Bookstores in Brighton
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Brighton, East Sussex gives you 79 to judge by. That's 79 bookshops mapped around Brighton, 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 Brighton (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include City Books and The English Language Bookshop, plus Bags of Books. If a bookshop's missing from Brighton's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Brighton bookstore lineup
79 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
City Books
BookstoreRun by Family run independant bookshop
Run by Family run independant bookshop, City Books is Bookstore, found on 23 Western Road in Hove. Also worth knowing about City Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-16:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
23 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1AF
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-16:30
Phone: +44 1273 725306
The English Language Bookshop
Bookstore
The English Language Bookshop — Bookstore, found on George Street in Brighton.
George Street, Brighton, BN2 1RH
Bags of Books
Bookstore
Bags of Books is Bookstore. Bags of Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
The Mint House
Bookstore
The Mint House is Bookstore on 94 High Street, Hurstpierpoint. The Mint House also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
94 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PX
Phone: +44 1273 834 443
Reader's Good Books
Used bookstore
Reader's Good Books — Used bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 39 London Road in East Grinstead. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
39 London Road, East Grinstead, RH19 1AW
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 37 London Road in East Grinstead. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: 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.
37 London Road, East Grinstead, RH19 1AW
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1342 322978
Savery Books
Bookstore
Savery Books — Bookstore, found on 257 Ditchling Road in Brighton.
257 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 6JH
The Bookshop by WHSmith
Bookstore
The Bookshop by WHSmith — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Bookshop by WHSmith: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 05:00-19:00.
Hours: Mo-Su 05:00-19:00
Goldsboro Books
Bookstore
Goldsboro Books is Bookstore on 22b Ship Street, Brighton. Goldsboro Books also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
22b Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AE
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore. TGJones also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on 25 London Road. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 21:00-17:30, Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
25 London Road, PO21 1PQ
Hours: Mo-Sa 21:00-17:30, Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1243 828980
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 30 Kensington Gardens in Brighton. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; Su 11:00-14:00; it has a website with more detail.
30 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; Su 11:00-14:00
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
Raining Books
Bookstore
Raining Books is Bookstore on 28 Trafalgar Street.
28 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ED
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on 78-79 George Street. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
78-79 George Street, BN3 3YE
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 90-91 George Street. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
90-91 George Street, BN3 3YE
The Book Nook
Bookstore
The Book Nook is Bookstore on 1 First Avenue, Brighton & Hove. The Book Nook also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1 First Avenue, Brighton & Hove, BN3 2FJ
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-17:00
Phone: +441273911988
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 132-134 Churchill Parade. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
132-134 Churchill Parade
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 10:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 10:00-17:00
Last Bookshop
Bookstore
Last Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 40 Gardner Street in Brighton. Also worth knowing about Last Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
40 Gardner Street, Brighton, BN1 1UN
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1273 009190
Skylark, The Needlemakers
BookstoreRun by Skylark
Skylark, The Needlemakers is Bookstore run by Skylark on West Street, Lewes. Skylark, The Needlemakers also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00.
West Street, Lewes, BN7 2NZ
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
The Bookshop
Bookstore
The Bookshop is Bookstore on 22 High Street, East Grinstead. The 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.
22 High Street, East Grinstead, RH19 3AS
Phone: +44 1342 322669
Kemptown Bookshop
Bookstore
Kemptown Bookshop is Bookstore on 91 St. Georges Road, Brighton. Kemptown Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; it has a website with more detail.
91 St. Georges Road, Brighton, BN2 1EE
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30
Books Alive
Bookstore
Books Alive — Bookstore.
Boon Books
Bookstore
Boon Books is Bookstore on 18 High Street. Boon Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
18 High Street, BN7 2LN
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +441273483907
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Leadbetter & Good
Bookstore
Leadbetter & Good is Bookstore. Leadbetter & Good also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Phone: +44 1273477047
Lewes Book Centre
Bookstore
Lewes Book Centre is Bookstore.
Heygates Bookshop
Bookstore
Heygates Bookshop — Bookstore, found on Station Road in Bognor Regis. Also worth knowing about Heygates Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Station Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1BP
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1243 860079
Living Word
Bookstore
Living Word is Bookstore.
Artisana
Bookstore
Artisana is Bookstore on Marshalls Row, Brighton.
Marshalls Row, Brighton, BN1 4JU
British Bookshops Sussex Stationers
Bookstore
British Bookshops Sussex Stationers is Bookstore on 39 Broad Street, Seaford.
