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

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.

01.09.2025
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Patch
24 Trinity Street, Colchester, CO1 1JN

Double Author event
Siblings Holly & Ben Pester
Discuss their respective novels
Monday, 1st September, 6.30pm
At Patch

06.09.2025
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Red Lion Books

How to be radical
A writer in residence talk
Jane- no longer tame
Saturday, September 6th 2025
11am

12.09.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 12Z

Crochet Workshop
Make your own Bookmark
With Loui Mitchell
12th September 2025
10am

18.09.2025
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Colchester Castle, Castle Park, Colchester CO1 1TJ

CASTLES & CROWNS
Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race Hosted by RED LION BOOKS

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.

Cute little bookstore. On the fiction wall they did have the paperback and hardback separated which meant I had to search twice as long for the specific author I was looking for (ended up not finding them as the authors became jumbled up around G-L. It looks clean and overall well taken care of. I just think this oversight can be a hindrance instead of putting all the authors books together instead of in two separate spots.

Nicole Goff Avatar Nicole Goff
31/12/2022

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

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

Jen Noon Avatar Jen Noon
20/11/2021

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

Andrew Faithfull Avatar Andrew Faithfull
04/03/2023

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

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
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Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

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