High Peak Bookstore & Cafe | A perfect haven for book lovers

Calling All Bookworms & Coffee Connoisseurs

Situated in the beautiful Peak District National Park, just outside Buxton, lies a haven for bookworms, coffee connoisseurs and those looking for a place of happiness and relaxation. This magical place is, of course, the one and only – High Peak Bookstore & Cafe! This enchanting bookstore isn’t just a place to buy books, it’s a happy place for locals and returning customers who make sure that a trip to High Peak Bookstore & Café is on their itinerary for every Peak District visit!

This lovely place has been owned by the same family for over 23 years. Owner Louisa, with her passionate, quirky and smiley personality, alongside her fun and attentive staff, have created an atmosphere at High Peak Bookstore & Café that is friendly, relaxing and comforting, regarded as a Peak District haven and hidden gem.

High Peak Book Store & Café is completely dog friendly too, so the whole family can unwind with a book in hand, and it also provides a great place to meet up with friends for a barista-made coffee or a delicious lunch.

This vibrant community hub also hosts regular events such as monthly quiz nights, a venue for the iconic Buxton Fringe Festival, and even hosts their very own Bookstock music events from late April to late May!

High Peak Bookstore & Café caters for everyone, including disabled visitors, with designated disabled parking and disabled toilets. But High Peak Bookstore’s toilets aren’t just functional – they boast a spectacular view – you’ll have to see it to believe it!

Open 7 Days a Week

Monday to Saturday – 9.30am – 5.30pm
Sunday 10.30am – 5.00pm
(Café closes 30 minutes before closing with last orders 30 minutes before cafe closes).

Bookworms – Be warned!!

Visitors are warned – you may well lose yourselves in High Peak Bookstore’s extensive collection of new and discounted books! With 5,000 square feet dedicated to books, books and more books, you’ll find an enormous selection of affordable fiction and non-fiction titles, many of which are less than half the retail price!

This impressive space has been thoughtfully designed to create little havens and sections to suit all genres. No matter your taste, High Peak Bookstore & Cafe has something for everyone. From adrenaline-pumping mystery novels to heart-wrenching romances and insightful biographies, their shelves are brimming with books to ignite your imagination. There are also reference books covering everything from Astronomy to Zoology, with a great choice of local interest books too, and wonderful novels from local authors whom High Peak Bookstore are passionate about supporting.

The dedicated children’s section has a magical woodland theme, creating the perfect place to spend time with your child on the snuggly seating whilst they choose a book that’s right for them, from pop-up books to enchanting classics or contemporary teenage reads. Your child will soon be hooked!

The friendly and knowledgeable staff are passionate about books and eager to help you find your next great read, so if there’s something you’re looking for, just ask and they will be more than happy to help.

High Peak Café – A Destination in Itself!

The café at High Peak Bookstore is a destination in itself!

Visitors can enjoy barista-made coffees, a wonderful range of loose-leaf teas, divine hot chocolates and a contemporary twist on the usual soft drinks. There’s also a menu bursting with delicious lunches, featuring homemade paninis, sandwiches, quiches and salads, with lots of emphasis on ‘’homemade’’ including their very own pesto, dressings and warming soups! Not to mention the most indulgent freshly home-baked cakes, cookies and scones!

High Peak Bookstore & Café are passionate about supporting independent local businesses, serving Dalton’s Dairy ice cream, Yorkshire Crisps, Peak Ales, Ashover Cider, Peak Feast bakes, Buxton Coffee Roasters coffee, Birdhouse Tea Company teas and Cottage Delight preserves and pickles, helping to create a menu that is both varied and seasonal, enticing visitors to return time and time again.

In addition to the main menu, be sure to check out the daily specials board and ask about any special dietary requirements, such as gluten-free options.

High Peak Bookstore’s Café is spacious and welcoming and has plenty of seating for you to lose yourself in a book whilst enjoying a cuppa, and on the sunnier days visitors can soak up the surrounding scenery from the outdoor seating, or take shade on the picnic benches beneath the trees.

Local Artisan Gifts

Continuing their passion for supporting local businesses, High Peak Bookstore & Café also stock a huge selection of greetings cards, gifts and jewellery, with a special Artisan Corner featuring an array of talented work.

As always, there’s something for everyone, from local greeting cards to quirky homewares, beautifully-scented candles, stylish jewellery and scarves, toys, games, seasonal items and so much more.

So if you are looking for that special gift for a friend, or perhaps fancy treating yourself to a little something special, then be sure to give the Artisan Corner a little peek!

Great Location

High Peak Bookstore & Café is conveniently located just off the A515, which runs through the heart of the Peak District National Park from Ashbourne to Buxton, passing close to several popular towns and villages en-route.

Just 10 minutes from the fabulous spa town of Buxton, and just 15 minutes from the popular market town of Bakewell, a detour to High Peak Bookstore & Cafe is well worth it. Even if you’re not a book lover, the atmosphere is addictive, the coffee is fantastic and the cake is divine!

Surrounded by lush green countryside, High Peak Bookstore & Café is only 5-10 minutes drive from popular villages such as Monyash and Longnor.

So, if you’re in the area, be sure to call in to see what all the fuss is about.
Trust us, you’ll love it!

2nd Chapter – Matlock

Not in the Buxton area? Don’t worry, for even more bookish adventures, why not visit their brand new sister store, 2nd Chapter in Matlock, where EVERY book is UNDER a FIVER!

Whilst they don’t have space for a café, visitors are welcome to bring a drink in from one of their neighbouring cafes, providing it has a lid, and enjoy the comfy seating while you choose your next read.

Matlock is in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park, and well worth a visit.

Open term time Wednesday to Saturday, 10am -5pm, and Sundays 11am-4pm, and open every day during school holidays.