Inside the magical 120-year-old Oundle book shop that has re-opened - with a TREE inside
A 120 year old book shop in Oundle has re-opened after a magical transformation – including a tree in the children’s section.
The 120-year-old Oundle Bookshop has been completely reimagined, with a new children’s bookshop at its heart designed to capture the magic of reading and help inspire a lifelong love of books.
Young visitors enter through an archway into an enchanted space, complete with a spectacular tree where children can sit and read beneath its branches, fairy lights and a night-sky ceiling.
And there is more magic hidden on the shelves. At any one time, five Golden Tickets will be tucked between the pages of books throughout the shop. Anyone who finds one can take it to the counter and “ask for the Bookman” to receive a special bookish surprise. They will then be invited to choose a book in which to hide a new Golden Ticket for the next reader to discover.
Owner and former English teacher Sam Draper said: “It has been a labour of love for everyone involved over the summer, and it is wonderful finally to throw open the doors and welcome people in.
“Owning a bookshop is the stuff of dreams for someone like me. I want Oundle Bookshop to have something for everyone, but there is something particularly special about introducing children to books. Those of us who love reading can often remember our first magical bookish memories, and I would love this shop to become part of those memories for generations of children to come.
“That is why we have created the tree, and why there will always be Golden Tickets waiting to be discovered between the pages of books. Find one and you become part of the secret: after claiming your surprise, you get to choose where the next Golden Ticket goes. We want there always to be a little bit of magic waiting for someone in the bookshop.
The transformation also includes a dedicated space for teenagers and young adults, alongside new fiction and non-fiction collections, classics and a showcase for local authors.
Oundle Bookshop will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, with extended openings in the run-up to Christmas.