with a friend, or spend a peaceful moment with yourself and a new book.

Gulp Fiction is a really lovely addition to Oxford’s independent shopping scene and a must-visit when in Oxford.

Address: Unit 28, 29 Covered Market, Oxford OX1 3DU
Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10am-5pm; Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am-10pm; Sunday: 11am-4pm
Website: gulpfictionbooks.com

The Last Bookshop

The Last Bookshop is one of my favourite Oxford bookstores and is located a little way away from the city centre in Jericho. It has a distinctive red facade so you can’t possibly miss it as you walk down Walton Street.

The bookshop that stands here today is actually the second Last Bookshop. The first opened in 2009 but lasted for only three years before it was closed. The new shop opened back in 2014 and, thankfully, is still going strong.

The name is a slap in the face to those who predicted the decline of physical bookshops in favour of e-books, which I absolutely love.

The reason this bookshop remains popular is that its books can be found at astonishingly low prices – just £5 for two books (!).

What’s more, in the summer months you can take your new read and sit outside with a coffee. For students who want to get out of their stuffy college library and enjoy the good weather, there’s free wifi here too.

They stock a wide variety of genres from classics to art, general fiction to politics. If you’re not looking for any book in particular but want to pick up a great deal, for books old and new, then The Last Bookshop is where you should head.

Address: 25 Walton Street, Oxford, OX1 2HQ
Opening Hours: 10am-7pm every day

Curio Books and Culture

Hidden beneath the café Common Ground on Little Clarendon Street, Curio Books is one of Oxford’s best hidden gems.

You’ll find its entrance tucked away in the back left-hand corner of the coffeeshop, where there are stairs leading down into a cosy vault-like space with books sprawled over every surface.

The shelves are packed with second hand books in all fiction and non-fiction genres, including classics, sci-fi, horror, romance, and even rare finds.

The prices are reasonable for second hand books, especially if you’re a student on a budget, and it’s the kind of place where you go in for one book and leave with five.

The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, with murals painted by local artists and the owner is friendly and happy to chat or offer recommendations from the array of books on offer.

I loved that there were post it notes that you could write a line from a book or poem that has stayed with you too.

Curio also hosts community events, making it not just a bookshop but a creative hub for Oxford’s students and book lovers.

Whether you’re after a new read or just a vibrant space to read or work in, this cosy cafe and underground bookshop are well worth a visit.

Address: Downstairs @ Common Ground, 37-38 Little Clarendon St, Oxford OX1 2HU
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm Wednesday to Saturday (closed Sunday to Tuesday)
Website: https://curiobookshop.co.uk/

Barker & Co

This is Oxford’s newest bookshop, which opened in May 2026. It’s a second-hand bookshop on the site where Shakespeare is rumoured to have once stayed!

It looks like a beautiful bookshop with exposed wooden beams, dark wooden shelves, and I can’t wait to visit.

Address: 16 Golden Cross, Oxford OX1 3EU

Oxfam Oxford

There are a number of Oxfam bookshops in Oxford, which are always great for picking up classics for a very low price. I used to go to these shops to look for translated copies of the books I was studying and would often find these for knock-down prices. They’re the first place I’d look for good second-hand books in Oxford.

The most central Oxfam bookshop is located on Turl Street, right next to the Missing Bean, one of the most popular cafes in Oxford. The other Oxfam bookshop is located on St Giles’.

There are classics, general fiction, history, politics, etc. There are even vintage editions of old classics from publishers such as Everyman’s Library and Folio Society. These shops are small but well worth poking your head into to see what you might discover.

Address: Oxfam Bookshop, 15 Turl St, Oxford, OX1 3DQ
Address: Oxfam Bookshop, 56 St Giles’, Street, Oxford, OX1 3LU

Arcadia

Like much of Oxford, Arcadia looks like it’s come from a different era. But one also gets the sense that it may have originated from a different, magical world. I’ve always felt like it looks like it comes straight out of a fairytale and is run by pixies (pretty sure it has normal, human owners).

Striped white and green overhangings decorate the shop’s facade and protect the shop’s wares, which are displayed outdoors when the weather holds up.

And what do these outdoor shelves contain?

Books, of course! 

Arcadia stocks a whole range of whimsical and adorable items, but the vintage and second-hand books displayed outside always draw my attention. 

The shop is very small but it’s packed with little titbits and is great for gift shopping if you want to find something a little more unique. 

Arcadia is right in the centre of Oxford so you’ve got no excuse not to visit. It’s also conveniently located next to The Nosebag, which is one of the best places for brunch in Oxford.

Address: 4 St Michael’s St, Oxford, OX1 2DU
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday

Bad Girl Books

A new romantasy bookshop is set to open on 4 July 2026. Whilst there are a number of romance bookshops around the UK now, this shop will be the first that specialises in the sub-genre of romantasy (one of my faves!). I can’t wait to visit.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/badgirlbooksuk/
Address: 29 Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6AA 

Bodleian Libraries Shop

If you want to shop for bookish gifts in Oxford then the Bodleian Libraries shop is where you’ll want to head. The shop itself looks like the inside of an Oxford library with portraits hanging from the walls, wood panelling and stacks of books.

There are loads of great souvenirs you could pick up in here but my favourite collection is the Bodleian Bookshelves range. This is a collection of bookish items inspired by the books on the Bodleians’ shelves and you could get tote bags, cushions and more.

