
Accepts Gift Cards
Accepts Paper Vouchers
Accepts E-Gift Vouchers
Book clubs / reading groups
Bookshop Description
Red Lion Books is the sole surviving independent bookshop in Colchester. (There were once 6). Situated on the High Street in the town centre it is still owned by Peter and Sarah Donaldson who founded the shop back in 1978. We are strongly embedded in the cultural life of our town and beyond. We have strong relationships with schools, taking books into Colchester schools, supporting author visits and providing book fairs particularly around World Book Day. We host in-store author events as well as monthly book clubs for adults and children. Through our involvement with the Essex Book Festival we travel around the county to provide books for literary events We support literary excellence enthusiastically in both adults & children's sections and do this by filling our shop with a large range of new titles each week, thoughtfully selected and attractively displayed, combined with a carefully curated stock holding.
We have recently started to deliver books nationally which includes a monthly subscription. We look forward to seeing you.
Opening hours
Mon-Sat 9am-5.00pm
Specialisms
Children's
We have a wonderful selection of greetings cards from independent smaller scale suppliers featuring specialist ranges and in particular designs from regional artists. We also have a gallery area downstairs featuring regularly changing exhibitions of work by local artists
What's on at Red Lion Books Ltd

Event
Author Talk: 2 Granta Authors (and siblings) Holly & Ben Pester
Granta published authors Ben and Holly Pester are siblings which we believe will lead to an interesting conversation. Join Holly and Ben, d...
Expiry
01/09/2025

Event
How to be radical A writer in residence talk Jane- no longer tame
11am. Jane- no longer tame is our writer in residence for 3 weeks in August. As a feminist writer, she is dismantling the usual publishing p...
Expiry
06/09/2025

Event
Castles & Crowns: Author event with Holly Race at the Castle
Join Holly Race at Colchester Castle as she discusses her latest novel, Six Wild Crowns, with Red Lion books. Holly Race’s Six Wild Crowns i...
Expiry
18/09/2025

Event
Bookshop Party: The Autumn Soiree
October 9th 2025 3 authors TBC Shopping discount, 3 authors, goody bag, welcome drink. All home in bed, with a good book by 8pm (party st...
Expiry
09/10/2025