June Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this June
News and events from Bristol Books this June
OUT NOW
The Coffin Path: Martin Rieser
“The Coffin Path is a book of poems and photographs that surge and pulse with life. Exquisitely crafted, the poems are tender, unflinching, great swirls of language that transport me into the magical lands of West Penwith, Cornwall. I felt my spirit swell when reading this book.” – Ayson Hallett
The poems in this volume, by poet and visual artist Martin Rieser, were mostly written about a remote valley to the far west of Cornwall, in the area of West Penwith. The poet meditates a landscape scarred by past industry and changing habitat, where the layers of history and geology are randomly strewn across its rugged topography and mortality is embodied in the megaliths, walls and rocks of its ancient landscape.
Available now: £10
Somerset Churches book crowdfunder
Bristol Books have partnered with Emlyn Mathias (University of Withywood) to produce a prototype of the Somerset Churches book by the late historian Anton Bantock MBE.
The book is a fascinating portrait of Somerset’s finest village churches, featuring over 200 of Anton’s superb line drawings and watercolours, created on visiting each village. Anton had a lifelong interest in unearthing the treasures in these churches and churchyards. This book celebrates these jewels that have dominated Somerset villages for centuries.
Find out how you can support this campaign to publish the book:
Two new Bristol indie bookshops
Bristol’s independent bookshop scene is booming with the opening of two new exciting bookshops in one month. Both are stockists of Bristol Books titles:
Shambles Bookshop (St Nicholas Market) opened in May by book-loving husband and wife team, Laurence and Anna Tuck. This beautiful little bookshop has a particular emphasis on supporting Bristol authors and independent publishers.
The BookCellar (Stokes Croft) is the new independent bookshop and reading room built around the pleasure of a good book and a good glass. Pairing thoughtfully curated books with locally-sourced wine and coffee, the BookCellar has dedicated rooms for book groups, author events, and literary evenings.
Independent Bookshop Week: Saturday 13 – Saturday 20 June
Celebrate Bristol's vibrant indie bookshop scene this Independent Bookshop Week and support one of Bristol’s amazing bookshops. Top-rated local spots including Heron Books, Bookhaus, Max Minerva’s, Gloucester Road Books and Storysmiths will be hosting special author events and exclusive book releases during this week.
PICTURE THIS… The Somerset ship and emigration to Canada
The Somerset was a ship operated by the Great Western Steamship Company based in Bristol in the 1870s and 1880s. Built in 1875, the Somerset was involved in the passage of many children out to Canada and America from the industrial schools of Bristol.
Image from Bristol's Pauper Children by Shirley Hodgson, the story of Victorian education in Bristol and emigration to Canada.
May Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this May
News and events from Bristol Books this May
20% OFF BRISTOL IDEAS BOOK OF WALKS
Bristol Walk Fest Offer
To celebrate the Bristol Walk Fest (1-31 May) we are offering a special 20% discount off the Bristol Ideas Book of Walks with the code WALKFEST20 (valid until May 31, 2026).
Follow in the footsteps of the Romantic poets and Brunel. Learn about Bristol’s council housing, commerce and public life. Discover the myths people tell about the city. Experience arts, music history and nature. And see how different the city might have looked if some projects had gone ahead. This book brings together a series of walks created and commissioned by Bristol Ideas.
Praise for Bristol & District Cricket Association book in The Cricketer magazine
As the cricket season gets underway we’re pleased to see that our History of the Bristol & District Cricket Association book has been praised in the world's oldest cricket magazine, The Cricketer.
The book charts the BDCA through from its formation to the inception of league cricket in 1973. In “this tidily-produced work… famous names share pages with local stalwarts”, says Richard Hobson, who gave the book a 4/5 star rating.
Festival of Nature Film Premiere
“The Buzzard Man of Belmont”
Tues 9th June, 6.30pm – 8:30pm
Belmont Estate, Watercress Farm
Join us for the first viewing of Pete Brownlee’s film, ‘Robin Prytherch – The Buzzard Man’ at the regenerative Belmont Estate as part of Festival of Nature.
