Bookstores in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, England has 69 bookstores on the map. That's 69 bookshops mapped around Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Waterstones and Waterstones, plus P. G. Wells. If a bookshop's missing from Portsmouth's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Portsmouth bookstore lineup
69 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 6 West Street in Chichester. 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.
6 West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RP
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
P. G. Wells
Bookstore
P. G. Wells — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about P. G. Wells: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30
The Petersfield Bookshop
Bookstore
The Petersfield Bookshop is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Jade Mountain
Bookstore
Jade Mountain — Bookstore, found on 17 Highland Road in Southsea. Also worth knowing about Jade Mountain: the map lists its hours as Mo, We-Sa 09:30-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
17 Highland Road, Southsea, PO4 9DA
Hours: Mo, We-Sa 09:30-17:00
Sussex Stationers
Bookstore
Sussex Stationers — Bookstore, found on 9 North Street in Chichester. Also worth knowing about Sussex Stationers: it has a website with more detail.
9 North Street, Chichester, PO19 1LB
The Book Room
Used bookstore
The Book Room — Used bookstore.
Babushka Books
Bookstore
Babushka Books is Bookstore on 67 Regent Street, Shanklin.
67 Regent Street, Shanklin, PO37 7AE
P&G Wells University Bookshop
Bookstore
P&G Wells University Bookshop — Bookstore.
Unity Book Shop
Bookstore
Unity Book Shop — Bookstore.
Splashmaps
Bookstore
Splashmaps — Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Reader's Good Books
Used bookstore
Reader's Good Books — Used bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on 80 Market Street. 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.
80 Market Street
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
The Sussex Bookshop
Bookstore
The Sussex Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 28 South Street in Chichester. Also worth knowing about The Sussex Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30.
28 South Street, Chichester
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30
Chichester Books
Bookstore
Chichester Books is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 115 Commercial Road in Portsmouth. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
115 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 1BU
Phone: +44 2392 821255
The Works
BookstoreRun by The Works Stores Ltd
Run by The Works Stores Ltd, The Works is Bookstore, found on 109 Commercial Road in Portsmouth. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
109 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 1BU
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 2392 732834
Acorn and the Vine
Bookstore
Acorn and the Vine — Bookstore, found on 109 Palmerston Road in Southsea. Also worth knowing about Acorn and the Vine: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00.
109 Palmerston Road, Southsea, PO5 3PS
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00
Bookends
Bookstore
Bookends is Bookstore on 7 High Street, Emsworth. Bookends also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
7 High Street, Emsworth
Phone: +44 1243 372154
Bookends
Bookstore
Bookends is Bookstore.
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
New To You Books
Bookstore
New To You Books is Bookstore on High Street, Portsmouth. New To You Books also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
High Street, Portsmouth
Phone: +44 2392 321089
Ryde Bookshop
Bookstore
Ryde Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 135 High Street in Ryde. Also worth knowing about Ryde Bookshop: 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.
135 High Street, Ryde, PO33 2RJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1983 565227
Fantastic Store
Bookstore
Fantastic Store — Bookstore, found on 68 Union Street in Ryde. Also worth knowing about Fantastic Store: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-16:30; Su off.
68 Union Street, Ryde
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:30; Su off
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 19 St James' Square 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; it has a website with more detail.
19 St James' Square, Newport, PO30 1UX
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 118 High 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; it has a website with more detail.
118 High Street, Newport, PO30 1TP
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 4-5 St Thomas Square in Newport. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off; it has a website with more detail.
4-5 St Thomas Square, Newport
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
Medina Bookshop
Bookstore
Medina Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 50 High Street in Cowes.
50 High Street, Cowes
The Saint Olav Trust Christian Bookshop
Bookstore
The Saint Olav Trust Christian Bookshop — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Reggie's Retro Bookshop
Bookstore
Reggie's Retro Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 9 Spring Hill in Ventnor.
9 Spring Hill, Ventnor
One Tree Books
Bookstore
One Tree Books — Bookstore, found on 7 Lavant Street in Petersfield. Also worth knowing about One Tree Books: it has a website with more detail.
7 Lavant Street, Petersfield, GU32 3EL
Mrs Middleton's Shop
Bookstore
Mrs Middleton's Shop — Bookstore, found on 49 School Green Road in Freshwater. Also worth knowing about Mrs Middleton's Shop: it has a website with more detail.
49 School Green Road, Freshwater
Bookworm
Bookstore
Bookworm — Bookstore.
Oasis Christian Centre
Bookstore
Oasis Christian Centre — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Oasis Christian Centre: it has a website with more detail.
Mother Goose Bookshop
Used bookstore
Mother Goose Bookshop — Used bookstore.
Wheeler's Bookshop
BookstoreRun by Wheeler's Bookshop
Wheeler's Bookshop is Bookstore run by Wheeler's Bookshop on Red Lion Street, Midhurst. Wheeler's Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Red Lion Street, Midhurst, GU29 9PB
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 65 High Street in Gosport. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
65 High Street, Gosport, PO12 1DR
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.
Cornerstone Christian Bookshop
Bookstore
Cornerstone Christian Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 9 Bemisters Lane in Gosport. Also worth knowing about Cornerstone Christian Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
9 Bemisters Lane, Gosport, PO12 1HB
The Book Shop
Bookstore
The Book Shop is Bookstore.
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
Deanery Bookshop
Bookstore
Deanery Bookshop — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Kingsgate Books & Prints
Bookstore
Kingsgate Books & Prints — Bookstore, found on Kingsgate Street in Winchester. Also worth knowing about Kingsgate Books & Prints: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Kingsgate Street, Winchester, SO23 9PD
Phone: +44 1962 864710
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.
The Imaginarium
Bookstore
The Imaginarium — Bookstore, found on 10 Angel Courtyard in Lymington. Also worth knowing about The Imaginarium: 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.
10 Angel Courtyard, Lymington, SO41 9AP
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1590 615584
Secondhand Bookshop
Bookstore
Secondhand Bookshop is Bookstore.
Pod
Bookstore
Pod is Bookstore.
Petworth Bookshop
Bookstore
Petworth Bookshop — Bookstore.
Arcade Bookshop
Bookstore
Arcade Bookshop is Bookstore.
October Books
Bookstore
October Books — Bookstore, found on 189 Portswood Road in Southampton. Also worth knowing about October Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; PH off; it has a website with more detail.
189 Portswood Road, Southampton, SO17 2WX
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; PH off
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on High Street in Winchester. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Winchester, SO23 9AP
What the map tells us about bookstores in Portsmouth
23 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.
35 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.
3 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 Portsmouth bookstore crawl
The efficient Portsmouth bookstore crawl strings these together: Waterstones on 6 West Street, Waterstones, P. G. Wells, The Petersfield Bookshop, Waterstones, Jade Mountain on 17 Highland Road, Sussex Stationers on 9 North Street, and The Book Room — 69 stops, one logical order. 61 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Portsmouth
Browsing in Portsmouth? A little strategy helps:
- Come back seasonally at Waterstones. Stock turns over with the publishing seasons. The shop you browsed in spring is a different shop by autumn.
- Ask about the book club discount at Waterstones. Many shops discount book-club orders. If your club buys local, everyone wins.
- Check for a café corner. A bookshop with coffee is a trap in the best way. Plan accordingly; you won't be leaving soon.
- Read the first page in the shop. The first-page test never lies. If it doesn't grab you standing there, it won't grab you at home.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Portsmouth — 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 Portsmouth can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 69, 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 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 Portsmouth: 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.