Natural History Books

Roam through natural history writing, from the founding texts of British natural science to the field guides that followed them. Many of these books are worth owning for their beautiful illustrations as much as their text. For related reading on the science side, our Science & Medicine Books collection covers that ground in more depth.

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Natural history books: botany, wildlife and the geology beneath it all

“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one.”

— Charles Darwin

Natural history is one of the few branches of science built as much by amateurs as professionals. Clergymen, naval surgeons and country doctors filled their spare hours cataloguing whatever grew, flew or washed up near their own back door, while others followed their curiosity much further afield. Many of the books that came out of that work are genuinely beautiful too, with hand-coloured plates and engravings that reward a slow read as much as the text itself does.

Botany and gardening make up a large part of the collection, from wildflower and grass identification guides to specialist works on rock gardens, conifers and rare orchids. There's a strong thread of British wildlife too, covering birds, shells, spiders and other native fauna, alongside geology, palaeontology and a handful of expedition and travel-related natural history from beyond Britain.

Condition is checked and described for every book individually, since many of these titles carry hand-coloured plates, fold-out maps or other details worth knowing about before you buy, and new titles join the collection as they come in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of natural history books do you carry?

Our natural history collection spans botany and gardening reference works, wildlife and ornithology field guides, geology and palaeontology, plus more specialist subjects, and much more.

Are these books antique, vintage, or a mix?

Both. You'll find genuinely antique volumes from the 19th century alongside vintage 20th-century field guides and reference works, so there's a good range whichever period interests you.

How do you describe the condition of these books?

We photograph each book closely so you can see its binding, plates and wear before you buy. Condition varies from book to book, and anything worth knowing, including any hand-coloured or fold-out plates, is noted in the listing.

Do you have natural history books that make good gifts?

Yes, they suit anyone with a real interest in botany, birdwatching, geology or wildlife generally, whatever their age. Matching the subject to what they're already curious about tends to work better than choosing by age or occasion alone.

I'm also interested in science or general hobbies. Do you have books on those?

Yes, our Science & Medicine Books and Hobbies & Interests Books collections cover related ground, from general science texts to a broader range of hobbyist subjects.

Do you ever have classic natural history texts, like Gilbert White's Natural History of Selborne?

Yes, occasionally. Foundational texts like this come through from time to time, alongside more specialist field guides and reference works. Since stock changes regularly, it's worth using our search or checking back if a particular title interests you.

Are any of these books rare or valuable?

Some are, particularly early or limited-print natural history and botanical works with original plates. Most of the collection is more affordable field guides and reference works, so there's something across a wide range of budgets.

Do you ship these books internationally?

Yes, we ship across the UK and internationally, and UK orders over £50 come with free shipping.

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