I made it my goal to go to more vintage markets this year - first up, Malvern Flea

Here are my tips if you're planning a visit to an antique market

I made it my goal to go to more vintage markets and fairs this year, not just to buy more clobber but to get to know them a bit. To suss out the good ones, if and how much they all vary, whether some are better than others if you’re looking for particular things (say furniture or art). And also, because I’m excited to be starting a little second-hand shop… yep, you heard it here first.

I’ll just be selling via Instagram to start whilst I test the waters and it should be ready to share soonish maybe next week (this is me holding myself accountable) once I have the first lot of things photographed. I’ve ummed and ahhed about selling - there are so many people doing it already, and doing it extremely well but in the end I just get so much enjoyment from sourcing that I wanted to give it a go. Plus, from a purely practical perspective, I’m currently trying on my freelance hat for the first time (post travelling), which means I have a bit more time and flexibility. So, soft launch complete - stay tuned for more!

Back to markets. Although they take place regularly up and down the UK, I think they remain a bit of a mystery for lots of people. I talk to friends and lots say they’ve always wanted to go or are really keen but a bit daunted by the idea. I agree it can definitely be daunting. For starters it often means an early start with doors opening at 6.30am or 7am (the serious buyers will be there on the dot) and an even earlier start if you’re coming from a long way away. When you arrive, there’s a lot to see and get through. It always takes me a good while to ‘get my eyes in’ and you realise how much of a skill it is to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff (and quickly) to find those gems. Usually, I find it’s having the confidence to make that first purchase that breaks the spell and then I’m away.

Last week on Easter Monday I went to Malvern Flea and Collectors Fair for the first time, which is held at the Three Counties Showground. As a flea market, rather than an antiques market I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was looking for stock for the shop and so I was prepared to do some digging. I was surprised by how big it was - huge in fact, with lots of stalls outside and even more housed inside three giant barns. There was less furniture than other fairs I’ve been to, and on the whole it did feel a bit more of a random assortment (i.e. quite a lot of junk), but still lots to see and I made some good purchases so I would definitely recommend. The next one is May 27th - the spring bank holiday Monday. I overheard quite a few sellers say they’d been at The Giant Shepton Flea Market the day before so if that’s closer to you, I imagine it’s a similar vibe.

If you’re looking for a smaller fair, I would highly recommend Faversham Antiques Market in Kent, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month (next one is 5th May). It’s just one stop away on the train line from Whitstable - which by the way, is an excellent charity shop destination and general day out. Faversham is such a pretty market town and this is a great fair if you’ve haven’t been to many before and want to avoid feeling overwhelmed. There’s a decent number of stalls but it’s way less sprawling than the big ones and feels that bit more curated so less bric-à-brac to wade through.