📖 The UK's second-hand scene is a reseller's paradise, built on a rich tradition of car boot sales, antique fairs, and city flea markets. From the world-famous Portobello Road antiques to sprawling countryside car boots, there's a huge variety of sourcing opportunities. Success lies in understanding the distinct character of each venue, arriving early, and knowing your resale platforms, with eBay and Facebook Marketplace being dominant for local and national sales, and Vinted for fashion.
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Portobello Road Market
📍 London
🕒Open: Monday - Saturday, main day is Saturday 9am - 7pm
📍Address: Portobello Road, London, W10 5TY
The world's largest antiques market, stretching over a mile through Notting Hill. It's a major tourist destination but still a prime sourcing spot for serious resellers who know where and when to look.
💰 What to buy here
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Vintage & Antique Jewellery
Buy£10-£100
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Sell online£40-£300+ on eBay UK or at specialist auctions
Look for hallmarked silver or gold. Small, unique pieces often get overlooked by tourists.
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Vintage Cameras & Photography Gear
Buy£20-£80
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Sell online£60-£250 on eBay for tested, working models
Focus on well-known brands like Leica, Rolleiflex, or classic 35mm SLRs. Check for fungus in lenses.
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Antiquarian Books
Buy£5-£50
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Sell online£20-£500+ on AbeBooks or eBay for rare first editions
Check for first editions, author signatures, and unique bindings. Condition is everything.
💡 TipThe serious antique dealers are at the northern end (Chepstow Villas/Elgin Crescent). Arrive by 8am on Saturday to browse before the main tourist crowds descend around 11am.
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Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair
📍 Newark-on-Trent
🕒Open: Bi-monthly, typically Thursday & Friday. Check website for exact dates.
📍Address: Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Rd, Newark-on-Trent, NG24 2NY
One of Europe's largest antique fairs, held bi-monthly. With up to 2,500 stands across an 84-acre site, it attracts dealers and buyers from around the globe. This is a trade-focused event, perfect for bulk buying.
💰 What to buy here
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Antique & Mid-Century Furniture
Buy£50-£500
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Sell online£150-£1500+ on Facebook Marketplace (local) or Vinterior
Look for quality hardwoods, original features, and makers' marks. Factor in transport costs.
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Ceramics & Pottery
Buy£5-£40
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Sell online£20-£150 on eBay UK for names like Clarice Cliff, Moorcroft,
Check thoroughly for chips, cracks, or repairs (restoration kills value). Early 20th-century pieces are in high demand.
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Militaria & Medals
Buy£10-£200
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Sell online£50-£1000+ on specialist auction sites or eBay (check their
Authenticity is key. Research regimental insignia and medal ribbons. WW1 and WW2 items are most common.
💡 TipDay one (Thursday) is trade day. The entry fee is higher (£20) but it's when the best stock is available and serious deals are made. Wear comfortable shoes; the site is enormous.
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Sunbury Antiques Market (Kempton)
📍 Sunbury-on-Thames
🕒Open: Second and last Tuesday of every month, 6:30am - 2pm
📍Address: Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Rd E, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 5AQ
A huge and very popular bi-monthly market, easily accessible from London. It's known for a fantastic mix of antiques, vintage, and decorative items, with over 700 indoor and outdoor stalls.
💰 What to buy here
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Vintage Paintings & Prints
Buy£10-£60
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Sell online£40-£200 on eBay or Etsy, depending on artist and style
Look for original signatures and interesting subjects. Victorian watercolours and mid-century oils are popular.
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Industrial Lighting & Salvage
Buy£20-£100
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Sell online£80-£400 on eBay or specialist decorative antique sites afte
Old factory lamps, ship lights, and enamel shades are highly sought after for interior design.
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French Brocante & Homewares
Buy£5-£50
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Sell online£20-£150 on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace
Many dealers source directly from France. Look for enamelware, rustic linens, and confit pots.
💡 TipThe inside stalls are where you'll find finer antiques, but the real bargains are often outside with the 'van sellers' who arrive very early. Be there by 6:30am with a torch, especially in winter.
