Bookstores in York
York, England has 49 bookstores on the map. That's 49 bookshops mapped around York, 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 York (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include St Pauls at Hinsley Hall and The Bookshop, plus White Rose Books. If a bookshop's missing from York's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The York bookstore lineup
49 mapped within about 40 km:
St Pauls at Hinsley Hall
Bookstore
St Pauls at Hinsley Hall — Bookstore, found on 62 Headingley Lane in Leeds. Also worth knowing about St Pauls at Hinsley Hall: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; Th 10:00-15:00; Sa 10:00-16:00 "when Hinsley Hall is open. We advise phoning (0113 275 4043) before making any special journey on a Saturday."; Su,BH off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
62 Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 2BX
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; Th 10:00-15:00; Sa 10:00-16:00 "when Hinsley Hall is open. We advise phoning (0113 275 4043) before making any special journey on a Saturday."; Su,BH off
Phone: +44 113 275 4043
The Bookshop
Bookstore
The Bookshop is Bookstore.
White Rose Books
Bookstore
White Rose Books is Bookstore on 79-81 Market Place, Thirsk. White Rose Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
79-81 Market Place, Thirsk, YO7 1ET
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30
Phone: +44 1845 524353
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 15 Coney Street in York. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:30-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
15 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:30-17:00
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 44-46 Micklegate in York. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
44-46 Micklegate, York, YO1 6LF
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 11:00-16:00
Minster Gate Bookshop
Used bookstore
Minster Gate Bookshop is Used bookstore on 8 Minster Gates, York. Minster Gate Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
8 Minster Gates, York, YO1 7HL
Oxfam Bookshop
BookstoreRun by Oxfam
Run by Oxfam, Oxfam Bookshop is Bookstore, found on 69 Low Petergate in York. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
69 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HY
Travelling Man
Bookstore
Travelling Man is Bookstore on 74 Goodramgate, York. Travelling Man also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
74 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Yorkshire Quality Books
Bookstore
Yorkshire Quality Books is Bookstore on Park Street, Pickering.
Park Street, Pickering, YO18 7AJ
TG Jones
Bookstore
TG Jones — Bookstore, found on 3-7 Lands Lane in Leeds. Also worth knowing about TG Jones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
3-7 Lands Lane, Leeds, LS1 6AW
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Janette Ray
Bookstore
Janette Ray — Bookstore, found on 8 Bootham in York.
8 Bootham, York, YO30 7BL
Cut Price Bookstore
Bookstore
Cut Price Bookstore — Bookstore, found on Market Place in York.
Market Place, York, YO62 5BL
Little Apple Bookshop
Bookstore
Little Apple Bookshop is Bookstore on 13 High Petergate, York. Little Apple Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:30-17:30;Sa 09:30-18:00;Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
13 High Petergate, York, YO1 7EN
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:30;Sa 09:30-18:00;Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1904 676103
The Little Ripon Bookshop
Bookstore
The Little Ripon Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 12-13 Westgate in Ripon. Also worth knowing about The Little Ripon Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off; it has a website with more detail.
12-13 Westgate, Ripon, HG4 2AT
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Merrion Centre in Leeds. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8NG
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su 10:30-16:30
Tadcaster Book Shop
Bookstore
Tadcaster Book Shop — Bookstore, found on Bridge Street in Tadcaster.
Bridge Street, Tadcaster
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore. TGJones also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
BookstoreRun by Waterstones
Run by Waterstones, Waterstones is Bookstore, found on 93-97 Albion Street in Leeds. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-We 09:00-19:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
93-97 Albion Street, Leeds, LS1 5JS
Hours: Mo-We 09:00-19:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 113 244 4588
Portal Bookshop
Bookstore
Portal Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 5 Patrick Pool in York. Also worth knowing about Portal Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; Su 11:00-17:30; it has a website with more detail.
5 Patrick Pool, York, YO1 8BB
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:30; Su 11:00-17:30
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 17-19 Oxford Street in Harrogate. 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.
17-19 Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1PY
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
The Bookish Type
Bookstore
The Bookish Type is Bookstore on 77a Great George Street, Leeds. The Bookish Type also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
77a Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3BR
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-16:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Lucius Books
Bookstore
Lucius Books — Bookstore, found on Micklegate in York. Also worth knowing about Lucius Books: it has a website with more detail.
Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX
Imagined Things
Bookstore
Imagined Things — Bookstore, found on 4 Westminster Arcade in Harrogate.
4 Westminster Arcade, Harrogate, HG1 2RN
The Little Bookshop
Bookstore
The Little Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 47 Harrogate Road in Leeds.
