Scarthin Books in Derbyshire Dales

Possibly the best bookshop ever and I’ve been to lots! Quirky, eclectic, massive stock and excellent prices. A fab cafe and really nice staff - a must if you love good books and good food!

We visited today at lunchtime and there were just a couple of people there. Placed our order and paid, we were told that the food would be delivered to the table. My husband said the man cooking was very abrupt and stressed. The food was delivered without the man serving uttering a word, but we enjoyed it and finished. My husband, 'God Forbid' proceeded to approach the counter, wallet in hand and ordered a slice of the cake, which he had seen when we arrived. He returned to our table saying that Mr Grumpy serving was abrupt and he didn't feel he could ask if they had vegan cream! When the cake arrived, it was thrown on the table by Mr Grumpy who again didn't utter a word. Very odd considering we usually get comments such as 'Enjoy!' I said maybe they wanted us to take it away as they were getting busier, our £26 could have been spent elsewhere? As we left we could see other people approaching the counter to place orders, we hope they had a better reception than us! We will not return nor recommend. My advice would be if they don't enjoy dealing with people, then change their career choice!

Tried this cafe for the first time. Has a certain charm being quirky. Hubbie had ploughmans which was basically one type of cheese & a chunk of bread . Quite expensive & simple to make. I had a homity pie which was nicer but we won't be returning. Quite disappointing !

Scarthin Bookshop in Cromford, my home village, is something of a renowned local institution. It’s quant, quirky, quintessentially British and – in this age of online shopping – deservedly successful and well worth a visit. Don’t be fooled by the apparent higgledy-piggledy appearance of the interior – they know what they’re up to. Anyway, enough about the bookshop, let’s talk café. First thing to note is that there’s no meat. It’s a vegetarian cafe. It probably has vegan fare too, but being a confirmed carnivore, I’ve never investigated such esoteric cuisine. As I’m a local, I’ve visited many times. The food has always been good and the service generally, but not always, likewise. They seem to have different staff on duty every time I’ve been. I’m not sure what this says about the cafe, but it’s probably good for local teenage or student part time work opportunities. Sorry, I must stop digressing. My initial judgement of any café has always been the quality of their scones. (NB Scone rhymes with gone, don, bon and Ron; it does not rhyme with bone, moan or groan.) Anyway, their scones have always been pretty good – not the best around here, but still good. Their soup of the day with a cheese scone is a very agreeable light lunch, especially on a cold day. Scarthin’s homity Pie is another good option. The cakes, tray bakes and other sweet items are definitely worth the calories. Spacewise, it’s a bit cramped when it gets busy, but there are some outside seats – just keep turning corners and looking, you’ll find them. That reminds me, the whole shop is not wheelchair friendly. It’s not that the owners are unfriendly themselves, far from it, but the whole business is tightly crammed into several floors with lots of stairs and narrow gaps. They even have a bathroom, complete with an old bath. The last time I looked it had books in it.

Best bookshop, best cafe! Everybody is lovely and you won't want to leave! The loveliest environment where you feel very comfortable and welcome. Delicious food. Soup was amazing as were the cheese scones. Coming back soon!

I have been to Scarthin Books before but this was my first time in the cafe. So delighted by the range of GF cakes - I have never had so much choice! The lemon and almond cake I chose was very tasty and so filling I didn't need lunch. My pot of camomile tea was excellent too. My companion had a French press with Colombian coffee called something like Five Clouds, he said it was a bit harsh for his taste but he drank it all. He asked for a double-sized portion of hot milk on the side and that seemed to be no trouble. The person who served us was kind, efficient, and smiley. I was sorry we weren't there for lunch because the menu looked really good. And the bookshop is superb!

You have to visit this place. Packed to the rafters with books of every genre. Also boasts a vegan cafe.

Forget Amazon ! Forget Waterstones! This is the way to buy books, exploring nooks and crannies of shelf after shelf of titles, old and new. It's a browser's paradise with a particularly strong history and children's section. Not for the infirm, though - the steps can be a little tricky and the passages are narrow so I expect the experience can be tempered during busy times. I was particularly pleased to find 2 second-hand Lesley Glaister titles in hardback, signed by the author, for £7 each.

This is a bookshop that you could spend hours in just trying to find a specific book. It literally has books from floor to ceiling and anywhere a shelf or book could be balanced! There is a small cafe which you happen upon when walking through the shelving.