The film celebrates Robin Prytherch’s lifelong devotion to buzzards. For over four decades, Robin ventured into the Gordano Valley woods to study these remarkable birds. A respected member of the BBC Natural History Unit and a gifted bird artist, he was known for sending friends his own hand‑designed Christmas cards, each featuring one or more of “his” buzzards. These artworks appear in Lyndon Roberts’ book, which will be available at the event alongside a display of Robin’s sketches and beautifully detailed field notebooks.
Why we don’t publish Generative-AI books
At Bristol Books our purpose is to publish books of real value and invest in genuine and original content. As a community-interest-company we exist to share knowledge, stories and perspectives about the people, history and culture of our community.
Our policy is to publish original work from authors, contributors and illustrators that hasn’t been created by Generative-AI (including text and images). Although we do accept the use of AI tools for the purposes of conducting preliminary research, brainstorming, copy editing and for editing and enhancing images, we don’t believe in publishing Generative-AI books. The key difference is between using AI as an assistive tool versus using AI as a generative tool. Read more about our policy on AI in publishing here.
PICTURE THIS… Ashley Hill in the early 1920s
Looking towards Old Ashley Hill, Bristol (branching left further up). The row of shops on the left includes a bakery and a grocer’s, either side of the junction with Lower Cheltenham Place. There’s a newsagent’s on the right. All these shops have since gone. (Photo: Bristol Archives 43207/9/21/84).
Image from Saints, Crooks and Slavers by Peter Cullimore, the history of a Bristol house and its people.
April Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this April
News and events from Bristol Books this April
BACK IN STOCK:
The Matthew of Bristol
We have a limited number of copies The Matthew of Bristol back in stock. This is the story of the modern Matthew – one of the most iconic symbols of Bristol’s age of discovery, and of its trading and seafaring heritage. She’s a faithful representation of the ship used by John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497.
This is her story – who had the idea to build her? How was she designed and built? What was it like to sail the North Atlantic in a tiny wooden ship and what does she do now? These and many more questions are answered in The Matthew of Bristol.
Welcome Bristol’s smallest bookshop
Bristol Books are excited to be stocked in Bristol’s newest and smallest bookshop. Very Small Bookshop has opened in one of the shipping containers in Willway Yard, Bedminster and is a great addition to Bristol's book-loving community. Owner, Leah has created a welcoming and attractive space offering a carefully curated selection of books.
Very Small Bookshop is open 11am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday. Address: Container 1, Willway Yard, Willway Street.
1 in 14 adults in England have never learnt to read at school
Read Easy North Somerset provides free, confidential, one-to-one coaching from trained volunteers for adults who struggle with reading.
As a community interest book publisher we’re proud to support Read Easy North Somerset and appreciate the huge value, education and enrichment books offer in our community. Our donation this year will cover the costs of providing coaching for a reader throughout all the stages of the Turning Pages programme.
Author talk: Clive Burlton
Bristol's Lost City
Weds 8th April, 7.30pm
Blagdon Local History Society
Venue: High St, Blagdon, Bristol BS40 7TA
£4 entry fee for guests
Looking for publishing advice?
Bristol Books have published a handy guide for local authors and writers looking to get their work published or considering self-publishing. Find out the key things to consider when contacting a publisher; advice on how to create your author brand and learn more about the differences between traditional publishing versus self-publishing.
March Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this March
News and events from Bristol Books this March
PRE-ORDER NOW:
20% off our best-selling book!
Our best-selling book has just been reprinted and will soon be back in stock. To celebrate the relaunch of this book we are offering a special 20% discount on this book with the code 45BRIDGES*.
Each one of Bristol’s bridges has a fascinating story which is woven intimately into the 1,000-year history of the city. Why was it built? What was involved in its design, engineering and construction? What dramatic events sometimes swirled around and perhaps on it? In this book Jeff Lucas tells the story of each of the 45 bridges which span the main waterways of Bristol between Avonmouth and St Anne’s.
*Discount valid until Apr 30, 2026.
Festival of Stories @ Sparks Bristol, Saturday 7th March
Bristol Books will be attending the Festival of Stories, at SPARKS, Bristol on 7th March, 11am-6pm. The Festival of Stories is a free event dedicated to showcasing the storytelling that thrives within our local communities.
As well as having our book stand we will be offering advice to anyone interested in finding out more about publishing or self-publishing in Bristol. Come and see us, we’d love to chat!
