“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

You could win free audio books for a year! As well as being able to order books from https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/madhatterbookshop and have them delivered to your door you can now buy your audio books! Support our shop with an audiobook subscription between 16-19 July and you could win a year of audiobooks! Support indie bookshops with every listen. No commitment, cancel anytime: Support the indies not the giants! Just click the clink below! https://uk.bookshop.org/info/aud

Books have long been treasured as gateways to knowledge, imagination, and escape. Yet, there is a world beyond the pages that invites you to create, reflect, and unwind. Our space offers much more than books. It is a sanctuary filled with journaling tools, art supplies, signed editions, and special editions that transform reading into a richer, more personal experience. Here, you can sit, relax, and dream in an environment designed to inspire creativity and calm. A Place to P

Six years ago today I opened our black shiny double doors for the first time as 'my' bookshop. There has been a bookshop here at 122 High Street for nearly 50 years, for the most part in the hands of women who all worked tirelessly to bring books to the people of Burford and beyond. We started life as The Red Lion Bookshop and when Sara Hall took over she changed the name to The Madhatter Bookshop and added elegant headwear to the shops offering. Sara handed me the keys in

We have two tickets for tonights Burford Comedy Club! Grab them now!

If you love laughter and live entertainment, this is your moment. Burford Comedy Club has just 7 tickets left, and these tickets will not be available anywhere else or at the door. This is a rare chance to secure your spot at one of the most entertaining comedy nights in town. Don’t miss out on an evening filled with hilarious performances, great atmosphere, and unforgettable memories. Burford Comedy Club has built a reputation for hosting some of the best comedians in the re

We are thrilled to be the very first stockist of Hurry Up Jimmy by artist, illustrator and author, Nic Vickery. A delightful and enchanting story about Jimmy the lurcher and his friend Daisy. The illustrations are stunning and the rhyming story will delight not only your small people but the reader too! What makes this book all the more exciting is that Nic is a local artist and supporting local brings us great joy! Pop into Little Madhatter Emporium and pick up your copy a

Join Us! I am delighted to say that our bookshop book club continues to go from strength to strength. So much so that it has been brought to my attention we could send the bookish joy further afield and start an on-line book club. Perfect for those who live too far away to make the journey to Burford or if you are a vampire and don't like the sunshine, whoever you are and wherever you are we welcome you! The logistics..... Send us an email themadhatterbookstore@gmail.com an

I feel like it has been a fair while since I looped you lovely booklovers in to all the work we have been doing and the plans we have at both The Madhatter Bookshop and Little Madhatter Emporium. Whilst the first half of 2026 has been economically quiet on the High Street the team and I have been utililising our time to ensure we bring you the very best version of ourselves. We have extended our selection of books to bring you, and your bedside table, the adventures and info

As a student I would pay regular visits to a stationery shop on Walton Street in Oxford. I bought A4 sheets of rainbow coloured velum with matching envelopes. As I grew older my fascination with stationery, notebooks and journals grew with me. I delighted in the joy of creating bespoke invitations to dinner parties and more formal occasions or filling my inkpen and writing long letters of thanks or congratulations. I even posses a writing slope, although it is now used mo

An evening with Simon Mason We are delighted to welcome Simon to Madhatter bookshop on Thursday 19th March at 6pm. Author Simon mason will be talking about his life in books and his latest novel - The Dangerous Stranger. To me, Simon's work is evocative of the late great Colin Dexter but with the added grit of Mick Herron. We do hope you will join us.

A little reminder that The Madhatter Salon takes place tomorrow (Wednesday 25th February) at 6pm at Little Madhatter Emporium 103 High Street, Burford. A time to listen, learn and share with like minded folks - tickets are free. Tomorrow Patrick Reade will be sharing his passion and knowledge for the artwork of Alexander Hardie Williamson. Tickets are free from madhatterbookshop.co.uk/events

Our next Madhatter Salon will take place on 25th February at 6pm at Little Madhatter Emporium. We are very excited to welcome dear friend of Madhatter Bookshop, Patrick Reade who will be talking to us about his passion for and knowledge of the art and works of Alexander Hardie Williamson. Hardie Williamson studied at the Royal College of Art and taught there from 1934 to 1955. His main responsibility was for the development of the screen printing department. He was a freelan

For all fans of our friend THE GRUFFALO We are so very excited to share the news that he is coming back to the deep dark wood with a new adventure! We will of course be taking pre-orders and will have a small number of signed copies! Keep your eye on our website!

Welcome to my first ramblings of 2026. It is around this time of a new year that I find myself in a midwinter slump, there is all the post festive season paperwork to deal as well as shorter days. This year I have tried to change my outlook, I started to look forward to January as a time to slow down, to rest, to recover, to light candles and get lost in the flames of my open fire. Hence, it is 13th January and I am just about getting around to plans for 2026, from the co

As the end of 2025 draws closer it is a time for me to reflect on the highs and lows of being a bookseller. 2025 has certainly given indie bookshops across the UK its challenges which has certainly not been aided by our Government and I fear Rachel Reeves and her recent budget will bring extra challenges in 2026. Whist the first six months were financially difficult, to the point I was considering my options for downsizing and even closure, the Summer brought us coach loads o

Today at 4pm is our deadline to order books for collection from our Bookshops by 2pm on Christmas Eve. Whether you are looking for last minute gifts from Books to a Ride-On Defender pop into The Madhatter Bookshop and Little Madhatter Emporium for the perfect gift for all your friends and family. Or to satisfy your betwixtmas reading! Christmas Opening Hours Christmas Eve 10am - 3pm Christmas Day CLOSED Boxing Day CLOSED 27th December - 10am - 5pm 28th December - 10am - 5pm

As Christmas Day approaches I thought it might be fun to tell you our Top Ten best Sellers for 2025! Greek Myths & Tales A potent pantheon of gods, heroes engaged in epic battles, fearsome mythical creatures and supernatural transformations – such fantastical elements infuse Greek myths with a wonder and excitement that’s hard to beat. These tales of love, courage, conflict and intrigue, shared for thousands of years, still exercise a powerful influence on our modern lives.

If thrillers are your vibe then Alice Feeney is your girl! We are delighted to offer you a limited first print run, signed and with stunning spredges! (Sprayed edges for the uninitiated) It's only £16.99! Click to order your copy!

When I talk to grown ups about remembering the first book that made them fall in love with reading the most common answer is "The Faraway Tree" by Enid Blyton. They remember reading under the covers after lights outs and getting lost in the adventures of the inhabitants of the magical tree in the enchanted wood; Silky the pixie, Moonface, the Saucepan Man, and Dame Washalot, exploring ever-changing lands like the Land of Birthdays or Spells from its top, encountering creatur

Did you know that Little Madhatter is more than just a magical book shop? It’s also a treasure trove of games designed for all the family. In a world where screen time often dominates family time, games offer a refreshing way to connect, laugh, and create lasting memories. Whether you have toddlers, teenagers, or grandparents around the table, there’s something here to bring everyone together. At Little Madhatter, the collection of family games is carefully selected to offer