47 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 3PD
Criminally Good Books
Bookstore
Criminally Good Books is Bookstore on 14 Colliergate, York. Criminally Good Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
14 Colliergate, York, YO1 8BP
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Claridges
Bookstore
Claridges is Bookstore on Church Street, York.
Church Street, York, YO62 5AD
Pitch 22
Bookstore
Pitch 22 — Bookstore, found on Fishergate in York.
Fishergate, York, YO10 4AB
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Unit 10 Thorpe Park View in Leeds. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Unit 10 Thorpe Park View, Leeds, LS15 8GG
Castlegate Books
BookstoreRun by Independent
Run by Independent, Castlegate Books is Bookstore, found on 13 Market Place in Knaresborough. Also worth knowing about Castlegate Books: the map lists its hours as Mo 10:00-16:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
13 Market Place, Knaresborough, HG5 8AL
Hours: Mo 10:00-16:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1423 862222
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Carlton Street in Castleford. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Carlton Street, Castleford, WF10 1AD
Books For All
Bookstore
Books For All — Bookstore, found on 23A Commercial Street in Harrogate.
23A Commercial Street, Harrogate, HG1 1UB
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
The Amnesty Bookshop
Used bookstoreRun by Amnesty
The Amnesty Bookshop is Used bookstore run by Amnesty on 19 Micklegate, York.
19 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JH
Hold Fast Bookshop
Bookstore
Hold Fast Bookshop is Bookstore. Hold Fast Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-We off; Th 11:00-20:00; Fr 11:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-We off; Th 11:00-20:00; Fr 11:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 15 James Street in Harrogate.
15 James Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QS
Imagined Things Bookshop
Bookstore
Imagined Things Bookshop is Bookstore on 21 Montpellier Parade, Harrogate.
21 Montpellier Parade, Harrogate, HG1 2TG
Kemps
Bookstore
Kemps is Bookstore. Kemps also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 11:00-15:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 11:00-15:00
Philip Howard Books
Bookstore
Philip Howard Books is Bookstore on 47 Street Lane, Leeds. Philip Howard Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
47 Street Lane, Leeds, LS8 1AP
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
Phone: +44 113 2259797
Acorn Christian Bookshop
Bookstore
Acorn Christian Bookshop — Bookstore.
Leeds, LS6 4DX
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 13-15 Otley Road in Leeds. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
13-15 Otley Road, Leeds, LS6 3AA
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 37-39 Market Place, Pontefract. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
37-39 Market Place, Pontefract, WF8 1AG
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on 15 Station Road in Leeds. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
15 Station Road, Leeds, LS15 8ET
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Bridge Road in Leeds. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Bridge Road, Leeds, LS5 3BL
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore.
York, YO32 9GX
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Tomahawk Trail in Castleford. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Tomahawk Trail, Castleford, WF10 4FR
Hold Fast Bookshop
BookstoreRun by Holdfast
Hold Fast Bookshop is Bookstore run by Holdfast on Leeds Dock, Leeds. Hold Fast Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-We off, Th 11:00-20:00, Fr 11:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Leeds Dock, Leeds, LS10 1LJ
Hours: Mo-We off, Th 11:00-20:00, Fr 11:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-16:00
Topping & Company
Bookstore
Topping & Company is Bookstore on 1 Museum Street, York. Topping & Company also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1 Museum Street, York, YO1 7DT
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1904 313 626
What the map tells us about bookstores in York
20 of the 49 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
31 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
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 York bookstore crawl
The efficient York bookstore crawl strings these together: St Pauls at Hinsley Hall on 62 Headingley Lane, The Bookshop, White Rose Books on 79-81 Market Place, Waterstones on 15 Coney Street, Oxfam Bookshop on 44-46 Micklegate, Minster Gate Bookshop on 8 Minster Gates, Oxfam Bookshop on 69 Low Petergate, and Travelling Man on 74 Goodramgate — 49 stops, one logical order. 41 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for York
Browsing in York? A little strategy helps:
- The used section is underpriced everywhere at St Pauls at Hinsley Hall. Books are heavy and slow to sell, so used shelves price to move. First editions hide here regularly.
- Check the events board at The Bookshop. Book clubs, writing groups, story times — bookshops are community centres that happen to sell books.
- Ask about ordering. Independent shops will order anything in print, often in a day or two. No need to default to the big online retailer.
- Look for local history. The local-interest shelf tells you what a town thinks of itself. Great for visitors, better for new residents.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around York — 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 York can take a while to appear. If you spot one of the 49 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 49 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 York: 49 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.