Every year, thousands of readers make the pilgrimage to a small town on the Welsh borders for the Hay Festival. Set within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park on the banks of the River Wye, it is one of the world’s great literary gatherings; a place where ideas are debated, books are discovered and minds are changed. For eleven days, Hay’s famous festival bookshop becomes the busiest in Europe. 

Outside of the festival, Wales has many wonderful bookshops to visit throughout the year. Here are just nine of the finest bookshops the country has to offer.

 

Richard Booth's Bookshop –  Hay-on-Wye

Originally built in 1886, the building housing Richard Booth’s Bookshop (@richardboothsbookshop) at 44 Lion Street has been a cornerstone of Hay-on-Wye since Booth moved his celebrated book business there in 1982. Once the largest commercial premises in town, the shop grew to become one of the best-known secondhand bookshops in the world and today continues to delight visitors with a rich mix of secondhand and new books alongside art materials, craft supplies and gifts. It is a true landmark of the legendary book town and a must visit for any bibliophile.

 

North Books – Hay-on-Wye

Founded in 2022 by Julie North, North Books (@north_books_hay) brings a fresh and contemporary energy to Hay’s celebrated book scene. Specialising in contemporary fiction, design and photography, the shop champions Welsh literature, women’s writing and local authors, while offering a cosy space to browse over a coffee.

 

The Poetry Bookshop – Hay-on-Wye

Dedicated to poetry since 1979, The Poetry Bookshop (@poetrybookshop) in Hay-on-Wye is a wonderfully unique bookshop. Stocking new poetry titles alongside secondhand and antiquarian books, and hosting readings and literary events throughout the year, the shop has quietly become a place of pilgrimage for poetry lovers. It has also been the setting for three marriage proposals, one of which involved a signed, limited-edition, illustrated copy of Allen Ginsberg;s Howl in place of a diamond ring.

 

Bookshop by the Sea – Aberystwyth

Born during the pandemic, as a pop-up to help reconnect a community cut off from its libraries, Bookshop by the Sea (@thebookshopbythesea_) in Aberystwyth has blossomed into a multi-award-winning independent with a warm, inclusive spirit at its heart. Built around books, tea and conversation, this much-loved shop hosts creative writing classes, poetry evenings, children’s story times, live music and author talks, while maintaining a firm commitment to sustainability and supporting charities.

 

Book-ish – Abergavenny

Founded in 2010 by Emma and Drew Corfield-Walters, Book-ish (@bookishcrickhowell) in Abergavenny and Crickhowell has grown far beyond its shelves to become one of the most celebrated independent bookshops in the UK, named Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards in both 2020 and 2024. Describing itself as ‘the bookshop you thought no longer existed’, the business has helped put the high street firmly back on the map, playing a part in Crickhowell winning Visa’s Best High Street in the UK award. As well as running a vibrant programme of author events, Book-ish also organises the Crickhowell Literary Festival and serves as the official bookshop for the Green Man Festival.

 

Booka Bookshop – Oswestry

Situated in the heart of Oswestry on the Shropshire and Wales border, Booka (@bookabookshop) is an award-winning independent bookshop with a bright, boutique feel and a reputation for exceptional bookselling. Named UK & Ireland Independent Bookshop of the Year in 2015, this much-loved shop is run by husband-and-wife team Carrie and Tim Morris, alongside a team of booksellers with varied passions and backgrounds. As well as offering a carefully curated selection of titles, Booka works closely with local schools, libraries and organisations to champion reading in the community.

 

The Mold Bookshop – Mold

Tucked into the historic market town of Mold in North East Wales, The Mold Bookshop (@moldbookshop) sits in the heart of the Alyn Valley with the Clwydian Range on its doorstep. Passionate about connecting customers with the right book, the shop carries a strong selection of local history titles reflecting Mold’s rich heritage, alongside walking guides and Ordnance Survey maps for those heading out onto Offa’s Dyke Path or the Wales Coast Path. With over 4,000 titles available online, signed copies, special editions and a programme of author events, it is at the heart of a book-loving community in North Wales.

Rossiter Books – Ross-on-Wye

Founded in 2010 by Andy and Victoria Rossiter, Rossiter Books (@rossiter_books) has grown from a single shop in Ross-on-Wye into a small, much-admired chain of six bookshops stretching across the English and Welsh border counties, including Monmouth, Leominster, Cheltenham, Malvern and Hereford. With a team of around 25 passionate booksellers, the business prides itself on a carefully chosen selection of titles and the kind of personalised recommendations that keep customers coming back. Monthly book groups, a lively programme of author events- and close ties with local schools and venues make Rossiter Books a cultural anchor across the region.

Griffin Books – Penarth 

Located in the coastal town of Penarth just outside Cardiff, Griffin Books (@griffinbooksuk) is the realisation of owner Mel Griffin’s lifelong dream, having spent nearly 30 years working in IT before taking over the established Penarth bookshop in 2014. In 2023, Griffin Books was named UK Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards. Offering a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction, regular author events and book clubs for adults, children and teenagers, the shop also works closely with schools across South Wales. It is a true cornerstone of the local community.