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.

20.04.2024
/
Red Lion Books
125 High Street

Authors in Conversation
A trio of Thriller Writers
20th April 2024, 11am

20.04.2024
/
Red Lion Books
125 High Street

Poetry Reading
Rory Waterman & Declan Ryan
April 20th, 2.30pm

25.04.2024
/
Offsite. Please confirm location

Monthly event – Daytime Book Club:
APPETITE BOOK CLUB (Age 18+)
11.30am at various venues

27.04.2024
/
Red Lion Books

Monthly Writing Club
Upstairs at Red Lion Books
10am

Contact Us

Need Advice? We're Experts At Pointing You In The Right Direction To Continue Reading Books You Love!

wide-divider

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

wide-divider

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.

I placed an order online for Kate Morton’s Homecoming signed indie bookshop edition on Friday. I quickly received personal and friendly acknowledgement of my order and it was with me by Monday! Very fast, very well packaged and the book is stunning 😍 thank you so much! If I’m ever in the area, I will definitely pop in for a browse and some new additions to my bookshelf!

Rameez Sa'id Avatar Rameez Sa'id
17/04/2023

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

One of the best independent bookstores in essex! Has a great online store as well.

Eleanor Wilson Avatar Eleanor Wilson
08/01/2021

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

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

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
wide-divider

Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

Instagram