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.

11.07.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 12Z

Crochet Workshop
Make your own Bookmark
With Loui Mitchell
11th July 2025
10am

16.07.2025
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Red Lion Books

Linocut Workshop with Holly:
Wednesday, July 16th 2025
10am-Noon

17.07.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 1SZ

Author Event
Kate Sawyer
Talking about novel Getting Away
17th July, 2025
6pm

25.07.2025
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 12Z

Cosy Crochet Club
All abilities
With Loui Mitchell
10am

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.

A fabulous book shop. Their events are the best, from meet the author to their monthly book club for children.

Nicole S Avatar Nicole S
14/12/2022

What a lovely little book shop! Crams in far more than you'd expect, gives you a personal experience as opposed to chain bookstores and there's an amazing children's section. Accessibility to a basement level will be difficult for those with physical disabilities (it's a little old building) so staff are very happy to browse and collect for you.

Matthew Norman Avatar Matthew Norman
13/02/2023

Great bookshop and friendly staff. Happy to order in books for you and lovely for a browse.

Trish O Avatar Trish O
03/07/2023

My favourite bookstore around. Shop and support local! Especially when you’re local book shop is red lion!

Caitlin Yardley Avatar Caitlin Yardley
29/07/2024

Very helpful staff. Every time I have requested a book, they have got it for me and really quickly. Reasonably priced too

Andrew Poole Avatar Andrew Poole
28/07/2023

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
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Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

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