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Shepton Mallet Antiques, Vintage & Collectors Fair
📍 Shepton Mallet
🕒Open: Held several weekends a year, check IACF website for dates
📍Address: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN
A massive fair in the West Country, with hundreds of stands both inside and out. It's known for a more eclectic and rustic feel compared to Newark, with a great mix of antiques, vintage, and salvage.
💰 What to buy here
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Gardenalia & Architectural Salvage
Buy£10-£150
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Sell online£40-£500 on Facebook Marketplace or local classifieds due to
Stone troughs, iron gates, and terracotta pots sell well. Condition is less important as patina is desirable.
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Vintage Toys & Games
Buy£5-£50
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Sell online£20-£200 on eBay for brands like Hornby, Dinky, or early boa
Original boxes dramatically increase value. Check for missing pieces or damage.
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Silver Plate & Cutlery
Buy£10-£40 for a set
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Sell online£50-£150 on eBay UK, especially for Sheffield-made sets
Look for complete, cased sets. Check for plate wear, especially on the back of forks and spoons.
💡 TipThe outdoor pitches can be muddy but are often where the best 'fresh to market' items are found. Haggle respectfully; most sellers expect it.
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Brick Lane Market
📍 London
🕒Open: Sunday is the main day, roughly 10am - 5pm
📍Address: Brick Lane, London, E1 6QR
A vibrant, sprawling East London market famous for its vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, and eclectic atmosphere. It's a collection of different markets, including the Upmarket in the Old Truman Brewery.
💰 What to buy here
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Vintage Clothing (80s/90s)
Buy£5-£25
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Sell online£20-£70 on Depop or Vinted
Look for branded sportswear (Nike, Adidas), leather jackets, and denim. Check for stains and broken zips.
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Vinyl Records
Buy£2-£15
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Sell online£10-£50+ on Discogs or eBay for desirable pressings
Check vinyl condition for scratches. Classic rock, punk, and soul are always in demand.
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Independent Art & Crafts
Buy£10-£40
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Sell online£30-£100 on Etsy or at other craft fairs
A good place to spot up-and-coming artists. Buy directly from the maker and focus on unique, high-quality work.
💡 TipVenture off the main street into the indoor markets like the Vintage Market in the Truman Brewery basement for more curated (but pricier) stock. The best bargains are on the street stalls early in the morning.
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The Barras Market
📍 Glasgow
🕒Open: Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 4pm
📍Address: Moncur St, Glasgow, G1 5RR
A legendary Glasgow institution in the city's East End. It's a gritty, authentic market with a mix of old and new, known for its unique character and the famous Glasgow patter from the traders.
💰 What to buy here
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Football Memorabilia
Buy£1-£20
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Sell online£10-£100+ on eBay for rare programmes or vintage shirts
Focus on old firm (Celtic/Rangers) items, match programmes from the 60s/70s, and classic shirts.
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Old Tools
Buy£2-£15
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Sell online£10-£50 on eBay for quality brands like Stanley or Record
Look for tools with wooden handles and brass fittings. Rust can often be cleaned off, but check for woodworm.
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Whisky & Breweriana
Buy£5-£30
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Sell online£20-£100 on eBay for vintage water jugs, mirrors, and memora
Collectable items from closed distilleries or vintage advertising pieces are highly sought after.
💡 TipDon't be afraid to rummage. The best finds are often buried in boxes under the tables. The stalls further from the main entrance can have better prices.
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Chirk Car Boot Sale
📍 Wrexham
🕒Open: Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays (Mar-Nov), from 5am
📍Address: Chirk Airfield, Wrexham, LL14 5BG
One of the largest and most popular car boot sales in North Wales and the borders, attracting thousands of people. A classic, sprawling field sale with a huge variety of goods.
💰 What to buy here
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Farm & Country House Clear-out Items
Buy£1-£20
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Sell online£10-£80 on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree
Due to its rural location, you'll find rustic items, old farm equipment, and genuine house clearance goods.
