January 6, 2019
Hunt Like A Pro
Hunt Like A Pro: A round up of the best fairs around the country offering vintage and collectables for your home.
If you’re looking for something unique to add that individual or quirky touch to your interiors, then a trip to one of the many booming Antiques and Collectors fairs around the country could be just the ticket. Here, Sheerluxe contributor, interiors specialist Jenny Branson, brings you the best of the bunch to help you get ahead of the crowd, and make sure you bag that bargain before someone else pips you to the post…
NORTH
Lincolnshire Antiques & Home Show
Situated on the 200 acre Lincolnshire Showground site just outside Lincoln, this popular mid-week indoor/outdoor show is an unmissable event for anyone passionate about creating a stylish living space. Indoor stalls house vendors of smaller decorative items and fine antiques, with the marquees offering larger furniture and collectables. The outdoor field pitches have all sorts of vintage items and offer the most competitive prices.
2019 dates: Wednesday April 3rd, 29th May, Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th August, Wednesday October 9th, December 4th
Entry times: 10am-4pm, over 16s £5/person
Free parking
Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair
World renowned as the ultimate of treasure hunting grounds, this lively event is the largest of its kind in Europe. Held at the Newark and Nottingham Showground, the enormous 84 acre site can play host to up to 2,500 stands at a time. From fine antiques to the most obscure decorative items, the shopping possibilities are endless.
2019 dates: January 31st – Feb 1st, April 4-5th, May 30-31st, August 15t-16th, October 10-11th, December 5-6th.
Entry times: Thursday 9am-6pm, over 16s £20pp. Friday 8am-4pm £5/pp (Thursday ticket also allows entry on Friday)
Free parking
SOUTH
Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair
Held in the historic Great Hall, north London’s answer to the antiques fair calendar regular attracts over 300 quality dealers from around the UK. Expect to see a range of 20th century collectables alongside the more traditional antiques with producers such as Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper on show, as well as an abundance of Art-deco designs. Recently Pop Up Vintage Fairs London have joined forces, bringing with them a mix of vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories, retro homeware and mid-century collectibles.
2019 dates: 17th February, 19th May, 1st September, 1st December.
Entry times: 9.30am-4.30pm, over 16s £6pp.
Free parking
iacf.co.uk, popupvintagefairs.co.uk
Sunbury Antiques Market
This gem of a market is currently in its 40th year at Kempton Park Racecourse. So successful has the formula been that the organisers have recently expanded to Sandown Park Racecourse as well. Offering a huge range of antique goods as well as vintage fashion, garden ephemera, architectural salvage and ‘shabby chic’ furniture, both venues offer free admission and free parking. Get there early to bag the best bargains.
2019 dates:
Kempton: Tuesday 8th & 29th January, 12th & 26th February, 12th & 26th March, 9th & 30th April, 14th & 28th May, 11th & 25th June, 9th & 30th July, 13th & 27th August, 10th & 24th September, 8th & 29th October, 12th & 26th November, 10th December.
Entry times: 6am-2pm
Sandown: Tuesday 5th February, 2nd April, 7th May, Sunday 2nd June, 15th September, Tuesday 1st October, 3rd December.
Entry times: 7am-1pm
Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair
Due to its proximity to the Channel, Ardingly has an abundance of sellers from continental and eastern European countries, giving rise to an eclectic mix of French brocante and traditional folk wares alongside the usual homegrown antiques. The largest of its type in the South of England, rich pickings from the 1,700 indoor/outdoor stalls can be yours within a one hour drive from London.
2019 dates: Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th January, 5-6th March, 23-24th April, 18-19th June, 16-17th July, 3-4th September, 5-6th November.
Entry times: Tuesday 9am-5pm, over 16s £20pp. Wednesday 8am-4pm £5/pp (Tuesday ticket also allows entry on Wednesday)
Free parking
Delivery service available within a 30mile radius.
EAST
Detling Antiques, Vintage & Collectors Fair
Held at The Kent County Showground, up to 400 exhibitors both indoors and out showcase a variety of antiques, vintage and collectables, proving an excellent hunting ground for interiors enthusiasts.
2019 dates: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th January, 27th-28th April, 20th-21st July, 7th-8th September, 9th-10th November.
Entry times: Saturday 8.30am-4.30pm over 16s £6pp. 10am-4.30pm £5pp. Sunday 10am-3.30pm £4pp. Saturday tickets allow entry on Sunday.
Peterborough Festival of Antiques
Located at the East of England Showground in Peterborough twice a year, this fair contains a spectacular array of antiques and collectables for sale within four permanent buildings, a variety of trade marquees and several acres of outdoor pitches.
2019 dates: Friday 19th & Saturday 20th April, Friday 27th & Saturday 28th September.
Entry times: Friday 10am-4.30pm, £7.50pp, Saturday 9am-4.30pm, over 16s £5pp
Free parking
WEST
Shepton Mallet International Antiques & Collectors Fair and Giant Flea
The Royal Bath and West Showground is the site of both the Shepton Mallet International Antiques and Collectors Fair and the Shepton Giant Flea & Collectors Market. The former is the West Country’s premier antiques event with 600 indoor stands selling everything from paintings and antique furniture to vintage teddies, restoration products and luxury leather goods attracting many of London’s top dealers.
2019 dates: Friday 18th-Sunday 20th January, 29th-31st March, 14th-16th June, 13th-15th September, 8th-10th November.
Entry times: Friday 12-5pm over 16s £10pp (allows entry on Saturday and Sunday), Saturday 9am-5pm £5pp, Sunday 10am-4pm £5pp.
Free parking
If your tastes lie more towards the vintage end of the spectrum the eclectic 250 stall Giant Flea will be right up your street.
2019 dates: Sunday 6th January, 10th March, 21st April, 21st July, 25th August, 13th October, 24th November.
Entry times: 9.30am – 4pm, over 16s £4.50pp
Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair
Just outside Great Malvern against the backdrop of the Malvern hills, vendors at this eclectic fair cater to every taste. Stalls are housed inside the main exhibition hall and out into several interconnected sheds in a slightly random manner, but the formula seems to work and the casual and relaxed atmosphere makes for an ever popular day out.
2019 dates: Sunday 20th January and 10th February, Monday 22nd April and 27th May, Sunday 28th July, Monday 26th August, Sunday 15th September, 13th October & 8th December.
Entry times: 7.30am – 3.30pm, over 16s £5pp
TOP TIPS
Take a photo of where you park your car on your phone to ensure you can find your way back easily.
Rather than head straight for the shiny main concourse, get hunting around the edges in the less polished stalls – you’ll get a lot more for your buck.
If you’re looking for a bargain then don’t go dressed like you can afford much more. Dress down and dress comfortably.
Be prepared to barter. Marked prices are always negotiable, so go in with a lower offer and see what happens.
Cash is alway preferred and you’ll get a better deal if you have this at the ready.
If you want to have the first pickings then get there early. For the best bargains, wait until the end of the fair.
Bring something with you to carry your purchases as you won’t be able to bring a car in until the fair is closing. A rucksack is great for smaller items but a camping trolley is a must for larger pieces.
Make sure you bring your own snacks and water. These are expensive on-site.
Have a pack of wet wipes to hand. A lot of the items won’t have seen a duster in decades.
If you’re looking for fine antiques take a magnifying or eye glass to check markings before purchasing.
Make sure you try before you buy. If it’s a chair, sit in it. If it’s a piece of fabric, open it out and check for holes.
Remember that lighting will often need to be re-wired, so make sure you factor this in to your budget.
Happy hunting…
For more interiors advice and inspiration, follow Jenny on Instagram and visit JennyBranson.com