Bookstores in Southend-on-Sea
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Southend-on-Sea, Essex gives you 63 to judge by. That's 63 bookshops mapped around Southend-on-Sea, 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 Southend-on-Sea (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Blackwell and Second-Hand Bookshop, plus Friends of Hylands. If a bookshop's missing from Southend-on-Sea's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Southend-on-Sea bookstore lineup
63 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Blackwell
Bookstore
Blackwell is Bookstore. Blackwell also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Canterbury, CT2 7UG
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
Second-Hand Bookshop
Bookstore
Second-Hand Bookshop is Bookstore.
Friends of Hylands
Bookstore
Friends of Hylands — Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on West Village in Greenhithe. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
West Village, Greenhithe, DA9 9SE
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1322 624831
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on Thames Walk, Greenhithe. TGJones also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Thames Walk, Greenhithe, DA9 9SL
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1322 386843
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 207 High Street, Southend-on-Sea. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
207 High Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1LN
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on The Meadows in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
The Meadows, Chelmsford, CM2 6FD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:30
Phone: +44 1245 490614
Foyles
Bookstore
Foyles is Bookstore on 86 Bond Street, Chelmsford. Foyles also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su,PH 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
86 Bond Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1GH
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su,PH 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1245 860289
Leigh Gallery Books
Bookstore
Leigh Gallery Books — Bookstore, found on 37 Leigh Road in Leigh-on-Sea.
37 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1JQ
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
The Book Nut
Bookstore
The Book Nut — Bookstore, found on Barleylands Road in Billericay.
Barleylands Road, Billericay
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Romford, RM1 3RL
Chapters
Bookstore
Chapters — Bookstore, found on 6 High Street in Canterbury. Also worth knowing about Chapters: it has a website with more detail.
6 High Street, Canterbury, CT2 0BD
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on West Thurrock Way in Grays. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
West Thurrock Way, Grays, RM20 2ZG
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1708 869858
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on West Thurrock Way in Grays. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
West Thurrock Way, Grays, RM20 2ZP
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1708 867097
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on Unit 13b. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Unit 13b
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Hempstead Valley Drive in Gillingham. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Hempstead Valley Drive, Gillingham, ME7 3PD
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. Also worth knowing about The Works: 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.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on Edison Way, Braintree. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 07:00-20:00.
Edison Way, Braintree, CM77 7AP
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-20:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Dominion Bookshop
Bookstore
Dominion Bookshop is Bookstore.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on West Thurrock Way, Grays. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 09:30-21:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
West Thurrock Way, Grays, RM20 2ZG
Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-21:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1708 869175
CFY Book Shelf
Bookstore
CFY Book Shelf — Bookstore.
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, found on Rose Gallery in Greenhithe. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Rose Gallery, Greenhithe, DA9 9ST
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1322 370566
The Works
BookstoreRun by The Works Stores Ltd
Run by The Works Stores Ltd, The Works is Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
ME10 3DL
Phone: +44 1795 477260
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 29-31 Town Square, Basildon. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:30-17:45; Sa 09:00-17:45; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
29-31 Town Square, Basildon, SS14 1BA
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-17:45; Sa 09:00-17:45; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1268 520367
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 96 Town Square in Basildon. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Tu, Th-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; We off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
96 Town Square, Basildon, SS14 1BX
Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; We off
Phone: +44 1268 520381
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon.
Eastgate Shopping Centre, Basildon
Waterstones
BookstoreRun by Waterstones
Run by Waterstones, Waterstones is Bookstore, found on 49-55 High Street in Southend-on-Sea. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
49-55 High Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1HZ
Books-on-Sea
Bookstore
Books-on-Sea is Bookstore on 23 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea. Books-on-Sea also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
23 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1BX
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on High Street in Southend-on-Sea. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Southend-on-Sea
Sunburst Books
Bookstore
Sunburst Books — Bookstore.
Tales in Market Street
Bookstore
Tales in Market Street is Bookstore on 1-2 Market Street, Faversham. Tales in Market Street also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
1-2 Market Street, Faversham, ME13 7AH
Waterstones
BookstoreRun by Waterstones Booksellers Limited
Run by Waterstones Booksellers Limited, Waterstones is Bookstore, found on 182 High Street in Chatham. 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.
