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.

29.05.2025
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Upstairs at Red Lion Books
125 High Street
Colchester
CO1 1SZ

Author event Rhiannon Garth Jones
All Roads Lead to Rome : Why we think about the Roman Empire daily

30.05.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 12Z

Cosy Crochet Club
All abilities
With Loui Mitchell
10am

03.06.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 1SZ

HOMER’S ODYSSEY: 4-week course
Tuesday mornings during June 2025
10am-11.30am
£65 including book

04.06.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
Colchester
CO1 1SZ

Author signing: Kes Gray
Wednesday 4th June 2025
4pm
signing Oi Dinosaurs!
an event so exciting, that we will keep the shop open until the last book is signed
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.

Heart and soul of the town. My whole family loves Red Lion Books and the staff. They've been such an important part of our whole households love of literature. I can get my kids to go to any boring town based task if I promise a quick trip to Red Lion!! Thank you Red Lion Books for everything that you do!

Charlie Farlie Avatar Charlie Farlie
09/10/2022

Excellent shop with so many books. I've never seen so many Childre 's books. There is a downstairs too! A chess board is set up so i expect you can play. Great service !

darron welch Avatar darron welch
27/10/2023

Great service ordering my book and calling me when ready for collection. Lovely helpful staff. Highly recommended book store.

Clive Marchant Avatar Clive Marchant
12/03/2022

Red lion is such a wonderful little bookshop! All the staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. There's plenty of sections to choose from, and there's a basement floor with everything more goodies! You can order in and reserve books too, so you don't have to buy online. Cannot recommend enough ☺️

Loui Mitchell Avatar Loui Mitchell
21/07/2024

Such a gem of a bookshop. Fantastic friendly and helpful service, will really go out of their way for you. Can't wait to go browse properly post-covid.

Mike Pertwee Avatar Mike Pertwee
14/02/2021

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 Hurst Avatar Phil Hurst
19/02/2018
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Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

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