Barter Books

Wonderful place. Comfy chairs. Lovely station buffet with delicious food- savoury and cakes. Open fires. Train set up. Murals to look at. Books for all tastes and prices for all pockets. Could spend your whole holiday here!

Well what can be said - we have spent many happy hours here. Reading, looking, sitting with the kids while they played on the book lorry, doodle bugs and browsed books. Haven't found a place as large! Great cafe too. In the winter you can also sit in front of the roaring open fires and enjoy a cup of self serve coffee with barter cookies as well - magical.

Started visiting this bookstore many years ago. Absolute jewel and always came away with several books I might not have discovered elsewhere. However it's fame and success meant that when I visited again in mid September (2017) it was rammed on both (week)days. Cafes full, every seat in the house taken, browsing the shelves like a busy supermarket experience. Despite this I came away with a couple of books and will certainly go back any time I am visiting the area. Pity it's 4 hours drive from where I live !

An awesome place. A former railway station that, despite the lack of steam train, retains much of its magic. It really wouldn't surprise me if JK Rowling came here, and sat in one of its many snug corners, sipping a coffee and got her inspiration for her first novel here. It's got history, class, creativity and inspiration by the bucket load. It's typically very busy and car park is often fit to burst yet it is still worth it. Browse it's impressive collection of secondhand books while model trains run literally overhead. It has some wonderful first editions , children's storybooks, comics, etc. If you tire, sit by a warm coal fire with a newspaper, or if you've worked up an appetite you can even have a spot of something tasty to eat. Well worth visiting if you are in the area.

My home from home! ❤️
I rotate my library regularly, and improve my personal collection of books which are important to me by accruing lots of credit bartering books I've read and enjoyed (but not enough to keep).
It's a lovely system, in a fabulous environment in all seasons.
The food is also wonderful.. Fairly priced and with great service.
Sorry to sound 'sad', but I do love Barter Books 📚

Great selection of books and more. Pleasant cafe. Parking always seems to be a struggle

Best book shop ever. Massive range of books, big comfy chairs to sit and read, glorious open fires, good cafe, friendly to dogs and to top it all off, it's based in a beautiful old train station with a model train running around the roof. A lovely way to spend a rainy day but bring a jumper on a cold day!

Literally a readers heaven. Really welcoming and homely and the first bookshop I've felt comfortable spending a solid amount of time in for ages. More than just a bookshop for sure. Class.

We go here regularly and absolutely love it. Even if you aren't that interested in literature you should visit as there is so much on offer! The restaurant is nice with good food and there is coffee and cookies on offer at an honesty box where you can sit and read. Love it.