Throughout the UK you will find many antique fairs taking place organised by different people, each with their own following.
International Antiques & Collectors Fairs (known as IACF) organise five of the UK’s major antique fairs including the Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair and now the Swinderby International Antiques & Collectors Fairs.
They organise over 20 events throughout the year taking place at Newark, Shepton Mallet, Swinderby, Ardingly and Detling. These fairs are usually well attended by both UK and overseas buyers and sellers.
Click here to visit IACF’s website
Starting this Friday, 22nd January 2010, is the Shepton Mallet IACF International Antique & Collectors Fair at the Royal Bath & West showground.
This three-day antique fair can hold up to 600 stalls and is often regarded as one of the West County’s premier antique events. It opens on Friday 22nd January 2010 at 1pm when admission is £10. Over the weekend admission is reduced to £5 each day.
If you do visit this antique fair, do let us know what you thought – Was it busy with buyers? Were there lots of stallholders? What was the quality like of the stock on offer – did you buy anything?! Also, don’t forget to tell us about the facilities – the parking, toilets & food.
Remember – it’s always wise to check that these type of events are still scheduled to go ahead, especially considering the current weather conditions!
Click here to visit the organiser’s website
Today, Saturday 21st November 2009, is the start of the great Wetherby Racecourse Antiques & Collectors fair organised by Jaguar Fairs.
This antique fair is now based within and around the brand new exhibition building at the racecourse. There is usually a wide range of items at this fair from pottery and small collectables to items of furniture and other miscellania. If you’re in the area and are looking for Christmas presents then it might be worth a wander round.
The fair opens today, Saturday, at 8am when admission is £4. From 9am admission is reduced to £3 for the rest of the weekend.
Jaguar Fairs also organise the popular Kedleston Hall Antiques In The Park & the Derby University Antiques Fair.
Click here to visit Jaguar Fairs website
This weekend, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November 2009, it’s the first Yorkshire Antiques & Art Fair at the Yorkshire Event Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.
This new antiques event is organised by Bowman Antiques Fairs who also run the popular Stafford Bingley Hall Antique Fair.
Please visit Bowman Antiques Fairs website to check for details about this exciting new antique fair and to also check it is still scheduled to go ahead before you make the journey there.
Bowman Antiques Fairs
This weekend, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2009, is the great Wetherby Racecourse Antiques Fair organised by Jaguar Fairs.
Located at the Wetherby Racecourse which is just off the A1 main road there are good on-site facilities and ample free parking close to the main buildings.
Organised by Jaguar Fairs who also organise the Antiques In The Park event at Kedleston Hall and the antiques fair at Derby University there is usually a good turnout of indoor and outdoor stall holders (especially if the weather is good!) offering a wide range of antiques and collectables.
The fair opens to Trade at 8am on the Saturday, 24th October 2009, when admission is £4. Public entrance is from 9am both days when admission for adults is £3.
Click here to visit the Jaguar Fairs website
This weekend, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2009, it’s the Derby University Antiques Fair organised by Jaguar Fairs.
This is an indoor antiques fair based within the building at Derby University. There are good facilities on-site and plenty of free parking close to the building.
The fair opens on Saturday at 9am to the public and on Sunday from 10am. Admission all weekend for adults is £3.
There is usually an interesting mix of items on sale at this fair ranging from jewellery, pictures and small furniture to collectable pottery, glass and china.
Jaguar Fairs also organise several other antique fairs – the Wetherby Racecourse Antique Fair and the popular Antiques In The Park event at Kedleston Hall.
Click here to visit Jaguar Fairs website
Starting on Thursday, 8th October 2009, is the ever popular two-day Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair organised by DMG Antique Fairs.
Based at the Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground it’s very easy to find being well signposted and located next to the A1 main road. If you travel by train then you’ll be pleased to hear that DMG organise a courtesy coach from Newark Northgate railway station.
This antique fair opens on Thursday at 9am when admission for adults is £20. This ticket does allow entry on the Friday as well. Friday entrance is from 8am when admission is £5 for adults.
This is usually a very large event covering lots of ground, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. You’ll find everything from china, pottery, glass, jewellery, books, militaria, specialist collectables to furniture and lots of burger vans!
Click here to read more about this antiques fair
This coming Tuesday, 6th October 2009, is the start of the two-day Lincolnshire Antiques and Home Show (Formerly known as Swinderby Antiques Fair) freshly relocated from RAF Swinderby to the Lincolnshire Showground.
Easily reached, the Lincolnshire Showground is situated just on the outskirts of Lincoln city and close to the A1.
The fair opens at 7am on Tuesday when admission is £15 all day to adults. On Wednesday the fair opens at 8am and admission is reduced to £2.50.
It’s certainly worth having a wander around this newly located fair if you’re in the area. With such new modern facilities it will certainly be a change from the old disused airfield!
Click here to find out more about this fair organised by Arthur Swallow
Starting this Friday, the 2nd October 2009, is the twice yearly two-day Peterborough Festival Of Antiques antiques fair.
Located at the East of England Showground this event is organised by Bob Evans Fairs and is a busy and popular antiques event on the antiques calendar. It hosts a range of stalls in buildings, marquees and outdoors so it’s always nice if it’s good weather!
Originally opened in 1999 this fair has a solid base of regular buyers and sellers. You’ll usually find a good mix of pottery, glass, jewellery, books, furniture and of course the odd burger van!
The fair opens to the general public at 10am on Friday and 9.30am on Saturday. Public entrance is £5 each day. Trade entrance is again more expensive at £10 per adult and allows admission from 7am on the Friday.
Click here to visit Bob Evans Fairs website
If you’re in the Barnsley area of South Yorkshire this Sunday, 13th September 2009, then why not take a drive over to Elsecar and visit the antiques fair at the Elsecar Heritage Centre?
Organised by Newcomen Fairs this antique fair is usually well-turned out by both stallholders and visitors. It opens to the public at 10am and admission for adults is £1.50 (trade are admitted from 9am when admission is £2).
There are good facilities on site with a cafe, toilets and ample free parking at the Heritage Centre. Also on-site is the Elsecar Antiques Centre which is always worth a browse. With a range of cabinets and small units there’s plenty to keep you occupied!
Click here to visit Newcomen Fairs website.