Scarthin Books

My favourite bookshop in the world. Great selection of both new and second hand books, brilliant little vegetarian cafe and extremely pleasant and helpful staff all in an extremely charming setting. Some cramped aisles can make it tricky to manoeuvre but personally I think that adds to the charm. Make sure you earmark an entire morning or afternoon, or ideally full day to fully explore every nook and cranny.

No kidding, this is the best bookshop in England. A massive collection of new and second-hand titles covering a vast array of subjects. It's in a large, traditional building on a picturesque village street. There is even a big door pretending to be a bookshelf with an excellent veggie cafe behind it where you can relax and review your purchases.

I was introduced to this bookstore when I visited a friend's house in Derbyshire during my trip. I really like the atmosphere! I picked up some nice old books and went to the cafe on the 3rd floor. There is a mini garden outside the cafe, and there is also a table ♡ Unfortunately it was too cold to stay outside, but I will definitely stay here longer on warmer days. After all, I was here for more than two hours, and I wonder if it was a good thing or a pity that I couldn't go to other attractive places…😅

A small and cosy bookstore in Cromford selling new and second hand books. I found it lovely but I can imagine things that made me like it so much could be considered cons for some other people. First of all, it’s amazing if you don’t really want to buy a specific book but spend some time just going around looking at books, exploring and finally finding some hidden gems you didn’t know you need. If you have no time and just in a hurry to buy a popular novel, this place won’t probably be able to deliver. Second, the cafe is small, surrounded by bookshelves and quite crowded. If you don’t enjoy drinking your coffee in a place full of book hunters with shining eyes, again, think twice before visiting this one. It has character and its own unique feel. I love it.

What an incredible find. 3 floors of wall to wall books, though they have managed to find a space for a lovely little cafe in there too. Very friendly staff, very easy to lose yourself there for a day. Managed to find a couple of books I'd been after, so a successful visit too! Lovely setting as well. Even a friendly cat sneaking in as I left. Will definitely revisit. Highly recommended!

An Aladin's Cave of books. Well laid out, awesome. The whole experience of wandering room to room and floor to floor was fascinating in itself. Then we creaked open a book shelf to find the little gem of a cafe tucked away behind, serving tea/coffee, scrumptious cake and meals - there was even a garden area. Absolutely wonderful.

📚 Absolutely in love with this place. I just wish I lived closer! Could have stayed here all day! This little beauty isn't as little as it seems... From the outside, it's just like any normal shop nessled away in its surroundings, but in reality It's a whole world for book lovers to explore. Even those who don't read will enjoy going round its rooms and quirky floor layouts finding hidden gems as they go. SCARTHIN BOOKS boasts 3 floors full of books and hang out rooms, it has its own coffee shop (which I can't recommend it as it was packed, but from that alone, I can tell it must be a great one!) Toilets and even a book cat 🐈 I really loved all the pictures on the wall that people have drawn over the years of the SCARTHIN BOOKS SHOP and the fact that book catagories, such as travel literature and architecture, are also full to the brim (unlike some book shops where there's one tiny section devoted to it) Like any book shop, there's something for all! 📚