The ill named Station Bookshop is actually more of a newsagents; they do have two little…read morewheelie-stands of books, but by far the most shelf space in this dimly lit grey shop is given over to magazines and snacks. They do have quite a wide selection of magazines, and they also have several stands of greetings cards. That, combined with the florists Miss Bloomsbury which also inhabits the station building mean that Lewes station is fairly well-equipped to provide you with some last minute presents - providing you need them before 5.30pm. The woman who runs the Station Bookshop is quite grumpy, but I'm not surprised because the low neon lighting in the shop is rather depressing. Basically, it's not lovely, but is useful if you want some water or a paper before you hop on a train.

The Steyning Bookshop wouldn't be out of place in Brighton. It's not the small town bookshop you…read moremight expect, but a room of unexpected treasures. The selection encompasses a lovely small literature section, extensive travel and art selection and an excellent children's section. The owner and manager, Sara, specialises in thought provoking children's picture books, and it's a great destination if you want a beautifully illustrated picture book as a present, or just to take a little kid and let them be inspired. The service is lovely and personal whether you're young or old, and there's no rushing, or hovering at shoulders - you'll be more than welcome to sit and flick through books in here for hours, and I have done before now. The biography/autobiography section is strong as well, with a small but thoughtful selection of historical figures, contemporary politicians and prominent figures, musicians, artists, writers and scientists all represented. There's even a selection of handmade wrapping paper and cards, so if you're present shopping (and this place is superb for that) all the ingredients are there. The shop is also something of a social hub, with old dears popping in for a chat and schoolchildren coming in on their lunch break (unusual perhaps, but the selection caters to them as well.) The manager is the brains behind many of the town's arts events, and tickets are sold over the counter here for the film society, music events and town fairs and festivals. Come here for a chat, a reel of local knowledge and a book you've never heard of but will love - you won't be disappointed.

When I was little, we used to go and stay with our friends in Steyning and my most favourite treat…read moreof the whole holiday was to go to the Steyning bookshop and pick out a book for myself. ( And sometimes if we stayed long enough and I was extra lucky, to go back to get another!) The shop itself looks like a white fronted house and inside while the shop isn't that big, the kids section is wonderful. In the middle is a train with book racks over it and then the drivers compartment where you can sit and read books. There's pretty much every single childs book you could think of here all placed in this beautiful colourful room. Many a time I've found different books here, some that might not always be found in other more mainstream bookshops but the shop also stocks the more popular titles that people may be hunting for. The staff are really lovely and polite always up for a chat and the prices are reasonable, nothing expensive but no real bargains either. Then when you've finished you get to carry off your purchases in a lovely brown bag. This shop is really a character and worth a visit.

Colin Page's is a very cool bookshop in the Lanes, selling antiques as well as a couple of second…read morehand classics and the like. It's not that great for fiction, theatre or modern art books (9/10ths of my bookshelf), so I don't come here very often, but it's the sort of place I can imagine liking more as I age and the books I like start to grace its shelves. It's not young, it's certainly not hip or cool, but it is impressive to behold, and a great place to find hidden gems. What I have looked for, and enjoyed the selection of, is non-fiction here. There are a huge variety of old classics here, especially in the psychology section: all of the classics are here, and in ample quantities. I suppose this is the kind of shop to look for strange old books over looking for modern and exciting pieces, but since that really isn't me... I'd recommend it if it's you though.

This ia a bookshop above bookshops and certainly the kind of place you don't see so often these…read moredays. Don't expect trendy music, a in store coffee bar or the latest fiction or Jordan biography. What you can expect are shelves well stocked with leather bound tomes and grimoires covering most fiction and non fiction genres. I am a bit of a collector of random metaphysical texts and such like and can spend hours in here searching through the shelves for something out of the ordinary. Usually, anything I come across is in my price range also, which is always nice. The gentlemen running the store are also very nice and always patient to indulge a heavy browser like myself. Sadly, I rarely walk in here with a clear title I am hunting for, but I get the impression that if this was the case they would be very helpful in sourcing a copy for me. If you are more into your contemporary paperback, they also have a selection of reasonably priced title out the front of the store and I have picked up a few bargains here by sorting through the fruit boxes. If you are in the city and after a title, you would do well to keep this place in mind.

when you are traveling on a budget you learn to read magazines and ebooks. sadly, that means you…read moredon't buy books because they weigh alot and you could easily spend $100 bringing home $10 in paper. still, if you like book shops- and i do like book shops- then this little outlet is a good place to kill time. upsatirs they have a little cafe, and for a few pounds you can have a cute little pot of tea, some jam, clotted cream, and a scone.then you can just. just read. what a delight.

