Treasure hunters: Surrey revealed as Britain’s rare book capital
Surrey is one of the top places for buying rare and collectable second-hand books, according to new data released by Oxfam today (5 March) for World Book Day.
Analysis of the charity’s sales in the last year shows Surrey, along with Hampshire, recorded the highest levels of purchases of rare and collectable titles, as interest in pre-loved and first-edition books continues to grow.
Oxfam’s wider data reveals broader regional reading trends and favourites, with Oxfordshire and Warwickshire recording the highest levels of children’s books purchased, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire showing the strongest appetite for crime and sci-fi, and East Anglia recording the highest proportion of fiction sales overall.
Last year, Oxfam – which is the biggest network of second-hand bookshops in the UK and Europe – sold more than seven million donated books nationwide, raising £26 million for its humanitarian work. The charity has seen a 10% increase in second-hand book sales since 2023, reflecting growing interest in affordable and sustainable reading choices, and continued connection with physical books in spite of digital distractions and the availability of e-readers.
Alison Pratt, who manages the Oxfam Bookshop in Farnham, said: “We’ve seen strong interest in rare and collectable titles locally, whether that’s first editions or unusual finds. There’s a real appreciation here for books as treasures in their own right.
“If anyone has books they’re ready to part with, donating them to Oxfam this World Book Day means they can find a new home and help raise vital funds at the same time.”
To donate a book or find a new favourite second-hand, Oxfam’s bookshops can be found at www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/.