Blackwell's Bookshop
48-51 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BQ, GB
Rating: 4.8 ★ (828 ratings)
Details
Nestled on Broad Street since New Year's Day 1879, Blackwell's Bookshop began in a modest 12-foot square room. Today, this iconic Oxford institution has grown considerably, expanding upwards, sideways, and most famously, underground. It's a place where literary history comes alive; you can still see the very first bookcase fitted in the shop, now marked with a small plaque on the first floor. Blackwell's was an early champion of J.R.R. Tolkien, publishing his children's poem "Goblin's Feet" before his worldwide fame. The shop has welcomed countless famous authors and figures over its many decades, from Sir Roger Bannister to Muhammad Ali, whose signatures grace the visitors' book in the 'Gaffer's Office'.
Venture beneath street level to discover the magnificent Norrington Room, an essential stop for any book lover visiting Oxford. Opened in 1966 and named after Sir Arthur Norrington, then President of Trinity College, this vast basement once held the Guinness World Record for the largest single room selling books, with an astonishing three and a half kilometres of shelving holding around 160,000 volumes. The Norrington Room is considered the academic heart of Blackwell's and remains a testament to the breadth of human knowledge. Beyond this subterranean marvel, the Broad Street flagship also features specialist art and music sections, ensuring a rich browsing experience for every visitor.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact
+44 1865 792792
Comments
Also has a very unique selection of antique and rare books to browse through on the second floor, from first editions to copies of scarce books.
Staff are friendly and the atmosphere inside is cozy, especially down in the Norrington room. Useful to have the Cafe Nero upstairs as well. Toilet facilities were a bit busy. Sci fi selection is across the street, in a separate building.