Book Fairs in UK You Must Check Out

Book fairs are a great way for book lovers to come together and celebrate something they’re truly passionate about! As a student in the United Kingdom, attending a book fair in the UK might be one of the most rewarding experiences for you! 

Through seminars, panel discussions, and presentations, book fairs help book trade professionals learn about current developments in the industry. A variety of networking-oriented events are also offered at book fairs. If you’re a bookworm who loves reading, then book fairs are the perfect place for you. You will get to explore a wide selection of books to choose from. Here’s a list of UK book fairs you should check out! 

UK Book Fairs

There are plenty of book fairs that take place in the UK’s different cities throughout the year, here are some of them, when and where they’re held, and how you can get there! 

Northampton 

Up to 20 book vendors selling used and rare books, maps, prints, and other items will be at the expo, which takes place in the town of Northampton.

When? June - July 

Where? The St Thomas Centre at Northampton Cathedral, Kingsthorpe Road, Northampton, NN2 6AG

How to get there? 

• Train: Just over a mile from Northampton railway station.

Ilkley

The Ilkley Book Fair UK is a long-running and friendly event, and the entrance to the fair is free. The Grove and the central parking lot are a short, easy walk from the King's Hall and Winter Garden venue, which is ideally located across from the Ilkley train and bus station. About 50 bok dealers will be present, many of whom are from Yorkshire and Lancashire, but others come from as far away as Scotland and the south coast. They will be selling thousands of items, including used and antiquarian books, fiction and non-fiction, and related ephemera, at prices starting from pennies and going up.

When? July

Where? King's Hall and Winter Garden, Station Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8HB

How to get there?

• Bus: Town centre stop, then a 2-3 minute walk

• Train: Ilkley station, 2-3 minute walk

July Online Book Fair

This book fair in UK offers secondhand, rare and antiquarian books, maps, prints, posters, manuscripts, and ephemera with prices to suit everyone. 

You will deal directly with the exhibitor selling the book. You must contact the dealer by phone or email and arrange payment methods, delivery, etc.

The "Members Books for Sale" section of the website will contain a list of any unsold books from this fair or other online fairs. This has almost 14,000 books and is fully searchable.

When? July

Where? Online!

Topsham

A wide variety of used, rare, and antiquarian books, maps, prints, and other ephemera are available during the second Topsham Book Fair of the year to suit all budgets. Lunches, snacks, tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available at the fair.

When? January

Where? Matthews Hall, Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter, Devon, EX3 0HF

How to get there?

• Bus: Bus routes from Exeter and Exeter/Sidmouth are available

• Train: Topsham; regular service from Exeter St David's and Exeter St Thomas

Bakewell

This is the largest book market in Derbyshire's Peak District, with about 30 vendors present. The fair welcomes everyone, including children and pets. There’s also disabled access throughout, as well as cafes and refreshments. The venue is located close to the town centre, shops, and other tourist destinations, including Chatsworth and Haddon Hall.

When? April

Where? Bakewell Agricultural Centre, Agricultural Way, Haddon Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1AH

How to get there?

• Bus: To Bakewell - Trans-Peak from Derby or Manchester; X18 or 240 from Sheffield or 170 from Chesterfield

• Train: Matlock 9 miles, Grindleford 9 miles, but no taxi rank at either

Wilton

The Wilton Book Fair UK offers a large selection of used, rare, and antiquarian books, frequently along with maps, prints, and other memorabilia. This is one of the best book fairs to visit and offers an opportunity to spend a beautiful day outdoors in a lovely locale. There are light meals and hot drinks available all day. 

When? March

Where? The Michael Herbert Hall, South Street, Wilton, Wiltshire, SP2 0JS

How to get there?

• Bus: Regular service

• Train: Salisbury, then bus or taxi (3 miles distance)

August Online Book Fair

With pricing to fit every budget, this book fair includes used, rare, and antiquarian books, maps, prints, posters, manuscripts, and ephemera. Dealings with the exhibitor who is selling the book will be direct. To set up payment methods, delivery, etc., you must call or email the dealer. Any unsold books from this fair or other online fairs will be listed in the website's "Members Books for Sale" section. This is completely searchable and contains approximately 14,000 books.

