Bookstores in Cardiff
Cardiff, Wales has 68 bookstores on the map. That's 68 bookshops mapped around Cardiff, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Give yourself an hour minimum — bookshops are the one errand that always takes longer than planned.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around Cardiff (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Waterstones and Griffin Books, plus Troutmark Books. If a bookshop's missing from Cardiff's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Cardiff bookstore lineup
68 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. 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.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Griffin Books
Bookstore
Griffin Books is Bookstore on 9a Windsor Road, Penarth. Griffin Books also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
9a Windsor Road, Penarth, CF64 1JB
Troutmark Books
Bookstore
Troutmark Books is Bookstore on 39-43 Castle Arcade, Cardiff. Troutmark Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
39-43 Castle Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1BW
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-16:00
Phone: +44 2920 382 814
Pontypridd Museum
Bookstore
Pontypridd Museum — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 12 The Parade in Minehead. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
12 The Parade, Minehead, TA24 5UG
Buzzard books
Bookstore
Buzzard books — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Buzzard books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 11:00-16:30.
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-16:30
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 159 Commercial Street in Newport. 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.
159 Commercial Street, Newport, NP20 1JQ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1633 223977
The Bookshop
Bookstore
The Bookshop is Bookstore. The Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo 03:00-20:25; Tu 03:00-19:50; We 03:00-20:20; Th 03:00-21:10; Fr 03:00-20:15; Sa 03:00-20:55; Su 03:00-19:50.
Hours: Mo 03:00-20:25; Tu 03:00-19:50; We 03:00-20:20; Th 03:00-21:10; Fr 03:00-20:15; Sa 03:00-20:55; Su 03:00-19:50
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 76-78 High Street in Weston-Super-Mare. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
76-78 High Street, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1HS
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:00
Phone: +44 1934 628413
Forbidden Planet International
Bookstore
Forbidden Planet International is Bookstore on 5 Duke Street, Cardiff.
5 Duke Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AY
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 11 The Mall, Cwmbran. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
11 The Mall, Cwmbran, NP44 1PX
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1633 484 021
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 2-4 The Parade in Cwmbran. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
2-4 The Parade, Cwmbran
Beacon Christian Books
Bookstore
Beacon Christian Books is Bookstore.
one2two
Bookstore
one2two — Bookstore, found on 122 Whitchurch Road in Cardiff. Also worth knowing about one2two: it has a website with more detail.
122 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff, CF14 3LZ
Clevedon Community Bookshop
Bookstore
Clevedon Community Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 29 Copse Road in Clevedon. Also worth knowing about Clevedon Community Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Tu-Su 10:30-16:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
29 Copse Road, Clevedon, BS21 7QN
Hours: Tu-Su 10:30-16:30
Phone: +44 1275 218318
Wellfield Bookshop
Bookstore
Wellfield Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 16 Wellfield Road in Cardiff. Also worth knowing about Wellfield Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
16 Wellfield Road, Cardiff, CF24 3PB
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00
Phone: +44 2920 483106
Bear Island
Bookstore
Bear Island — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Bear Island: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 08:00-15:00.
Cardiff, CF10 1AU
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-15:00
Deb's Books
Bookstore
Deb's Books is Bookstore on Pontypool Indoor Market, Pontypool.
Pontypool Indoor Market, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
Christian Bookshop Pontypool
Bookstore
Christian Bookshop Pontypool is Bookstore on Unit 2a Commercial Street, Pontypool. Christian Bookshop Pontypool also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa off; Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Unit 2a Commercial Street, Pontypool, NP4 6JS
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa off; Su off
Phone: +44 1495 750 680
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 1b Central Avenue in Newport. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1b Central Avenue, Newport, NP19 4QQ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1633 739 911
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Commercial Street in Aberdare. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Commercial Street, Aberdare
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Shelf Life
BookstoreRun by Rosie
Run by Rosie, Shelf Life is Bookstore, found on 188 Cowbridge Road East in Cardiff. Also worth knowing about Shelf Life: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
188 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF5 1GW
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 171 Commercial Street in Newport. 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.
171 Commercial Street, Newport, NP20 1JN
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1633 213802
Second Hand Bookshop
BookstoreRun by National Trust
Second Hand Bookshop is Bookstore run by National Trust on Tredegar House Drive, Newport. Second Hand Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 09:00-17:00 open "subject to volunteers"; it has a website with more detail.
Tredegar House Drive, Newport, NP10 8TW
Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-17:00 open "subject to volunteers"
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Bridgend, CF31 3BL
Harbour Community Bookshop
Bookstore
Harbour Community Bookshop — Bookstore, found on The Esplanade in Watchet. Also worth knowing about Harbour Community Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:30-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
The Esplanade, Watchet, TA23 0AJ
Hours: Mo-Su 10:30-16:00
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 44 High Street, Weston-super-Mare. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
44 High Street, Weston-super-Mare
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Readers Halt
Bookstore
Readers Halt is Bookstore on Warren Road, Minehead.
Warren Road, Minehead, TA24 5BG
Newbridge Reading Company
Bookstore
Newbridge Reading Company is Bookstore on High Street, Caerphilly.
High Street, Caerphilly, NP11 4AG
TGJones
BookstoreRun by TG Jones High Street Ltd
TGJones is Bookstore run by TG Jones High Street Ltd on Queen Street, Cardiff. TGJones also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Queen Street, Cardiff
Coastal Bookshop
Bookstore
Coastal Bookshop is Bookstore on 49 John Street, Porthcawl.
