Dormouse Bookshop is a second-hand, rare and antiquarian bookshop on Elm Hill, a street described as the most complete medieval street in Norwich. The shop is at 29 Elm Hill, Norwich, NR3 1HG, in an old merchant's house. It has been trading on the street since September 1999, after moving from a video shop in St Gregory's Alley.
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The shop is stacked to the ceiling with antiquarian and secondhand books, so browsing takes a little time. The stock covers a lot of ground. There is crime fiction, children's books such as Biggles and Enid Blyton, local history about Norfolk, Norwich and the Broads, military history, Folio Society books and Observer Books. There is also general history and fiction, including first editions by authors such as Fleming and Wodehouse. Customers have found titles like Moby Dick here, as well as books for wildlife collections.
The owner, Phil, comes up often in reviews. People describe him as lovely, very helpful, friendly, informative and affable. Reviews also mention the shop's adventurous spirit and its unrivalled knowledge of books and publishers, which makes it a good place to ask for advice if you are looking for something specific.
The shop is open from 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday, and is closed on Sundays. You can call on 01603 621021 or check the website at dormouse.yolasite.com. The shop is also on Facebook, Instagram and Blue Sky.
Elm Hill is close to the city centre. There is on-street parking, but you pay for it, and a car park by the river is about 100 yards from the shop. Behind the shop there is a green space with benches overlooking the river. One bench sits around a tree that is a London Plane, not an elm, and it is a popular spot for a sandwich at lunchtime.
Published Date
21 October 2026
