The Book Room

Tucked inside Hathersage Methodist Church, a quiet revolution is taking place – one made not of noise, but of pages turning.

'The Book Room', a second-hand bookshop inspired by John Wesley’s publishing house, has quickly become a beloved stop for locals and visitors wandering through this Peak District village.

Part of the church’s wider open-door initiative, the space has welcomed more than

10,000 people in just 8 months. That’s around 42 curious wanderers a day stepping inside to explore Methodist history, pause for prayer, let children play, tackle a communal jigsaw or browse the ever-changing shelves of pre-loved books.

Open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm, the church has become a gentle hub of hospitality.

The Book Room operates on trust: every book costs £1, paid via an honesty box or card reader. More than 3,000 books have already found new homes, with every pound reinvested into the project. Visitors are also encouraged to donate their own books, keeping the shelves fresh and allowing the stories to live on.

Monthly themes guide the displays, ranging from literary anniversaries, such as the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, to topics reflecting the church’s values, including Black History Month and environmental awareness.

Dave Fisher, Lead Volunteer for the Open Church Project, said the idea is rooted in Methodist tradition. “John Wesley established The Book Room because he believed reading supported spiritual growth and helped sustain the early Methodist movement. That principle still resonates and we wanted to revive it in a way that serves the community today.

“The church’s central location makes it well-placed to welcome passers-by and with the high number of visitors to Hathersage, we wanted the church to be a place people felt able to step into.

"None of this would be possible without the support of hard-working volunteers and community support. A bookshop only works if people keep it alive, and The Book Room has become a shared effort for the whole community.”

Dave added: “Books have a way of opening doors; all we’ve done is make sure one of them is unlocked.”

(With thanks to Samantha Roberts, Communications Officer, Sheffield Methodist District)