A bibliophile’s dream in a beautiful city

Regular readers of The Feminist Gadabout will know that in recent years I’ve had a bit of a conversion to digital books. They feel easier, and function better as a tool to drag myself away from social media. And yet, I still can’t resist the romance of a proper bookshop. I almost appreciate them more in a way – removed from the pressing need to buy books to fill my shelves which I once felt, I’m now drawn to the ‘experience’ of bookshops, more than seeing them as fulfilling a practical need. I can go into a shop knowing that I might pick up one or two books, if there’s something I really like, but I don’t need to. I’ve essentially managed to overcome the compulsion to buy something just because I can.

Topping & Co (or simply Toppings, per their Instagram) is pretty much the ideal bookshop for this new frame of mind. Set in a beautiful former Quaker meeting house, just round the corner from Bath Abbey, it is literally the stuff of booklovers’ dreams. Gorgeous shelf ladders, carefully curated displays, and a really friendly atmosphere, coupled with a quirky building and fabulous views. There’s a wonderful gallery/walkway, and a huge basement, so the whole place is surprisingly big. We visited just after Christmas, which only added to its charm.

The shop also hosts a great variety of events, which I’d definitely be a regular at if I lived closer (!). My luggage allowance for the flight home prevented me from making any purchases on this occasion, but there was plenty to catch my eye.

At the time of our visit I was actually in the middle of reading ‘The Secret History’ (which I’ll probably try to write a The Reading List post about at some point), and ‘Anatomy’ is definitely on my TBR list. You can read my review of Normal People over here.

There are fun, quirky architectural features like these two cupola skylights. Not my greatest photo, but you get a sense of how the space is filled with light from these two wonderful sets of skylights. Bookshops can sometimes have the tendency to be dim and gloomy, albeit in a cosy way, so it’s quite refreshing to find somewhere so filled with natural light.

I couldn’t resist some photos of and through the windows too, capturing the beautiful reflections that the winter light gave, and the fantastic views up to the Abbey.

Whether you’re visiting Bath, or a local, I highly recommend checking out Toppings for all your bibliophilic needs. The charming atmosphere, friendly staff, and truly picturesque setting will satisfy even the most ardent booklover.

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Where is your favourite bookshop? Other notable bookshops I’ve frequented over the years are of course Blackwells in Oxford and Heffers in Cambridge, and more recently the famous Barter Books (review likely coming soon). Do you take a pragmatic approach to book buying, seeking out the best bargains or greatest convenience, or do you like to romanticise the experience – the act of buying itself becoming part of the hobby? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please do share in a comment below. Thank you very much for reading, and happy book buying!