This is not my list but that of The Sunday Times. At my great age I find I am delightfully encouraged that they choose to let this article, amply illustrated, cover 2 pages of their travel section. A bookshop journey around the UK; lovely.
The seven bookshops:
Much Ado Books, Alfriston, East Sussex
Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, Norwich, Norfolk
Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye
Barter Books, Alnwick, Northumberland
Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, Bath, Somerset
The Mainstreet Trading Company, St Boswells, Scottish Borders
Hatchards, Piccadilly, London
Well, I can only tick 3 off the list. I have been to Much Ado Books, Barter Books and Hatchards. In the latter you expect a gentlemen from a Jane Austen novel to come down the stairs with a slim volume of poetry in his hand.
I would want to add Persephone Books to the Bath list and it will be a sad day if I die without visiting Hay-on-Wye.