Bookstores in Birmingham
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Birmingham, England gives you 102 to judge by. That's 102 bookshops mapped around Birmingham, 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 Birmingham (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Warwick Books and The Cathedral Shop, plus Oxfam Bookshop. If a bookshop's missing from Birmingham's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Birmingham bookstore lineup
102 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Warwick Books
Bookstore
Warwick Books is Bookstore on 24 Market Place, Warwick. Warwick Books also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
24 Market Place, Warwick, CV34 4SL
Phone: +44 1926 499939
The Cathedral Shop
Bookstore
The Cathedral Shop — Bookstore.
WS13 7LD
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 101 Alcester Road in Birmingham. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
101 Alcester Road, Birmingham, B13 8DD
Second-hand Bookshop
Bookstore
Second-hand Bookshop is Bookstore. Second-hand Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:30-16:30.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:30-16:30
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
The Sycamore Tree
Bookstore
The Sycamore Tree is Bookstore on 2 Chapel Street, Nuneaton. The Sycamore Tree also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-16:30; Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
2 Chapel Street, Nuneaton, CV11 5RH
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:30; Su off
Phone: +44 2476 385448
Wesley Owen
Bookstore
Wesley Owen — Bookstore.
Court Books
Bookstore
Court Books is Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Asha Charity Shop
Bookstore
Asha Charity Shop is Bookstore.
Islamic Bookshop Coventry
Bookstore
Islamic Bookshop Coventry is Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on 54-56 High Street, Bromsgrove. TGJones also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
54-56 High Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8EX
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 94 High Street in Bromsgrove. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:30-17:30; Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00; Dec 25 off; it has a website with more detail.
94 High Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8EX
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-17:30; Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00; Dec 25 off
Soutchart Books
Bookstore
Soutchart Books — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Bargain Book Time
Bookstore
Bargain Book Time is Bookstore.
Islamic Book Centre
Bookstore
Islamic Book Centre — Bookstore.
Bible Learning Centre
Bookstore
Bible Learning Centre is Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Pocket Shop
Bookstore
Pocket Shop — Bookstore.
The Bookshop by WHSmith
Bookstore
The Bookshop by WHSmith — Bookstore.
Gosford Books
Bookstore
Gosford Books — Bookstore.
Provide
Bookstore
Provide — Bookstore.
Salafibookstore.com
Bookstore
Salafibookstore.com — Bookstore.
Darussalam
Bookstore
Darussalam is Bookstore on Coventry Road, Birmingham.
Coventry Road, Birmingham, B10 0UF
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
National Trust second hand bookshop
Bookstore
National Trust second hand bookshop is Bookstore. National Trust second hand bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su,PH 09:00-17:00.
Hours: Mo-Su,PH 09:00-17:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Unit 26-27 The Mander Centre in Wolverhampton. 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.
Unit 26-27 The Mander Centre, Wolverhampton, WV1 3NG
Phone: +44 1902 420791
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Selly Oak Retail Park in Birmingham. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Selly Oak Retail Park, Birmingham, B29 6SQ
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
The Big Comfy Bookshop
Bookstore
The Big Comfy Bookshop — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 1 Greenwood Square in Solihull. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
1 Greenwood Square, Solihull
Z's Islamic Bookshop
Bookstore
Z's Islamic Bookshop is Bookstore.
The Spicy Librarian
Bookstore
The Spicy Librarian is Bookstore on 45 Warwick Street, Leamington Spa. The Spicy Librarian also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-We 10:00-19:00; Th,Su 10:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-23:00.
45 Warwick Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 5JX
Hours: Mo-We 10:00-19:00; Th,Su 10:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-23:00
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:15-17:15; Su 11:00-15:00; it has a website with more detail.
Leamington Spa
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:15-17:15; Su 11:00-15:00
Dar Makkah International
Bookstore
Dar Makkah International is Bookstore on 23-25 Parliament Street, Birmingham. Dar Makkah International also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
23-25 Parliament Street, Birmingham, B10 0QJ
Phone: +44 121 773 9309
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on High Street in Stratford-upon-Avon. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Chaucer Head
Bookstore
Chaucer Head — Bookstore, found on 21 Chapel Street in Stratford-upon-Avon. Also worth knowing about Chaucer Head: the map lists its hours as Th,Fr 12:00-16:45; Sa 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
21 Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EP
Hours: Th,Fr 12:00-16:45; Sa 11:00-17:00
The Shakespeare Hospice Bookshop
Bookstore
The Shakespeare Hospice Bookshop is Bookstore on 45A Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. The Shakespeare Hospice Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
45A Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6LT
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
Adult Shop
Bookstore
Adult Shop is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 25-27 Bakers Lane, Lichfield. WHSmith also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
25-27 Bakers Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6NG
Phone: +44 1543 411337
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
Mogul Diamonds
Bookstore
Mogul Diamonds is Bookstore.
Second-hand Bookshop
BookstoreRun by National Trust
Second-hand Bookshop is Bookstore run by National Trust. Second-hand Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su,PH 09:30-16:30.
Hours: Mo-Su,PH 09:30-16:30
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on 99. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
99
Bored and Bookless
Bookstore
Bored and Bookless — Bookstore.
The Heath Bookshop
Bookstore
The Heath Bookshop is Bookstore. The Heath Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Bear Bookshop
Bookstore
Bear Bookshop is Bookstore on 588 Bearwood Road. Bear Bookshop also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
588 Bearwood Road
Phone: +44 121 794 1959
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore.
H & H Spalding Books
Bookstore
H & H Spalding Books is Bookstore.
Second Hand Prose
BookstoreRun by Birmingham & Midland Institute
Second Hand Prose is Bookstore run by Birmingham & Midland Institute on 9 Margaret Street. Second Hand Prose also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; PH closed; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
9 Margaret Street
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; PH closed
Phone: +44 121 236 3591
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 83 Parade in Sutton Coldfield. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
83 Parade, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1PL
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 75 Parade in Sutton Coldfield. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
75 Parade, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1PL
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
WV1 3NP
What the map tells us about bookstores in Birmingham
21 of the 102 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
53 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 3 of them sit on High Street, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
2 of the shops are tagged as selling used books — the second-hand shelves are where out-of-print gems and first editions turn up for pocket change.
The Birmingham bookstore crawl
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: Warwick Books on 24 Market Place, The Cathedral Shop, Oxfam Bookshop on 101 Alcester Road, Second-hand Bookshop, The Works, The Sycamore Tree on 2 Chapel Street, Wesley Owen, and Court Books. That's 102 stops on the Birmingham bookstore crawl. 94 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Birmingham
Browsing in Birmingham? A little strategy helps:
- Gift buying? Ask for wrapping at Warwick Books. Many independents wrap beautifully and free. It beats a gift bag every time.
- Ask for the out-of-print hunters at The Cathedral Shop. Some used shops will hunt down out-of-print titles for you. It takes patience, but the find is worth it.
- The used section is underpriced everywhere. Books are heavy and slow to sell, so used shelves price to move. First editions hide here regularly.
- Ask the booksellers. A good bookseller lives for the question 'what should I read next?' Give them three books you loved and watch them work.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Birmingham — 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 Birmingham can take a while to appear. The 102 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 102 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 Birmingham: 102 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.