4 November 2014

Barter Books

We found the bookstore by accident. I had heard the name of it but thought it would be tricky to find. Little did we expect to step off the bus and see it right before our eyes. 
The shop is located in an old station. A green bench outside sets the scene and the smells from the station cafe hit the senses as we walked in. 


I have never been in a place like it. 
Second hand books as far as the eye could see. Arranged on shelves according to theme and interspersed with literary quotes. 
A roaring fire was in one corner and visitors were sat around it in cosy chairs, enjoying their books. 


The railway theme was everywhere. My favourite part was the little train that chugged along the top of the bookshelves. 
Children were pointing up to it, following it around as it made its journey across the store. 


It was packed with people the day we visited, and rightly so. I was brought up on second hand books and library trips. I love the idea of passing books on and giving money to local shops and charity. 


I could have spent hours in that lovely shop enjoying lunch by the fire. I could have also have spent a lot of money! 
Thankfully I had a castle to get to...and this handsome man to keep me in check! 



17 comments:

Lea Lacoste said...

this shop looks awesome! If you ever stop by Paris you should check out the Shakespeare and co library, it's an old house packed with thousands of books, cozy chairs and even a piano you can play. one of my favorite place ;)

Sian said...

It looks like the kind of place where I could happily spend an entire day. Or maybe the rest of my life.

Ruth said...

I have to agree with every word of Sian's comment.

furrypig said...

amazing looking place and love how you have captured it all in your camera! Off to google it now!

Barbara Eads said...

What an inviting place to stop and browse some books!

debs14 said...

Looks like you had a perfect day!

scrappyjacky said...

I'm sure I would love,love,love it there.

Lizzie said...

Ahhh...bliss, Abi! The kind of place I avoid - only because, once I'm in there, Time and the World cease to exist outside of that place - I could stay there for ever, if no-one fetched me out!
Interestingly, this is the third time I have seen this bookshop on the internet, in a week. There surely can't be more than one like this, so it must be the same place - yet I had never heard of or seen it before! Life is sometimes very strange.
Glad you found it and I hope you have the chance for another browse sometime soon.

Kirsty.A said...

Looks like my sort of place too

Mel said...

I have always wanted to go here and it's even pinned on my places to go board. It looks fab. One day...

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

I'm with Sian and Ruth! My idea of heaven.

Karen said...

Bookstores like this are among my favorite places to visit. Second best, are little independent ones which are becoming harder and harder to find here. We found several on our road trip this fall, and spent more time in them than any other shop. I always try to purchase at least one item, hoping it will help them stay in business.

Jo.C said...

I love Barter Books, glad you loved it too 😊

KraftyKaren said...

We really must on our next trip to Alnwick go there but we always end up spending so much time at the castle we never get to spend any time in the town. On our north east trip next year I will insist that we don't do the castle and do the town instead!! I always love going to Hay on Wye and losing myself in the old book shops there. And now I know that there is a train in the shop that will help me to sell the idea to Mr P!!

Susanne said...

The bookstore does indeed sound enchanting, although the thought of a fire burning in one would make me a bit nervous.

Gail said...

Oh what a lovely cozy bookstore. The used ones around here are so sterile looking.

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