This is a bookshop, and one which would reward a browse. It is an Aladdins cave of old (and new). But we visited for the cafe: there is a small amount of outdoor seating. It is small but quirky and charming. The menu is not very big, but adequate. The presence of a cafe is poorly signed outside: it is there but we almost didnt see it

I had a great lunch here today. Delicious roasted cauliflower, coconut and lentil Dahl soup and a cheese scone. I can also say it was the most delicious latté I've had in a very long time. Amazing food in a lovely, quirky atmosphere. Thank you

Perfect bookshop in every way! Amazing stock, carefully organised, a great cafe and space to sit and chill with a book! Must visit!!

Just visited as we are on holiday in this area. Pea and mint soup is my favourite soup and it was delicious. Other half had potato and leek which he enjoyed. Cakes were both light in texture and full of flavour. Lovely friendly service by the two young women working there.

Wonderfully eclectic location, especially for booklovers. Nice to have really tasty home cooked soup in the garden. Perfect if you like something a little different from the norm.

One of my absolute favourite places to visit come rain or shine! A fantastic bookshop run by incredibly knowledgeable people. Lovely coffee shop too! Recommend all book lovers pay a visit!

Books, great food and lovely people. What is not to love! Ask the staff for recommendations and make sure you take some cake away with you.

Absolutely Outstanding, I went for a browse, I am very good with books, looked through all the books for the kids and the arts section and of course the outstanding cafe, they were so friendly especially the young man: Ruben

Lovely staff. Great ambience , Unique place , could of stayed for hours But the best bit. Was the CAKE. Best I have ever had. Delicious 😋

Fabulous book shop and reading room, not very friendly in the cafe, no smiles or friendliness as you would expect in the hospitality industry ...no gratuities this time , il try again on my next visit as the bookshop is fabulous and reception staff did smile downstairs!!!

What a lovely place to browse and buy books. Definitely not a Waterstones as it has such an eclectic and unique style. Nice to graze and sip as well

Popped in here after reading Tripadvisor reviews. What a fabulous place to while away a Sunday afternoon. We loved mooching in all the fabulous book rooms ...a little claustrophobic in places ....but loved being able to browse. A fantastic selection of new and used books. The cafe is small so we squeezed 4 of us into a small space. The veggie and vegan food was delicious. Homity pie was packed with flavour and superb pastry. The salads served with it were also excellent. 3 different soups all hearty and filling. Nice to chat with fellow diners. Cakes looked tempting but we didn’t have any room left after lunch.

We love a trip to Scarthin Books when staying in the area. Fabulous selection of both new and used books in a quirky building with views over the water. The cafe is cosy and their soups, specials and cakes are delicious. Easy to spend a whole morning pottering and snacking! Highly recommended.

What a lovely little cafe, hidden inside the equally charming bookshop. We popped into the cafe today for lunch and it was delicious. I had the vegan homity pie, which came with salad and coleslaw. I couldn't fault it. The other members of our group had vegetable soup with cheese scone or a bread roll, they also said the food was delicious. If we come back to the area, would definitely pop in again for a lovely meal. Thank you

One of the best quirky bookshops. Packed to the rafters, room after room of books. New and used. Can spend ages in there browsing around. Veggie/ vegan cafe in there too, tucked away upstairs amongst the books. We visited on a bank holiday Monday and food on offer wasn’t what was on the website and they seemed to be running out of things. The website said they have a vegan gluten free chickpea pie, which they didn’t have. There were no vegan cakes either. I had the vegan homity pie and side salad which was lovely and filling, my husband had to have soup as the gluten free pie wasn’t available. A very eco cafe with soft drinks in cans or glass bottles.

Looking for a cup of tea we noticed that this bookshop had a café. The bookshop itself is over many floors and absolutely crammed with books – you can easily lose track of time! Fortunately, the café provides a welcome respite with tables inside and out. It is a little cramped like the bookshop but tea is excellent with a good selection of cakes and healthy food. It is also popular with locals which is always a good sign.

If you like books then this is the place to spend an hour or two in Cromford, Secondhand as well as new books. The biggest problem we had was what to choose! Periodic book signings too although we missed these.

