Bookstores in Bedford
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Bedford, Bedfordshire gives you 46 to judge by. That's 46 bookshops mapped around Bedford, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around Bedford (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include The Works and Second Hand Book Shop, plus Waterstones. If a bookshop's missing from Bedford's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Bedford bookstore lineup
46 mapped within about 40 km:
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on Allhallows. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Allhallows
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Second Hand Book Shop
Used bookstore
Second Hand Book Shop is Used bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 72 Midsummer Place. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
72 Midsummer Place
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on 36 High Street, Royston. TGJones also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
36 High Street, Royston, SG8 9AG
Harrowden Books
Bookstore
Harrowden Books — Bookstore, found on 61 High Street in Wellingborough.
61 High Street, Wellingborough, NN9 5JN
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 23 Spring Lane in Wellingborough. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
23 Spring Lane, Wellingborough, NN8 1EY
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1933 222539
Close Encounters
Bookstore
Close Encounters is Bookstore on 20 Allhallows. Close Encounters also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00.
20 Allhallows, MK40 1LJ
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Waller Street in Luton. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo,We,Fr-Sa 09:00-18:00; Tu 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Waller Street, Luton, LU1 2TN
Hours: Mo,We,Fr-Sa 09:00-18:00; Tu 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1582 488270
University of Buckingham Bookshop
Bookstore
University of Buckingham Bookshop is Bookstore on Hunter Street, Buckingham. University of Buckingham Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:30-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hunter Street, Buckingham, MK18 1EG
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:00
Phone: +44 1280 820365
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 72-76 High Street in Kettering. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su,PH 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
72-76 High Street, Kettering, NN16 8SY
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su,PH 10:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 63 High Street in Kettering. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
63 High Street, Kettering, NN16 8SY
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Abington Street in Northampton. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Abington Street, Northampton
Close Encounters
Bookstore
Close Encounters is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 5 Wood Street in Northampton. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
5 Wood Street, Northampton
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on 23-25, Northampton. TGJones also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
23-25, Northampton, NN3 8JZ
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore.
Magazine Heaven
Bookstore
Magazine Heaven is Bookstore on South Terrace, Rushden. Magazine Heaven also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-We 09:00-18:30; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:30; Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 09:30-17:30.
South Terrace, Rushden, NN10 6FS
Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:30; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:30; Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 09:30-17:30
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Magic Kingdom Comics
Bookstore
Magic Kingdom Comics — Bookstore, found on Winchester Circle in Milton Keynes.
Winchester Circle, Milton Keynes, MK10 0BA
Wargames Workshop
Bookstore
Wargames Workshop — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on Coreys Mill Lane. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:00-20:00.
Coreys Mill Lane
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-20:00
The Oundle Bookshop
Bookstore
The Oundle Bookshop is Bookstore on 13 Market Place, Peterborough. The Oundle Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
13 Market Place, Peterborough, PE8 4BA
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 1-3 New Street in St Neots. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
1-3 New Street, St Neots, PE19 1AE
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
The Bookshop by WHSmith
Bookstore
The Bookshop by WHSmith — Bookstore.
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on 95 Queensway, Stevenage. TGJones also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
95 Queensway, Stevenage, SG1 1EA
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1438 312137
Christian Books
Bookstore
Christian Books — Bookstore.
The Eagle Bookshop
Bookstore
The Eagle Bookshop is Bookstore on 16-20 St. Peter's Street. The Eagle Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00; PH off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
16-20 St. Peter's Street, MK40 2NN
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00; PH off
Phone: +44 1234 269295
EH Second Hand Bookstore
Bookstore
EH Second Hand Bookstore is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on Midland Road. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30.
Midland Road
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Buzzard Books
Bookstore
Buzzard Books is Bookstore on 7 Rylands Mews.
7 Rylands Mews
Book Leighton Buzzard
Bookstore
Book Leighton Buzzard — Bookstore, found on 3 High Street Mews in Leighton Buzzard. Also worth knowing about Book Leighton Buzzard: the map lists its hours as Tu 10:00-16:00; We-Fr 12:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-15:00.
3 High Street Mews, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EA
Hours: Tu 10:00-16:00; We-Fr 12:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Bow Books
Bookstore
Bow Books is Bookstore on 6 Angel Pavement, Royston. Bow Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
6 Angel Pavement, Royston, SG8 9AS
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Phone: +441763 793279
Bow Books - Kids
Bookstore
Bow Books - Kids is Bookstore on 10A Angel Pavement, Royston. Bow Books - Kids also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
10A Angel Pavement, Royston, SG8 9AS
David's Bookshop
Bookstore
David's Bookshop is Bookstore on 14 Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City. David's Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su, PH 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
14 Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DE
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su, PH 10:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1462 684631
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 22 Crown Street, St Ives. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
22 Crown Street, St Ives, PE27 5AB
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 29 High Street, Harpenden. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
29 High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2RU
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
The Snug
Bookstore
The Snug — Bookstore, found on 23 Market Place in Olney. Also worth knowing about The Snug: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
23 Market Place, Olney, MK46 4BA
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00
Phone: +44 7710 404209
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 7-9 Central Approach in Letchworth Garden City. Also worth knowing about The Works: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
7-9 Central Approach, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DL
Phone: +44 1462 484739
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on Midland Road.
Midland Road, MK40 1TP
Waterstones
BookstoreRun by Waterstones
Run by Waterstones, Waterstones is Bookstore, found on High Street in Harpenden. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Harpenden
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:30
University of Buckingham Bookshop
Bookstore
University of Buckingham Bookshop is Bookstore.
What the map tells us about bookstores in Bedford
18 of the 46 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
28 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 2 of them sit on Midland Road, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
The Bedford bookstore crawl
Making a day of it in Bedford? Work this order: The Works on Allhallows, Second Hand Book Shop, Waterstones on 72 Midsummer Place, TGJones on 36 High Street, Harrowden Books on 61 High Street, The Works on 23 Spring Lane, Close Encounters on 20 Allhallows, and The Works on Waller Street. That's the bookstore crawl in one sensible loop, no backtracking. 38 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Bedford
A few things worth knowing before you work through Bedford's bookstores:
- Magazines and journals matter at The Works. The little-magazine rack is where new writers appear first. Cheap, weird, and full of discoveries.
- Learn your editions at Second Hand Book Shop. A first edition, first printing is the collectible one. Booksellers will show you how to check the copyright page.
- Poetry lives in bookshops. Poetry barely exists online as a browsing experience. The poetry shelf in a real shop is a different world.
- Ask about the book club discount. Many shops discount book-club orders. If your club buys local, everyone wins.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Bedford — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in Bedford can take a while to appear. The 46 above are only as current as the community map. A bookstore that's shut, or a new one nobody's added yet, gets fixed with a single OpenStreetMap edit.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 46 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for Bedford: 46 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.