Brilliant Bookshop: Five Leaves Bookshop

Nottingham is perhaps best known for its connection to legendary outlaw, Robin Hood, and his arch enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Although little of the original castle remains, the museum, which is now housed on this site, offers a fascinating look at the town’s history. The Lace Gallery celebrates the city’s connection with this craft, particularly the development of the bobbin-net machine, invented in 1808 by John Heathcote, which saw machinery used in lace-making for the first time and the city became famous for its machine lace.

Tucked down an alley way, it would be easy to miss the ‘Five Leaves Bookshop’. Having wandered up and down the road without luck, we had to ask where it was at the Tourist Information Office, only to be pointed to a small opening between the shops opposite! The bookshop is a lovely space, bright, airy and welcoming, and bursting with fabulous books!

As well as books published by themselves, Five Leaves carries a great many books from other independent publishers, making it a really interesting place to browse for unusual or hard to come by titles. I was really impressed by their range of local books, both those by local authors and those about local places, and enjoyed exploring- and buying from- this section of the shop very much.

Opened in 2013, the shop prides itself in offering books on a wide range of topics including Jewish interest, Roma, Paganism/witchcraft, spirituality, translated fiction, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and feminism. The children’s section included a diverse range of titles with something for everyone. For those lucky enough to live close to this lovely shop, it also offers an excellent programme of events.

The lady in the shop when we visited was really lovely, friendly and helpful- and obviously very proud of the shop and all it offers. Sadly, Nottingham is not somewhere we are able to visit often, but Five Leaves Bookshop will be at the top of my places to go list when we next do!

Five Leaves Bookshop

14a Long Row,

Nottingham

NG1 2DH