The UK is crammed with antique shops and markets which can attract anything from a handful of enthusiasts to thousands of professional dealers from all over the world.
So why not put off that Saturday morning trip to Ikea and go in search of something more original for your home. We’ve rounded up five of the best antique trails round the country, suitable for browsing beginners to hardcore hunters.
Camden Passage, London Walk down this quiet street on any other day and you wouldn’t give it a moment’s thought, but every Wednesday and Saturday it comes alive with energetic antique hunters who are kept occupied for hours by the vast range of merchandise to browse. This is London’s largest concentration of antique stalls and shops with almost every type of collectable on offer: cheap old books, retro clothes, expensive upscale oil paintings, Victorian objects d’art. Contact the organisers on 020 7359 9969 for opening times and other information.
The British Antique Dealers Association Fair
This is the annual gathering for all calibres of antique hunters whether amateur or professional. It takes place from 22-28 March 2006 in London Chelsea, an area itself populated with more than its fair share of trinket stores. Virtually every kind of piece is available to browse at the fair: fine furniture, paintings and textiles, clocks, silver and jewellery. More.
The town of Leyburn, Wensleydale, Yorkshire
If burrowing your way through the crowds and a bustling market isn’t for you, the
town of Leyburn offers a more relaxed approach to antique hunting. Along with ancient castles, an old cinema and an unusual tea pottery, Leyburn boasts a superb fine arts and antiques auction house, dozens of craft shops and galleries, and a Friday antiques market. More.
Halstead, Braintree, Essex
Referred to as ‘Lovejoy country’ after the BBC series about an antiques dealer, Halstead is bargain central. Notable is the still active Townsford Mill, a grand three storey white wooden building, straddling the River Colne and housing an antique centre and restaurant. Jousting tournaments are held at the region’s various castles during the summer months. More.
Hay-on-Wye, Wales
The charming town of Hay-on-Wye in the Brecon Beacons National Park is mostly famous for its 40 secondhand bookshops. It’s also crammed with antique shops selling furniture, rare books, maps and photography. The town is at its busiest during the annual May festival, but has a quiet buzz all year round.
More.
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Antique dealers spend a lifetime acquiring the skill of spotting a good find. But there are a few tips which can help you on your way…
Always set a limit for how much you’re willing to spend on an item, and don’t exceed it.
Be prepared to search around. You’ll find the most unusual things in the most unexpected places.
Markets are ideal for beginners because there’s so much choice and advice under one roof.
Ask questions of the dealer and trust your instincts on anything that sounds fishy.
Make sure you get an invoice, and ask the dealer to make a note on it of any valuable information he or she has given you, e.g. if any kind of restoration work is recommended.
Always buy what you like and what will sit well in your home. Even if you’re buying as an investment, you might be stuck with an item for a long time, so you might as well get some enjoyment out of it.
