Richard Booth's Bookshop

This beautiful and vast 3-story bookstore has a comprehensive selection. I’ve never seen a better combination of new, second-hand, and collectible old books. They’re all intermingled in an organization that makes sense. Top rows lined with leather bound volumes seem intended for decoration, but they are all for sale as well. I picked up a book at random to find a first edition Longfellow in good condition and reasonably priced. It has an incredible atmosphere heavy timber construction combined with steady customer traffic makes it sound like you’re browsing for books inside an old ship-of-the-line at sea. Upstairs has comfortable seating near large windows to sit and read while looking out at the quaint Hay-On-Wye streets. Very friendly staff are on every floor ready to help with enthusiasm with any of your needs. My favorite bookstore in town.

One of the GREATEST found in the world!! The magic feeling is that once you walk in, don’t want to come out! I believe this is the best and biggest bookshop in Wales. The decor is just CLASSIC and BEAUTIFUL! There are also comfortable sofas for you to sit and read. You guess how much is their most expensive second hand book??🤓

This shop is every bookworm’s dream - 3 floors of very well organised, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, with lots of cosy places to stop and flick through your purchases. My boyfriend and I visited here twice during our trip to Hay-on-Wye, and would happily go back a third time - there’s just so much to look at! 💛

This bookshop is probably the best for variety in Haye-on-Wye. There are plenty of new and second hand books. The store itself is beautiful and like stepping back in time.

Great bookshop new and second hand books for sale. Some art and craft supplies too. Recommended

One of the prettiest bookshops I've been to. Great collection of books, would highly recommend

Everything I could ever want in a book shop. While it looks unassuming from the outside, get ready to step into unending aisles of books and more! The perfect combination of old and new. Head up to the top floor for some seating and great views or the streets. Grab a book, sit back, and relax. Not the biggest book lover (what are you doing in the town of books then…), walk to the back of the main floor to find a craft section, full of embroidery and crocheting goods. You NEED to check this place out.

Described by the locals as the ‘worlds biggest second hand bookshop’ it indeed is, boasting an incredible selection of books, one could sit for hours and read until your hearts content, it has a mix of stunning embroidery, textile and fabrics, some incredible tote bags, gifts, a lovely varied bookshop, with a comic book cellar to boot. Very good place to go for a meander, the village is beautiful in itself.

One of the coolest bookshops I've ever seen. I was visiting Hereford with some friends and we came to Hay for the day. Totally worth the nasty rainy drive in. It's like stepping back in time and there was literally any book that you could think of + more. I would recommend coming here for anyone that is visiting this general area. Hay itself is such a cute quaint town. And it being full of books, doesn't hurt

This place is just brilliant. In the land of bookshops, this is the king. Set over three floors, this is a veritable Aladdin's cave of books (although I suppose it has more of the look of an old Oxbridge library) new and old across several subjects and genres. Plus prints and cards of course. It's an absolute must for anyone who even vaguely likes books. I could have stayed here for hours, browsing for unusual, rare, beautiful or of-the-moment books. The bookshop also contains a sizeable cafe and a cinema, which unfortunately we weren't in time to visit but I'll be back.

First off, this place is so much of in a league of its own, I don't even know where to start. If you know nothing of this place I suggest you go on Google and research R. Booth and how this Book "mecca" came to be. I drove from Salisbury out to Hay-On-Wye and it was the most fun I ever had. First off for a person who normally drives fast in the states, it was embarrassing to be passed by everyone, including little ole ladies. Driving on the other side of the road, using a stick shift, and trying to make sense of the signs was all taking its toll. I think it wasn't till the second day I proudly informed my wife "hey look, I'm finally passing someone." Anyway this 'city of books' was like walking into paradise. Only another book addict will know what I mean. Books make me smile, and this (build it and they will come) metropolis was a joy to explore. I could try and explain what each store was like but it's a little like trying to summarize the British Museum, you just become over whelmed. Again I regret I did not have many more hours and unfortunately the one occult bookstore happened to be closed the day I was there. That hurt, but still, what was there, was unbelievable cool. If your into books and you can make it out there, you will have a memory you will never forget.

Bait and switch? Incompetent and dishonest? I had the unfortunate experience of trying to purchase a book online from Richard Booth's. The price of the book was good and the cost of overseas shipping was reasonable so I placed the order. The day after, I received an email from them stating that they wanted to double the price of postage because they did not know the size or weight of the book when they put it on offer. How is it possible that they do not know what they are selling? Any reputable business would have admitted their error, apologized for the inconvenience, and honored their original price. Richard Booth demanded the additional postage and cancelled the order when I refused to be extorted.

This is a book lovers fantasy. Overwhelming selection of secondhand books to cater for every wish. We spent hours browsing through the shelves and then a glorious hour over lunch. Finished off with a date pecan and butterscotch cake that was to die for. We had a great day wandering around Hay on Wye and thoroughly recommend it as a destination in Wales with coffee, cake and a book at Richard Booth's to top it off.