An Independent Bookshop in Wakefield Worth Slowing Down For

Thanks to a recommendation from one of my best friends, now considered an even better friend, I have another of Wakefield’s hidden gems in my life: independent bookshop Books on The Lane in Walton.

It all started on Saturday 8th November 2025. I am not sure that precision is especially warranted but seeing as I had the info to hand, here we are. As friends go, I am not especially decisive about plans, thankfully this friend of mine is. With a date agreed, the rest, for me at least, was easy. She said: “I would like to go to this bookshop in Walton… called Books on The Lane… and the new Inn has a little market on a Saturday morning 9am - 11:30am I think… if you fancy it?”. I said “yes”. (Who says no to that, really?) 

The plan in reality pivoted slightly because we also threw in a coffee at Buttons too. Considering people always tell me to be more flexible with plans, I think this is a good example!

Anyway, I wanted to write about Books on The Lane, because since that recommendation and first visit, I’ve been there again, and not only is it genuinely one of my favourite places, it’s also an independent, local business. That latter part matters most for me. Without getting too bogged down in it; Wakefield’s reputation isn’t the best, it’s overshadowed (unfairly in my opinion) by Leeds and sure, parts of it aren’t picture perfect. BUT, some parts are brilliant and if we want these little gems to be here for the long term, and for other similarly lovely places to move in, then we need to support them now. Use it or lose it.

Curated over crowded, this little independent bookshop is for made for lingering

Books on The Lane in Walton, is one such gem. This cosy, independent bookshop packs hundreds of titles, including children’s books, poetry, the classics, nature writing and volumes on food, drink, travel, gardening and more, all into the tiny footprint of a former joiner’s workshop.

Painted in cream and navy blue, tucked in a cottage garden setting, to describe Books on The Lane as pretty is something of a gross understatement. Picturesque is definitely fitting. And the promise that exterior makes of even lovelier things inside only grows with anticipation as you crunch across the gravel to the front door. Needless to say, the interior does not disappoint. Met as I have been in the winter months by a roaring wood burning stove, a joyfully colourful collection of children's books and a warm welcome, it is the embodiment of calm and cosy.

Definitely curated over crowded, and with a notable focus not only on good books, in respect to written content but also pleasing books, in respect to book covers, it’s the perfect place to find new literary treasures.

Choosing where to spend our time is choosing the places we’d like to exist.

My delight in Books on The Lane goes a little deeper than the fact it’s pretty and full of nice things though. Independent bookshops matter. In a fast paced world, I think bookshops like this one, are ideal places to take a beat, slow down and linger. Digital stays at the door, sparing us from yet more endless screen time and dreaded doom scrolling and for just a little while, we’re back in the realm of experience, right down to the handwritten receipt!

On a more practical level, it draws more people into our local area and makes it shine! Walton and by extension Wakefield become a destination because of local gems like this one. And specifically in the case of Books on The Lane, investing in a good book here goes so much further than just supporting their business. Thanks to all their charitable initiatives, it spreads this joy and generosity even further. Finally, and much like my discovery of Books on The Lane, there is a small joy in discovering something not through a Google search but through local knowledge instead. Taking the time to visit, linger and indulge in independent businesses like this one is important for our local areas too; choosing where we spend our time is choosing what kind of places we want to exist.

A George Orwell, Seicho Matsumoto & Jill Barklem later…

And now down to the nitty gritty. Did I put my money where my mouth is? Short answer, absolutely. On my first visit pre-Christmas I picked up some irresistible Christmas gift tags by Soch & Co, as well as a copy of “Poppies Babies” from Jill Barklem’s Brambly Hedge collection. The latter was a gift to one of my friend’s children of the same name. One day, I hope to tell her what a lovely place I bought it from but at the age of two years old, I am not sure she’s at the age of appreciation for slow travel and beautiful bookshops - yet.

My second visit saw me leave with a copy of George Orwell’s Animal Farm for Jake’s reading pile and Seicho Matsumoto’s Tokyo Express for my own. With a trip to Japan planned for later in the year, this seemed like a good choice and when I paid for it, the lady assured me it was! Apparently I was far from being the first person to leave Books on The Lane with that particular novel.

If you’re looking for the perfect start to a slow weekend, then I’d recommend wholeheartedly, a visit to Books on The Lane, which you’ll find on Oakenshaw Lane, just under the bridge in Walton, not far from The New Inn. Open from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays, I’d suggest getting there early, so you can leave with a good read tucked under your arm and head to one of the nearby coffee shops (Buttons or Whisk) to read it!

What’s the hidden gem where you live? Another independent bookshop, a cosy coffee spot, or a place you only find because if you know, you know?