New Lucius Books Shop Opens in York as City’s Independent Book Scene Booms
Find out more about the opening as well as our favourite independent York book shops
York has always been a city that suits bookshops and if you love books, the York book scene is having a bit of a moment right now.
That’s because today marks a big addition to this growing book scene, as Lucius Books has officially opened its new shop on Micklegate, transforming the former Ken Spelman premises into what already feels like one of the most fascinating bookshops in the city.
What makes the new Lucius Books opening particularly exciting is that this isn’t just a normal bookshop opening — it’s the arrival of a business that already has an international reputation in the rare books world, now taking over one of York’s most iconic former bookselling spaces on Micklegate.
Lucius specialises in the kind of books most people only ever see locked away in collectors’ cabinets or behind glass at auctions — rare first editions, signed copies, illustrated books, manuscripts and collectible modern literature. Their stock ranges from Ian Fleming and Tolkien through to crime fiction, children’s classics, original artwork and beautifully produced illustrated editions.
And the new York shop feels perfectly placed for that sort of business. It sits inside the former Ken Spelman premises at 70 Micklegate — a building with a long bookselling history in its own right — and gives Lucius a proper physical home right in the centre of one of York’s most architecturally beautiful streets.
The business itself actually started relatively modestly, growing from a part-time rare books venture into a globally recognised specialist bookseller over the years. Now they’re members of major antiquarian bookselling organisations including the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, which is essentially the rare book world’s version of being taken seriously at the highest level.
What I particularly like is that despite dealing in valuable and collectible books, the shop still sounds approachable rather than intimidating. Yes, there are signed first editions worth serious money, but there’s also that atmosphere proper book lovers enjoy — shelves packed with discoveries, unexpected finds, beautiful covers, and the sense that you might stumble across something special you didn’t even know you were looking for.
And honestly, Micklegate feels like exactly the right street for it. Over the last few years it’s slowly become one of the most interesting independent stretches in York again — full of creative businesses, food spots, bars and specialist shops - there is even a florist opening soon, and Lucius adds another layer to that. It also strengthens York’s growing reputation as one of the best independent book cities in the country.
And honestly, it feels like the city is building a proper ecosystem around books right now.
York Independent Book Scene
Within just a short period of time, York has seen several major additions to its independent book scene. Alongside Lucius, there’s also the hugely anticipated new Topping & Company Booksellers venture on the corner of Museum Street and Lendal, in that stunning building with views towards the Minster, plus the wonderfully eccentric Poetry Pharmacy, which mixes books with wellbeing, poetry prescriptions and bottles filled with poems for every possible mood or occasion.
But what makes York special isn’t just the new arrivals. It’s the fact that they’re joining a city that already had a brilliant independent book culture in place.
Take Minster Gate Bookshop, for example, sitting right in the heart of what was once the centre of York’s medieval book trade. It’s one of those classic York shops where every shelf feels packed with discoveries, specialising in second-hand and antiquarian books across multiple floors. Then there’s Criminally Good Books on Colliergate, dedicated entirely to crime fiction, thrillers and mysteries, and run by people who clearly know the genre inside out.
If you prefer contemporary fiction and beautifully curated modern reads, York’s got plenty of that too. The Little Apple Bookshop in High Petergate has built a loyal following thanks to carefully chosen titles for both adults and children, while The Little Blue Bookshop in Bootham has become a favourite with families thanks to its strong children’s selection and genuinely welcoming atmosphere.
And then there are the more specialist spaces that make York’s book scene feel so varied. Janette Ray Booksellers on Bootham focuses heavily on art and architecture books, packed into a beautiful historic building, while The Portal Bookshop leans fully into spirituality, tarot, folklore and alternative interests.
York also still has the kind of second-hand bookshops that people spend ages rummaging through hoping to accidentally discover something brilliant. Bootham Books, Books by Mail, and Oxfam Books all add to that treasure-hunt atmosphere that proper book lovers tend to enjoy more than buying online in thirty seconds flat.
What I really like about all this is that none of these shops feel interchangeable.
Each one has its own personality, its own specialism, its own atmosphere and loyal audience. Some are polished and beautifully curated, some are gloriously chaotic, some feel academic, others cosy, gothic, quirky or quietly obsessive. That’s exactly what independent bookshops should be.
And together they make York feel like a city where books still matter.
You can easily imagine spending an entire day here doing nothing but wandering between them. Starting on Micklegate at Lucius, drifting through the city centre, disappearing into Minster Gate Bookshop for far longer than planned, popping into Little Apple for “just a quick look”, leaving with three books you absolutely didn’t intend to buy, then finishing with coffee somewhere nearby while carrying a bag that’s suddenly much heavier than when you arrived.
Honestly, there are far worse ways to spend a day in York.
If you’re in town, pop in to any of them for a browse and if you need a place to stay during your book shopping visit then just go to our website - just visit www.houseofyork.org and book:
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