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

What's Been Happening?

Latest News

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

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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.

19.04.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
Colchester
CO1 1SZ

A free craft session
Contributing to the Coat of Hopes
April 19th 2025, 1pm
downstairs at Red Lion Books

10.05.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 12Z

Book Launch
Ben Aitken
10th May, 2025, 2pm

10.05.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 12Z

Non-Fiction Book Launch
‘Self Obsession’
Author talk with Dr Tom Davies
10th May, 2025, 11am

11.05.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
Colchester
CO1 1SZ

Author signing: Katie Kirby
Sunday May 11th 2025, 11am
for children
signing The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks
an event so exciting, that we are opening the shop on a Sunday
must be pre-booked

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.

An excellent independent bookshop. It has a rare feature which most indie bookshops don't - it is both immaculately curated and stocks a very wide range of titles. I visited around a dozen indie bookshops across four cities and towns in June, and Red Lion was the only place which stocked most of the recently published fiction by indie presses which I wanted to buy. However, the bookshop really serves the community as a whole, not just literary readers with niche tastes - the A Level core texts are helpfully placed on a separate self and the shop has a wide selection of YA and children's books, as well. A model indie bookshop.

Nailya Shamgunova Avatar Nailya Shamgunova
10/07/2023

I have been shopping at Red Lion Books for decades. It doesn't matter if I go into the shop, ring them up, or contact them online, I always get the same terrific service. The people there are knowledgeable, efficient, good humoured and helpful. I cannot count the times they have gone beyond just good service but added a little extra. During the lockdowns they were exceptionable and their attention to my requests helped keep me and my family sane. I cannot recommend them too highly.

dingdong Avatar dingdong
17/07/2023

Wonderful bookshop packed full of enticing reads, some unexpected. Super friendly well informed and well read staff. A real treat.

Tim Regan Avatar Tim Regan
18/03/2024

Lovely bookshop and very helpful staff. Excellent spot to check off some Christmas shopping.

Jen Noon Avatar Jen Noon
20/11/2021

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

A local book shop with a good selection of stock. The staff are very friendly and they were extremely helpful when I placed an order for a selection of books for my place of work. Thank you

Adam Faith Avatar Adam Faith
04/03/2023
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Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

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