39 Broad Street, Seaford, BN25 1LS
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 48-50 Western Road in Brighton. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
48-50 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2EB
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Kims's Bookshop
Bookstore
Kims's Bookshop is Bookstore.
The Crow Road Bookshop
Bookstore
The Crow Road Bookshop is Bookstore on 34 High Street, Arundel. The Crow Road Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as 10:00-17:00.
34 High Street, Arundel, BN18 9AB
Hours: 10:00-17:00
Afrori
Bookstore
Afrori is Bookstore. Afrori also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on New Road in West Durrington. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
New Road, West Durrington, BN13 3PB
The Cowley Club bookshop
BookstoreRun by The Cowley Club
The Cowley Club bookshop is Bookstore run by The Cowley Club on 12 London Road, Brighton. The Cowley Club bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Sa 12:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
12 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JA
Hours: Sa 12:00-17:00
St Wilfrid’s Hospice Book Shed
Bookstore
St Wilfrid’s Hospice Book Shed is Bookstore. St Wilfrid’s Hospice Book Shed also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Secondhand Bookshop
Bookstore
Secondhand Bookshop is Bookstore.
The Queery
Bookstore
The Queery is Bookstore on 46 George Street. The Queery also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 00:00-18:00; it has a website with more detail.
46 George Street, BN2 1RJ
Hours: Mo-Su 00:00-18:00
Billingshurst Lions Bookshop
Bookstore
Billingshurst Lions Bookshop — Bookstore.
The Queery
Bookstore
The Queery is Bookstore on 46 George Street, Brighton. The Queery also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
46 George Street, Brighton, BN2 1RJ
Petworth Bookshop
Bookstore
Petworth Bookshop — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore.
Standen Second-hand Bookshop
BookstoreRun by National Trust
Run by National Trust, Standen Second-hand Bookshop is Bookstore.
Arcade Bookshop
Bookstore
Arcade Bookshop is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 71-74 North Street in Brighton. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
71-74 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1ZA
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Books for Amnesty
Bookstore
Books for Amnesty — Bookstore on 15 Sydney Street. Also worth knowing about Books for Amnesty: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 11:00-17:30; Su 12:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
15 Sydney Street
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-17:30; Su 12:00-16:00
Dave's Comics
Bookstore
Dave's Comics — Bookstore, found on 3 Sydney Street in Brighton. Also worth knowing about Dave's Comics: it has a website with more detail.
3 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EN
Dave's Comics
Bookstore
Dave's Comics — Bookstore, found on 5 Sydney Street in Brighton. Also worth knowing about Dave's Comics: it has a website with more detail.
5 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EN
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 9 West Street in Horsham. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
9 West Street, Horsham, RH12 1PB
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Sussex Stationers
Bookstore
Sussex Stationers — Bookstore.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 33 High Street, Uckfield. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
33 High Street, Uckfield
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 8 Carfax in Horsham. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; PH 10:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
8 Carfax, Horsham, RH12 1DW
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; PH 10:00-17:00
Fifteenth Century Bookshop
Bookstore
Fifteenth Century Bookshop is Bookstore on 99,100 High Street, Lewes. Fifteenth Century Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
99,100 High Street, Lewes, BN7 1XH
What the map tells us about bookstores in Brighton
27 of the 79 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
46 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 2 of them sit on 46 George 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 Brighton bookstore crawl
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: City Books on 23 Western Road, The English Language Bookshop on George Street, Bags of Books, The Mint House on 94 High Street, Reader's Good Books, The Works on 39 London Road, Waterstones on 37 London Road, and Savery Books on 257 Ditchling Road. That's 79 stops on the Brighton bookstore crawl. 71 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Brighton
Browsing in Brighton? A little strategy helps:
- Check for a café corner at City Books. A bookshop with coffee is a trap in the best way. Plan accordingly; you won't be leaving soon.
- Look for local history at The English Language Bookshop. The local-interest shelf tells you what a town thinks of itself. Great for visitors, better for new residents.
- Poetry lives in bookshops. Poetry barely exists online as a browsing experience. The poetry shelf in a real shop is a different world.
- Visit during author events. Readings and signings are usually free and turn a bookshop into the best evening out in town.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Brighton — 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 Brighton can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 79, or a bookstore we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
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 79 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 Brighton: 79 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.