The Chaucer Head Bookshop, Stratford upon Avon
We are currently open for sales on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We are slowly starting to buy books, but very slowly, and by appointment only. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss a viewing etc. Within the opening hours advertised we may close occasionally, and briefly, to post our on-line sales or some-such .... If so, we'll post a notice on the door with our estimated time of re-opening.
We will be closed on Saturday 10th October. Apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience ....
As of 10 September, until further notice, we will be open Wednesday to Saturday, from 11.00am to 5.00pm.
We are currently open for sales on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We are slowly starting to buy books, but very slowly, and by appointment only. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss a viewing etc. Within the opening hours advertised we may close occasionally, and briefly, to post our on-line sales or some-such .... If so, we'll post a notice on the door with our estimated time of re-opening.
... a second-hand bookshop located in the centre of Stratford upon Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare. We stock second-hand, rare and antiquarian books covering a wide range of subject matter; fiction and non fiction, old and new. Whether you are looking for an inexpensive holiday read or a very special present it is well worth while paying us a visit.
Only a small proportion of our stock is listed on-line, so we highly recommend a visit to our real life, bricks and mortar shop. You can't beat the feel, smell and atmosphere of an actual bookshop. Anyway, the best books are the ones you didn't know that you wanted ...
To find us:
We are located at 21, Chapel Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6EP.
Stratford on Avon railway station is a ten minute walk away, keep going towards the town centre until you get to the roundabout by Barclay's Bank, then turn right along the High Street. Chapel Street is straight on, in the next block. If arriving by bus the town centre stops are in Wood Street and Bridge Street. These streets are linked by the roundabout by Barclay's - once again turn onto the High Street and follow your nose.
The shop is located in a Grade II listed building at 21, Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. The history of the building is fascinating in itself; it was home to Julius Shaw, a friend of Shakespeare best known for being a witness to the poet and dramatist's will. Over the centuries it has also housed the first infirmary in Stratford and at least two banks (visitors can see the extraordinarily thick door which presumably made up the first line of bank security). In 1905 it became home to The Shakespeare Head Press, founded by Edmund Bullen after he had a dream in which he was presented with a copy of the works of Shakespeare printed in the poet's home town . On occasion we obtain copies of books printed on the premises over 100 years ago - all in all living and working in this building instils a great and privileged sense of history, heritage and continuity.
Because of the Shakespeare connection a wealth of documentary evidence survives - for example the names and occupations of each tenant for the last 400 plus years can be traced. One day we hope to put some of the historical information and material about the building onto this web site - but it may be some time.
We are halfway down the "historic spine" of Stratford upon Avon, the route linking the Parish Church of Holy Trinity with Shakespeare's Birthplace in the heart of the "New Town" - in inverted commas because it was laid out in 1196, under a charter granted by the Bishop Of Worcester. If you are planning a trip to Stratford upon Avon, and have limited time, then we can recommend the historic spine walk - click here for more details. This will open in a new window on the Stratford Society website.
Opening hours
| OPENING HOURS | ||
|
Monday |
Closed | |
|
Tuesday |
Closed | |
|
Wednesday |
Closed | |
|
Thursday |
12.00pm | 4.45pm |
|
Friday |
12.00am | 4.45pm |
|
Saturday
|
11.00am | 5.00pm |
| Sunday and Bank Holidays | Closed | |