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.

27.05.2025
/
Patch
24 Trinity Street
Colchester
CO1 1JN

Author event: Rebecca Watson ‘I Will Crash’
May 27th 2025, 7.30pm
At PATCH

29.05.2025
/
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
/
Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 12Z

Cosy Crochet Club
All abilities
With Loui Mitchell
10am

03.06.2025
/
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

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 independent book shop with an excellent selection of titles and authors. An informative and friendly staff with an easy to navigate selection of books. Highly recommended.

Stephen Gibbs Avatar Stephen Gibbs
30/12/2022

It's the best book shop in Colchester by a country mile! They always have a huge selection of books in stock and this makes it a great place for discovering new titles, as well as discovering new topics. The staff have always been extremely friendly and helpful; during this year I believe they have put on numerous events online in what are difficult times. I cannot recommend this book shop enough!

Luke Rogers Avatar Luke Rogers
15/12/2020

Lovely independent bookshop, really inclusive and with a fantastic selection. Their displays are beautiful and staff are friendly. I could happily spend a mint in here!

Myra Smith Avatar Myra Smith
27/04/2023

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

Amazing staff - who go the extra mile. Brilliant customer care. Always willing to help and very knowledgeable. If you need a book go to an independent book seller such as red lion bookshop.

Amanda Armstrong Avatar Amanda Armstrong
02/01/2023

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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