What the Book? located at Trentham Estate country park in Stoke-on-Trent, England has declared itself officially the world’s smallest bookshop (on purpose). The independent mobile bookshop is housed in a converted vintage horse trailer, with a permanent home at Trentham Garden’s shopping village.
The bookshop may be small but it is packed full of books to peruse; from award-winning novels and modern reads to much-loved classics. It’s founder, Alison is a publishing industry veteran and book lover who wanted to create a space where every inch counted. In a post on social media, What the Book? insists it contains more books per square inch than most full-sized shops, and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, they can always order it in for you.
Photo credit: What the Book?
In the same post announcing their opening in December 2025, What the Book? confirmed that they were seeking official recognition as the smallest bookshop in the world with Guinness World Records being informed of their existence. That crown currently belongs to Sowa Delight, Japan a children’s bookshop with just 1,246 square metres declared back in December 2023.
Speaking about the choice to create such a small bookshop, What the Book? founder, Alison said: “People don’t always need more choice. They need the right choice. That’s what we do. We cut through the noise, the nonsense, and the supermarket 2-for-1 piles. We help you find the book you’ll still be thinking about in years to come.”
What the Book is open Tuesday through to Friday, 10am to 3pm, and also over the weekend until the Trentham Estate site is empty.
