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The 9 Best Cardiff Bookshops You Need To Visit in Wales

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, has a humble variety of bookshops to visit such as independent, family-run shops and Welsh language shops providing all types of genres and prices for the bookworms of the ‘Diff.

Okay online shopping can give you whatever you need at a few clicks but it can’t give you that warm, magical feeling that bookshops give. Read on for my guide to the best bookshops in Cardiff!

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Contents

Map of book shops Cardiff

Here are the 9 book stores in Cardiff. The cluster of markers are in the city centre and the others in surrounding areas (Cathays, Roath, Pontcanna and Heath).

Essentials for Visiting Cardiff

Find Cardiff Acommodation: Booking.com
Get the Megabus straight to Cardiff Centre:
Book your train tickets via Trainline here:

The Best Cardiff Bookshops!

There isn’t many book shops Cardiff has which makes these 9 that oh so special for us Welsh bookworms or travelling ink-drinkers.

Waterstones Cardiff

Image of three bookshelves full of travel guides in Cardiff Waterstones with beige chair in front
Image of Watersones Cardiff travel writing bookshelf. Black bookcase to the right of the image and table of books to the left.
Love the travel sections of Waterstones!

When you think of British bookshops, Waterstones surely springs to mind. Waterstones bookshops grace most UK cities and if ever I’m somewhere in the UK with some time to spare, I always look for the nearest Waterstones because I could, and have before now, spend hours browsing their shops.

There is a corner of The Hayes in Cardiff City Centre that is home to the best bookshops UK has had since the 80’s.

This branch has two large floors, an in-house cafe, friendly and informed staff members and plenty of public outdoor space to enjoy your purchases. Cardiff also hosts book signings and discussions so keep an eye out for upcoming events.

The famous bookshops that are Waterstones have all the latest releases, classics, several editions of classics, every genre going and for travellers it’s the very best place to exercise your wanderlust through reading and researching!

Don’t forget that books plus Cardiff Waterstones scheme gives you a stamp for every Ā£10 spent and after 10 stamps, you get Ā£10 credit! Students also get 5% discount.

Address: Waterstone Cardiff, 2A, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1WB

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 11am-5pm

Website: www.waterstones.com

Image of Waterstones Cardiff new releases shelves to the right and 'buy one get one half price' yellow sign on a table of books to the left.
Image of The Great Gatsby original book poster on the wall above brown, wooden steps in Waterstones Cardiff

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Shelflife Cardiff

Image of Cardiff Shellife bookshop pay it forward scheme. There are several brown paper tags with gifts of 'Ā£5' or 'Ā£10' written on them. Description of the scheme reads 'Pay it Forward. Donate cash or a book for the board to help someone out. Feelin' Squeezed? Take a tag, no questions asked.'
Image of interior of Cardiff Shelflife. Two wooden shelves with books stacked vertically along and a wall with magazines on hooks.

This, in my opinion, is one of the best bookshop Cardiff has seen and epitomises what independent bookshops UK is!

They describe themselves as ‘a not-for-profit radical bookshop in Cardiff working with independent publishers and DIY zine-makers to make space for marginalised and under-represented voices.‘

I’ve got some great titles from here and the book I bought on my first visit was Border Nation by Leah Cowan. This is one of those indie bookshops that sell books everyone needs to read so follow them on Instagram to keep up with their latest titles.

Shelflife also have a no-questions-asked, pay it forward scheme so no matter what, people can always walk away with a book. They are also available as an independent bookshop online UK selling new, queer, feminist and anti-racist titles, to name a few genres.

Tip: Another great place to get books is in The Queer Emporium on St Mary Street next to Brewery Quarter. Although not a dedicated bookshop, it does have some great queer books on a few shelves!

Image of The Castle Emporium sign on a white wall with white table in front. To the left there is a green, tall plant in a wooden box
Image of the exterior of Shelflife Cardiff bookshop

Address: The Corp Market, 188 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF5 1GW (Shelf Life used to be located in Castle Emporium so the pictures here are from that shop)

Opening hours: Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm, Closed Mondays and Sundays

Website: https://www.shelflifebookshop.com

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Blackwells – Cardiff University Bookshop

Up and down the country you will find University bookshops that sell the specific books students need for their courses. Great for ease but not particularly great for those student budgets as they come in at hefty prices to be fair.

But if you’re interested in reading what the graduates read, head to Blackwells.

I studied English Literature at Cardiff University so I was always found in the surrounding area of Blackwells Bookshop Cardiff either in the shop itself, at the library or at the Student Union!

Address: University Union, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff, CF24 4AZ

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm (Wed 9.30am-5pm), Closed Saturdays and Sundays

Website: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/collection/Bundles%20Cardiff%20University/-186056

Second Hand Bookshops in Cardiff

If you’re looking for second hand books Cardiff has a few options and the following four are the cheap bookshops Cardiff city centre!

Bear Island Book Exchange

Image of the left hand side of Bear Island Book Exchange in Cardiff Market. Image shows the bookshop sign at the top and underneath shelves full to the brim of books in all shapes and balances.
Image of the exterior entrance to Cardiff market / Marchnad Caerdydd.
Image from the right hand side of Bear Island Book Exchange in Cardiff Market. Image shows the bookshop to the right of the picture and the rest of the market aisle to the left.

Bear Island Book Exchange is similar to other second hand bookshops UK except it is nestled in the heart of Cardiff Market!