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Retro Video Games & Consoles
Buy£5-£30
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Sell online£20-£150 on eBay for tested and working items
Look for Nintendo, Sega, and PlayStation games from the 80s and 90s. Boxed items are worth significantly more.
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Royal Commemorative Ware
Buy£1-£5
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Sell online£10-£30 on eBay for older or rarer pieces
Mugs, plates, and tins from coronations and jubilees. Victorian and Edwardian era items are more valuable.
💡 TipArrive at dawn (gates open at 5am for sellers) to catch the dealers selling to each other. This is where the best, unpicked stock can be found before the public arrives.
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Bryn-y-grog Car Boot Sale
📍 Wrexham
🕒Open: Sundays & Bank Holidays (seasonal), from 6am
📍Address: Bryn-y-grog, Marchwiel, Wrexham, LL13 0SR
Another huge North Wales car boot, famous for its location next to the British Ironwork Centre. It attracts a mix of regular traders and one-off local sellers clearing out their homes.
💰 What to buy here
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Second-hand Bicycles
Buy£10-£50
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Sell online£50-£150 on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace after a clean-up
Look for quality older brands like Raleigh or Peugeot. Check for frame damage, but flat tyres and rust are fixable.
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Children's Toys & Clothes Bundles
Buy£5-£15 for a box
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Sell online£20-£60 on Facebook Marketplace or Vinted when sold as bundl
Parents are often looking to clear out large amounts of outgrown items cheaply. Look for branded items like Lego or Sylvanian Families.
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CDs & DVDs
Buy£0.20-£1 per disc
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Sell online£5-£20+ for rare box sets or specific genres on MusicMagpie
Most are worthless, but look for box sets, rare films, or specific music genres that have a collector's market.
💡 TipParking can be chaotic. Arrive early and be prepared for a bit of a walk. The catering vans here are a local legend.
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Alfies Antique Market
📍 London
🕒Open: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm
📍Address: 13-25 Church St, Marylebone, London, NW8 8DT
London's largest indoor antiques market, a multi-storey Art Deco building housing over 75 specialist dealers. Known for 20th-century design, vintage fashion, and collectibles.
💰 What to buy here
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High-End Vintage Fashion
Buy£50-£300
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Sell online£150-£1000+ on Vestiaire Collective or to private collectors
Look for designer labels from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Check for authenticity and condition.
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20th Century Decorative Arts
Buy£40-£200
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Sell online£100-£600 on Vinterior or 1stDibs
Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Mid-Century Modern pieces are specialties here. Look for glass, ceramics, and metalware.
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Costume Jewellery
Buy£10-£50
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Sell online£30-£150 on Etsy or Ruby Lane
Look for signed pieces (e.g., Miriam Haskell, Trifari) and unique designs from the 1920s-1960s.
💡 TipThis is a dealer-focused market, so prices are higher. However, it's an excellent place for sourcing high-quality, curated stock. Build relationships with dealers for better prices.
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Edinburgh Flea Market
📍 Edinburgh
🕒Open: One Saturday a month, 10am - 3pm. Check website for dates.
📍Address: Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny St, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG
A popular monthly indoor market in Leith with over 40 stalls selling a wide range of antiques, vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, and handmade items.
💰 What to buy here
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Scottish Pottery & Glass
Buy£5-£20
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Sell online£20-£80 on eBay UK
Look for items from makers like Wemyss Ware, Monart Glass, or Portobello pottery.
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Vintage Tartan & Woollens
Buy£10-£30
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Sell online£40-£100 on Etsy or eBay, especially for pure wool kilts or
Check for moth damage. Quality, older wool items from brands like Harris Tweed are very desirable.
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Second-hand Books
Buy£1-£10
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Sell online£10-£50+ for Scottish authors or specific subjects on AbeBoo
Look for first editions of well-known Scottish authors or books on local history.
💡 TipIt gets very busy around midday. Go in the first hour for the best choice, or the last hour for potential bargains as sellers pack up.
