Bookshops in Oxford - A Complete Guide
Here’s everything you need to know about book shopping in the UK’s historic university city, Oxford.
Teeming with dark academia vibes, Oxford is a cultural hub with a plethora of museums, libraries and bookshops.
While many of the libraries are only open to University of Oxford students (with a few exceptions), there are many fantastic bookshops that the general public can visit. Whether you prefer used books or new, large chain bookstores or small independents, Oxford is bound to have a shop that you’ll love.
Read on to discover the bookshops for yourself.
Blackwell’s Bookshop
Known to be the original Blackwell’s Bookshop, this store opened its doors on Broad Street in 1879, making it one of the UK’s oldest bookshop chains.
What makes this shop particularly unique is that it’s home to the largest single room selling books in the world! The Norrington Room can be found underneath the original shop, and opened to the public more than 50 years ago.
This branch of Blackwell’s really is enormous, with a particularly extensive range of academic books, making it ideal for the student population.
Address: 48-51 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BQ
The Last Bookshop
This Oxford gem is located in Jericho, and stocks an eclectic range of second hand and remainder books.
The Last Bookshop is owned by bookselling company Bill and Ben Books, which is owned and run by Jake Pumphrey and Nick Walsh. They have a number of bookshops, including a second in Oxford, as well as shops in Bristol and Brighton. They have a refreshing ethos, with an aim to minimise waste in the book publishing industry, selling surplus books that may otherwise be pulped.
Be prepared for a rummage, and to uncover some unexpected gems for a bargain price.
Address: 25 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford, OX1 2HQ
The Book Stop
The second Oxford based bookshop under the Bill and Ben Books umbrella, the Book Stop is a compact space that’s chock full with book bargains.
This premises is a lot more central than the Jericho shop, which might be more convenient during a day visit to the city.
Address: 19 Magdalen Street, Oxford, OX1 3AE
Curio Books and Culture
This unique bookshop can be found in the basement of the Common Ground cafe and co-working space near Jericho.
Having only opened in 2023, Curio Books and Culture is a relative newcomer to the city, stocking secondhand titles at affordable prices. They might only be small, but this is a bookshop you won’t want to miss during a visit to Oxford.
Address: 37-38 Little Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX1 2HU
Gulp Fiction
I recently visited this bookshop for the first time and it was an absolute delight!
Gulp Fiction is located in the city’s historic Covered Market, with plenty of seating and a full bar on offer. I stopped here on my way to a book signing and enjoyed a cold drink and a browse.
Make sure you explore upstairs, where you can find the fantasy section and a cosy reading nook at the far end.
Address: Unit 28, 29 Covered Market, Oxford, OX1 3DU
Waterstones
No bookshop guide is complete without the local branch of Waterstones!
Their Oxford shop was relocated in autumn 2025, and is now based in the grade two listed building Baker House. This is a huge change, as Waterstones had occupied their previous Oxford premises since 1987, when they took over from former bookselling chain Dillon’s.
You’ll be pleased to hear that their new space has room for even more books across five floors, as well as a Waterstones cafe.
Address: William Baker House, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AF
St Phillip’s Books
A must-visit for antiquarian book lovers, St Phillip’s Books can be found through an archway next door to Alice’s Shop.
Here you’ll find a wide range of non-fiction books, specialising in the humanities and spanning a variety of topics. They have a notably large collection of theology and church history books, and the shop itself is based in a beautiful listed building.
Address: 82 St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1RA
Oxfam Bookshop
A staple in many towns and cities across the country, the Oxfam Bookshop in Oxford is something special.
With a beautiful dark wooden facade, you’ll find a wide range of second hand books here for a bargain price, as well as selected cards and gifts.
Address: 15 Turl Street Oxford, OX1 3DQ
Arcadia
This unusual little bookshop is an absolute gem and one of my favourites in the city!
Originally established by the Clutterbuck Brothers in the 1940s, Arcadia has been owned by Michael and Andrea Keirs since 1975. They stock a wide range of antique and vintage literary items, as well as a selection of gifts and cards.
Entering this one of a kind, whimsical shop feels like somewhere you would encounter in a dream, and you will emerge with treasures you didn’t even know you needed.
Address: 4 St Michael's St, Oxford OX1 2DU
Daunt Books
If you have time to venture outside of the city centre, then make sure you stop by Daunt Books in Summertown.
Originally established in London, Daunt Books now has around ten branches across the country. Their Oxford based Summertown branch is uniform with the rest of the brand, boasting dark wooden interiors and books that are organised by geographic location.
Daunt Books in Oxford offers a unique experience in a city that’s full of bookshops, which is no easy feat.
Address: 247-249 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7HN
Caper
Another shop that is located outside of the city centre, Caper is a family bookshop located in the east of Oxford.
There’s something here for everyone, with children’s books, cards, gifts and toys, as well as a range of books for grown ups too. Caper typically runs a variety of workshops and events for children throughout the week, so it’s well worth a look for parents looking to keep their little ones occupied.
You can even host children’s birthday parties here, which would have been a dream for me as a book loving child.
Address: 74-77 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE
Honourable Mentions
The following Oxford shops are all literary themed, and while they might sell a few books, I wouldn’t classify them as actual bookshops. Having said that, all of them are worth a visit during a bookish visit to the city!
Alice’s Shop
Oxford is inextricably linked with Alice in Wonderland, having been home to not only the book’s author Lewis Carroll, but also the real Alice herself, who the books were based on.
This unique shop sells a wide variety of curious items, including books, homeware, ceramics and jewellery, and really is a must visit for any fan of Alice in Wonderland. Allegedly, the real life Alice used to visit this shop herself as a child, which features in Carroll’s sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass.
With its cherry red painted door and window frames, and located next door to St Phillip’s Books, Alice’s Shop is difficult to miss.
Address: 83 St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1RA
Bodleian Library Shop
No trip to Oxford is complete without a guided tour of the famous Bodleian Library.
With two gift shops in the city, I would recommend visiting the gorgeous Old Schools Quadrangle Shop, which is located in the centre of the Old Library. Here you will find a curated range of literary inspired gifts and University of Oxford merchandise.
As gift shops go, this is one of my all time favourites and is perfect for book lovers.
The old library itself can be visited by guides tour only, so make sure you book your tickets in advance here.
Address: Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG
Story Museum Shop
Last but not least, this colourful shop is attached to the wonderful Story Museum.
Here they offer a mix of classic and modern books for children, as well as a dedicated dyslexia friendly section. With lots of other gifts to choose from, this bookshop will quickly become somewhere that’s beloved by your inner child.
Address: 42 Pembroke St, Oxford OX1 1BP
Have a fantastic trip to Oxford, and I hope you treat yourself to lots of new books!