Best bookshops in North Wales (and where to stay nearby)
There’s something satisfying about finding a good bookshop on holiday. Not the rushed grab-and-go kind, but the sort where you linger, pick things up, and then obviously change your mind, to then leave with something you didn’t expect.
North Wales has a handful of these lovely, browse-worthy bookshops: independent, well-stocked, and rooted in their communities. Here are four worth building a day around, paired with boltholes close enough to carry your new reads straight back to.
Browsers Bookshop
Stay nearby: Hafod Cae Maen
Tucked along the high street in Porthmadog, Browsers has been part of the town since 1976, starting life in a cellar before growing into the space it occupies today. It’s still family-run, and that shows in its range: fiction, non-fiction, Welsh-language titles, art supplies, and a good selection of gifts.
There’s also a helpful mix of curated recommendations if you’re not quite sure what you’re after, which makes it an easy place to browse without an agenda.
A short distance away, Hafod Cae Maen gives you the space to properly enjoy what you’ve picked up. It’s calm, comfortable, and well set up for relaxed evenings, whether that’s reading in the garden or stretching out inside after a day exploring the coast and Eryri.
Bys a Bawd
Stay nearby: Plas Madoc Coach House
In Llanrwst, Bys a Bawd is the kind of bookshop that feels properly rooted in its place. Alongside books in both English and Welsh, you’ll find stationery, gifts, toys, and resources for anyone learning the language.
More recently, it’s become something more than just a shop. Now community-owned, it’s been taken on by local people who wanted to keep it going, which gives it a different kind of energy. It’s not just somewhere to buy a book, it’s something the town has actively chosen to hold onto.
There’s a practical side too, with printing services and a meeting space at the back, but it still works just as well for a good mooch.
A short drive away, Plas Madoc Coach House shifts things into a different gear. Set within a historic estate, it’s a place to properly settle in. After a morning in town, you can head back, cook something decent, and actually make time for the book you’ve picked up.
Hinton’s of Conwy
Stay nearby: Cockleshell Cottage
Right in the heart of Conwy, Hinton’s is a long-established bookshop with a strong local following. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find a bit of everything: bestsellers, local interest titles, and a solid children’s section.
Step outside and you’re immediately back among Conwy’s historic streets, with the castle and harbour close by.
Cockleshell Cottage sits just within the town walls, making it an easy base. Pick up a book, wander the quay, then head back to cook something simple and settle in for the evening. The small courtyard or upstairs views towards the castle make it easy to slow things down.
The Junction Bookshop
Stay nearby: Bwthyn Ysgubor
The Junction Bookshop is slightly off the main tourist trail, which is part of its appeal. It’s well stocked, unfussy, and easy to browse, whether you’re after something specific or just passing time.
Pair it with a stay at Bwthyn Ysgubor in the Conwy Valley and you’ve got a good balance: a quick stop for books, then back to a more rural setting. The cottage is light-filled and comfortable, with enough space to properly switch off, whether that’s with a book in hand or just enjoying the surroundings.
A lasting kind of souvenir
Books are easy to pack, but they tend to outlast the trip itself. A good one will follow you home, carrying a bit of the place with it.
In North Wales, it doesn’t take much: a decent bookshop, a comfortable place to stay, and a bit of time to sit and read.
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