Wales
Conwy
Hinton’s of Conwy
4 High Street, Conwy
The North Welsh village of Conwy is a fine example of how tourism does not always bring negative consequences. On the contrary, it thrives thanks to two remarkable attractions: its spectacular medieval castle and the smallest house in Great Britain.
Conwy itself is beautifully preserved, its streets lined with inviting cafés, charming craft shops, and independent bookshops. One of these is Hinton’s Bookshop, located on High Street, which gently slopes down toward the harbour. At the entrance, a table greets visitors with a thoughtful selection of local works, followed by displays of notebooks, cards, shelves of fiction, and a small but carefully chosen collection of non-fiction. In the back corner, a section is dedicated to children and young readers.
The shop feels tidy and well-organised, though perhaps it could benefit from a touch more playfulness in its design. What struck me most, however, was the emphasis on timeless literary classics rather than the flood of contemporary romance titles so often found elsewhere. This was all the more refreshing given that the bookseller herself was still very young.
If you find yourself in Conwy, a visit to this bookshop is well worth your time. And if you do stop by, consider purchasing something, not only to treat yourself but also to help ensure that this little gem continues to thrive for many years to come.
Book i bought:
Bruce Chatwin: On the Black Hill
Hay-on-Wye
Addyman
39 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye
This shop is truly remarkable. A whole house, large enough to accommodate a family with comfort, has here been given over entirely to books, both new and second-hand, spread across two floors.
Books are stacked everywhere, spilling into themed rooms (there’s even one devoted entirely to science fiction). The effect is overwhelming: I hardly knew where to look first. Part of that was due to the somewhat eccentric décor, not always in the best taste, but often amusing enough to make me smile.
In the end, I allowed myself to be talked into buying something I would never normally have chosen. Apparently, it’s selling like hot cakes… which is usually not a good sign.
Still, this place is absolutely worth a visit - chaotic, surprising, and impossible to forget.
Book i bought:
India Holton: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrel
The Literature Laboratoy
4 Market Street, Hay-on-Wye
On their website, they write that they are always happy to welcome both locals and visitors and I can confirm it’s true. During a little selfie session outside, the founder, Rebecca Watkins, herself encouraged me to step inside.
Strictly speaking, this shop doesn’t quite fit my usual genre of interest, since I tend to look mainly for fiction. But I wanted to bring something Welsh home with me, and here I found just the right place.
The selection is largely geared towards children and young readers, with some thoughtful gift items as well. The shop itself is beautifully styled, with a clean, Scandinavian-inspired design that feels fresh and inviting.
Their motto read well. live well. be well. is more than just words. In this shop, they truly live up to it.
Book i bought:
Claire Fayers: Welsh Fairy Tales, Myths & Legends
Richard Booth’s Bookshop
44 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye is every booklover’s dream. The world’s very first “book town,” it lies on the Welsh–English border and owes its existence to the visionary Richard Booth (1938–2019), who transformed an idea into a living reality.
I adore his quote: “The new book is for the ego; the secondhand book is for the intellect.” And true to those words, this shop offers both, spread over three glorious floors, packed with seemingly endless shelves. The range is astonishing: whatever your taste, you’ll find it here. As I wandered, my eyes kept landing on several titles by Michael Palin, as if placed there to surprise me.
Yes, you can find a floor plan on their website, but nothing compares to the experience of stepping inside yourself. The atmosphere is intoxicating, and the upper floor in particular feels absolutely sensational.
If you want to truly experience what a bookshop can be, this is the place. The building has a soul: rare, powerful, unforgettable. Few others come close.
Book i bought:
James Rebanks: The Place of Tides