The Best Queer Bookstores in Britain

I’m addicted to bookshops.  There, I’ve said it. 

I can rarely pass one by and I’m extremely guilty of buying titles long before I have a need for new material (my ‘to read’ list constantly stands in double figures).  

Up until very recently, the only way to find LGBTQ+ literature was in specialist bookshops.  

Whilst it’s heartening to see so many gay titles reach mainstream bookstores (although the cynic in me knows this has nothing to do with representation and everything to do with profit!), specialist stores still have the best range of titles, as well as staff who are ridiculously knowledgeable and passionate about their authors. 

They’re normally also fonts of wisdom on queer spaces and events in the area (so tap them up relentlessly!)

It's a long while 'til Pride month but here are six of the best queer bookstores in Britain.

Gay’s The Word - London

Location: 58-60 Marchmont Street, London (Tube: Warren Street or 10 minute walk from Euston)

Opening Hours: 11.00 – 18.00 Tues – Sat, 13.00 – 18.00 Sun

The original and arguably still the UK’s premier LGBTQ+ bookstore with a history pre-dating the rainbow flag – the pink triangle on the shop front was the symbol of the emerging Gay Rights movement of the 1970s. 

It wears its history proudly with its book selection jostling for wall space with posters and keepsakes from a half-century of queer London history (including the Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners movement, the inspiration for the 2014 film Pride).  Its selection is comprehensive across fiction and non-fiction and it has an excellent YA section.

It’s always busy – pleasing to see – and is nestled in amongst Bloomsbury’s café scene making it the ideal place for a lazy Sunday afternoon browse.

Hosts regular author’s signing and talks – follow their social media channels for updates.

Gay on Wye - Hay-on-Wye (see what they did there?!)

Location: 2 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye

Opening Hours: 10.30 – 16.30 Mon-Sat, 11.00 – 15.00 Sun

The pun alone is worth the visit to this shop, located in the England-Wales border town of Hay-on-Wye.  The whole town is a booklovers’ paradise with over a dozen shops catering to all tastes and genres with Gay on Wye opening its doors in September 2023 and recently moved to bigger premises.

Within its spacious shop is over 1,500 queer titles, it attracts an impressive list of LGBTQ+ authors and speakers. 

Their Instagram page also regular updates with recommendations for your next big read.  Nice tote bags too ;-)

Hay hosts the UK’s biggest book festival at the end of May each year but if you’re an avid reader, you’ll never feel out of place here.

Bookwyrm - Durham

Location: Durham Indoor Market Hall

Opening Hours: 10.00 – 16.30 Mon to Sat

I was a student in Durham in the early 2000s and was a regular visitor to the city’s covered market for daily essentials and fancy-dress costumes (putting far more effort into these than into my degree).  

On my most recent visit to the city, I was beyond delighted to find that one of the stalls had become a queer bookstore, the delightfully named Bookwyrm, run by a husband-husband duo from the city. 

They pack a diverse range of titles into their cosy and welcoming space, with fiction of all types the star of the show. 

They also run a range of queer events in Durham city, including picnics and craft fairs through the year and give a platform to new and independent authors. Bloody lovely armchairs too!

Durham itself is a beautiful city to spend a weekend in – the view as you arrive by train of the Norman cathedral is one of the finest in England (yes, I’m biased) and the loop walk around the River Wear and up the Bailey to the cathedral and castle is equally delightful.

The Bookish Type - Leeds

Location: 77a Great George Street, Leeds

Opening Hours:  10.00 – 18.00 Tues to Sat, 12.00 – 16.00 Sun

Recognisable from a distance by its riotous pink door and windowframe, The Bookish Type is a short walk from Leeds station (ideal when your train inevitably gets delayed here!)  Titles focus on the full spectrum of representation including poetry, zines, graphic novels and includes both queer authors and titles with strong LGBTQ+ representation

The owners care deeply about their local community, running Queer History tours of Leeds and host ever-popular Second-Hand Sundays where second-hand LGBTQ+ books are sold to raise money for local causes. 

I’ve never visited when it’s not had a steady flow of customers, showing how successful their efforts have been.  Leeds’ gay district is located on the other side of the station around The Calls and Lower Brigate.

1b Books

Address: 1b Bolingbroke Street, Heaton

Opening Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 10:00 -17:00, Sunday: 11:00 - 16:00

A new entry into my original list of five, 1b is an independent bookseller that opened in December 2023 in Newcastle’s thriving Heaton district.

They have a fabulous range of both new and second-hand titles (I’m a sucker for a second hand section and normally emerge with far too many volumes), with a particular passion for queer literature and translated fiction.

The owners’ warm hospitality and thoughtfully curated shelves invite you to browse at your own pace, whether you're hunting for a queer classic or something unexpected. A short bus ride (numbers 1, 39 or 40) from the city centre.

And seeing as you're here, take a read of my guide to all that's queer in this wonderful city (written for Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative)

The Queery – Brighton

Location: 46 George Street, Brighton

Opening Hours: 12.00 – 18.00 Weds - Sun

Obviously this list wasn’t going to be complete without a Brighton entry. It’s easily spotted by the large pink triangle in the window - a symbol of oppression and resistance that dates back to Nazi persecution of gay people.

Unlike the others, this is located in the heart of the LGBTQ+ district of the city and is both a bookstore, with a focus on radical queer authors and subject matter, and community space, which hosts a cinema club, improv nights and art workshops.

The accompanying vegan pay-as-you-feel café is a pleasant and peaceful counterpoint to the hedonism in much of the rest of Kemptown.   The whole operation is volunteer- run so a very worthwhile organisation to support during a Brighton weekender.

Britain's Best Queer Bookstores - The Next Chapter

I’d love to feature more of Britain’s best queer bookshops so please drop me a line with anyone I’ve missed.  If nothing else it gives me an excuse to pay a visit!