The Barrister’s Book Chamber (AD, Gifted Event)


Hello Readers,
I would like to start by saying thank you again to The Barrister’s Book Chamber for the invite to the launch of their True Crime and Crime fiction floor. The event was gifted. I would also like to say thank you for sending me home with a blind date with a book. This was honestly one of the cutest events I’ve been invited too, nothing was too much for our lovely hosts. I honestly can’t think of the last time I went into a bookshop and felt like I was being welcomed back by friends I have known for years, despite only just meeting everyone.

This mind-blowing bookshop is hidden way in Retford, from the outside you wouldn’t believe the wonders and magic that are hidden inside. The Barrister’s Book Chamber is at 33 Churchgate, Retford, and behind its magical doors, you will find the floors of pure literary magic and its a must-visit for any book worm. As soon as you walk through the door your eyes are drawn to the books there is a book tree as you walk in and if you look up you will see books swirling on the ceiling…. yes, real books, it is remarkable.  Also, on the ground floor, there is a wonderful little tearoom that is surrounded by vinyl records. The café has scones and homemade cakes, as well as coffee and proper tea with a strainer.

I’m going to stop going on about the shop for a minute and talk about the event. We were treated to a screening of the film Clue in the fiction room on the second floor. I’m so sorry but I have to do it, it was The Barrister, in the fiction room with the cupcake. I will be honest Clue is one of the only Tim Curry films other than IT I haven’t seen and I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it. Considering the film is based on the board game Cluedo, I think they did a good job and I can see why it is called a cult classic. The murder cupcakes were the cutest they had a blood-stained glass (melted glacier mints with red icing) sticking out of the frosting.

All I can say is that even though we were in a bookshop it was an intimate screening without feeling claustrophobic it that makes sense, it felt like I was with a bunch of friends at a sleepover with snacks and popcorn. After the movie, we were treated to a guided tour of the upstairs floor, on the way up I recognised the names of the streets on the wall but we’ll touch on that later and we passed a collection of the green penguin classics. On the top floor, you have a small room the first left off the stairs that is currently themed Agatha Christie but it will be changing to Jack the Ripper closer to Christmas.

The next room was the crime fiction room while here we were told about the history of the building and possible plans for the future. The next room was a meeting space that people can book out when required it’s a large enough space without taking too much away from the bookshop, the room is also relatively out the way so people using it won’t be disturbed.

The next room is the true-crime room and this room was my favourite in the bookcase there were little displays on a serial killer but the ones that jumped out to me were Ian Brady, Mary Rose Cotton and John Christie. On the right-hand side of the room, we have the courtroom memorabilia there was a stenotype machine, law books, wig and gown. During the talk for this room, I learnt a lot about being a barrister and it was honestly fascinating.  It was in this room that I realised the names of the streets on the stairs where the locations of Jack the Rippers crimes.

After visiting the top floor we started working our way back down to the ground floor while talking on the second floor their other shop The Barrister in Wonderland came up and myself and another blogger who wasn’t local were invited to go take a look after everyone was finished at The Barrister’s Book Chamber.

I was in love with The Barrister’s Book Chamber imagine how excited I was when I saw The Barrister in Wonderland this shop is honestly the best children’s bookshop I’ve ever been too.  This bookshop well and truly captures wonderland and I would love to see the shop through a child’s eyes because even at 26 I was full of wonder and magic. I loved the book archway as you enter and seeing everything topsy-turvy, there was a chess set on the ceiling as well as the white rabbit and the mad hatter's tea table. There is also a fairy door and the door to wonderland yes, I did try both of them you never know.

Both the shops are magical and even at 26 years old they felt me wonder and magic and It is worth visiting Retford just to visit both of the bookshops. I honestly can’t recommend visiting The Barrister’s Book Chamber enough. Also, keep your eyes out for some blind date with a book they have a couple of books wrapped up with a description.

L x

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