Bookstores in Derby
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Derby, England gives you 69 to judge by. That's 69 bookshops mapped around Derby, 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 Derby (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Waterstones and Blackwells, plus The Works. If a bookshop's missing from Derby's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Derby bookstore lineup
69 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Waterstones
BookstoreRun by Waterstone's
Run by Waterstone's, Waterstones is 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
Blackwells
Bookstore
Blackwells is Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Alfreton, DE55 2JW
Scarthin Books
Bookstore
Scarthin Books — Bookstore.
Peak Rail Shop
Bookstore
Peak Rail Shop is Bookstore on Station Yard, Matlock. Peak Rail Shop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Station Yard, Matlock, DE4 3NA
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 8 Central Avenue. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:30; Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
8 Central Avenue
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Oxfam Books and Music
Bookstore
Oxfam Books and Music is Bookstore on Central Avenue, Nottingham. Oxfam Books and Music also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-15:00; it has a website with more detail.
Central Avenue, Nottingham, NG2 5GR
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-15:00
Christian Resources Leicester
Bookstore
Christian Resources Leicester — Bookstore on Peacock Lane. Also worth knowing about Christian Resources Leicester: it has a website with more detail.
Peacock Lane, LE1 5PZ
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 1-5 Bridlesmith Gate in Nottingham. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:30; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
1-5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2GR
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:30; Su 11:00-17:00
St. Bernard Abbey Bookshop
Bookstore
St. Bernard Abbey Bookshop — Bookstore.
Bookwise
Bookstore
Bookwise is Bookstore on 10 Goose Gate, Nottingham.
10 Goose Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1FF
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
The Cathedral Shop
Bookstore
The Cathedral Shop — Bookstore.
WS13 7LD
Hassop Station
Bookstore
Hassop Station is Bookstore. Hassop Station also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Su 11:00-17:00; Mo-Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Su 11:00-17:00; Mo-Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-18:00
Mizan Books
Bookstore
Mizan Books is Bookstore on 58 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham.
58 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 5JD
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 14 Long Row in Nottingham. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
14 Long Row, Nottingham, NG1 2DH
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Derby, DE1 2PL
Mary Tony Books
Used bookstore
Mary Tony Books — Used bookstore.
Nottingham, NG1 3PS
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: 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.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore.
Ilkeston, DE7 8AG
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Cornerstone Christian Bookshop
Bookstore
Cornerstone Christian Bookshop — Bookstore.
One More Chapter
Bookstore
One More Chapter is Bookstore on 6 Main Road, Nottingham. One More Chapter also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
6 Main Road, Nottingham, NG12 2FH
Al-Hidayah
Bookstore
Al-Hidayah — Bookstore on 247A Denman Street.
247A Denman Street
Maktaba tul Madina
Bookstore
Maktaba tul Madina is Bookstore on 10-14 Oakdale Road, Nottingham.
10-14 Oakdale Road, Nottingham, NG3 7EE
The Griffin’s Library
Bookstore
The Griffin’s Library is Bookstore.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
St Giles Bookshop
Used bookstoreRun by St Giles Hospice
Run by St Giles Hospice, St Giles Bookshop is Used bookstore, found on 26 Market Street in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Also worth knowing about St Giles Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00.
26 Market Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
Blackwells
Bookstore
Blackwells is Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Hestia Books
Bookstore
Hestia Books is Bookstore.
Dormouse Books
Bookstore
Dormouse Books is Bookstore on 36 Market Place, Belper. Dormouse 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.
36 Market Place, Belper, DE56 1FZ
Phone: +44 1773 689876
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
Eagle Books
Bookstore
Eagle Books is Bookstore on 19 East Street, Derby.
19 East Street, Derby, DE1 2AU
Forbidden Planet
Bookstore
Forbidden Planet — Bookstore on 23 Silver Street. Also worth knowing about Forbidden Planet: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; 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 Silver Street, LE1 5EU
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-16:00
Phone: +44 116 251 5266
Kube Publishing
Bookstore
Kube Publishing is Bookstore.
Book Store
Bookstore
Book Store is Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Maxwell's Bookshop
Bookstore
Maxwell's Bookshop — Bookstore.
