Inside the Original Blackwell’s Bookshop, Oxford
Blackwell’s is one of Britain’s oldest bookshop chains. Situated in the heart of a historic student city, the original shop is based on Broad Street, Oxford, where it originally opened its doors in 1879. But it isn’t just the shop’s history that makes it worth a visit. The Broad Street shop holds the world record for the largest single room in the world selling books - you’d have no idea from the outside!
The Norrington room lives underneath the original store, and opened its doors to customers more than 50 years ago. It’s a rabbit warren of shelves reminiscent of that classic 1950s Art Deco style. Here you can find academic texts on an extensive number of topics - a perfect resource for a prestigious university hub.
Stepping outside the Norrington room, Blackwell’s Broad Street boasts are large selection of Harry Potter merchandise, a cosy branch of Cafe Nero, and a conjoining store that specialises in sheet music. Blackwell’s Music stocks printed sheet music and music books, as well as instruments and fun music gifts.
If you exit the shop and walk further down Broad Street, you’ll come across Blackwell’s Art and Poster shop - the only one in the country. It’s a lovely little place to potter around, perusing the artwork on offer. Again, a perfect spot for students who are looking to decorate their university accommodation!
Blackwell’s Broad Street definitely needs to be on your bookshop bucket list. As well as being a fantastic, well stocked shop that’s fun to explore, it’s also perfectly situated in the midst of bustling Oxford, where there is so much to see and do. With links to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and a number of Harry Potter filming locations, Oxford is nothing less that a book lover’s dream.
Other bookshops to visit in the city
include Arcadia (my personal favourite), St Philip’s Books, the Oxford University Press Bookshop, the Bodlian Libraries shop, The Last Bookshop, the Book Stop and a rather gorgeous branch of Waterstones.
There are also loads of Bookish tours and activities
to seek out in Oxford. I would highly recommend the Bodlian Library Tour at Oxford University, which will take you through a number of Harry Potter filming locations including the gorgeous Duke Humfrey's library.
Other fascinating bookish tours and activities to add to your itinerary include a tour around Oxford University’s Christ Church College, which has links to Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland, The Story Museum, the Eagle and Child pub, a CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking tour, and Blenheim Palace, which is just a 20 minute drive from Oxford and houses a stunningly beautiful library.