UK antiques fairs, flea markets and collecting
Antika is a practical guide for people who like old things: where the big British antiques fairs and markets are, how to buy well, how to spot a fake and what to do when you want to sell.
Why go to a fair?
Buying antiques online is easy, but a fair gives you what a screen cannot. You can pick things up, turn them over, check the weight and the wear, and talk to the person who sells them. Dealers at fairs often have years of knowledge and will tell you what a piece is, if you ask. Many fairs also have collectors' stalls and bric-a-brac, so a visit can be cheap or expensive, depending on how you shop.
Britain has some of the largest antiques fairs in Europe, and a spread of weekly markets in London and regional towns. We list the big ones with a link to the organiser, because dates and prices change. Always check the organiser's site before you travel.
Where to start
- UK antiques fairs: the large recurring fairs at Newark, Ardingly, Shepton Mallet, Malvern, Kempton Park and others.
- Newark antiques fair: what to expect at the biggest name in the calendar, including Runway Monday.
- London antiques markets: Portobello Road, Bermondsey and Sunbury at Kempton Park.
- Antique, vintage or collectable? What the words mean and why it matters when you buy.
Buying and checking
- Buying tips for antiques fairs: what to bring, how to haggle politely, and how to avoid paying too much.
- Spotting reproductions: signs that a piece is not as old as it claims to be.
- Hallmarks basics: how to read the marks on British silver and gold.
Selling
Many people arrive at antiques through inheritance, a house clearance or a loft. See selling antiques: auction or dealer? for the main routes and how tax can apply to items worth £6,000 or more.
How to choose your first fair
If you are new, pick a smaller regional fair or a weekly market before the vast showground events. Large fairs reward people who know what they want and arrive early, but they can be tiring for a beginner. A weekly market lets you look, ask questions and learn prices at your own pace. When you are ready for the big events, make a list of what you are after and set a budget.
What makes a good day out
The best fair visits are planned a little. Choose an event, read the organiser's page for times and tickets, set a budget and decide what you are looking for. Arrive early if you want the best stock, or later if you are happy to browse and bargain. Eat before you go, as food at big showgrounds can be a long queue away from the stalls. Take a bag you can carry comfortably for hours, because a single heavy find can make the walk back to the car hard work.
What this site is and is not
This is information, not a valuation service, and we cannot identify or price items. We do not sell antiques, run fairs, or take payment from organisers. We link to organisers so you can check current details. If you spot an error, tell us through the contact page.
Fairs, markets and shops: the differences
A fair is a temporary event, often on a showground, where many dealers rent pitches for a day or several days. A market is usually a regular event in a fixed place, like Portobello Road on Saturdays. An antiques centre is a permanent building where dealers rent cabinets or units, so you can visit any day it is open. Each suits a different kind of buyer: fairs for variety and bargains, markets for atmosphere, centres for convenience.
A note on dates and prices
Fair dates and entry prices change from year to year, and some fairs move venue. Where we quote dates or prices, they are what the organiser published when we checked in November 2026, and we say so. Please verify them on the organiser's own site before you plan your trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest antiques fair in the UK?
Newark International Antiques and Collectors Fair in Nottinghamshire is one of the best-known. It is run by IACF, and the organiser's site lists the current dates.
Do I need to book tickets for antiques fairs?
It depends on the fair. IACF says tickets for its events can be bought online, and the Runway Monday page says tickets are also sold at the gate. Check the organiser's site.
Is Portobello Road open every day?
Shops and cafes open daily, but Saturday is the main antiques day, when all five sections of the market are open.
Is selling an antique taxed?
You may have to pay Capital Gains Tax if you sell a personal possession such as an antique for £6,000 or more and make a profit. See the selling page and GOV.UK.