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

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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.

25.04.2024
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Offsite. Please confirm location

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

27.04.2024
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Red Lion Books

Monthly Writing Club
Upstairs at Red Lion Books
10am

28.04.2024
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Red Lion Books
125 High Street
CO1 1SZ

Death Club
…because it’s good to find time to talk
Sunday, 28th April, 10.30am
Red Lion Books

11.05.2024
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St Botolph’s Street, Colchester CO2 7EE

St Botolph’s Music Society
Concert Schumann Brahms
11th May 7.30 pm

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.

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

Recommended by a relative. Super friendly and helpful staff! Bought The Queens Wardrobe.

Laura Beesley Avatar Laura Beesley
25/05/2022

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

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

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

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 N Avatar Matthew N
13/02/2023
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Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

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