Whether you're flogging or finding, these are the top spots to do so in London...
With the rise of retro and second hand sales, it can be difficult to find a good vintage store in London nowadays, let alone car boot sales. And whilst online shopping is thriving because of it's convenience, there truly is no feeling like rummaging through brick a brack and bits and bobs and discovering your next treasured trinket. What is normally a Sunday past time can get quite hectic in London, with thrifters rolling up their sleeves to get their hands on the next best find, but if you head to one of our hot spots, you're guaranteed to find a brilliant bargain or flog your bits in dire need of a second home.
Capital Car Boot- Pimlico
Pimlico Academy, Lupus St, Pimlico, London SW1V 3AT
Just a short walk from Pimlico station is Capital car boot sale. One of our strongest entries on the list, with both indoor and outdoor selling points and a later start than average (meaning a 10am start not 6am. Phew!) alongside the fact that it's one of the largest in London... need we say more? Expect to find absolutely everything here, from second hand clothes, jewellery, utensils, bikes, house decor and many other wonderful categories of items.
The car boot sale operates every Sunday from 10am till 2.30pm.
Entry for sellers starts at £10. Book your slot here.
Entry for buyers starts at £1. You can buy an earlybird ticket here if you want first dibs on all the good stuff!
Chiswick Car Boot Sale
Staveley Rd, Chiswick, London W4 3UN
'A glorious serendipitous mix of stuff' - is the perfect way to describe Chiswick car boot sale . Here, you're unlikely to leave empty handed, even if you're just there to sell.
It only takes place on the first Sunday of every month, which means you really have to commit to going. It's outside, so always be prepared for the unpredictable London weather (wellies are advised too). It's packed with many different sellers but what makes the Chiswick boot sale stand out is the fact that there are a few proffessional sellers there too, from house clearance stalls to market stands. With the area of Chiswick being more expensive than some parts, the quality of items being sold tends to be on the higher end, with fairly priced vintage pieces and collectibles.
You can expect the next sale to be on the 4th December. Sellers can arrive from 6am and slots start at £10. The gates open for buyers open at 6am and entry costs £1 per person. More information about prices and the boot sale can be found here.
Princess May - Stoke Newington
Princess May School, London N16 8DF
Run by the London Car Boot Co, the Princess May car boot sale takes place every weekend (yes we mean both Saturday and Sunday including Bank Holidays) meaning there are plenty of opportunities to visit this sale, and a huge influx of sellers from all over. Rummage through tonnes of vintage clothing, retro furniture and buy from proffessional traders.
Theres both indoor and outdoor trading, which is great for unpredictable weather like we mentioned before and it's one of the busiest, meaning lots of buyers and seller.
Gates open atg 7.30am. Entry prices for sellers start at £12 and cars must be pre booked, which you can do here.
Entry for buyers start at £1 for general or £5 for early bird.
Denham Giant Car Boot- Uxbridge
Denham Ct Dr, Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5PG
We all know that sometimes car boot sales near the city centre can be bled dry by the floods of hipsters and influx of people, so we thought we'd suggested something a little way off the well trodden path. If you're an early bird then venture to Denham Giant car boot- one that truly lives up to it's name. It's huge, hosting thousands of sellers, perfect if you're up for browsing and buying. Be warned, you may leave with items you never knew you needed.
When we say this boot sale sells everything, we mean EVERYTHING, from antiques, to hardware, bric-a-brac to vintage clothing, if you give yourself the time to look around, it can be extremely rewarding.
Entry for sellers opens at 7am and prices start from £15. Buyers entry begins at 8am with prices starting at £1 and children under 12 are free!
Unfortunately, the boot sale is not closed for the rest of the winter season, but plans to reopen again in March 2023.
Shepperton Boot Sale
8 New Rd, Shepperton TW17 0QQ
Last, but certainly not least and a little further outside of the city centre in Surrey is Shepperton car boot sale. It's more on the traditional side when it comes to boot sales, meaning no market stalls or eateries, but we can guarantee a good ol' burger truck somewhere along the line and some cracking items. Get your haggle on as you hound your way through vintage furniture, clothing, household nick-nacks and plenty more.
The boot sale is outdoors, so as we mentioned previously, check the weather and wear shoes that you don't mind getting a little muddy. It's a little less cramped than some of our other suggestions and its a good excuse to venture out of London.
Sellers can set up from 6.30am and prices start from £12. More info can be found here.
Buyers can enter from 7.30 with earlybird tickets at £3 and general entry being £1.