Magnificent bookshop set in lovely old HOME building.every type of book ranging from old classics to more modern. A browser's dream! Lovely little cafe inside,nestled amongst the volumes. Worth a visit even if you don't read!

I have visited the bookshop previously but hadn’t had the chance to sample anything from the cafe until just last week. As a meat eater I do enjoy the odd foray into the vegetarian side of food but have never sampled vegan cuisine. I’ve heard good things about the homity pie they do so was looking forward to trying one for myself. We visited as a family on a wet Tuesday quite lateish on in the day to find they only had one veggie homity pie left but a couple of vegan ones too. I drew what I thought may be the short straw and took the vegan one! I confess to be really surprised as there was no discernible difference between the two. As good as, if not the best, homity I’ve had! The generously sized warm garlicky pie came with a tasty side salad with some pulses and grains which was enhanced by a home made honey and mustard dressing. One of us had a warm cheese scone which looked and smelt delicious. There were a couple of wonderful looking cakes available but I was sadly too full to be able to tackle a big slice of the red velvet one - maybe next time.The cafe is a real little hidden gem most definitely worth a visit and as expected the bookshop itself is still fabulous!

On holiday in Cromford and had been told about this book shop. We spent ages in there. Floor after floor of every single book you can imagine. Amazing. Lovely cafe at the top too.

Perfect bookshop in every way! Amazing stick, carefully organised, a great cafe and space to sit and chill with a book! Must visit!!

I'm like a kid in a sweetshop when it comes to second-hand bookshops. This one came complete with a cat, a cafe full of delicious smells, and helpful staff.

Great little cafe to break the day you will easily spend in this superb bookshop! Lots of choice for drinks and all diets catered for, love this place for lunch!

There is nothing better than a good bookshop, except one that has extra quirkyness and character and Scarthin has that in plenty. We spent ages looking at books, in all the nooks and crannies and of course came away with a good selection of new and second hand books. We didint try the cafe as we'd not long eaten elsewhere. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

If you are a book lover, then this is the place for you. Ground floor + 2 other floors, stuffed from floor to ceiling with books on all manner of subjects.

This place is wonderful- a peerless collection of new and second hand books lovingly collated in a wonderful old building. The smell is wonderful- book readers will know what I mean! We ran out of time for the on sit café but wil visist next time.

I rang the bookshop the day before to ask if therapy dogs were allowed in the cafe. The answer was yes. The next day we entered the cafe which was quiet. Our greyhound was very well behaved. Another family came in and started stroking the dog. A lady approached me and said, you didn't tell me your dog was so big. She is not allowed food and drink in here. She is note allowed inside. Take her out now! " My poor husband whose soup had just arrived had to take the dog outside and sit at a grotty metal table outside and eat on his own! The dog helps me with my depression and anxiety. The way we were treated really upset me. You have just lost two customers!! I hope that other people with disabilities, physical or mental, will not be so unkindly treated in future. I am thinking ot contacting MIND to tell them of my bad experience so that other people with therapy dogs will hopefully be treated better in future. Anne Gange.

Great bookshop over two floors. Worth a look even if you don't end up buying a book. Well laid out. A bit of background music would be nice as it is too quiet!

Went in for a quick lunch today, and were the only people waiting for food. We waited about 25-30 minutes for them to heat up 4 bowls of soup.

Quirky is much over used word but is the best way to describe Scarthin Books. Packed from floor to ceiling (literally) with both old and new books. Also some good greeting cards and a few craft items. There is a small (very) cafe, which sells good coffee and great cakes. Also light lunches (Vegetarian, I think) Even the tables are quirky, one has a propeller for legs. You could spend hours browsing in there.

Have called in here a few times, the book shop is excellent and have bought a few books for presents. The cafe is ok but always seem to be low on gluten free items, otherwise not bad.

A wonderful place. Truly, a 'hidden gem'. The book shop and café are in a very interesting building overlooking the mill pond. Fabulous, home-cooked vegan food. Delicious. Vegan cakes too. Pretty good coffee (soya milk available of course)

A great place to visit on a rainy day, you could be there for hours. Three floors of books to browse. Didn't use the cafe. Dry dogs welcome too.

Everyone should go here at least once. Huge, quirky book shop. Get lost in there for hours. The coffee shop always have vegan and GF cakes as well as lots of others. Good coffee. Good vegan cake. Small , cosy, affordable Go!

