Cool Places
The Arnolfini Bookshop
Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA
Opinion is divided on the Arnolfini’s exhibitions, but there’s no doubt that the Arnolfini Bookshop is utterly brilliant. It’s one of the country’s best specialist art bookshops, and as well as selling a diverse array of niche magazines and periodicals, its walls are lined with exquisite books on art at every level. There are also edgy local jewellery delights at the counter, postcards, divinely designed childrens books and plenty of artsy and crafty inspiration, from Japanese amigurami to books on guerrilla knitting. Needless to say it’s a great place to buy presents, but it’s also a small but beautiful place that believes that books should look good, be interesting and teach you something new.
