Second-hand bookshops

Visitors reading books in one of the National Trust's second-hand bookshops

Did you know that £1.5m was raised last year for special places in our care, thanks to second-hand book lovers? From classic volumes and colourful children’s tales to modern fiction and vintage treasures, discover something new (to you) to keep or share.

We’ve got a soft spot for second-hand books. They’re the familiar tales of our childhood and the unexpected new favourites. They’re the keepers of loving inscriptions and forgotten pressed flowers. They’re an invitation to curl up and take a journey into history, mystery, fantasy, or romance. And as a charity, they're pretty great for raising funds for the amazing places and wonderful creatures we look after too.

Blind date books are on offer at Cliveden, Berkshire

Go on a book blind date 

This is one blind date that won't disappoint. At Cliveden and other places, we're offering blind date books – as a surprise for you, or a gift for others. Your book’s identity will be hidden under wrapping paper, with clues to help you find a perfect match.

Discover your blind date

Here's how our second-hand books stack up

  • In total, second-hand bookshops raised around £1.5m for places that we care for in 2018/19
  • On our last count, we have 185 second-hand bookshops
  • One of our biggest bookshops at Blickling Estate raised £156k in second-hand book sales last year

Give your unwanted books

Share in our passion for second-hand books and support the nature and landscapes you love by donating your books and picking up a great read at a National Trust place near you.

Funds raised from our second-hand bookshops support vital conservation projects at the historic homes, gardens, countryside and coast in our care, making sure they continue to thrive. They also help us to look after wildlife and nature too, and the places they call home.

" Every book donated and purchased in our second-hand bookshop directly contributes towards essential conservation work, indoors and outdoors, at Baddesley Clinton. "
Second-hand books are transformed into fairy homes and tree ornaments

Pre-loved books make magic gifts 

At Bateman's in East Sussex, we're using a bit of magic to upcycle second-hand books into light-up fairy homes, with windows to peek through and spot fairies inside. You'll also discover book art for sale, at Rudyard Kipling's family home.

Discover our upcycled books

Discover a second-hand bookshop near you

Is your favourite place missing from our list below? We've got so many second-hand bookshops, we couldn't include them all, so contact your local National Trust place to check if they have one and for opening times.

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The second-hand bookshop at Felbrigg

Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate, Norfolk

Find thousands of good quality donated books in our volunteer run second-hand bookshop. You'll find it tucked away in the visitor reception - a hidden gem where all the proceeds go towards projects at Felbrigg Hall.

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Eating and shopping at Rowallane Garden

Rowallane Garden, County Down

After a stroll around the garden you'll be needing a cup of tea. Find a range of hot drinks, cakes, scones and light lunches in our cafe.

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Eating and shopping at Wightwick Manor

Wightwick Manor and Gardens, West Midlands

You'll find freshly cooked food in our tea-room, and a beautiful selection of William Morris goods in our Old Manor Shop.

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The second-hand bookshop at Quarry Bank

Quarry Bank, Cheshire

Pick up a page turner and help Quarry Bank’s story continue for future generations to come. Every year, the proceeds from the sale of second-hand books fund vital conservation works at Quarry Bank helping to look after thousands of historic objects and features, from books to buildings, looms to landscapes, plants to posters, and all sorts of interesting things in between.

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Behind the scenes of Belgravia

In 2016 Julian Fellowes, best known as the creator of Downton Abbey, released his historical novel Belgravia. Settings in the novel were inspired by two of the places we look after: Montacute House in Somerset and Attingham in Shropshire. Now things have come full circle as other places in our care star in ITV's 6-part TV adaptation, airing on Sundays at 9pm from 15 April 2020.

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Our volunteers recommend their favourite books and authors

The Vyne, Hampshire

We asked our bookshop volunteers to recommend their favourite book or author. Keen readers, they all agree that getting lost in a good book is one of life’s joys, and one of the reasons why they volunteer at The Vyne. 

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