Maynard & Bradley
Bookstore
Maynard & Bradley — Bookstore.
Bearded Badger Books
Bookstore
Bearded Badger Books — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Bearded Badger Books: it has a website with more detail.
Derby, DE1 1RF
H & H Spalding Books
Bookstore
H & H Spalding Books is Bookstore.
Countryside Books
Bookstore
Countryside Books is Bookstore.
The Old Curiosity Bookshop
Bookstore
The Old Curiosity Bookshop — Bookstore.
Jermy & Westerman
Bookstore
Jermy & Westerman is Bookstore on 203 Mansfield Road, Nottingham.
203 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FS
Iqra Books
Bookstore
Iqra Books is Bookstore on 330-332 Normanton Road, Derby.
330-332 Normanton Road, Derby, DE23 6WE
Madina Book Centre
Bookstore
Madina Book Centre is Bookstore on 343 Normanton Road, Derby. Madina Book Centre also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
343 Normanton Road, Derby, DE23 6UU
Phone: +44 1332 368002
James Redshaw Ltd
Bookstore
James Redshaw Ltd — Bookstore, found on 23 Bird Street in Lichfield. Also worth knowing about James Redshaw Ltd: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
23 Bird Street, Lichfield, WS13 6PW
Phone: +44 1543 254825
Second hand bookshop
BookstoreRun by National Trust
Run by National Trust, Second hand bookshop is Bookstore.
Peak Dragon Books
Bookstore
Peak Dragon Books is Bookstore on 39 Dale Road, Matlock. Peak Dragon Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Th-Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
39 Dale Road, Matlock
Hours: Th-Su 10:00-16:00
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 78-80 Saint Peter's Street in Derby. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
78-80 Saint Peter's Street, Derby, DE1 1SR
Five Leaves Bookshop
Bookstore
Five Leaves Bookshop is Bookstore on 14A Long Row, Nottingham. Five Leaves 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.
14A Long Row, Nottingham, NG1 2DH
Phone: +44 115 837 3097
Books on the Bridge
Bookstore
Books on the Bridge — Bookstore, found on 26 Derby Road in Nottingham.
26 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG10 1PD
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Mansfield, NG18 1SN
The Mustard Seed
BookstoreRun by Chris Stala
Run by Chris Stala, The Mustard Seed is Bookstore, found on 2 Main Road in Nottingham. Also worth knowing about The Mustard Seed: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
2 Main Road, Nottingham, NG4 3HP
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
Phone: +44 115 987 9819
The Dawn Book Supply
Used bookstore
The Dawn Book Supply — Used bookstore, found on 5 Station Road in Nottingham. Also worth knowing about The Dawn Book Supply: it has a website with more detail.
5 Station Road, Nottingham, NG4 3AT
Book Law Publications
Bookstore
Book Law Publications is Bookstore on 382 Carlton Hill, Nottingham. Book Law Publications also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
382 Carlton Hill, Nottingham, NG4 1JA
Phone: +44 115 961 1066
What the map tells us about bookstores in Derby
10 of the 69 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
33 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
4 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 Derby bookstore crawl
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: Waterstones, Blackwells, The Works, Scarthin Books, Peak Rail Shop on Station Yard, Waterstones on 8 Central Avenue, Oxfam Books and Music on Central Avenue, and Christian Resources Leicester on Peacock Lane. That's 69 stops on the Derby bookstore crawl. 61 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Derby
The regulars' playbook for Derby's bookshops:
- Check the cookbook section at Waterstones. Cookbooks are the most browsed and least bought section, which means the used shelf is full of barely-touched gems.
- Bring a tote bag at Blackwells. Bookshops and tote bags are a natural pair. You'll need it — nobody leaves with the one book they came for.
- Browse by serendipity, buy by list. Keep a want-list on your phone for the hunt, but let the shelves surprise you too. The best finds are never the planned ones.
- Check for a café corner. A bookshop with coffee is a trap in the best way. Plan accordingly; you won't be leaving soon.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Derby — 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 Derby can take a while to appear. The 69 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 69 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 Derby: 69 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.