Henry Bohn Books

You may have gone past it and not even noticed but Henry Bohn Books is a hidden gem (although one in the rough) if  you like to have a browse. Two floors of second hand books stacked floor to ceiling, it’s the kind of place you can either pop in and out of or stay for hours perusing and searching through the shelves and piles, or chatting to the owner Michael McCabe.

Henry Bohn Books relocated to London road in 1998 and stayed there ever since. It’s a large glass-fronted shop stepped in the shade so you’d be forgiven for walking past it. Usually though, the books spill outside its doors, with boxes full of tomes.

There are loose categories but don’t expect a perfectly organised collection in alphabetical order. It might be easier to ask for what you need if you’re after a specific text, but really, it’s best to visit if you’re just curious and happy to spend some time looking around.

While London Road is not often a tourist destination, the shop is located next to the Empire Theatre, at the city centre end of the road. If you’re just passing through the city, it’s worth looking in to grab an unusual souvenir. For locals, it’s a great bookshop to keep coming back to as new books are added all the time. Some people bring a couple of paperback after a spring clean, while others leave boxes full of second hand treasures, just waiting to be discovered so it does benefit from repeat visits.