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Belfast Flea Market
📍 Belfast
🕒Open: Last Sunday of the month
📍Address: The Sunflower Public House and Live Music, 65 Union St, Belfast, BT1 2JG
A trendy and stylish monthly market held at the Sunflower Bar, featuring a curated selection of vintage clothing, antiques, records, and local crafts.
💰 What to buy here
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Irish Bric-a-Brac & Collectibles
Buy£5-£25
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Sell online£20-£75 on eBay, particularly to the US market
Look for items from Belleek Pottery, Wade Ceramics, or vintage Guinness memorabilia.
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Vinyl Records & Music Memorabilia
Buy£5-£20
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Sell online£15-£60 on Discogs or eBay
Strong focus on Irish artists (e.g., Thin Lizzy, Van Morrison) and punk/alternative music.
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Curated Vintage Clothing
Buy£10-£40
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Sell online£30-£90 on Depop or Vinted
Sellers are often very style-conscious. Look for unique pieces that fit current trends, like vintage band t-shirts or 70s dresses.
💡 TipThis is a curated market, so it's less about rummaging and more about finding unique, quality items. The vibe is relaxed, with live music and food stalls.
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Battersea Boot
📍 London
🕒Open: Every Sunday, entry from 12:00pm
📍Address: Harris Academy, 401 Battersea Park Rd, London, SW11 5AP
A very popular and well-established Sunday car boot in South London. It's known for attracting a more affluent crowd of sellers, meaning a higher chance of finding designer fashion and quality homewares.
💰 What to buy here
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Designer & High-Street Fashion
Buy£10-£50
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Sell online£30-£150+ on Vinted, Depop, or Vestiaire Collective
Look for contemporary brands (e.g., Ganni, Whistles) and high-end designer labels. Check carefully for authenticity and condition.
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Quality Homewares
Buy£5-£30
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Sell online£20-£80 on Facebook Marketplace or eBay
Sellers are often clearing out high-quality items from brands like The White Company, Le Creuset, or designer collaborations.
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Leather Handbags & Accessories
Buy£15-£60
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Sell online£50-£200 on eBay or Vestiaire Collective
Look for quality leather and recognisable mid-range brands (e.g., Coach, Mulberry, Russell & Bromley). Check linings and hardware.
💡 TipPay the higher early entry fee (£7 at 12:00pm) to get in before the crowds. Many fashion bloggers and stylists source here, so competition for good clothing is fierce.
Questions resellers ask
What are the best flea markets in the United Kingdom?
Well-known flea markets in the United Kingdom include Portobello Road Market (London), Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair (Newark-on-Trent) and Sunbury Antiques Market (Kempton) (Sunbury-on-Thames). This page lists 12 markets in 8 cities with addresses, opening hours and what to buy there to resell.
When are flea markets open in the United Kingdom?
Most run on weekends. Portobello Road Market: Monday - Saturday, main day is Saturday 9am - 7pm; Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair: Bi-monthly, typically Thursday & Friday. Check website for exact dates.; Sunbury Antiques Market (Kempton): Second and last Tuesday of every month, 6:30am - 2pm. Hours change with the season, so check the market's own website before you go.
What can you buy at flea markets in the United Kingdom to resell?
Good finds at these markets include Vintage & Antique Jewellery (buy £10-£100, resell £40-£300+ on eBay UK or at specialist auctions), Vintage Cameras & Photography Gear (buy £20-£80, resell £60-£250 on eBay for tested, working models), Antiquarian Books (buy £5-£50, resell £20-£500+ on AbeBooks or eBay for rare first editions) and Antique & Mid-Century Furniture (buy £50-£500, resell £150-£1500+ on Facebook Marketplace (local) or Vinterior). Check what an item actually sold for before you pay — the FlipTip app shows real sold prices from a photo.
Is there a flea market near me in the United Kingdom?
Tap "Nearest to me" on this page to sort the markets by distance from where you are. Markets listed here are in London, Newark-on-Trent, Sunbury-on-Thames, Shepton Mallet, Glasgow and Wrexham and more.