When? August

Where? Online!

York National Book Fair

Anyone who enjoys reading and books will love this fair; it’s one of the best UK book fairs. This is a terrific place to start collecting and is not just a fair for dealers; it is open to everyone, young, and old. Where else can you examine, touch, admire, and even buy so many rarities under one roof with over 100,000 books for sale? Attending the York National Book Fair is a fantastic way to meet new local dealers if you are already a collector.

The York National Book Exhibition has expanded from humble beginnings with only 20 exhibitors at the White Swan Inn in York in 1974 to become the biggest and, according to many, friendliest rare, antiquarian, and out-of-print book fair in the UK and Europe.

You can find books that are more than 500 years old, review copies of recently released books, and everything in between at the York September Book Fair. The York Racecourse will host the book fair. The location is quite accessible, and there is unlimited free parking as well as a free shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes from the Railway Station (Memorial Gardens) to the Fair.

When? September 

Where? The Knavesmire Suite, York Racecourse, York, YO23 1EX

How to get there?

• Bus: Free shuttle bus from and to York railway station (Memorial Gardens)

• Train: York station, just over a mile away

London Autumn Book Fair

This is one of the best UK book fairs to visit. At this fair, you will find gems across a myriad of subjects and genres – secondhand, rare, and unusual. There are cafes, bars, and restaurants on-site.

When? November

Where? Holiday Inn London - Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London, WC1N 1HT

How to get there?

• Underground: Russell Square

• Train: Euston or Kings Cross

Cambridge Premier

This February book fair is home to plenty of publishers, including some fair regulars, some new faces, and a huge quantity of collectable and decorative printed material. The admission fee is just £ 2.00. 

When? February 

Where? The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3QJ

Edinburgh Premier (with ABA)

Members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) will be present and offering books for sale at this book fair UK. The fair is home to several rare books as well as collections of books and antiquities that book fairs would definitely enjoy. 

When? March

Where? Radisson Blu Hotel, 80 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH

How to get there? 

• Train: Edinburgh Waverley, half a mile away.

Oxford Premier Fair

With around 75 dealers offering tens of thousands of rare, collectable and second-hand books, maps, manuscripts and ephemera, the Oxford Book Fair usually attracts the attention of both local and national press and hundreds of visitors every year. This two-day fair houses book dealers who have travelled from different parts of the country and have something that suits everyone at prices starting from £2 up to £ 1000. 

When? April 

Where? Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP

How to get there?

• Train: Oxford, 2 miles

• Bus: From the city centre and railway station.

  
  

Norwich

The Norwich Book Fair is held in the Millennium Library, specifically in the Forum Building, in the centre of the beautiful medieval city. The building is a magnificent piece of architecture, one that attracts many to the city itself. There are coffee shops and food vendors at the venue and even more stores and boutiques to explore in the adjacent marketplace, with both the Cathedral and Castle Museum being just a short walk away.

When? April

Where? The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1TF

How to get there?

• Train: Norwich railway station is 15 minutes away.

• Bus: The nearest bus stops are a short walk away.

London International Antiquarian Book Fair

This is one of the largest premier antiquarian book fairs featuring almost a hundred UK and international booksellers showcasing rare books, maps, prints, ephemera, collector items, and more to suit everyone. There is a range of different genres to fit all tastes from Modern First Editions, Children’s Literature, History, Travel, Sport, and Religion.

When? May

Where? ILEC Conference Centre, IBIS London Earls Court, 47 Lillie Road, London, SW6 1UD

How to get there?

• Train: West Brompton - A 5-minute walk to Ibis London Earls Court

These UK book fairs are among the best book fairs there are and they’re the ideal place for readers who consider themselves to be bookworms. A large number of books will be available for you to browse and explore. If you’re a book lover and you’re always on the move, worry not, traveling book fairs are ideal for you! Also, check out this Arrival Guide for International Students in The UK while you’re at it!