Celebrate World Book Day, Thursday 5th March
This month we celebrate the books, authors and stories we love on World Book Day, Thursday 5th March. World Book Day aims to inspire every child to enjoy the amazing benefits of reading for pleasure. Go visit your local bookshop and celebrate the joy of reading!
Author talk: Clive Burlton
Trenches to Trams
Fri 13th March, 7pm
Banwell Society of Archaeology and Local History
Venue: Banwell Youth and Community Centre, West Street, Banwell, BS29 6DB
Doors open 7pm, talk at 7.30pm, £3 entry for guests
Author talk: Clive Burlton
The life and times of Harry Dolman
Weds 18th March, 7pm
Congresbury History Group
Venue: Methodist Hall, High Street, Congresbury
Doors open 7pm, talk at 7.30pm, £3 entry for guests
Storysmith shortlisted for Independent Bookshop of the Year award
Congratulations to Storysmith books on North Street, Bedminster who have been shortlisted as a finalist in the South West Independent Bookshop of the Year awards category. Winners will be announced at The British Book Awards 2026 on Monday 11th May. You can see the full list of finalists here:
PICTURE THIS: Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton, perform at Bristol Corn Exchange
Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton of British rock supergroup Cream perform at the Corn Exchange, 18th April 1967.
This gig came just a month before they departed for the US to record Disraeli Gears. By this time they were already performing their best-known song, Sunshine of Your Love, prior to its official release in November. Their first recorded Bristol show was at the Anson Rooms in October 1966, shortly after releasing their debut album Fresh Cream.
Read more about the gigs you’ll wish you’d seen in The West's Greatest Rock Shows 1963-1978.
February Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this February
News and events from Bristol Books this February
Bookshop Q&A: Heron Books, Clifton
We speak to Lizzie Moss, owner of Heron Books in Clifton, to find out more about what it’s like to run an independent bookshop and discover her inspiration for starting the business.
Festival of Stories @ Sparks Bristol, 7th March
Come and see Bristol Books at the Festival of Stories, at Sparks, Bristol on 7th March, 11am-6pm. As well as having our book stand we will also be offering advice to any authors interested in finding out more about publishing or self-publishing.
Luke Jerram’s Helios back in Bristol
Luke Jerram's sun artwork 'Helios' has been installed in Jubilee Pool, Knowle, as a fundraiser to support the community led swimming pool. Open for the public to swim beneath, or spectate, until Sunday 8 February. You can see more of Luke's stunning artwork in his book Of Earth and Sky, published by Bristol Books.
Goodbye to Stanfords, Bristol…
Bristol Books are sad to say goodbye to Stanfords bookshop on Corn Street, having closed after nearly 30 years in business. Since opening in 1997 Stanfords was a go-to destination to find maps, guides and travel expertise in Bristol, as well as a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books including titles from Bristol Books. Stanfords will surely be missed.
Books in focus: Fears, the 180 year-old Bristol watchmaker
The Fears story began in 1846, in Bristol, when a talented young watchmaker named Edwin Fear established a workshop and showroom on Redcliff Street. In 2016, as Edwin Fear's great-great-great-grandson, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill re-established the family company to once again hand build exceptional watches in the UK. Discover the full story of Fears in Elegantly Understated (published by Bristol Books) a lavishly produced hardback featuring over 140 images, illustrations, maps and archive photography. Meticulously researched and beautifully written by Jane Duffus.
Bristol Teen Book Award 2026: Local schools invited to attend award ceremony
Local schools are being invited to the Bristol Teen Book Award 2026, with six books having been shortlisted. The Award, run by volunteer school librarians as part of the School Library Association West of England Branch, recognises excellent literature for teenagers, with a focus on diversity, representation, and books that reflect a wide range of experiences. The winning title will be chosen entirely by student vote, and voting is open until Saturday 7th February 2026.
Picture This: Harry Dolman’s Flying Flea
Harry Dolman’s Flying Flea, ‘Blue Finch’ (above). Harry (second from right) after a narrow escape having flipped his Flying Flea during test flight. This image is taken from Harry Dolman: The Millionaire Inventor Who Became “Mr Bristol City”.