Antiquing is a pastime that’s become increasingly popular in many parts of the world. It’s a hobby that requires plenty of practice in order to get right, so antiquing enthusiasts need to spend time in places that provide plenty of opportunities for them to hone their skills. Great Britain is an ideal location for those who enjoy antiquing. Antiquing is as much a part of England as afternoon tea. The country is loaded with auction houses, antique fairs and shops, perfect for everyone, from those just beginning a foray into the world of antiquing, to those that are experienced antique hunters and buyers. If you want to plan an antiquing trip to Great Britain, here are some things to consider:
- Take a tour. Antique Trails provides two all-inclusive antique shopping tours year, set to coincide with major antique fairs. You’ll stay at the Admiral Rodney Hotel for seven nights, with breakfast and dinner included. The trip includes no time for sightseeing; it’s a tour for serious antique shoppers only. The service also has a shipper who is based in both Great Britain and New Hampshire, so travelers on the East Coast can get items shipped home at a reasonable rate. You might also want to explore Antiques Diva Tours, which offers customized shopping tours in several European countries, including England.
- Auctions. England is home to two of the world’s most famous auction houses. Christie’s, headquartered on London King Street, dates back to 1766 and is at this time the largest auction house in the world. Sotheby’s, an auction house with a longstanding rivalry with Christie’s, was established in 1744. Both auction houses are world famous places to buy beautiful art and antiques. England also has plenty of smaller auction houses where enterprising antique enthusiasts may be able to find something special.
- Portobello Road Market. If you want to go antiquing in London, Portobello Road Market is all you need to know. The market is home to more than 1,000 antique dealers, and is in fact the largest collection of antique dealers in the world. Go to the Portobello Road Market on a Saturday when the stalls are set up, and you’re sure to find something that you want. Just remember to go early. The stalls begin to open around 8:30 or 9am, and by noon the market will be swarming with shoppers. In this case, the early bird is liable to get the best deal.
There are also numerous antique fairs in Great Britain year-round. You can find some by checking the calendar of International Antiques and Collectors Fairs or Arthur Swallow Antique and Home Shows. Basically, if you’re looking for antiques, you simply can’t go wrong in Great Britain, and there are lots of different avenues to explore. Happy hunting!
