Day 17 - Cromer and Sheringham

Cromer

All three bookshops in Cromer are within five minutes walk of each other. One is not worth a visit, one is worth it if you're a Christian, and one is well worth it if it's not Monday. The Christian bookshop was discussed in yesterday's blog.

102. Much Binding is at 36 Church Street. It sells secondhand and antiquarian books at a reasonable price. This shop is in an old, long building about two and a half narrowboats in size. It also sells books online via AbeBooks. 

The range of books is splendid and includes the usual favourites. It has a good science and maths section not usually found in secondhand bookshops. It also has a section called "bonkology" 

I couldn't speak to the owner about the shop's history. I went past throughout the day but there was always someone in long conversations with him about the state of the country. The shop also tended to be quite busy. It opens restricted hours: 11am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. 

103 The Discount Book and Jigsaw Co Ltd is at 3, Tucker Street. It sells jigsaws and remainder books.

Sadly, it is uninspiring and sells a few novels and an odd assortment of non-fiction titles.  You can save yourself time by not visiting it. You can save even more time by not visiting their branch in Sheringham, too. 

Sheringham

Sheringham is just eight minutes on the train from Cromer. It's larger than Cromer and attracts more tourists. 

104. Peter's Bookshop is at 19 St Peter's Road, about five minutes walk from the station. 

You wouldn't expect to find one of the country's best secondhand bookshops in such a remote location. If there is a secondhand book on a subject, that book is probably in the shop. It is well curated and filled from floor to ceiling with books in a size of only two narrowboats. You swim between the books.

It is a book-browser's dream.  Book prices are very good too. 

The bookshop has run for forty years. It is named after the owner Peter Cox, not St Peter of St Peter's Road. Peter comes from Surrey rather than heaven. He has collected books since he was a child. I asked if he was a hoarder and he replied, "No, I'm not a hoarder. I have an obsession!"

Peter lives above the bookshop. Given its size I asked if any customers had suffered bookshop entrapment. He said once he had indeed locked someone in the shop. They carried on browsing the shelves. After half an hour they started shouting, asking to pay for the books. They paid and he let them out. It has only happened once.