Free Books, Audiobooks & Magazines in the UK – Smart Sources for Budget-Friendly Reading

Samuel J Tan Apps, Education, Learning 0

Where to Get Free Books, Audiobooks & Magazines in the UK? We list the smart sources for budget-friendly readers. Reading doesn’t have to be expensive—and in the UK, there are more ways than ever to access books, audiobooks, and magazines completely free of charge. Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, or simply a book lover on a budget, there’s a wealth of resources available both online and through your local library.

From classic literature to bestselling audiobooks and glossy magazines, this guide will show you where to find high-quality, free reading material across the UK, legally and easily. All you need is an internet connection and, in many cases, a local library membership.

Read for Free in the UK: Top Places to Find Books, Audiobooks & Magazines Without Spending a Penny

Table of Contents

Free Books in the UK – eBooks and Paperbacks

Thanks to generous public library schemes and digital lending services, UK readers have excellent access to free eBooks and even print books. The Libby app by OverDrive allows you to borrow a wide range of eBooks with nothing more than your library card. It features fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, and more—all accessible on your phone or tablet. Similarly,

BorrowBox is another UK-specific app widely supported by libraries and offers free access to eBooks from popular and bestselling authors. Beyond digital platforms, initiatives like World Book Night by The Reading Agency provide physical books through community events and libraries. And for something closer to home, you can often find free paperbacks in Little Free Libraries or street book swap boxes, now common in many UK towns and neighbourhoods. These community-led book exchanges are perfect for discovering a hidden gem or donating your own reads.

Libby by OverDrive
Borrow eBooks and audiobooks with a local UK library card via this user-friendly app.

BorrowBox
Used by many UK public libraries to lend eBooks and audiobooks—all free with a library membership.

World Book Night (The Reading Agency)
Offers free book giveaways and encourages shared reading through local events.

Little Free Libraries / Book Swap Boxes
Community-led book exchanges in parks, streets, and community centres across the UK.

Project Gutenberg UK
Access public domain classics and British literary works online.

Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB): provides access to over 88,500 academic, peer-reviewed open access books.

Explorion: a library for adventurers.

Oxford World’s Classics: Currently providing access to novels, and other writings, from the 18th, 19th and 20th century, you can support your research using the comprehensive introductions, clear explanatory notes, chronologies, and bibliographies available in every book.

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Free Audiobooks – Where to Listen in the UK

If you prefer to listen rather than read, the UK offers some excellent options for free audiobooks. Once again, Libby and BorrowBox lead the way, providing free access to thousands of professionally narrated audiobooks—ideal for long walks, commuting, or bedtime stories.

For BBC fans, BBC Sounds includes a dedicated audiobooks and dramas category, offering high-quality, often exclusive recordings of novels, short stories, and adaptations. Meanwhile, platforms like Spotify UK and YouTube offer a wide selection of free audiobooks, including public domain classics and indie works. Just search by book title or author to get started.

Finally, Loyal Books offers free downloads and streaming of public domain audiobooks read by volunteers, perfect for lovers of classic literature like Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, or Sherlock Holmes.

Libby and BorrowBox (again)
– Both apps include a wide selection of audiobooks, including bestsellers and new releases.

BBC Sounds
– Listen to free audiobooks, dramas, and radio readings, many from renowned British authors.

Spotify UK
– Offers a growing number of free audiobooks and audio drama playlists.

[YouTube UK]
– Many classic audiobooks available to stream. Search for “full audiobook + author/title.”

Loyal Books
– Public domain audiobooks narrated by volunteers, available in MP3 format or via podcast.

Free Digital Magazines – Glossy Reads Without the Cost

You don’t have to miss out on your favourite magazines just because you’re watching your spending. Many UK libraries offer free access to digital magazines through the Libby app, allowing you to borrow recent issues of titles like The Economist, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, Men’s Health, and more.

While not completely free long-term, Readly offers generous free trials that give access to thousands of UK and international magazines, making it a great short-term option. You can use this time to download full issues of your favourites and explore new reads.

For those interested in independent or niche publications, Issuu is a digital platform where small publishers and creatives share full-length magazines and zines, many of them available to read for free. And if you’re into vintage or out-of-print issues, the Internet Archive’s Magazine Rack includes digitised versions of UK publications across a wide range of topics, from tech and fashion to home and travel.

