A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ANTIQUES FAIRS.

4 years ago I attended my first antiques fair and it planted the seed for an interior obsession that would lead me to launch my own little antiques business! There is nothing I love more than setting my alarm early, making myself a flask of Yorkshire tea, and setting my satnav to whatever fair or market I can find to spend a good few hours (sometimes even a full day!) hunting for treasure.

 

I feel like I’ve learnt a fair few tips and tricks since my first trip to an antiques market, some perhaps obvious and some less so, so I thought I’d share my 12 top tips for attending an antiques fair in one place, to help you make the most out of your next visit.

 

1. FINDING YOUR LOCAL FAIR

Luckily for you, there are fairs up and down the country at all times of year. Some last a day whilst others span over several. The largest of note in the UK is Newark International Antiques Fair which runs 6 times a year. You can head to the IACF website to find when the next one will be. If you live in or around London, I'd recommend giving Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair, or Sunbury Antiques Market a visit. Or if, like me, you live further North then there is Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair, or the Arthur Swallows fairs at Cheshire Showground or Ripley Castle. A quick Google is sure to bring up countless results near to you.

 

2. MAKE A LIST

Fairs can have hundreds of stalls and dealers with endless antiques and collectables to peruse, and it can be all too easy to get carried away. The best way to ensure you have a successful trip is to go in with at least a rough idea of what you’re looking for. For me, it’s often a case of referring to my Pinterest boards ahead of a trip and taking notes of the styling pieces I’m loving and pinning. 

3. SET YOURSELF A BUDGET

When you’re faced with thousands of pieces, you can find you’ve run out of funds before you’ve even seen every stall! Set yourself an overall budget for the day, as well as individual budgets for each piece on your wish list. Even if you end up overspending, it’s good to keep tabs on how your pot is looking throughout the day.

4. THE EARLY BIRD…

…catches the worm. The cliché is true! Arrive for opening, and aim to attend on the first day if the fair is running across multiple days. This will give you the best selection to choose from, and you’ll find yourself shopping amongst trade buyers instead of consumers who will tend to arrive slightly later in the day. Setting your alarm a few hours earlier can be the difference between coming away with a one-of-a-kind gem and not. It’s also really interesting to look at what the trade are buying!

5. CASH IS KING

In the time of contactless and paying on your phone, you’d be forgiven for never carrying cash on you. But in the case of fairs, always get cash out. Some dealers will accept cards, but the vast majority will only expect cash. I have found on several occasions that dealers are much more willing to haggle if you’re paying in cash rather than card.

6. DON’T BE AFRAID TO HAGGLE

Us Brits can have a hard time angling for a bargain, and this is a tip that has taken me a long time to implement myself. However, knowing that most dealers are open to negotiating on price helps when you want to knock some money off that piece you really like. I often ask ‘is that the best price you can offer?’. If they say yes, I accept that they are not open to dropping the price, but more often than not they’ll be open to finding a fair deal with you.

7. IF YOU LIKE IT, DON’T LEAVE IT

‘There is nothing that haunts you quite like the antique you didn’t buy’. I cannot tell you how true this saying is! So many times in my indecisive state, I have dwelled over a piece only to find when I returned 10 minutes later it’d been snapped up by a surer buyer. If you find a one-off piece that has you torn, before you walk away ask yourself if you’d be OK with someone else walking away with it instead. If the answer is no, don’t risk it! Click here to see some of the pieces I just couldn't walk away from...

8. ASK QUESTIONS

Antique dealers are the experts! Get to know the piece you’re interested in buying. How old is it? Where is it from? What is it used for? How rare is it? The more informed you are, the better judgement you can make as to its value to you.

9. TRUST YOUR GUT

I often let my heart lead when I’m buying antiques for my home. You know yourself and your taste better than anyone, so if you find a piece that gives you that feeling of joy, don’t overthink it too much. It’ll live in your home forever so if it makes you happy, isn’t that the most important thing?

10. BE PRACTICAL

Fairs aren’t glamorous! They’re often held in fields, so wellies or boots are an essential. Check the forecast for the day before you go and dress accordingly. Remember, we can experience all 4 seasons in one day in the UK so it never hurts to pack both the sun cream and the umbrella. If you’re on a mission to buy a fair few items, take bags or even invest in a trolley to save your back! This is my trolley and it’s an absolute godsend when I’m spending hours hauling my pieces around.

11. TAKE PICTURES 

I’m a visual person, so I’m always snapping pictures of things that inspire me. Taking pictures of the pieces you like will help you to keep tabs on what you might like to head back for, otherwise it might just help you build your wish list for the next fair!

12. ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE

If there’s one takeaway from this blog, it’s to have fun! Treasure hunting can be exciting, rewarding and often surprising. Fairs are bustling places full of all kinds of people from all over. It’s a really wonderful and friendly melting pot so clear your schedule for the day and really make the most of it. If you’re an interior lover, there’s nothing quite like an antiques fair!

 

Does this post have you itching for a little online treasure hunting? Check out all of my latest antique finds here.