INDEPENDENT SHOPS · POOLEY BRIDGE · ULLSWATER
Verey Books: an independent bookshop and café worth visiting
At the heart of Pooley Bridge, close to Ullswater, Verey Books combines a carefully selected independent bookshop with coffee, cakes and a welcoming place to browse. It’s especially appealing if you want a Lake District souvenir with a story: local writing, poetry, walking maps or books about the landscape rather than a generic gift-shop purchase.
Reviewed 11 November 2026. The shop remains open and welcomes visitors, including children and well-behaved dogs. Its original opening story dates back to 2022; current opening information comes directly from the bookshop.
Visit the Verey Books website View Verey Books in our Local Businesses directory
Verey Books opening hours and contact details
| Address | Verey Books, Treetops, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NN |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Monday–Sunday, 10am–5pm (published by the shop; check for holiday changes) |
| Telephone | 017684 86760 |
| info@vereybooks.co.uk | |
| Food and drink | Coffee, cakes and other café refreshments |
| Dogs | Dog-friendly, as confirmed by the shop |
| Online shopping | Book orders, gift vouchers and book subscriptions |
Details checked against the shop’s official contact page. Special events and holidays may affect opening, so check before a long journey.
Why visit? Local books, maps, coffee and conversation
Verey Books is best approached as a place to explore, rather than simply collect a title ordered online. It stocks more than 3,000 titles, according to its own website, ranging from new fiction and non-fiction to Lakeland poets, authors, nature writing and carefully chosen children’s books.
- Lake District interest: Local histories, nature writing, mountain books and regional literature
- Walking maps and guides: A useful stop when planning an Ullswater Way walk
- Children’s books: Familiar classics and discoveries for younger readers
- Thoughtful gifts: Book tokens, shop vouchers and subscriptions
- Café: Time for coffee, cake and conversation between browsing the shelves
The shop also offers book ordering and online purchases. For the current selection and subscription details, see its official books page.
How Verey Books began
The shop grew from a longstanding ambition of its founder, Al Verey, whose previous work included teaching, writing and literary guiding. The original Lake District Offers article, written in October 2022, covered the bookshop’s early success after it opened in Pooley Bridge that year.
Its independent character is central to the experience: knowledgeable staff, the chance to talk about books, and a selection informed by the culture and landscape of Ullswater. Rather than treating the bookshop as a purely retail space, the team also uses it to bring writers and readers together.
The shop has hosted book clubs, author events and storytelling activities. Their schedules change, so consult its website and social channels for forthcoming events rather than relying on the weekly timetable quoted in our 2022 news report.
Archive note: The original article described Al’s first months in business and plans for the bookshop’s first Christmas. Those details remain part of its history, not a description of what is happening this week.
What else can you do around Pooley Bridge?
Verey Books makes a pleasant addition to a short visit or a longer day at the northern end of Ullswater. The village has independent cafés, local shops, traditional pubs and access to lakeside walks and cruises.
- Pooley Bridge guide: Plan your visit, parking and village stops
- Ullswater: Discover the lake and its surrounding landscape
- Ullswater ‘Steamers’: Explore the lake by boat
- Pooley Bridge to Aira Force: A mapped section of the Ullswater Way
- Chestnut House: Another distinctive independent shop in the village
- Eamont Way: Arrive in Pooley Bridge on foot from Penrith station
If you’re looking for other ways to experience the Lakes without the crowds, browse our best books about the Lake District guide before or after visiting.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Verey Books?
At Treetops in central Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NN, close to the northern end of Ullswater.
Is Verey Books still open?
Yes. As of November 2026, the shop’s official website lists seven-day opening, usually 10am–5pm. Confirm hours before travelling on bank holidays or during special events.
Can you get coffee and cake?
Yes. Verey Books has a café serving coffee, cakes and refreshments in the shop.
Does Verey Books welcome dogs?
Yes. The bookshop describes itself as dog-friendly.
Does it sell local Lake District books?
Yes. Local authors, walking maps and guides, Lakeland nature writing and poetry are among its specialities.
Can I buy gift vouchers or book subscriptions?
Yes. Its website lists both options, along with online book ordering.
Are author talks held every Wednesday?
The shop hosts literary activities, but programmes and timings change. Check its official website for the next event rather than relying on the 2022 schedule.
Kath Beattie studied Journalism at The University of Central Lancashire and now writes for several Travel publications. She recently moved to The Lake District and enjoys walking her 3 dogs every day across the fells.