We had a coffee and delicious apricot and cashew cake on arrival but were here so Long went for lunch too.. tomato and beetroot soup and split pea soup were both delicious as was the cheese scone. Recommended.

If you yearn for old bookshops like I do, you are in for a treat. Little winding, creaky stairs and loads and loads of books. I could spend hours in there

We found this fantastic book shop through a search on Happy Cow for vegan food. So pleased we checked it out. It’s brilliant. Wonderfully quirky book shop, with lots of little rooms, stairs and goodies to catch the eye. The cafe is really cute, and has vegan options, including cake!! Good cake! Highly recommend.

We love Scarthin's as a truly real bookshop piled high with reading interest. We usually visit the cafe too when we have guests. It's very small, but an advantage of this is the personal service. Locals enjoy the home-made food, and there is always something gluten-free and something vegan. If you have more than 3 people and it's a main meal, I would recommend booking, since the place fills up easily, especially at weekends. A must on any visit to Derbyshire !

Certainly didn't give myself enough time to browse all departments. A sweet little cafe upstairs, but you may need to pal up with others to fit in.

As if the maze of books spiraling up several floors weren't cute enough the hidden doorway revealing the cafe was brilliant. Vegan/Veggie delights, hearty soups Lots of tasty treats to be had along with a friendly welcome and a tempting mug of coffee.

Visited the cafe today ordered the homity pie which came with salad. Wonderful and tasty . the staff were very attentive throughout. Lots of people in the cafe with us and all had food . pity the cafe isn't bigger as people were coming to eat and drink and no seats available.

An amazing book shop tucked up a side street. Three floors of books to browse, enjoy a meal or coffee and cake. Perfect !

It is a fantastic book shop with a nice little cafe but the highlight for me was being able to sit in a comfy chair and look at prospective purchasers . I bought far more books because I was able to have a good look at them first! A lovely experience I will be back.

A great place to browse, with reasonable prices, and some very unusual stock. The owner is a real book enthusiast and very helpful.

Come and spend hours browsing the enormous second hand book selection and find wonders to buy. Have a coffee in the cafe too.

What a little gem. New, used and antiquarian books. Excellent customer service. I asked if they stocked a particular book and the young lady went straight to it and brought it to me.

When you need a rest from wandering the shelves of this wonderful bookshop, the cafe is a great place to refuel!

Un montón de libros, nuevos y seconhand. Puede encontrar una verdadera joya. Interesantes salón de té con bastante decente comida vegetariana.

Seriously the best bookshop in the world. And I've been in a few. You can lose yourself for hours between the stacks or have a lovely cuppa and an excellent meal in their vege cafe. I'm still not entirely convinced this place exists in the real world and I don't just travel to some wonderful parallel dimension through it's doors. Books... books everywhere... and tea.

Scarthin Books stock all manner of books to suit all tastes. The books are stacked on floor to ceiling shelves on the ground, first and second floors.When you need a break to consider what you may purchase, there is a small cafe upstairs serving coffee, tea and cakes.

This lovely book shop is how the best book shops used to be, but an increasingly endangered species since the advent of amazon and supermarkets churning out discounted best sellers. Set over three floors in a period building at the side of Cromford mill pond, it packs in an amazingly wide assortment of books. The books are all arranged in an enticing way, so that you can look at them and explore the shop's many rooms and topics. It has a mixture of new and vintage books, and staff who genuinely care and will talk to customers.The cafe is small and tucked away at the back, but like the bookshop is a little gem you'll be glad you found it. It serves a smallish range of foods, mainly catering to the tea and cake market, with a delicious range of home made cakes that usually includes vegan and gluten free options. Their range of hot and cold drinks is good, and we found something for everyone. They do serve some light lunches like soup, sandwiches, and a tasty homity pie, but these are only served for limited hours. Everything is vegetarian with a range of vegan options. But be punctual as even if you want drinks you must make sure to order by 5pm, as at 5.01 you'll be turned away!We've been a few times since moving to the area, and it is lovely to support a proper bookshop that isn't just a chain and has some personality, as well as lots of events and discussions. The kids love coming here, and we have always had lovely food and come away with some of their amazing books.

A little hidden gem ....... Well hidden in fact, at the top of Scarthin bookshop! What a delightful find - hundreds of books crammed into this building and you could easily spend hours here. We only had coffees but when next in Cromford will definitely be going back for a lunch. Friendly staff, reasonable prices and excellent bookshop.