I visit this shop weekly. I buy my Lotto tickets here and sometimes a paper. There is an internet…read morecafe and photocopy machine. Its a bit cramp inside. The staff can be friendly but catch them on a busy day and they won't even look at you. It sells booze has well!

This is a good local convenience store, and also an internet cafe…read more Like most such places. the range of food isn't the most amazing, but you can pick up an emergency loaf of bread, can of soup or beans and the like,. useful if everything else is shut. At the back, there is a sizeable internet cafe with prices starting from 50p for 15 minutes.

If you can't be bothered walking across town to the main Paperchase, this small subsidiary of the…read morestationary and art supply store is tucked away on the first floor of Borders, between the Fiction department and Starbucks. There's a condensed selection of the giftware they sell in the East Street store - namely, candles, tea-cups, travel journals and recipe books - as well as a small selection of greetings cards and wrapping paper. The cards seem to have been chosen with a mainstream customer in mind so there's less camp and kitsch and more polka dots, kittens and golfers. Still, a good place to run in if you need a last minute card.

This little Paperchase store, cunningly situated in Borders, en route to the Starbucks, is a great…read moreone stop shop when you're in desperate need of inspiration for a gift idea. Well, actually gifts for girls mainly , if you'll pardon my sexism. You'll find decorative/cute/kitsch/flowery/pretty cards, stationary, diaries, stickers, decorations and random things like teas sets, sewing kits, glasses cases...

Savory Antiques and Books is yet another gem in the Fiveways crown, with a truly extensive stock…read more The pavement outside is a maze of packing cases brimful of paperbacks, and inside the shelves are well organised into sections, with a very good modern fiction section including an array of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, both the brilliant Donna Tartt book and the slight let-down, in several covers, a bit of Amy Tan and a proliferance of Vikram Seth. The classics are well represented also, and the non-fiction section worked out well for me. I'm not certain where the 'antiques' came in, unless it were the antiquarian books, of which there were many. The collector's items obviously go for a bit more, but your average paperback will be about £3, a hardback £4 or £5. It's a surprisingly light, airy bookshop that almost feels like it's not second hand - everything apart from the real antiques is clean and in excellent repair. There are no dogs or cats curled up in dusky corners, and that smell of dusty mildew is significantly absent. This was a disappointment to me, but probably an advantage to those of us without my unusual olfactory tastes. This would definitely be an excellent visit if you were looking for something specific or out of print, as the owners have a nigh-on encyclopaedic stock knowledge, not all of which is available to the browser's eye. A certain good bet for your day of Fiveways browsing.

There are so many second-hand books here that they have them in boxes outside on trestle tables,…read morepiled up on the floor, floor to ceiling inside and pretty much covering the counter. I have found so many brilliant books here- their fiction collection is incredible- the mother and daughter owners have impeccable taste and pick out a great mix of classics, future classics and fun reads. They have a great crime section, cookery section, children's section and, more unusually, they have excellent small drama, history, and political theory sections. The prices are great- paperbacks for a few pounds, hardback art books for five or less, some best-sellers on offer for a pound! Great for you and for gifts. They also buy secondhand books in good condition.

I have noticed this shop when I have been in the Southover Grange gardens before, but I had never…read moreventured in. I expected it to be small, but actually it expands down the length of the north wing of Southover Grange House. It is a shop/gallery which sells the work of the Sussex guild, a group of designers artists and craftspeople, whose members live and work in Sussex and the surrounding area. The various artists' and designers' work for sale includes pottery, jewellery, furniture and art. It ranges in price and style, from homey crockery painted with cartoon-y chickens, to elegantly painted silk clothing, to wooden furniture for upwards of two grand a piece. The guild also runs classes, such as how to make fused glass jewellery, or turn wooden bowls, or do quilting. To inquire about courses you can telephone or visit the shop.

This shop/gallery is inside the grange next to the tearooms. There are lots of beautiful arts and…read morecrafts in there. With everything from embroidered cards and pictures, to hats, bags, clothes, gorgeous jewellery, glasswork, workwork (the wooden bowls are amazing, but you do pay for their beauty!), paintings, furniture. A lot of it is a bit out of my price range i have to admit, but its very inspiring to look round and see what people have crafted out of various materials. Its the sort of place that leaves you wanting to go home and make something!