Here\u2019s where to find the best vintage and antiquarian books<\/a> and some of the nation\u2019s most atmospheric bookshops.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Where? The Old Rectory, Sessay, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LZ<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n The location of this bookshop alone is enough to make you want to pay a visit. Set in the grounds of a stunning 18th-century house known as The Old Rectory in Thirsk, Potterton Books is regarded as a specialist in architecture, interior design<\/a> and decoration, period styles, furniture, ceramics<\/a>, glass and sculpture. If getting to Yorkshire is a little far, you can either visit their Chelsea showroom on Lower Sloane Street or browse their website for the full selection of new titles and unusual out-of-print books.<\/p>\n Visit Potterton Books<\/a><\/p>\n Where? 9 St Edward\u2019s Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ<\/strong><\/p>\n Situated down a narrow passage in the centre of Cambridge, the quaint exterior of this shop, could be straight out of the set of any number of period dramas. Its name is inspired by supposed sightings of a ghostly woman on the premises. She is known as \u2018The White Lady\u2019 and is believed to smell faintly of violets. The shop specializes in children\u2019s and illustrated books and stocks a good mixture inside. Books range from a 1964 edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe<\/em> by CS Lewis for \u00a395 to a copy of Bleak House<\/em> dating from 1853 for \u00a3450.<\/p>\n Visit The Haunted Bookshop<\/a><\/p>\n Where? Alnwick Station, Wagon Way Rd, Alnwick, NE66 2NP<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n One of the largest second-hand bookshops in Britain, Barter Books can be found in the confines of the old Victorian railway station in Alnwick. The setting is lovely, with the building maintaining many of its original features, such as the huge arched ceilings and open fireplaces<\/a>. Row upon row of books are interspersed with plush velvet seating and old tapestry rugs, and the aisles are painted with written quotes from their pages. Antiquarian books have a room lined with glass cases to themselves. Plus, local artist Sally Latimer<\/a> has just created a new poster for the shop based on vintage railway advertising, which you can buy for \u00a312.<\/p>\n Visit Barter Books<\/a><\/p>\n Where? 13-14 High Town, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, HR3 5AE<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n Hay-on-Wye Booksellers house a mixture of second-hand, antiquarian and brand new books in a mid 15th-century black-and-white timber property in the heart of the \u2018town of books\u2019. This charming little shop is constantly updating its stock to include used classics and first editions<\/a>, and has now branched out as an online bookseller as well. Of course, it comes to life most during the Hay literary festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n Visit Hay-on-Wye Booksellers<\/a><\/p>\n Where? 42 High Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6HB<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n Set over five crammed-to-the-rafters floors, this gem of a bookstore specialises in antiquarian and first-edition books<\/a> and has a tiny Victorian museum in the cellar to add to the feeling of nostalgia. You can help yourself to a coffee or a tea while you browse and even a slice of cake. There is a simple honesty box tea-takers to donate to as they wish. The children\u2019s section is expansive and you can pick up a book for as little as \u00a32.<\/p>\n Visit Scrivener\u2019s Books<\/a><\/p>\n Where? 3a-4a Haddington Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AE<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n Established in 1957, McNaughtan\u2019s is a second-hand and antiquarian bookshop with a reputation for a diverse range of interesting stock covering literature, art and architecture, gardens, transport, history and travel. You can pick up a second-hand book for as little as \u00a32.<\/p>\n Visit McNaughtan\u2019s Bookshop<\/a><\/p>\n Where? 50 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5BA<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n Established in 1853, Maggs Bros Limited remains one of the largest antiquarian bookshops in the country and is based in a beautiful townhouse in the heart of London\u2019s Mayfair. It has a reputation for the skill of the 20 or so staff members who show a remarkable breadth of in-house expertise. You certainly won\u2019t have any trouble finding what you want. Expect a variety of antique books<\/a> ranging over a very large variety of prices.<\/p>\nPotterton Books<\/h2>\n
The Haunted Bookshop<\/h2>\n
Barter Books<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nHay-on-Wye Booksellers<\/h2>\n
Scrivener\u2019s Books<\/h2>\n
McNaughtan\u2019s Bookshop<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nMaggs Bros Limited<\/h2>\n