Books
Our current favourites
New books to get excited about
Ocean : Earth’s Last Wilderness
What's Been Happening?
Latest News
The latest news and views from between the shelves at Red Lion Books
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BLOG POST: Hopeful Artwork coming to Red Lion Books
Written by customer and friend of the shop, Eve Paterson who can be found on Instagram @e.f.paterson Some of the best stories are the ones
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BLOG POST: The Final Curtain, on ‘Wise Children’ by Angela Carter
https://www.theliteraryunderdog.com/_files/ugd/a0b156_c4e0aed82fc84c9483a6ca540dd9695f.pdf This article was written by Louise Prior, Red Lion Books and published in Underdog Lit Mag. Published in UNDERDOG, Literary Magazine, Issue 3, 2025 Louise's article
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The small print
Our opening times are generally Monday-Friday 9am-5pm We close on Sundays and Bank Holidays We are an independent, family owned business and we choose to open
est. 1978 • proudly indie 
events • bookclubs
subscriptions • gifting
deliveries 
us@redlionbooks.co.uk
mon-sat • 9am-5pm
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.
24 Trinity Street
Colchester
CO1 1JN
Author event: Rebecca Watson ‘I Will Crash’
May 27th 2025, 7.30pm
At PATCH
125 High Street
Colchester
CO1 1SZ
Author event Rhiannon Garth Jones
125 High Street
CO1 12Z
Cosy Crochet Club
All abilities
With Loui Mitchell
10am
125 High Street
CO1 1SZ
HOMER’S ODYSSEY: 4-week course
Tuesday mornings during June 2025
10am-11.30am
£65 including book
Contact Us
Need Advice? We're Experts At Pointing You In The Right Direction To Continue Reading Books You Love!
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
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.
Visited this lovely store today and what can I say? Plethora of books and great customer service!
Mauricia Lewis05/10/2023
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 Hough29/01/2022
My favourite shop in Colchester, what's not to love, it's filled with books! Lovely helpful staff, and if they haven't got a book they will order it in for you and it's quite often available the next day! A million times better than 'the website that will not be named'!
Alan R26/02/2022
Love this bookshop. Helpful, friendly and knowledgeable staff and excellent books on the shelves. Ordered books are obtained in just a couple of days. Cannot fault this wonderful bookshop.
Mary McCarthy08/12/2021
One of the friendliest independent book shops I've ever been into. The staff are knowledgeable and are able to answer almost any question that you may have (on books at least, I have never challenged them on orthopedic foot care). Beware though, you'll want to buy loads of books!
Phil Hurst19/02/2018
Great service ordering my book and calling me when ready for collection. Lovely helpful staff. Highly recommended book store.
Clive Marchant12/03/2022
Accreditation & memberships
Experienced & Certified
