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From antique furniture to vintage clothes, there’s nothing more satisfying than perusing the many rails and stalls of a market to discover a hidden second-hand gem. Second-hand shopping is on the rise, with 69% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials having made second-hand purchases in the last year*.
The UK offers plenty of places to go thrifting if you’re looking for a vintage steal. Read on to find out the best second-hand markets to explore.
We analysed some of the best flea markets and car boot sales in the UK and scored each out of 100. The scores were determined by assessing the sentiment expressed in reviews for each spot.
The top 10 second-hand markets in the South West
1. Bath Saturday Antique and Flea Market, Bath
Bath’s Antique and Flea Market scored so well that it is again featured as the South West’s best second-hand market. From homemade fudge and original artwork to garden furniture and tools, there’s no better place to find something you didn’t even realise you wanted.
2. Department Flea Market, Brighton
Brighton’s iconic Department Flea Market arises again as one of the South West’s best second-hand markets.
3. Haynes Lane Market, London
South London’s Haynes Lane Market features again. It’s a top choice for all things vintage and collectable. For those who have spent the day rummaging through its retro finds, the market is conveniently placed next to Crystal Palace Food Market, a tasty farmer’s market open every Saturday.
How to get there: The nearest station is Crystal Palace, where you can walk 16 minutes to the market.
4. Shepperton Car Boot Sale, London
Shepperton has the best car boot sale in the South West, ideal for picking up bargains and hidden gems. Set in a beautifully maintained field on New Road, visitors can expect a laid-back and welcoming shopping environment, complete with helpful and attentive stallholders—perfect for newcomers to the scene. This sale boasts a diverse array of bric-a-brac, clothing, DVDs and more, along with on-site catering. Running every Saturday from 8:30 to 12:30 between April and November (weather permitting), it's an unmissable event.
How to get there: The nearest station is Shepperton, where you can walk 30 minutes to the car boot sale.
5. Brighton Flea Market, Brighton
Concluding our list of the top five markets in the South West is Brighton Flea Market, a charming establishment nestled in historic Kemptown, boasting a 25-year trading history. With over 60 stalls and cabinets, the market offers a delightful array of set pieces, clothing and quirky interior items. Don’t overlook the beautiful furniture and antiques section upstairs. Visitors can explore the flea market's offerings from 10:00 to 17:30 from Mondays to Saturdays and from 10:00 to 17:00 every Sunday.
The top 10 second-hand markets in the UK
1. Hackney Flea Market, London
Hackney Flea Market has been crowned as the UK’s best for second-hand shopping. The market offers a diverse array of curated stalls from 30 handpicked vintage traders. There’s something for everyone, from vintage fashion, retro furniture and antiques to vinyl records, books and jewellery. Located at Hackney Bridge and open from 11:00 to 17:00 every Sunday, it's a great way to experience the lively atmosphere of the Hackney Wick area.
2. Lewes Flea Market, Lewes
Lewes’ eclectic flea features as the UK’s second-best market. Spanning two floors, it brims with diverse and intricate trinkets, furniture, pottery, vinyl records and garden pots, promising visitors an exciting rummage. Lewes Flea Market has upheld its reputation as a charming vintage treasure trove since opening in 1992. Open all week, the market welcomes shoppers from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 10:30 to 17:00 on weekends and bank holidays.
3. Bath Saturday Antique and Flea Market, Bath
For over four decades, the Saturday Antique and Flea Market has been a fixture on Walcot Street, boasting an extensive array of vintage goods. Every Saturday, both visitors and locals alike can peruse stalls showcasing vintage records, jewellery, antiques, second-hand tools and an eclectic mix of bric-a-brac. In Bath's bustling shopping district, the market offers an opportunity for visitors to explore further along London Road, discovering more vintage shops along the way
4. Department Flea Market, Brighton
Brighton’s Department Flea Market is a popular choice for locals and visitors alike, stocking a wide range of vintage goods from 30 sellers over its two floors. With something for everyone, the market has fresh vintage and antique stock arriving every day, offering everything from retro vinyl to furniture, lighting, art, books and more. The quirky emporium welcomes visitors between 10:00 and 17:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 11:00 to 16:00 on Sundays.
5. Haynes Lane Market, London
Rounding off the top five markets in the UK is Haynes Lane Market, a vintage and antiques market in the heart of Crystal Palace. This is a treasure trove for thrifty shoppers, with a diverse array of vinyl, vintage clothing, antiques and books, and is often dubbed a ‘secret market’ thanks to its hidden passageway outside. Haynes Lane is a haven for classic collectors, featuring everything from toys and records to coins and clothes. Open from 11:00 to 17:00 from Friday to Sunday, it’s the perfect weekend destination for bargain hunters.
The best second-hand markets for...
Books, clothes and furniture
After analysing Google reviews, Hackney Flea Market received the top ratings for its collection of books, clothes and furniture. The owner’s personal tastes shine across the multicoloured rails, showcasing a range of designer and vintage brands to shop fashionably and sustainably. The market also boasts an eclectic array of vintage furniture and books sourced from independent creatives and stallholders in the local area.
Worth the Weigh also receives top ratings for its clothing events, which are held frequently up and down the country. At these events, attendees can fill a bag with their favourite vintage clothes, paying £20 per kilogram. Regular events are hosted in Winchester and Reading.
Jewellery
If you have a taste for sparkly stuff, Lewes Flea Market is the top choice for perusing pre-loved jewellery. The market features a vibrant variety of trinkets, rings, bracelets and necklaces – there is ample opportunity to discover unique and rarely-seen pieces.
Records
If you're eager to expand your vinyl collection, look no further than London’s Wood Street Indoor Market. Renowned as the ultimate spot for music enthusiasts, the market boasts a diverse range of shops catering to every musical preference. Among its long-standing residents is Mike's Records, which specialises in timeless classics from every era alongside fresh additions. Elsewhere, Ray’s Records has a huge selection of albums to sift through.
Antiques
Kempton’s Sunbury Antiques Market is one of the UK’s largest and most beloved antique fairs. Featuring over 700 traders, the market offers a diverse array of antiques, collectibles, and trinkets, spread across two indoor grandstands and outdoor pitches. Held at Kempton Park Racecourse on the second and last Tuesday of every month, with occasional Sunday fairs, this market is a must-visit to all. The Racecourse boasts its own train station on–site – Kempton Park, 200 yards from the North entrance.
Methodology and sources
* https://ecommercedb.com/insights/secondhand-fashion-in-the-uk-attitudes-across-generations/4550
We evaluated the shopping experiences at various second-hand markets across the UK by first compiling a seed list of notable markets using online directories and media. We collected customer reviews from Google Reviews and applied natural language processing (NLP) techniques to perform sentiment analysis, assigning each market a shopping experience score out of 100 based on the positivity of feedback. To assess specialisation in items such as books and clothes, we counted item-specific mentions within the comments, adjusting the frequency per 10 comments to ensure comparability across markets with differing volumes of reviews, and scored each market out of 100 based on these findings. This methodology allowed us to quantitatively evaluate and compare the overall and item-specific consumer satisfaction in each market.
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