York's City Centre Bookshops
York has a thriving community of bookshops, each with its own character and specialities. This guide brings together dedicated bookshops, all within a 10-minute walk of York Minster, with links to their websites and locations.
The Minster Gate Bookshop
30 second walk from York Minster.
An independent bookshop with a carefully chosen collection of fiction, non-fiction and children's books, alongside maps, gifts and local interest titles. Just a short walk from York Minster, it's a welcoming place to browse for readers of all ages.
📌 8 Minster Gates
The Little Apple Bookshop
1 minute walk from York Minster.
An independent bookshop in the heart of York with a carefully curated selection of fiction, non-fiction and children's books. The Little Apple Bookshop has been welcoming readers since 1997 and is known for its friendly atmosphere, thoughtfully chosen books and knowledgeable recommendations.
📌 13 High Petergate
Rookscroft & Company
1 minute walk from York Minster.
An independent bookshop run by the author and artist Jayne Siroshton and her family. Home to the Rookscroft book series, visitors can discover beautifully illustrated fantasy books, original artwork, prints and gifts inspired by the world of Rookscroft.
📌 39 Stonegate
Oxfam Bookshop
2 minute walk from York Minster.
A specialist second-hand bookshop offering a wide selection of fiction, non-fiction, children's books and collectable editions. Every purchase helps support Oxfam's charitable work, making it a rewarding place to browse for pre-loved books.
📌 69 Low Petergate
Topping & Company Booksellers of York
2 minute walk from York Minster.
A family-owned independent bookshop with an extensive collection of fiction, non-fiction and children's books. Its three floors, rolling ladders and regular programme of author events make it a wonderful place to spend time browsing.
📌 1 Museum St
The Blue House Bookshop
3 minute walk from York Minster.
York's specialist children's bookshop, offering a carefully curated selection of new books for young readers of every age. Alongside expert recommendations, The Blue House Bookshop hosts creative writing courses and works closely with local schools to inspire a lifelong love of reading.
📌 10 Bootham
Janette Ray Booksellers
3 minute walk from York Minster.
An independent bookshop specialising in natural history, gardening, landscape, conservation and the environment. Janette Ray Booksellers offers a thoughtfully curated collection of new and second-hand books for readers with an interest in the natural world.
📌 8 Bootham
Travelling Man
4 minute walk from York Minster.
A specialist independent bookshop dedicated to graphic novels, comics, manga, science fiction, fantasy and board games. Travelling Man is a popular destination for readers and gamers alike, with a carefully curated selection for every age and interest.
📌 74 Goodramgate
The Portal Bookshop
4 minute walk from York Minster.
An independent bookshop specialising in LGBTQ+ literature, diverse science fiction and fantasy, young adult and non-fiction. A welcoming space with a thoughtfully curated selection of books celebrating a wide range of voices and stories.
📌 5 Patrick Pool
Criminally Good Books
5 minute walk from York Minster.
An independent bookshop specialising in crime fiction, thrillers and mysteries, with a carefully curated selection of new books. Criminally Good Books is known for its welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable recommendations and regular author events.
📌 14 Colliergate
Waterstones
5 minute walk from York Minster.
One of York's largest bookshops, offering a broad selection of fiction, non-fiction, children's books and stationery across several floors.
📌 15 Coney St
Happy book hunting
York is a wonderful city to explore on foot, and we hope this guide encourages you to step into a few bookshops you might otherwise have walked past. Every shop on this page has its own character, and together they make York one of the UK's loveliest cities for book lovers.
If we've missed a bookshop within easy walking distance of York Minster, we'd love to hear from you.