182 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1634 828929
Get Ready Comics
Bookstore
Get Ready Comics — Bookstore.
Baggins Book Bazaar
Used bookstoreRun by Baggins Book Bazaar Limited
Run by Baggins Book Bazaar Limited, Baggins Book Bazaar is Used bookstore, found on 19 High Street in Rochester.
19 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1YP
Maldon Books
Bookstore
Maldon Books is Bookstore on 21 High Street, Maldon.
21 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PE
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 8 Rose Lane in Canterbury. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
8 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2SJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30
Chaucer Bookshop
Bookstore
Chaucer Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 6-7 Beercart Lane in Canterbury. Also worth knowing about Chaucer Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; Su 11:00-16:00; PH 11:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
6-7 Beercart Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2NY
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; Su 11:00-16:00; PH 11:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1227 453912
Burgate Books
Bookstore
Burgate Books is Bookstore on 10B Burgate, Canterbury. Burgate Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; Su 11:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
10B Burgate, Canterbury, CT1 2HG
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; Su 11:00-16:00
Catching Lives Books
Used bookstore
Catching Lives Books — Used bookstore, found on 28 Palace Street in Canterbury. Also worth knowing about Catching Lives Books: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
28 Palace Street, Canterbury, CT1 2DZ
Phone: +44 7899 458961
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 27-28 High Chelmer in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about The Works: 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.
27-28 High Chelmer, Chelmsford, CM1 1XB
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Phone: +44 1245 265903
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 94 High Street in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:30-15:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
94 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1DX
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:30-15:30
Phone: +44 1245 345028
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 76 High Street in Chelmsford. 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.
76 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1EJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
Phone: +44 1245 268737
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Virtual Book Shop
Bookstore
Virtual Book Shop — Bookstore on 62 High Street.
62 High Street
Store 104
Bookstore
Store 104 — Bookstore, found on 104 High Street in Rochester. Also worth knowing about Store 104: it has a website with more detail.
104 High Street, Rochester
City Books
Bookstore
City Books — Bookstore, found on 41 High Street in Rochester.
41 High Street, Rochester
Wivenhoe Bookshop
Bookstore
Wivenhoe Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 23 High Street in Wivenhoe. Also worth knowing about Wivenhoe Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
23 High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9BE
Colne Bookshop
Bookstore
Colne Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 51 High Street in Wivenhoe.
51 High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9AZ
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 17 High Street in Canterbury. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30;Su 10:00-17:30;PH 09:00-17:30;Dec 25 off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
17 High Street, Canterbury, CT1 2JE
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30;Su 10:00-17:30;PH 09:00-17:30;Dec 25 off
Phone: +44 1227 764267
Wadard Books
Bookstore
Wadard Books is Bookstore on High Street.
High Street
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Harbour Books
Bookstore
Harbour Books — Bookstore, found on 21 Harbour Street in Whitstable.
21 Harbour Street, Whitstable, CT5 1AQ
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
What the map tells us about bookstores in Southend-on-Sea
21 of the 63 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
43 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 3 of them sit on West Thurrock Way, 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 Southend-on-Sea bookstore crawl
The efficient Southend-on-Sea bookstore crawl strings these together: Blackwell, Second-Hand Bookshop, Friends of Hylands, Waterstones on West Village, TGJones on Thames Walk, The Works, WHSmith on 207 High Street, and The Works on The Meadows — 63 stops, one logical order. 55 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Southend-on-Sea
The regulars' playbook for Southend-on-Sea's bookshops:
- Ask about the book club discount at Blackwell. Many shops discount book-club orders. If your club buys local, everyone wins.
- Gift buying? Ask for wrapping at Second-Hand Bookshop. Many independents wrap beautifully and free. It beats a gift bag every time.
- 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.
- The used section is underpriced everywhere. Books are heavy and slow to sell, so used shelves price to move. First editions hide here regularly.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Southend-on-Sea — 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 Southend-on-Sea can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 63, 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 63 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 Southend-on-Sea: 63 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.