Brilliant Bookshops: The Sanctuary Bookshop

Situated on the world-famous Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis is both an attractive and historic town, well worth visiting. The Sanctuary Bookshop is located at the bottom of Broad Street where is has been for about 25 years.

Stepping inside is like stepping back in time as you have to navigate your way through piles of books, pictures, furniture and other assorted items that fill the store- and the shop is spread over four floors.

Just as you think you have seen it all, you turn a corner and come across another treasure trove. The shop is well named as all of the pre-loved books that have found their way here have found a refuge until they are chosen by a new owner.

To do the shop justice, you need to spend a considerable amount of time here. Initially, the selection seems chaotic, but the owner seems to know exactly where to find things. I was very keen to locate a book from ‘The Church Mice’ series and we ended up having a lovely chat about Graham Oakley, now sadly deceased, who used to live opposite the shop and with whom he had been very friendly.

The owners of the shop also run the ‘Booklovers B and B’ which is by the shop- a place for any booklover to consider staying!

The Sanctuary Bookshop

65 Broad St,

Lyme Regis DT7 3QF