Accepts Gift Cards
Accepts Paper Vouchers
E-Gift Vouchers not accepted
Book clubs / reading groups
Web: Bookshop Description
Red Lion Books is the sole surviving independent bookshop in Colchester. (There were once 6). Situated on the High Street in the town centre it is still owned by Peter and Sarah Donaldson who founded the shop back in 1978. We are strongly embedded in the cultural life of our town and beyond. We have strong relationships with schools, taking books into Colchester schools, supporting author visits and providing book fairs particularly around World Book Day. We host in-store author events as well as monthly book clubs for adults and children. Through our involvement with the Essex Book Festival we travel around the county to provide books for literary events We support literary excellence enthusiastically in both adults & children's sections and do this by filling our shop with a large range of new titles each week, thoughtfully selected and attractively displayed, combined with a carefully curated stock holding.
We have recently started to deliver books nationally which includes a monthly subscription. We look forward to seeing you.
Opening hours
Mon-Sat 9am-5.00pm
Specialisms
Children's
We have a wonderful selection of greetings cards from independent smaller scale suppliers featuring specialist ranges and in particular designs from regional artists. We also have a gallery area downstairs featuring regularly changing exhibitions of work by local artists
What's on at Red Lion Books Ltd
Event
LinocutLinocut Workshop with Holly: September 20th 2024 10am
Come and spend 2 hours with Holly who will guide you through carving and printing Soft Cut Lino upstairs at Red Lion Books. Holly will brin...
Expiry
20/09/2024
Event
LinocutLinocut Workshop with Holly: September 20th 2024 10am
Come and spend 2 hours with Holly who will guide you through carving and printing Soft Cut Lino upstairs at Red Lion Books. Holly will brin...
Expiry
20/09/2024
Event
Daytime Bookclub Event in association with Appetite Book Club £14.99
Our Book Club meet to discuss a book over coffee & a biscuit. 11.30am, last Thursday of the month in a venue offsite. It is always an venue...
Expiry
26/09/2024
Kids' Offer
Children, Teen & YA Book Clubs
We host several book clubs at Red Lion Books On the last Saturday of the month different age groups meet to discuss one book Age 7-10, 3pm A...
Expiry
28/09/2024
Event
Monthly Writing Club at Red Lion Books, 10am Saturdays (monthly)
Monthly Writing Club, Saturday 14th September and 28th September 10am-11.30am Usually we meet twice a month but please check before attendin...
Expiry
28/09/2024
Event
The Cocoa Bookclub in association with Red Lion Books (Age 18-25)
The Cocoa Bookclub: Age 18-25 £14.99 Monthly Bookclub: THE COCOA BOOKCLUB Always the last Sunday of the month 11am, last Sunday of the mon...
Expiry
29/09/2024
Event
Japanese Literature: A Talk with Storme
Japan been producing unusual works for more than a thousand years You might be familiar with Haruki Murakami or Natsuo Kirino, but if you’ve...
Expiry
03/10/2024
Event
Ned Palmer's Guide to French Cheese: An evening of cheese, wine & books
Charles de Gaulle famously said it was impossible to govern a country with 246 different cheeses. And perhaps he was right. Every French che...
Expiry
16/10/2024
Event
Save Me From The Waves Author event with Jessica Hepburn
Join us for a unique and special evening with Jessica Hepburn Author and Unlikely-Athlete-turned-Record-Breaker. In her 40s after a successi...
Expiry
17/10/2024
Event
An afternoon with Caroline Quentin at Colchester Arts Centre
In Conversation talking about Drawn to the Garden at Colchester Arts Centre. Find solace in your outdoor space in this delightful horticultu...
Expiry
24/11/2024
Event
An afternoon with Caroline Quentin at Colchester Arts Centre
In Conversation talking about Drawn to the Garden at Colchester Arts Centre. Find solace in your outdoor space in this delightful horticultu...
Expiry
24/11/2024
Event
Bookshop Lock-In: The Winter Soiree
Our Winter Soiree, Bookshop Party has been scheduled. Book early so that we can prepare your goodie bags. Ticket price includes author hos...
Expiry
05/12/2024
