Bookstores in Southampton
Southampton, England has 75 bookstores on the map. That's 75 bookshops mapped around Southampton, 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 Southampton (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include TGJones and Waterstones, plus P. G. Wells. If a bookshop's missing from Southampton's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Southampton bookstore lineup
75 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on Saxon Square, Christchurch. 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.
Saxon Square, Christchurch
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
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
The Vine Trust Bookshop
Bookstore
The Vine Trust Bookshop is Bookstore.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 112 Station Road in New Milton. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
112 Station Road, New Milton, BH25 6LR
Phone: +44 1425 613736
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.
The Bookmark
Bookstore
The Bookmark is Bookstore.
Mother Goose Bookshop
Used bookstore
Mother Goose Bookshop — Used bookstore.
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
St Martin's Charity Book Shop
Bookstore
St Martin's Charity Book Shop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about St Martin's Charity Book Shop: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-15:00.
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-15:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on 600 Christchurch Road. 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.
600 Christchurch Road
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on 25-26 Saxon Square. 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.
25-26 Saxon Square
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
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.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
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
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 13-23 Southampton Road in Ringwood. 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.
13-23 Southampton Road, Ringwood, BH24 1HB
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
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
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Tea Leaves & Reads
Bookstore
Tea Leaves & Reads is Bookstore. Tea Leaves & Reads also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Andover, SP11 0QN
Pod
Bookstore
Pod is Bookstore.
Whyte Books
Bookstore
Whyte Books is Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:30-16:30.
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:30-16:30
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
Fordingbridge Bookshop
Bookstore
Fordingbridge Bookshop — Bookstore on 15 Salisbury Street. Also worth knowing about Fordingbridge Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
15 Salisbury Street, SP6 1AB
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 14-16 The Arcade. 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.
14-16 The Arcade, BH1 2AF
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Waterstones
BookstoreRun by Waterstones
Run by Waterstones, Waterstones is Bookstore, found on 7-9 High Street in Salisbury. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
7-9 High Street, Salisbury, SP1 2NJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Phone: +44 1722 415596
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
What the map tells us about bookstores in Southampton
28 of the 75 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
41 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.
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 Southampton bookstore crawl
The efficient Southampton bookstore crawl strings these together: TGJones on Saxon Square, Waterstones, P. G. Wells, The Petersfield Bookshop, Waterstones, The Vine Trust Bookshop, Jade Mountain on 17 Highland Road, and The Book Room — 75 stops, one logical order. 67 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Southampton
A few things worth knowing before you work through Southampton's bookstores:
- Buy the signed copy at TGJones. Signed stock costs the same as unsigned and only goes up in charm. Ask at the till; shops often have signed copies behind the counter.
- Ask for the out-of-print hunters at Waterstones. Some used shops will hunt down out-of-print titles for you. It takes patience, but the find is worth it.
- Check the staff picks shelf first. It's the fastest read of a shop's personality. If the picks excite you, the rest of the store will too.
- 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 Southampton — 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 Southampton can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 75, 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 75 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 Southampton: 75 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.