Brilliant Bookshops: Barter Books

Alnwick is a magical market town with cobbled streets and plenty of history, close to the Northumberland coast. The castle here is the seat of the Dukes of Northumberland, meaning that the town has a very impressive, grand station, more so than one would expect for a small market town. However, this line was a victim of the Beeching cuts in 1968, but the old Victorian building has been put to good use as it is now home to Barter Books.

This unique bookshop contains a huge array of second hand books and a brilliant cafe, housed in seven rooms. It’s another of my family’s favourite bookshops, somewhere we will always make time to visit when we are in Northumberland, somewhere we always leave with a pile of books! Our most recent visit was in May 2023, shortly after the coronation of King Charles III, but our favourite time of year is autumn/winter when all the fires are blazing, creating a warm, cosy glow and adding to the wonderful atmosphere!

Model trains run on tracks above the book cases and there are reminders of the station’s history everywhere, making it a fascinating place to visit as well as a book lover’s paradise! A dedicated children’s room has a truck carrying a display of books in the centre of the room and the shelves are full of books for all ages.

Organised by topic, the shelves are groaning under the weight of a vast array of books on all topics. There is always something special to be found here- pre-loved treasures waiting for a new home. Another place to spend lots of time- and money!

Barter Books

Alnwick Station

Alnwick NE66 2NP