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.

Such a gem of a bookshop. Fantastic friendly and helpful service, will really go out of their way for you. Can't wait to go browse properly post-covid.

Mike Pertwee Avatar Mike Pertwee
14/02/2021

Heart and soul of the town. My whole family loves Red Lion Books and the staff. They've been such an important part of our whole households love of literature. I can get my kids to go to any boring town based task if I promise a quick trip to Red Lion!! Thank you Red Lion Books for everything that you do!

Charlie Farlie Avatar Charlie Farlie
09/10/2022

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 N Avatar Matthew N
13/02/2023

My favourite shop in Colchester, what's not to love, it's filled with books! Lovely helpful staff, and if they haven't got a book they will order it in for you and it's quite often available the next day! A million times better than 'the website that will not be named'!

Alan R Avatar Alan R
26/02/2022

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
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Accreditation & memberships

Experienced & Certified

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