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This volunteer-run bookshop and music store in Stonehouse is worth a visit whether you're hunting for your next read, browsing vinyl, or just curious about local history.
The stock is genuinely good—novels, music, and books on the area's past all find their way onto these shelves. What really sets it apart is that every penny you spend goes toward restoring the Stroudwater Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal, two waterways that were absolutely vital to the region's industrial development. The volunteers staffing the shop actually know their stuff and tend to be enthusiastic about discussing the canal restoration work, so it's worth having a chat with them about what's currently underway if you're interested in that side of things.
The setting works well for exploring more broadly. Stonehouse town centre is right on your doorstep, and Stroud—a proper market town with excellent independent shops and a well-regarded farmers market—is just a short drive away. You could easily combine a browse here with an afternoon wandering around Stroud's high street and picking up some local produce. Whether you're a serious reader, collector, or just want to support heritage conservation work happening in your own backyard, this shop gives you a solid reason to pause and spend some time.
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