I’ve got my eye on the Rad Cam book ends, which are beautiful, but very expensive! Dad, if you’re reading this post, Christmas is coming…

The best thing is, these exclusive collections are available to shop online so you don’t even need to go to Oxford to get your hands on these items (though you definitely still should!).

Address: Bodleian Quad Shop, Old Schools Quad, Oxford 
Website: bodleianshop.co.uk

St Philip’s Books

St Philip’s Books is located just across the road from my alma mater, Christ Church. It’s tucked away down a small alleyway so it would be very easy to miss it. It’s located next to Alice’s Shop, a must-visit for fans of Alice in Wonderland in Oxford.

St Philip’s Books is filled from floor to ceiling with books and you’ll need to squeeze down its narrow passageways as you explore.

This Oxford bookshop stocks rare and vintage second-hand books and you never know what gorgeous edition you’re going to stumble upon in here. They have over a whopping 10,000 books available to buy so if you’re after something in particular, don’t hesitate to ask!

I particularly love that they have specific sections dedicated to the works of J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, who formed part of The Inklings, a literary circle at Oxford. To find out more about what inspired them, make sure to check out my tour of literary Oxford.

Address: 82 St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1RA
Website: www.stphilipsbooks.co.uk
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday

Last Bookshop (formerly The Book Stop)

Last Bookshop (formerly called The Book Stop) is a new Oxford bookshop opened by the same people who run Last Bookshop in Jericho. It’s a discount bookshop with most titles costing only a few pounds so it’s brilliant for those looking to pick up a bargain in the centre of Oxford.

It’s not a particularly large store, so it doesn’t have the broadest selection of titles. However, it specialises in arts, humanities and history, so if you’re interested in these topics, then this Oxford bookshop is a must-visit.

Address: 19 Magdalen Street, Oxford, OX1 3AE
Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm Monday to Saturday; 10am – 6pm Sunday

Waterstones, Oxford

Waterstones Oxford recently opened its new branch on Queen Street, just a short walk from the Westgate shopping centre.

Set across two floors, it’s a classic Waterstones – shelves packed with books across every genre, alongside gifts, board games, and vinyl.

There’s also a spacious in-store café, which has already become a popular spot with students in the city. While the space is a little darker than the previous location and has less natural light, the sheer abundance of books more than makes up for it.

That said, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for the former store in William Blake House, which was genuinely iconic. Still, it’s reassuring to know that Oxford continues to have a large, well-stocked bookshop right in the city centre.

Address: 22 Queen Street, Oxford, OX1 1EP
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9am-8pm; Sunday: 11pm-5pm
Website: https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/oxford-queen-st

Sanders of Oxford

Sanders of Oxford is one of the largest print sellers in Britain and you can’t help but stop and stare at the beautiful works on display in the window as you walk down Oxford High Street. Whilst they predominantly sell prints and maps, they also stock some rare and second-hand books.

These are truly unique, and often very expensive, volumes of prints featuring Oxford that would make wonderful gifts. Most of them are out of my price range but I love taking a look at what’s in stock and imagine myself slowly rifling through the pages.

Address: Salutation House, 104 High St, Oxford OX1 4BW
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm every day (closes 5pm Sundays)
Website: www.sandersofoxford.com

The Woodstock Bookshop

The Woodstock Bookshop is located a little way out of the city centre, a short bus ride away in Woodstock.

This Oxford bookshop may look very small on the outside, but it is more spacious when you step inside and has several thousand books in stock!

When you walk into the bookshop, you’re met with a large selection of non-fiction books – both new titles and popular works from recent times.

In the centre of the bookshop, there’s a display shelf with some particularly recommended reads and a comfy armchair in the corner for you to sit in whilst you peruse your many options.

The bookshop has a particularly large selection of children’s books, with the back half of the bookshop being almost entirely dedicated to these. Colourful books fill these shelves and there are fun items dotted around like a pirate ship model and more.

If that’s not enough to convince you to visit, then perhaps the fact that this bookshop was on the regional shortlist for Independent Bookshop of the Year in 2009, 2013 and 2017, and listed in the Independent‘s Top 50 UK Bookshops might do the trick!

Address: 23 Oxford St, Woodstock OX20 1TH
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm Monday to Saturday; 11am – 5pm Sunday
Website: https://www.woodstockbookshop.co.uk/

There you have my guide to the best bookshops in Oxford! The city is simply a must-visit for book and film lovers as there’s so much to explore from Harry Potter filming locations to the lamppost that inspired C.S. Lewis and the place where Lewis Carroll met the real-life Alice in Wonderland!

Where else can you shop for books in Oxford? 

St Andrews Christian Bookshop
Antiques on High
WHSmith
British Heart Foundation 

How to get to Oxford

By Train 

There are regular trains from all major UK stations to Oxford. If you are coming from London, you will need to go via London Paddington. Oxford station is a little way out of the city centre but you can then take a bus or walk into town.

By Bus

If you’re planning to come by bus, aim to get off at either Oxford High Street or Gloucester Green bus station depending on your first Oxford destination.

The Oxford Tube is a super convenient and cheap bus service that’ll take you from the centre of London straight into the heart of Oxford. If you’re taking this route, I’d recommend getting off at the High Street so that you can walk to Radcliffe Square in just 3 minutes. 

By Car

Oxford is easily accessible via the M4, M25, M40 and A roads.

Where to Stay in Oxford

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