Sort & Filter

University Bookshop

A woman looking at a book at the University of Canterbury Bookshop.
Close up of a book about the Christchurch earthquakes at the University of Canterbury Bookshop.
Books on shelves at the University of Canterbury Bookshop.
The inside of the University of Canterbury Bookshop.
A woman browsing books at the University of Canterbury Bookshop.
Entrance to the University of Canterbury Bookshop.

Monday8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Tuesday8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Wednesday8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Thursday8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Friday8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Saturday10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

SundayClosed.

University Drive, Ilam, Christchurch

03 364 2043

Facebook

Website

A well-kept literary secret is the University Bookshop on Ilam Campus. Nestled amongst the towering gum trees, manicured gardens and delightful river, the University Bookshop offers a vibrant shopping experience. Browsers, bibliophiles, students, children and grannies can take their pick from books ranging from art, cookery, languages and travel, to science, fiction, crime and photography. The best bit? There’s always a couple of tables with discounted books for those looking for a bargain.

Don’t be put off by the bookshop being on campus, which is a destination in itself for its recreation centre, art displays and cafés. The friendly staff will help you navigate the store and happily order anything you want but can’t find. Oh, and there’s free parking out back for those who don’t have a campus parking permit.

Words by Tahlia Vogel & Photography by Anna Briggs

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

University Drive, Ilam, Christchurch

Similar Places

The Tannery

People walking through The Tannery Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Cafes key icon. Fashion key icon.

Prepared to be wowed by the sophisticated one-stop-shop that is The Tannery.

Infinite Definite

Infinite Definite shopfront in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
Fashion key icon.

Cool kicks, clothing and lifestyle goods find themselves a home here, and with over 60 different designers in stock, there is something for everyone.

BOXed Quarter

Laneways and an overhead walkway within BOXed Quarter in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Fashion key icon.

A hub for all things food, creativity and culture, BOXed Quarter thinks outside the square.

General Post

Sauces for sale on a shelf above fresh fruit bins at General Post, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon. Services key icon.

You’ll find a few golden nuggets interspersed around Tai Tapu, and General Post is one of them.

Featured in

In Our Book: Here are the Best Bookshops in Christchurch Ōtautahi

A woman with a short brown bob reading an old book.
Story Christchurch & Canterbury
There is a certain kind of feeling you get when you enter a good bookshop, it’s warm and inviting, and a sense of cosiness and calm takes over. The scent of hundreds and thousands of pages waiting to be discovered and devoured is nostalgic, and it is easy to lose an hour or two browsing the aisles deliberating over your next read. In Ōtautahi Christchurch, we are blessed with a stellar number of bookstores, from a specialist children’s shop, booksellers that have been in the city for generations and second-hand shops that ensure literary gems reach the hands of new readers. So whether you are on the hunt for the latest bestseller, looking to build up your child’s library collection or happiest when spending an afternoon amongst stacks and rows of books, here’s your guide (in no particular order) to enjoying the best bookshops around the city.

Back Local These Holidays with Our Christchurch Shopping and Gifting Guide

Interior view of Co.locale.
Story Christchurch & Canterbury
Shopping local is a treat with so many offerings around Christchurch. Make a day of it and revel in the diverse range of shops, price points, and offerings, all while supporting the spirit of Ōtautahi.