Welcome to Red Lion Books. Proudly independent since 1978
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays
Our website shows a sample of books available to order. We also have a curated selection at our shop in Colchester. For current information please email us@redlionbooks.co.uk

FREE SHIPING FOR ORDERS OVER $50

Red Lion BookS A place to find your next favourite read Welcome to Colchester's independent family bookshop Love reading? Escape with a new story Explore the shelves for our carefully curated stock and the pick of new titles arriving each week

Books

Our current favourites

New books to get excited about

What's Been Happening?

Latest News

The latest news and views from between the shelves at Red Lion Books

Get involved

Our Events

Our events programme moved online for the last eighteen months but once again we are now preparing to welcome you back to physical events at the shop. Events will be posted below as they are announced.

18.05.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 1SZ

Death Club
…because it’s good to find time to talk
Sunday, 18th May 2025, 9.30am
Red Lion Books

20.05.2025
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The Headgate Theatre
14 Chapel St N
Colchester
CO2 7AT

FULLY BOOKED: Alan Johnson in conversation with Pam Cox
20th May, 2025, 6.30pm

21.05.2025
/
Red Lion Books

Linocut Workshop with Holly:
May 21, 2025
10am-Noon

24.05.2025
/
Red Lion Books

Author talk
Upstairs at Red Lion Books
Charles Ambrose
The Grandfather Paradox
24th May 2025, 11am

Contact Us

Need Advice? We're Experts At Pointing You In The Right Direction To Continue Reading Books You Love!

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Book Clubs

are a place to share your enthusiasm for books and reading. We host a range of book clubs for adults and children.

Are You A Local Author?

We work with local authors in many ways and enjoy supporting the vibrant writing and author community in and around Colchester

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Reviews

What Our Customers Say

At Red Lion Books every customer counts and we will always do our very best to help you find the book that is perfect for you. Here are some reflections from our customers.

Nice independent book shop on Colchester High St. Worth finding. Good selection. Enthusiastic staff. Go there

A King Avatar A King
11/11/2022

Went in for the first time and bought a beautiful hardback that I hadn’t seen before. lovely staff & very reasonably priced!

Elouise Goodchild Avatar Elouise Goodchild
10/04/2022

An excellent independent book shop with knowledgeable about friendly staff. There are specialist reading sections over 2 floors in the shop and a lovely selection of greetings cards in a dedicated area by the entrance of the shop.

Wendy Buck Avatar Wendy Buck
21/03/2023

Red Lion Books is a great local business. Has a wide selection of new and older publications. A very good place to find, or order less easy to find books.

David Hough Avatar David Hough
29/01/2022

Very helpful staff. Every time I have requested a book, they have got it for me and really quickly. Reasonably priced too

Andrew Poole Avatar Andrew Poole
28/07/2023

What a lovely place! I live abroad, and when I was thinking of somewhere to shop locally to my parents, my first thought was Red Lion Books, as I visited as a child. I am so glad I emailed! From the first message, they were pleasant and so helpful with recommendations. It was very easy to choose and pay. On request, they wrapped and hand delivered the books to my parents' house, and even had a little chat with my dad, who told me that the woman who had delivered was delightful! Not just a shop, a real part of the community.

Fiona Dyas Avatar Fiona Dyas
12/12/2020
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Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

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