Cardiff’s indoor market is a must-visit on a trip to the city and Bear Island is and independent bookshop Cardiff should be proud of. The crime and comic books are packed together in alphabetical order on shelves outside and inside the stall as well as boxes on the floor with cheap books for just 20p.

Address: Cardiff Market, St Mary St, Cardiff, CF10 2AU

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am – 5pm, Closed Sundays

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Troutmark Books Cardiff

Image taken from outside of the store to the right showing Troutmark Books window and sign inside the Cardiff Castle Arcade.
Inside of Cardiff Castle Arcade with Troutmark Books to the right

Troutmark is the answer to Cardiff second hand bookshops! Clear signage, cheap deals and chatty staff will greet you at this store in one of Cardiff’s many arcades and opposite Cardiff Castle.

As well as selling thousands of books, this store also buys many book collections so pop in or give them a call to make a deal. If you’re looking for 2nd hand bookshops in Cardiff, or to buy books Cardiff Troutmark Books is where you need to head.

Address: Castle Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1BW

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am – 5.15pm, Sun 11.15am-4pm

Website: https://www.troutmarkbooks.com

Related Post: 13 Things to Do in Cardiff City!

Oxfam Bookshop Cardiff

Inside of Oxfam bookshop in Cardiff. The right of the picture has the shelves across the entire shop wall full of books and the left of the picture is the wooden floor

Anyone looking for UK second hand bookshops knows to hit the high street for the charity shops and you may find a few treasures among many copies of 50 Shades of Grey, Katie Price’s autobiography and Harry Potter books but you haven’t seen anything like Cardiff second hand books in Oxfam!

I walked right into a cheap book haven in, what I thought at first, was the usual charity shop found anywhere but the entire store was dedicated to books and you’ll definitely find a bargain here. I got a Lonely Planet Thailand’s Islands & Beaches for my collection for just Ā£2 on the first time I visited.

Address: 36 St Mary St, Cardiff, CF10 1AD

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9.30am – 5pm, Sat 10.30am – 4pm, Sun 11am – 4pm

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The Wellfield Bookshop Cardiff

Lastly, another independent bookshop cardiff has to offer is The Wellfield Bookshop on Wellfield Road which is just outside the city centre in a neighbourhood called Roath.

This family run book store has many genres and can order new books for you on request but do call in to browse for second hand books Cardiff Wellfield has to offer.

Address: 16 Wellfield Road, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 3PB 

Opening hours: Mon – Sat 9am – 5.30pm, Sun 11am – 4pm

Website: http://wellfieldbookshop.weebly.com

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Welsh Bookshop Cardiff

The next two stores are Welsh book shops that specialise in books in the Welsh language.

Cant a Mil

Cant a Mil is a Welsh bookshop showcasing the best Welsh literature, new and second-hand. They also have books in English about Wales and by Welsh authors. There’s children’s books and Welsh books for adults in Cant a Mil. This is a great Cardiff bookshop if you are learning Welsh as they specialise in books and resources for Welsh language learning (and they’re happy to chat in Welsh too).

Address: 100 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff, CF14 3LY

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 9.30am – 5.30pm, Closed Sundays and Mondays

Website: https://cantamil.com

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Caban Bookshop Cardiff

Image of the exterior of Caban bookshop in Pontcanna, Cardiff. Image shows Caban front with blue sign, blue door and window of book display. In front of the window is a set of blue chairs and table.

Same as Cant a Mil, Caban specialises in Welsh books and books by Welsh authors. Caban is in the upmarket area of Pontcanna just around the corner from the Pontcanna Market (which sells the best Welshcakes on a Saturday). Not only is this a bookshop but also a great place to get Welsh souvenirs and Welsh gifts like mugs, cards and locally-made crafts.

Address: 169 Kings Road, Cardiff, CF11 9DE

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9.30am – 5.30pm (closed Thursdays), Sat 10am – 5pm, Closed Sundays

Website: https://www.cabancanna.cymru/en-gb

See Also: 10 Reasons To Buy a Kindle!

Bookshops Near Cardiff

Image of exterior of Griffin Book Store in Penarth front window
Image of exterior of Nickleby's Bookstore in Llantwit Major. The shop is painted pink with black window and display of books and door with shop sign ahead.
  • Paned O Ge was a Cardiff independent bookshop and Wales’ Queer Bookshop specialising in diverse novels and diverse authors. It has now been moved to online. Go to their website here.

  • In nearby Penarth town, you can visit an indie bookshop called Griffin Books.

  • There’s a family-run independent book store in Llantwit Major called Nickleby’s Bookstore but it’s about an hour drive from Cardiff.
  • There are also the options in Cardiff City that you can find in many UK cities for books such as The Works and WH Smiths Bookshops.

  • Don’t forget, one of the best platforms is bookshop.org to buy books from independent stores online!

If you’re looking for Cardiff Yesterday books for sale, look at the Welsh book shops, the Welsh / Wales shelves of each of the named stores above, ask the independent store owners or check out Cardiff Central Library. Some are also available online.

If you liked this post, I think you’ll love Shaun Bythell’s novel, Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops, including funny and weird things people say in bookshops.

Related Post: Learn About a Welsh Myth in Beddgelert!

Thanks for reading my guide to bookshops in Cardiff!

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you, Shireen! I found this article very useful during my visit to Cardiff. Especially, I liked the bookshop in Cardiff Market, where I bought a simple magazine of crosswords to practice my english, and the Oxfam bookshop, where I found a graphic novel, “Imagine wanting only this”, and a wonderful english dictionary and few gift cards.

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