Chester Bookshops Guide 2026

I spent a day exploring Chester bookshops.

Chester is a picturesque Roman city just an hour by train from Liverpool. It features quaint bookshops with both antiquarian and modern titles.

It’s also a beautiful place to find unique books and capture aesthetic photographs. I recommend it for history and book enthusiasts. Plus, it’s a great location for videos and Instagram content.

Below, I will list Chester bookshops that are open as of May 2026.

Second-hand Bookshops

To begin with, I source rare books through a range of methods. However, the easiest and most satisfying way is by visiting bookshops. I like to challenge myself to find a rare book in every bookshop I enter. In Chester, I successfully found a range of unique botanical and wildflower books which I am selling on my website shop.

Let’s look at Chester bookshops, plus I will share some book hunting tips.

Aldous Books

Gina and Steve have two bookshops. One Liverpool bookshop and a small shop hidden away by Chester Cathedral. Chester is a boutique shop focused on local history.

In addition, they have a section for natural history books. Whenever I visit a bookshop, I quickly browse every section before taking a closer look. In Aldous, I found an encyclopaedia of natural history, plus an illustrated vintage book on Trees.

Amblongus Books

Sally sells children’s collectable books and specialist books in a range of themes such as religion and art. You can find Amblongus at the far end of Chester High Street.

Inside, the bookshop feels organised and relaxed. I make sure to check the quality of every book I buy. Is the spine strong? Does the book have visual appeal? In Amblongus, I bought several ornithology books, plus some vintage natural history.

Bookingham Palace

Ritchie runs the combined vinyl and book shop. You can find everything here, from folios and poetry to religion and new editions. The books are all in excellent condition and priced better than those at larger chain bookshops.

I always have my eye on the natural history books. There is a large bookshelf at the back of the shop with a range of wildlife titles. I make sure to check the inside of every book for plates and condition. In Buckingham Palace, I bought a nature-themed poetry book and Penguin Vintage paperbacks.

New Bookshops

As a bookseller, I don’t sell new books, instead focusing on vintage titles. However, as a reader I occasionally treat myself to lovely editions for my personal collection. The bookshops below are all independently owned and specialise in new books.

Books on the Walls

Kate’s shop is a great place to enjoy a slice of cake while reading a book. You can find a little bookshop hidden on the upper walls at the far side of Chester High Street. Inside, they sell new fiction, cake and literature-themed cocktails.

I felt very welcome when entering the shop. If I wasn’t on a bookshop tour, I could have stayed. At books on the walls, I bought a luxury copy of Mrs Dalloway. In addition to a few natural history-themed poetry zines.

Chapters

Chapters is a bookshop and wine bar in the city centre run by two Megan’s. Unfortunately, during my latest trip to Chester, I ran out of time to visit. But next time I head over, I'll probably finish my book crawl with a glass of Pinot.

Final Thoughts

I hope this blog post has helped you understand how to plan a book day in Chester. As mentioned, the city is an hour train ride from Liverpool. I hope to travel to more UK cities this year and see what they have to offer booksellers and book buyers.

Instagram @sixbookshop