Your Holiday Questions Answered

1. What is Read & Rabbit?

Read & Rabbit is a second hand bookshop in North Yorkshire that also offers a self-catering bookshop holiday stay, ad hoc community wellbeing events, weekend reading retreats, self development courses, bookish gifts, local art and much more

2. Can you stay overnight in the bookshop

Yes. Read & Rabbit has a small double bedroom available on the top floor (3 storey building built 1870) with a cosy reading space on the landing, a large bedroom/living room on the middle floor with window seats overlooking the market place (king size bed and optional campbed) and is building self-catering holiday accommodation attached to the bookshop. All giving guests a unique book-lover’s retreat and opportunity to run the shop part time or even full-time if they wish to.

3. Is the bookshop stay similar to The Open Book in Wigtown?

Yes. The experience is inspired by The Open Book concept, offering guests the chance to rent a working bookshop and enjoy a literary-themed holiday.

4. What can I do during a bookshop holiday?

Guests can sell their own items with prior approval as long as they meet all local laws, browse the bookshop, organise the books, relax with books, explore North Yorkshire, enjoy creative activities, offer mess free workshops or courses or have a launch event for small number of people by prior agreement. If selling own goods or running an event they must provide evidence of insurance. Note there may be an additional fee if running an event. and join community events hosted by Read & Rabbit or other places in the area.

5. Does Read & Rabbit host community or wellbeing events?

Yes. The CIC runs workshops, wellbeing sessions and community events focused on creativity, social connection and local engagement. If you run the bookshop is up to you what events are on if any.

6. What kind of books and items does the shop sell?

You’ll find second hand books that have been donated, amusing bookish items, funny cards, gifts and artwork created by local Yorkshire artists.

7. Where is Read & Rabbit located?

Read & Rabbit is located in Loftus market place at the top of the town, and is within the North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire. Loftus, home to many artists, is between the picturesque fishing village of Staithes and larger Saltburn-by-the-Sea famous for its long pier and recently reinstated cliff tramway. Loftus is close to local villages, countryside walks, the coastal path and nearby attractions such as the breathtakingly awesome Cattersty Sands Beach and famous Whitby.

If you take the exclusive use option yes. Otherwise is shared.

8. How do I book the bookshop holiday stay?

Guests can check availability and book directly by contacting the bookshop using contact details given top and bottom of this page.

9. Is the accommodation suitable for writers or creatives seeking a place to work as a retreat?

Absolutely. Many visitors use the quiet, book-filled environment as a writing retreat or creative escape. Although on a main street it is an oasis of calm at the back and at night there is very little traffic.

10. Is Read & Rabbit family-friendly? What about groups of friends or a book club reading retreat?

Yes, the bookstore holiday experience welcomes families with impeccably behaved children aged 10 and over, and the accommodation is suitable for guests looking for a cosy, relaxed stay. Groups of friends are also welcome. Maximum we can accommodate is 6. If someone wants to take a campbed to sleep in the bookshop that is fine too. Don't dream of Narnia - be in Narnia. In summer someone can also sleep in the conservatory.

11. Is Read & Rabbit dog-friendly - does it allow other pets?

We have taken the decision not to allow dogs in to the shop or rest of the building etc as there is no guarantee they won't 'do their business' in the carpeted bookshop, plus this means is suitable for guest booksellers with pet allergies which seems ever more common.

12. How many hours and when do guest booksellers man the bookshop?

The core hours are Saturday and Thursday 10am to 2pm. Guest booksellers can choose to be open more hours / days as part of their bookshop experience holiday. Footfall is best in the mornings til end of lunchtime - and when nearby cafes are open.

If you just want to enjoy the bookshop at your leisure and not run it and Marta is around - then you can stay over but not play bookseller. Get in touch with Marta to discuss. It will still open those days/times.

13. Will I get bored? What entertainment is there?

Join a Tuesday or Friday lunchtime wellbeing walk to meet others and see a bit more. On your doorstep calling you is the fabulous coastal walk past where Saxon Princess items were found in a dig and just behind the bookshop are woods with waterfalls. Walking over to Cattersty Sands Beach is a must.

