Brighton and Hove is a beautiful city near the seaside with so many bookshops it was hard to decide which ones to visit. It was impossible to go to them all in such a short trip, but we did get a fair amount in. Both areas bustle with art and books in numerous shops and cafes. There are a handful of niche bookshops too – from cookery-themed to children’s to manga.
All the bookshops listed were dog-friendly which is always a bonus for me. I was blown away by all Brighton and Hove had to offer and it is the perfect book lover’s getaway.
Goldsboro Books
The first stop on my list is Goldsboro Books, one I happened to stumble upon while having a wander through the cobbled streets on my first day in Brighton. It’s one of my favourites we visited because it’s so unique.
When asked to help find a book, an enthusiastic bookseller was delighted to chat about his favourites which added to the overall experience.
Inside you’ll find rows of black bookshelves, lined with stacks of books covered in plastic covers. The plastic protects the special editions and keeps them in pristine condition. The shop specialises in editions that you can’t get anywhere else and every book is signed by the author. The man I spoke to there said they even work with the publisher to create their own designs and sprayed edges. There were older collectible books, including beloved classics. They seemed to have a big liking for fantasy, sci-fi and thriller books. But there were books of other genres there too.
While it is on the pricier side of bookshops we visited, they do have deals and discounts throughout the year. When I visited for Halloween, they had a 20 per cent discount, which I thought was really enticing. It feels like a place you’d go get a gift, not necessarily buy a book from on a weekly basis, but still wonderful nonetheless.
Where?
22b Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AD
Kemptown Bookshop
Wandering the stone-paved streets, the idyllic bookshop feels warm and cosy even before stepping inside. The building is a warm green, with a beautiful large window display of books. Across the street is a bakery which smells delicious even from afar. There are shops, flea markets and restaurants nearby too. The rows of homes and buildings with features from the Regency and Victorian times make the area picturesque. Just a short walk down the hill to the sea, Kemptown Bookshop is in the perfect location.
Inside, the first room is filled with books and the oak bookcases look aesthetically pleasing and are easy to navigate. The extras they have on sale, like art pieces and bookish merch, are lovely as well. I think a lot of the pieces are from local artists. Upstairs, among more bookshelves is a large table where they host writing groups for other creatives. At the back wall there is also a coffee bar to buy a warm drink and a lovely selection of cakes. The upstairs room has tilted windows so the room feels even brighter with the natural light.
Down two floors from here, we visited the lower section of the shop which is one of the cosiest children’s areas I’ve seen inside a bookshop. The oriental rug, along with the cosy stools and chairs made the space feel very welcoming. The addition of the bunting and decorations were a nicety too.
Where?
91 St. George’s Road, Brighton, BN2 1EE
Last Bookshop
The bright orange painted exterior is extremely inviting. Surrounded by a bustling street of other independent shops, cafes and restaurants, as you enter, the walls and tables are filled to the brim with stacks of books organised in neat piles. The staff greet us with friendly smiles and offer help when needed.
This is a bargain shop, based in the North Laine area, that has everything from fiction to non-fiction all for just £5 or less. What a great deal!
Last Bookshop is one of the bookshops independently owned by Bill and Ben, who have stores in Bristol and Oxford too. The aim of the shop is to sell books that have been returned, recycled or samples in the publishing industry. Their aim is to reduce waste, especially with the number of books being printed annually. I really like this initiative and focus on making sure the books that are already in circulation don’t go to waste and go to good homes.
Where?
40 Gardener Street, BN1 1UN
Sunshine Books Art and Coffee
For a more chilled atmosphere, a day out with a friend or a creative solo date, this is the one to visit. It’s the perfect spot to relax, eat and read.
The room is filled with cosy sofas, armchairs as well as table and chair seating for those who want a sit down brunch. The cafe has a selection of hot and cold drinks to choose from as well as some lovely pastries.
Along the white walls are pieces of art from local artists, from canvases to prints and cards. Then there’s the shelf of books that was filled to the brim with second hand fiction and non-fiction. The heart-shaped chalkboard sign shows the deal for the books to be £2 for hardbacks and 75p for paperbacks.
Where?
Manor Street, 4 Hove Street, BN3 2DF
CookBookBake
You can’t beat a themed bookshop and this one is completely unique and intriguing. I’ve never seen a shop entirely dedicated to cookbooks and literature set around food and I was delighted to discover this place. While this one feels a bit further away from any other main shops, I would say it’s worth the walk as you get to see so many of the surrounding areas.
Located in Hove, next to a bakery – Sugarloaf – that they also own, is this stunning, aesthetically pleasing shop. They have rows and rows of books, illustrated greeting cards, food themed Christmas ornaments, and unique games and gifts.
The main draw of the shop is the cookbooks and baking books and they definitely had a wide variety, from gluten free, to vegetarian and vegan. Some of them were also signed too which is a bonus if you wanted to get someone a nice gift that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. I would recommend this one even if you’re not a big baker or cook, as the fiction they had was good too.
I found the bookseller friendly and she explained that the owner had branched out and added the bakery as well which had shelves filled to the brim with flavoured cakes – chocolate orange, banana and more.
Where?
7 Victoria Terrace, Hove, BN3 2WB
City Books
Voted best bookshop in Brunswick, City Books isn’t one to miss. We stumbled upon this bookshop randomly when exploring Hove for the day and as usual, I couldn’t resist a browse. It’s right in the centre of the city, on a busy road with many other shops, chains and restaurants. We walked into a busy shop, which is always a good sign if others have made the trip to visit.
While there are rows and rows of brand new books that everyone’s heard of, they also sell books of local interest. I liked this because it’s nice to champion the area and showcase the wonderful city.
Spanning two floors, the shop has everything you could want from gift ideas to art, and so many book choices. They regularly host author talks and bookish events for the community. And often have lots of books on sale too. I loved this one and I know from talking to people that it’s a local favourite too.
Where?
23 Western Road, Hove BN3 1AF
The Book Nook
This award-winning bookshop is the perfect haven for children. The shop, which was established in 2009, is filled with colourful and inviting shelves, a rocket ship and bookish illustrations on the white walls. Among the books are graphic novels, fiction, non-fiction, picture books, comics and more.
They have a play area and cafe that are child friendly. Milkshakes, lunchboxes and desserts can be bought to eat. While not directly near other shops, it’s very close to the sea and scenic walking paths and would make a good family day out. I would have loved visiting here as a child if I were a local, and had a great time as an adult too.
The owners host a number of events for the community, from special story time readings to author and illustrator events. They also host writing competitions, face painting and craft sessions. The bookshop collaborates a lot with local schools as well which is a nice touch.
Where?
1st Avenue, Hove, BN3 2FJ
And so many more…
While there were many other bookshops we did visit (like Forbidden Planet which has graphic novels and comics; a couple of Waterstones with the usual selection of books and games; and an Oxfam packed to the brim with great deals for a good cause) I wanted to highlight independent shops that stood out to me and my tastes. We were spoilt for choice in this fantastic city and would recommend a visit to all book lovers.
What’s your favourite bookshop in Brighton and Hove? Let me know in the comments below. I’m also on Instagram, Twitter and Threads – @bookwormgirl_24
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