Dying to visit since I moved to Cromford and dragged my friend who was visiting up. She decided to wander off to the music section (she's a music teacher) and I lost myself in the stacks and stacks of books that this shop has to offer. Amazed to see a lovely vegan selection in the cafe (as I am vegan) but didn't eat due to a large breakfast at home. The staff were friendly and my friend ended up buying a stack of books, even though she moaned at first at going. Easily a place you could lose a good few hours browsing the endless shelves of wonderful books. It seemed that time stood still and I cannot wait for a day off that I can lose myself once again.

I love this book shop with the added benefit of a fabulous little tearoom with a view over Cromford Mill pond with resident heron and wildlife. Run and owned by delightful and friendly folk people. If I lived locally I would be there every day! It has second hand and new books and the staff are very helpful and knowledgeable!

The Guardian a few years ago listed Scarthin Books as one of the 10 best bookshops on the planet and I wouldn't disagree. If you are a Terry Pratchett fan you will know what L space is and this bookshop is certainly built in it! How so many rooms and so many books (and a rather very good cafe) fit behind such a narrow shop frontage I will never know even though I've been a regular visitor for decades (its my local bookshop).

After a great visit to the nearby mills we walked into Cromford to complete the Arkwright experience! After looking at some charming shops we wanted some lunch and spotted the cafe at the Scarthin Bookshop. Superb and unusual food and drinks on offer, well presented and served at a very reasonable price and with this you get to look around what must be one of the best UK bookshops..HIGHLY recommended. You are guaranteed to find a book to buy!!

We've been coming to Scarthin Books for years and always leave with armfuls of books. We found the place by accident on a visit to Derbyshire years ago and now we've actually moved into the county we look for any opportunity to visit. I don't want to sing its praises too highly as I don't want the world to suddenly descend on the place. It is a real gem though!

An incredible book shop run and owned by incredible people. A wonderful way to while a way a few hours in a shop best described as 'higgedly piggedly' in a brilliant way. Visiting Scarthin makes me very happy and its existence makes the world a better place. Long may it reign!

Fabulous, quirky bookshop with a lovely cafe. Very relaxing to take a break here for a cup of tea or a light lunch.

After telling a friend from London to come and visit, we came for coffee's and cake but the soya milk "curdled", the waitress replaced the drinks but yet again it was "curdled", when I mentioned this she said that several people had complained about that recently!! We paid the bill and left disappointed.

Recommended by the lady guiding u round the Arkwright mill exhibition,there are 3 floors of books of fact,fiction,reference,romance,instruction,maps,manuals ,all dry! Excellent vegan cafe upstairs,staff friendly,helpful, a marvellous place,rounds off a visit to Cromford nicely,there are shops,pubs,restaurants,cafes here . A gem of a place,a must-visit destination

If you visit this popular bookshop you may wish to partake of refreshment, after a hour or more of perusing all manner of books covering every conceivable subject.If this is for you, find the staircase and go up, and up and up, until you reach the top floor. Here you will find small cafe which probably seats a dozen or so persons. Nice coffee, and homemade cake at reasonable prices...

A brilliant bookshop with lots of new and second hand books but also a wonderful little cafe selling vegetarian and vegan food. I am not a veggie but still greatly enjoyed the food.

I'm not sure if I'm reviewing a cafe or a book shop here but the combination works a treat. There is a magnificent selection of books, so much more than is stocked at your average WH Smith's and a great little coffee bar to sit and enjoy your purchases.

There is a second hand bookshop in Venice that claims to be the 'best in the world' - I was there recently and it isn't a patch on this amazing place. Millions of used books (and a fair few new ones) over many floors, all categorised and mostly in great condition and reasonably priced. Add to this a pretty building in a lovely location (next to a millpond) and a 'hidden' vegetarian restaurant/coffee shop and I'd say, with absolute confidence, that THIS IS THE BEST SECOND HAND BOOKSHOP IN THE WORLD.

Great book shop with just about every title of book imaginable. Relaxed atmosphere. Recommended tea rooms too.

I have never visited such a well stocked, well organised used (and some new) bookshop. There really is something for everyone in this shop. The staff were friendly and the cafe looked good (I didn't use it but it looked good). Huge music section (books and music) which particularly interested me.

