New books, a colourful childrens room and a town-sized author-events programme, at 12-13 Westgate in the heart of Ripon. Gill and Simon Edwards have run the shop since 2009, a minute from the obelisk where the Hornblower still sets the watch at nine each night.
We opened in 2009 in one small room, which is how the shop got its name. In 2018 we took the room next door, so the books now run across two rooms joined by a brick archway. The original "Little" room is given over to childrens books. Stock changes constantly, so phone 01765 606689 for something in particular.
New publishing, classics, Yorkshire shelves
New literary fiction and the crime wall, alongside classics and old favourites. Deep local-interest and walking shelves for the Dales, plus maps, cards, stationery and reading gifts. The range changes constantly.
Picture books to young adult, plus Storytime
The original room the shop is named after, now a colourful childrens space: picture books to young adult, a striped rug and a reading nook. Storytime runs every Tuesday, all children welcome.
Free ordering, collect or posted
If we do not have a title in stock we can usually get it by the following day. Tell us at the counter, phone, or email, and we will hold it for collection or post it to you.
For a town this size we run a busy author programme. Our Coffee and Crime and Crime and Wine mornings, some in the shop and some at Valentino’s nearby, regularly sell out. Past guests include M W Craven and Terry Deary, who created the Horrible Histories. Tickets come with a coffee, or with the signed book.
☎ Ask about the next event“Our bestselling books are usually the books we have enjoyed reading and can hand-sell. We are a local hub for all things literary.”
Gill Edwards, on running the shop with Simon since 2009
Gill Edwards and Simon Edwards opened The Little Ripon Bookshop in 2009. It started in one small room, which is exactly how it got its name. In 2018 we took on the room next door, and the shop grew into the two rooms it fills today, joined by an exposed-brick archway.
We are at 12-13 Westgate, a short walk from the Market Square and the obelisk, in the shadow of Ripon Cathedral and a few minutes from Fountains Abbey. We balance new publishing with classics and old favourites, and the books we hand-sell are usually the ones we have read and loved ourselves.
If it is not on the shelf, we will find it. If a title is in print we can usually have it in by the following day. Tell us what you are after and we will order it, then hold it for collection or post it to you.
Or phone 01765 606689, or email info@littleriponbookshop.co.uk.
We are on Westgate, just off the Market Square in the centre of Ripon, twelve miles north of Harrogate and a short drive from Fountains Abbey. The Market Place and Cathedral car parks are both a short walk away.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Phone 01765 606689 if you are travelling.
For anything not here, phone the shop on 01765 606689 or email info@littleriponbookshop.co.uk.
Yes. If a title is not in stock we can usually get it by the following day. Tell us at the counter, phone 01765 606689, or email info@littleriponbookshop.co.uk, and we will hold it for collection or post it to you.
Tickets go through the shop and our online listings, and our Coffee and Crime and Crime and Wine events often sell out. Some are held at Valentino’s nearby. Ask early on 01765 606689 or check the events page for the next dates.
Yes. The original "Little" room is given over to childrens books, from picture books to young adult, with a reading nook. Storytime runs every Tuesday and all children are welcome, with special guest sessions through the year.
We do. Alongside the books there are cards and stationery, maps, local-interest titles, canvas bags, bookmarks and reading-related gifts.
We are at 12-13 Westgate, just off the Market Square in the centre of Ripon, twelve miles north of Harrogate and a short drive from Fountains Abbey. The Market Place and Cathedral car parks are both a short walk away.