4 Bookshops to Visit in Winchester
Nestled in the heart of Hampshire, Winchester is a beautiful medieval city with heaps of history and plenty of things to see and do. In addition to the wonderful yearly Christmas market, beautiful cathedral and picturesque city centre, there is a selection of brilliant bookshops that are all worth a visit.
Here are the four bookshops that you need to visit during your next trip to Winchester.
P & G Wells
I was so excited to discover this first bookshop! P&G Wells is a gorgeous shop located just a few streets away from the cathedral. They stock a wide range of new books, from fiction to non-fiction, with a children’s section upstairs.
The building itself is beautiful, with lovely dark wood interiors, and makes for a very immersive browsing experience. The bookshop itself dates back to 1729, and has been associated with the Wells name since 1834.
Kingsgate Books & Prints
This bookshop is an absolute gem! More of a print shop with a small selection of second hand paperbacks, Kingsgate Books & Prints is a must visit during any trip to Winchester.
Peruse the preloved books lined up outside and flick through the huge range of art prints that they stock. You’ll even find some featuring niche local landmarks - artwork that you won’t be able to find anywhere else! This is the place to go if you’re looking for some affordable, local prints to display in your home.
Waterstones, The Brook
How’s this view from the local Waterstones?
There are two branches in Winchester but the showstopper can be found in The Brooks shopping centre. They have a great selection to browse and, hey, it’s always worthwhile to give the local Waterstones a visit.
The Winchester Bookshop
Last but not least is a recommendation for all of you second hand bookshop fans out there!
The Winchester Bookshop has that delectable old book smell, and sells a wide range of used and antiquarian tomes. Established in 1991 and brimming with charm, you can find the shop tucked down a little alleyway, not far from the main high street.
I hope that you enjoy your visit to Winchester. It’s a gorgeous little city that I’m sure you’ll love, just like I do!
Further reading
All about Winchester Cathedral