Feed mind and body in one place. A fantastic indie bookshop and a vegan/veggie cafe hidden behind a false bookcase for a door (all very 'Scooby Doo' - I love if!). Any visit to Cromford is incomplete without lunch and a browse here. You can't get this sort of service on line! Treat yourself to a trip out to delightful Cromford instead.

In lovely surroundings, new and used books, helpful staff. Haven't been in the restaurant so can't comment on that. Super original bathroom if you need the loo!!

OUtstanding food, all vegetarian, freshly prepared. Seating is at a premium, so early or later lunch is more easily achieved. Well informed boards help you choose, but every part on those is excellent. Be patient, as each plate of food is prepared at the time of ordering. Several cakes are on offer, again for the vegetarian palate. Service is friendly and fine. The food may seem a little expensive, but the whole experience is delightful. Vintage and antique paper and ephemera surround the walls to add atmosphere. Some seating is in the orangery, some beyond that outside. The bookshop does spill over into this section with exceptional cooking and bakery books lying there to tempt you while you dine! A very lovely experience altogether. Oilets upstairs. Sadly, not wheelchair accessible. Children welcomed.

I love this place and anyone else who loves books will too! The whole shop is crammed with books - from floor to ceiling, up the stairs, in every nook and cranny it seems. It gives the sense of discovery of finding that special edition you have hoped to lay your hands on one day. Much of it is second hand, but there is also an excellent stock of new books. Upstairs is a lovely light room over looking the pond which is 'the art room' and the comfy chairs invite you to browse. Being vegetarian, I also love the cafe, which again is quirky with odd chairs and tables fitted into a small space, but that is Scarthin character. Everything about it is excellent in my opinion, I wish there were more places just like it!

This placeis a quaint book shop oozing with character ....reminiscent of a crooked house in a child's fairy tale , especially whilst negotiated the old staircase . I loved the selection of second hand books. They also sell new books and gifts . Small selection of fabulous pottery too . Cafe upstairs is fascinating as vines grow into the ceiling .....prices not dead cheap but nice if you are vegan or vegetarian .

Had a really lovely lunch here today with a friend. He recently turned vegan since when I've found it near impossible to book anywhere on our travels for us to eat, at least anywhere that would give him much choice!A great menu of fresh-tasting home-made (I'm sure) delights were in store for us. A friendly welcome from the staff, prompt taking of our order, lovely surroundings (we're both bibliophiles so this being situated on the upper floor of a lovely bookshop was even more perfect).I am a happy meat eater but was not disappointed in the vegetarian option I ate, it was delicious, filling and very reasonably priced. My only regret was being too full to try their delicious looking cakes. Tea served in a massive pot was also a bonus. We will certainly be back, for the food, the friendliness and the books!

I go to Scarthin Books because I love second hand bookshops. I'll admit it, I've never eaten there. However, I've got friends who have and say that the food is nice. I've had to give the place five stars , though, because I LOVE shopping for books there. Please don't judge the food based on my rating, judge the book shop. Narrow staircases? Check. Crowded with books? Check. Faint hint that you might find a portal to another world via L-space? Check. Look, I'm a booklover... I love this shop. If you're a book lover, you will love it to. Let me know if the food's any good!

Have been going there for years and years, not failed to find a book i must have.Food normally very good if you can get in

We called in here as we heard that they had vegan food - it was lovely and the staff were helpful and friendly, great place will be back x

Whenever I visit this wonderful tardis of a bookshop, I have to make sure that I have ample time to explore the various rooms and cubby holes over several floors where treasures are invariably hiding. They do have a selection of new books, but specialize in rare, specialty and antiquarian books. The vegetarian cafe looks delicious and I am looking forward to the experience soon. As a booklover, I can spend some considerable time here. It isn't always easy to locate things because the space doesn't allow and I am not sure how they fit all that they do in. However, they have an excellent database and online service, so if you are not in the area, you can still access their shelves. If you have books to sell, it's worth getting in touch because they do purchase.