Libby – Digital Magazines Collection
– Many UK libraries now offer magazine lending for titles like The Economist, Good Housekeeping, Wired, and more.

Readly (Free Trial)
– While Readly is a subscription, they offer free trials giving access to hundreds of UK and international magazines.

Internet Archive – Magazine Rack UK
– Features digitised versions of old UK magazines from various decades.

Issuu
– Browse free digital publications, zines, and independent UK magazine titles.

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Local Library Services & Literacy Programmes in the UK

Your local library is a goldmine of free reading resources, both physical and digital. Almost every council in the UK offers online sign-up for a free library card, giving you instant access to apps like Libby, BorrowBox, and sometimes PressReader or ULibrary. With these, you can borrow books, audiobooks, and magazines right from your phone, tablet, or eReader. Some libraries also offer free access to learning platforms, writing workshops, and children’s storytimes.

Beyond libraries, the British Library offers an array of digital archives, exhibitions, and literary collections that are free to explore online. For families with young children, Bookstart by BookTrust is a national programme that provides free book packs to babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. Meanwhile, the Scottish Book Trust runs free book-gifting schemes and literacy programmes across Scotland, helping families build a love for reading from birth. For wider literacy support, the National Literacy Trust offers free reading materials, family resources, and support for schools and communities throughout the UK.

Register with Your Local Council Library
– Most UK councils allow free online sign-up, granting access to eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines.

British Library Digital Services
– Explore archives, literary collections, and free online exhibitions with reading materials.

National Literacy Trust
– Offers free reading resources and literacy programmes for children and families across the UK.

Scottish Book Trust
– Delivers free books to families and promotes reading across Scotland.

Bookstart (BookTrust)
– UK-wide programme that gives free books to every baby and toddler in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Bonus Freebies & Reading-Related Deals

There are also a number of extra resources that can help stretch your reading budget even further. BookBub UK is a fantastic service that sends daily emails with free and deeply discounted eBook deals, tailored to your interests and available for your Kindle or eReader. You can also regularly browse their free eBook section online.

Search Free eBooks on Kindle Book US | Search Free eBooks on Kindle Book UK

If you’re a fan of print books, check out Freegle and Freecycle—UK-based online communities where people give away unwanted items, including books, for free. You might just find a treasure trove of novels, children’s books, or even textbooks in your local area. Occasionally, you can also score free or heavily discounted books from Oxfam Bookshops when they run clearance sales or special events. Keep an eye on your nearest store or their online shop.

BookBub UK
– Daily alerts for free and discounted eBooks, tailored to your preferences.

Freecycle & Freegle
– Check for free physical books in your area—great for bookworms who love the feel of a real page.

Oxfam Bookshops
– Occasionally run clearance sales or giveaways of donated books.

Love the feel of a paperback, enjoy the convenience of an eBook, or get lost in the immersive world of audiobooks? However you like to read, there are countless ways to access great content in the UK—for free. Thanks to local library apps, national programmes, and smart online platforms, reading can remain a joyful, accessible habit on any budget.

Bookmark this guide, share it with a fellow book lover, and start exploring the wealth of free content waiting for you. Because a love of reading should never come with a price tag.

We leave you with the UK Reader’s Checklist: Where to get Free Books, Audiobooks and Magazines checklist below:

UK Reader’s Checklist: Where to Get Free Books, Audiobooks & Magazines

Your Ultimate UK Guide to Free Books, Audiobooks & Magazines

Smart sources for readers on a budget

Free eBooks (UK-Friendly Sites & Apps)

Libby by OverDrive – Borrow eBooks with your UK library card
BorrowBox – Free eBook access via local libraries
Project Gutenberg UK – Public domain British classics
Open Library – Free online borrowing with a digital library card
World Book Night – Annual free book giveaways
Little Free Libraries or Book Swap Boxes – Look in your local community
Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) – provides access to over 88,500 academic, peer-reviewed open access books
Explorion – a library for adventurers
Oxford World’s Classics – access to novels, and other writings, from the 18th, 19th and 20th century