An excellent site for buying music books – MusicRoom.Com

A few good instrument shops …
Normans in Burton
Windblowers in Nottingham
JustFlutes in London
Sax.co.uk in London

If you are preferring to hire your instrument, try
http://music-corner.co.uk – prices start from £8 per month for a flute, 3 month minimal contract, and if you quote SusanJolley in the code, you get the first month free!