As a night out on the town is becoming an unaffordable luxury for many, staying in with a good book and a takeaway sounds ever-more appealing.

Recent statistics have shown that independent bookshops are on the rise which is good news for bookworms who enjoy browsing the shelves for a hidden literary gem.

But where can you find a decent independent bookshop here in Kent?

One shop many people now have on their radar is Book Bodega in Thanet. This week the Ramsgate shop made national headlines after its customers rallied round to save it from closure after a desperate social media plea. You can see the full story here.

However, there are plenty of other places nearby where you can pick up a good read across the county.

Here are six of our top picks…

Baggins Book Bazaar, Rochester

If you have ever driven through Rochester or travelled through on the train, it’s likely you will have spotted Baggins Book Bazaar. With the words ‘England’s largest rare and secondhand bookshop’ painted vividly above the door and large windows lined with books visible from the train station platform, it’s hard to miss. The shop, first opened in 1986, is bursting with pre-loved books, rare collectibles and family favourites. It’s never empty, and the rows upon rows of books include hardbacks, paperbacks, fiction and nonfiction - a bookworm’s dream.

The shop also takes secondhand book donations, although their website does mention that they are often inundated with offers. However, if you’re looking for somewhere to offload some of the books you no longer read, this could be the perfect place to do so.

Details: 19 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY. Open daily from 10am to 5.45pm.

The Chaucer Bookshop, Canterbury

Just a few minutes’ walk from Canterbury Cathedral, housed inside a historic 18th century building, is the city’s Chaucer Bookshop. Aptly named after the Canterbury Tales author, this traditional-looking shop gives visitors a chance to browse more than 20,000 books over two floors, with just about everything from new titles to secondhand and antiquarian books. And, as is often the way with shops in Canterbury, there’s also something for the tourists with a selection of original prints and maps for sale.

If you can’t make it down there in person, the Chaucer Bookshop also has a website where you can order books. However, only about a third of their books are actually listed online, so you’ll need to pay the shop a visit if you want to browse the full collection.

Details: 6-7 Beer Cart Lane, Canterbury CT1 2NY. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

Halls Bookshop, Tunbridge Wells

This spot is not only one of the biggest independent bookshops in the county, but it’s also one of the oldest on our list. Halls Bookshop has been in Tunbridge Wells since 1898 and has been selling secondhand books to Kent readers for more than 120 years. In more recent years, Halls has incorporated former Kensington shop Adrian Harrington Rare Books, which can be found on the first floor and specialises in modern first editions, leather bound sets, and James Bond collections.

It’s more than just a shop, it’s a destination for those who are literary experts - or at least aspiring experts. The staff are up to scratch on a number of specialist services, including bookbinding, restoration, book covering and book buying, and are happy to chat to customers about these unique offerings, as well as their large library of books.

Details: 20-22 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1YQ. Open Thursday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm.

The Margate Bookshop

This eye-catching shop, with its vibrant blue exterior and outdoor seating, looks like it has been plucked straight from a quaint English village. It is, however, just a short walk from the Kent coast and Margate’s Old Town. The shop is a fairly new addition to the town, only opening in 2019, but has settled into the Market Square nicely, with a welcoming feel for visitors and tourists alike. While it does stock plenty of general interest books, you will also find more niche genres here, and a good selection of books by local authors.

The shop serves tea and coffee, which you can enjoy while sitting at an outdoor table on the square, and puts on a number of events, including a monthly book club, poetry readings and book launches. There is even a Writers Room upstairs that can be used to study, meet or write your own novel that could one day be stocked on the shelves downstairs.

Details: 2 Market Place, Margate CT9 1ER. Open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Sevenoaks Bookshop

If you’re looking for a busy, bustling bookshop where there’s always something going on, the Sevenoaks Bookshop is the place to be. The shop, which is run by a small group of dedicated bookworms, has always got something in the pipeline, whether it’s an evening with big names such as Robert Harris and Hugh Bonneville or regular book clubs with the authors. The bookshop is also part of the Sevenoaks Literary Festival, which takes place in September and October.

Some people prefer to buy their books online, in which case the Sevenoaks Bookshop has a full online store for customers to use. The online shop is fully stocked, and books can also be ordered specially online. If you do decide to visit in person, however, make sure you visit the Writer’s Cafe where you can tuck into a slice of homemade cake as you get started on your new book.

Details: 147 High Street, Sevenoaks TN13 1XJ. Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, and Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Tales on Market St, Faversham

Faversham is known for its independent retailers, and has always had a healthy dose of bookshops lining its historic streets. Tales on Market St is a fairly recent addition, and was opened by local business owner Rachel Thapa-Chhetri in 2021 to give the town a fresh, bright and contemporary bookshop, in contrast to Kent’s many traditional-looking secondhand stores. This modern shop stocks the latest bestsellers, as well as genre books, including art and design, philosophy and children’s books, and a small range of gifts and cards.

The shop has hosted events in the past, including talks from artists and authors and half term workshops. However, even if there’s nothing happening when you visit, you will still find yourself in the heart of the market town with a charming selection of cafes, pubs and more independent shops right outside.

Details: 1-2 Market Street, Faversham ME13 7AH. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, excluding Wednesdays when the shop opens at 11am and closes at 4pm.