New to the area, we looked on Happy Cow for a place that loved animals so much it served vegan food to human animals. Hooray, we found one and it had books. We were excited and made our way there, the book shop promising lots of delights. Bang! Our happiness hit a brick wall. While dogs were welcomed into the bookshop, they weren't allowed into the cafe, or even the cafe garden, which is what we had hoped for. So we had to sit outside on some tree stumps and listen to the huge trucks thundering along the road. And it began to rain. Then the food arrived. The lentil pie was quite tasty, but a salad made up of 95% iceberg is not a salad. For 17 pounds for two, this take-out was not cheap. I was ready to praise Scarthin to the heavens, but the experience was upsetting for me and my partner, and the dog didn't deserve to be banished to the pavement. I suggest making it clear on your website that dogs are not allowed in the cafe or cafe garden, as we would have gone somewhere else that welcomed all animals, canine and human. Oh, and perhaps you might consider rethinking the salad..

Great mixture of new and second hand books, in a maze of a building. Good model for Flourish & Blotts. Very helpful, and know their stock, as well as able to order.

The most amazing independent bookshop, awesome café and lovely views! Always worth a visit, on a great street too

Lovely place for a browse, Great tearoom too. Proper bookshop the way bookshops used to be. Climb the stairs and enter a wonderland.

Stopped off here after a day out as it looked quite an interesting place.....had the most amazing chips from a tiny chip shop....then decided to have a wander round....a lovely lady asked us if we were visiting then told us about Scarthin Book shop....we went to have a look....she wasn't wrong and this place was definitely worth a look round....so quirky....always get drawn to books and after being in the shop a couple of minutes I was drawn to a shelf where I found a 1st Edition of Island in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway....seeing as I have never read any of his work and after going to Havana Cuba last year and going to a bar he used to drink at....I had to buy the book....lovely endless rooms of books and a vegetarian cafe on the top floor....thankyou to the lady who told us about this place : )

Known, locally as the best book shop in the world, this quirky and brilliant establishment is not just a shop but a place to spend a lot of time. They even supply armchairs for you to sit and read in - and an excellent vegetarian café to refresh yourself in between reads!

This is a great vegetarian cafe which we always visit when we are in the area, even though my husband isn't vegetarian. All the food is freshly made and delicious. It's good to be able to also look round the thousands of 2nd hand books too and pick up a few bargains!

Interesting café with electic tables and pews which serves vegetarian food and the most delicious scones and teas and coffee. Try it, and afterwards you can spend an age trying to decide which of the thousands of books you would like to buy! Friendly

If you like books this is a MUST for you to come and see. Over 100,000 books of all shapes and sizes covering multiple rooms and 3 floors. It has books covering absolutely anything including stuff you never even knew existed. There is a healthy balance of new and second hand books on show that you can just so easily lose yourself in for a couple of hours. There's a lovely vegan cafe to relax in and a peaceful well presented art room. The kids room is also well laid out and inviting to encourage even the most resistant child to pick up a book and dive in. Gift vouchers are available which is great for a gift idea. Parking can sometimes be a problem but it lies just off the A6 and close to a bus route so where there's a will there's a way.

As I live nearby I've used the café on many occasions, usually with my wife and/or friends, generally combining it with a visit to the superb, quirky bookshop. Their food is vegetarian, but good anyway, even for carnivores like me. Much of the food is home produced and very tasty. There's a pleasant atmosphere + lots of books everywhere. Worth a visit if only for interests sake.

has thousands of new and secondhand books and very friendly staff. also has a cafe that sells Northern Tea from Chesterfield. A must if you are in the Cromford area. Never seen anything like it!

I can't say enough good things about this place. If you like books and/or home cooked vegetarian or vegan food you're in for a treat. People I've spoken to have traveled/walked miles specifically to visit this book shop. Children are welcome and the staff are really friendly and helpful. It's quite OK to just chill out on an easy chair and take your time here and there's so much to browse. I'm waiting for my chance to get a whole half day in there by myself.There are stairs to climb so if you're not good with those you'll not get beyond the ground floor.

Living in Brighton, my husband and I are lovers of the quirky and this bookshop certainly fits that bill. If your a booklover then seriously don't give this place a miss. Wish my niece could have seen the childrens' room! Brill!

This is a great book shop and could easily take up a whole day for a book lover to fully appreciate. There is an excellent café serving good quality vegetarian and vegan food at reasonable prices. Friendly and comfortable, no rush, no hassle! All this in a beautiful setting. Take a break and meander around Cromford, then back to the book shop for a second helping!