49 John Street, Porthcawl, CF36 3AS
BOOKS Plus
Bookstore
BOOKS Plus — Bookstore, found on The Concourse, University Hospital Of Wales in Cardiff. Also worth knowing about BOOKS Plus: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 10:30-16:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
The Concourse, University Hospital Of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4BA
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 10:30-16:30
Phone: +44 29 2075 2800
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 12 Windsor Road. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
12 Windsor Road, CF64 1JH
Butler's Books
Bookstore
Butler's Books — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Butler's Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-16:00
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
Caerphilly, CF83 1NU
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Caerphilly, CF83 1NU
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on High Street, Cowbridge. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Cowbridge
The Cowbridge Bookshop
Bookstore
The Cowbridge Bookshop is Bookstore.
Dreadnought
Used bookstore
Dreadnought is Used bookstore on 125 Saint Georges Road, Bristol. Dreadnought also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
125 Saint Georges Road, Bristol, BS1 5UW
Cwmcarn Institute & Village Hall
Bookstore
Cwmcarn Institute & Village Hall is Bookstore on 128 Newport Road, Newport. Cwmcarn Institute & Village Hall also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo 17:30-20:00; Tu Off; We 15:15-16:30; Th 09:00-22:00; Fr Off; Sa 10:00-12:00; Su Off.
128 Newport Road, Newport, NP11 7LZ
Hours: Mo 17:30-20:00; Tu Off; We 15:15-16:30; Th 09:00-22:00; Fr Off; Sa 10:00-12:00; Su Off
Caban
Bookstore
Caban — Bookstore, found on 169 King's Road in Cardiff. Also worth knowing about Caban: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
169 King's Road, Cardiff, CF11 9DE
Phone: +44 29 2034 2223
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore.
Cant a Mil
Bookstore
Cant a Mil is Bookstore on 11 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff. Cant a Mil also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
11 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff
Phone: +44 29 2021 2474
Bookmarked
Bookstore
Bookmarked is Bookstore on 47 Henleaze Road, Bristol.
47 Henleaze Road, Bristol, BS9 4JU
British Heart Foundation Books & Music
Bookstore
British Heart Foundation Books & Music is Bookstore on 148 Whiteladies Road, Bristol. British Heart Foundation Books & Music also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
148 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2RS
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00
Phone: +44 117 973 9274
Christian Science Reading Room
Bookstore
Christian Science Reading Room is Bookstore on 51 North View, Bristol. Christian Science Reading Room also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo,We,Fr 10:00-12:30; Tu,Th 13:30-16:00.
51 North View, Bristol, BS6 7PY
Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-12:30; Tu,Th 13:30-16:00
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 1 Queen's Road in Bristol. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1 Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1QE
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-17:00
Phone: +44 117 9294890
Heron Books
Bookstore
Heron Books is Bookstore on Regent Street, Bristol. Heron Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-16:30; Su 11:00-16:00.
Regent Street, Bristol, BS8 4HW
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-16:30; Su 11:00-16:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 37 Regent Street. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
37 Regent Street
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 26 Princess Victoria Street in Bristol. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
26 Princess Victoria Street, Bristol, BS8 4BU
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 56 Cotham Hill in Bristol. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
56 Cotham Hill, Bristol, BS6 6JX
Storysmith
Bookstore
Storysmith is Bookstore on 236 North Street, Bristol.
236 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1JD
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Clevedon, BS21 6NQ
Hartmanns Books
Bookstore
Hartmanns Books — Bookstore, found on 28-30 High Street in Bristol.
28-30 High Street, Bristol, BS20 6EN
Welsh Book Shop
Bookstore
Welsh Book Shop is Bookstore.
Books On The Hill
Bookstore
Books On The Hill is Bookstore on 20 Hill Road.
20 Hill Road
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 15 Colliers Walk in Bristol. 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.
15 Colliers Walk, Bristol, BS48 1RG
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Nickleby's Book Store
Bookstore
Nickleby's Book Store — Bookstore on Pound Field.
Pound Field, CF61 1DL
What the map tells us about bookstores in Cardiff
28 of the 68 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
39 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 2 of them sit on High Street, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
The Cardiff bookstore crawl
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: Waterstones, Griffin Books on 9a Windsor Road, Troutmark Books on 39-43 Castle Arcade, Pontypridd Museum, The Works, The Works on 12 The Parade, Buzzard books, and Waterstones on 159 Commercial Street. That's 68 stops on the Cardiff bookstore crawl. 60 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Cardiff
A few things worth knowing before you work through Cardiff's bookstores:
- Note the shop's specialties at Waterstones. Sci-fi, travel, art books, philosophy — every good shop leans somewhere. Find the lean that matches yours.
- Don't judge by the window display at Griffin Books. The front table is marketing. The back shelves are the shop's real taste. Walk the whole floor.
- Don't overlook the classics wall. Every shop has one. Cheap editions of the books everyone claims to have read — your chance to actually read them.
- Support the shop's own publishing. Some independents publish local authors or print their own anthologies. Buying them funds the ecosystem directly.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Cardiff — 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 Cardiff can take a while to appear. If you spot one of the 68 that's closed, or a great bookstore we missed, the fix is to update the map itself — that's where this guide reads from.
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 68 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 Cardiff: 68 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.