The 10 Best flea markets

From vintage clothing to antiquarian books and collectible cameras, we find the best places to pick up a bargain buy

Will Coldwell
Wednesday 27 March 2013 01:00 GMT
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1. Vintage Kilo Sale, Edinburgh

We all buy food by weight, so why not clothes? Brought to you by Britain's biggest vintage wholesaler, which is taking five tons of vintage stock to Scotland and selling it at £15 a kilo. There couldn't be a cheaper way to bulk buy retro outfits.

4 and 5 May, judysvintagefair.co.uk

2. Capital Carboot, London

Founded by stylist and personal shopper Faye Marriott in 2010, this weekly sale in Pimlico attracts a younger, hipper and more fashion-conscious crowd than your usual car boot and that's reflected in what's on sale. Expect to find plenty of designer clothing and collectibles.

Every Sunday, capitalcarboot.com

3. Haydock Book Fair, Merseyside

Organised by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, this event is full of antiquarian and second-hand books, as well as maps and prints. It features around 20 regular exhibitors including specialists in comics, travel and rare books. The PBFA also hosts regular book fairs across the country.

13 April, pbfa.org

4. Camden Passage, London

This much-loved little street in Islington spans the gamut of second-hand shopping. The stalls and boutiques sell everything from vintage clothing to bric-a-brac and the antiques market is very highly regarded, as are the fantastic jewellery and silverware shops.

Wednesday and Saturdays, camdenpassageislington.co.uk

5. Lewes Flea Market, Sussex

Loved by antique dealers and vintage collectors alike, this market attracts thousands of customers each week. Hosted in a converted church, it's the ideal place to hunt for retro-design, furniture and all manner of second-hand curios.

Daily, flea-markets.co.uk

6. Cambridge Art and Craft Market, Cambridgeshire

A co-operatively run market that has been running on a weekly basis for almost 40 years hosting the work of local artists. Stalls offer everything from photographs to pottery, but all share the motto: "we make what we sell".

Saturdays, cambridge-art-craft.co.uk

7. Bath Flea Market, Somerset

Rummagers will rejoice at this huge flea market held at the Bath Racecourse. You'll quickly find yourself knee deep in more vintage and antique gear than you can imagine. Don't forget to take a break and enjoy a cream tea.

12 May, 2 June, 7 July, bathfleamarket.co.uk

8. Brighton Craft Fair, Sussex

Held a stone's throw from the Lanes shopping quarter, this craft fair is a great place to pick up unique gifts. A stroll round the quirky stalls makes for a nice addition to a day by the seaside.

Last Saturday of each month, except May, brightoncraft.co.uk

9. Photographica, London

Vintage and antique-photo fans flock to this annual fair, which is a chance to buy, swap and sell thousands of collectible cameras and photographs.There are more than 135 stalls selling lenses, accessories, film and early equipment.

Sunday 19 May, nanites.co.uk

10. Shepton Flea Market, Somerset

Held seven times a year, this is a popular and large covered flea market. With more than 200 indoor stalls and more outside, you can spend hours sifting through books, militaria, ornaments and records.

31 March, 5 May, 21 July, sheptonflea.com

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