Books by the Sea is a charitable project from Emble Arts. We encourage reading, seeing and thinking slowly, right here by the sea in north Northumberland and in the Scottish Borders with Books by the River.

We offer books to all: for you, from us, for free; and hopefully you’ll observe our simple maxim: take a book, leave a book.

Our libraries are dotted along the coast between Warkworth and Berwick upon Tweed, with our river branches spreading inland along the Tweed and its tributaries. These treasure troves of free books are for you, for fun and for literacy.

Connecting locals and visitors, our libraries all look alike and are built by a local stalwart. They are tiny, wooden, black huts with a pitched roof. The libraries are all located in places that encourage walking, reading and sharing ideas in an analogue way.

Find out more and locate the libraries on the Books by the Sea website.