There are live music and other entertainment events at venues in the town plus on Thursdays 6.30 to 8pm Brown Box Cafe next door have their quiet reading evening.

Detailed events list to follow but it is a lovely welcoming community.

14. Is any food provided?

No - this is a self catering stay. We offer room only without any food, but are located directly opposite a small supermarket and surrounded by cafes/pubs/restaurants/pizza takeaway with more a short walk away. You can even have Canny Granny's Kitchen deliver meals to you which include gluten free options too and a very nice Sunday roast with choice of meat. Pizza Cottage do a whole varriety of takeaway food. And of course there is a fish n chip shop. We provide a list of recommended places to eat.

15. Will I have my own bathroom and cooking facilities?

If you take the exclusive use option yes. Otherwise is shared.

16. What areas will I have access to?

Other than the shared kitchen and bathroom (bath with electric shower over), an extra toilet is on the ground floor in the courtyard. You can also enjoy the warm conservatory on a sunny day and the lovely roof garden looking over the rooftops and to the countryside beyond.

17. Is there bike storage?

There is a covered secure yard you can leave bikes in.

18. How do you get there?

You could fly to Newcastle or Edinburgh and go by train to Saltburn. From Saltburn hop on a bus or is a ten minute taxi ride. If flying in to London train fares are quite high on that distance so do book in advance if possible for lowest fare to Saltburn.

19. What can I visit when there?

Please see our Visit section to learn more about the wonderful places to visit while staying in Loftus. You will be ideally situated for so much.

20. Do I need a car? Are there food shops and restaurants within walking distance?

No you don't need a car. There is a bus stop a few steps away. Coop supermarket is across the street and many eateries are nearby. Ready food or grocery shopping can be delivered to you too.

21. What is the minimum stay on what days of the week?

Minimum stay is 3 night weekend (Friday/Sat/Sun) or 3 nights midweek with one night free (Mon/Tues/Wed/Thu) but we recommend you stay as long as possible because the area has so many interesting places to see, the locals are friendly, eating out is cheaper than most UK places and the cake is award winning!

We can also chat about a long term discount if you wish to make yourself resident bookseller for a while or come here on your personal writing retreat / reading retreat.

22. Do I have to run the bookshop for a few hours as part of my stay?

Not if Marta is around at that time to do it. Get in touch to find out.

23. What is the cancellation policy?

28 days notice of cancellation - 100% refund

14 days notice of cancellation - 50% refund

5 days notice of cancellation - 25% refund

24. How much does it cost to stay at the Read & Rabbit Bed n Bookshop?

These prices in UK pounds sterling include use of the bookshop 24/7. 50% payment is needed at the time of booking along with proof of ID and address, and the remaining 50% 6 weeks before start date.

The security deposit is £500 if it includes bookshop access and £250 if one room only is booked - to be paid at least 6 weeks before start date. This is fully refundable within 7 days of end of the stay if there is no damage and terms have been met.

If a last minute booking or less that 6 weeks away then deposit and room cost is to be is paid in full.

Room costs:

The cosy double bedroom is £125 per night for two people or £95 for one person.

The large king bedroom/living room with king size bed and 2 optional adult size single sofa beds (can be side by side to sleep a couple) is £200 per night for 2 people with £20pn for each extra person up to 4 total.

Exclusive use including both bedrooms sleeping up to 6 wherever you like (bedroom, bookshop, conservatory overlooking the roof garden) and of the bookshop is £300 per night.

Long term discounts available.

Groups: Why not bring the book club or your friends, and create your own writing or reading retreat in the best place of all - a cosy used bookstore in God's own country as the Yorkshire folk describe it.

Marta will give you lots of contacts and ideas to help you plan it.

You can also come by yourself or with a plus one to join one of our reading retreats or writing retreats etc - contact Marta for details (see top and bottom of page for how to get in touch).