It's that time of the week again!
Welcome to this week's instalment of "Blog Post Monday". I hope you're all hanging on in there. I don't know about you, but after the announcements last week about the route out of lockdown, along with a few days of sunshine, I actually feel some hope. Hopeful that, in the not too distant future, we'll be able to get our "wheeling and dealing" back on and visit some actual antique shops, centres and fairs!
With this in mind, I began thinking about all of the antique shops I've heard glowing reports on, but I haven't yet visited. So, this week, I thought I'd share with you my "Lockdown Release Hot List" of antique shops I want to visit as soon as Covid allows. But also, and perhaps more importantly, I want you to get involved here and share with me, and the Source Vintage family, the shops that you rate highly and think we should visit.
So, get that kettle on, get those maps out and together, let's plan our post lockdown antiques road trip...
Images - Hemswell Antiques
1. Hemswell Antiques
First up, is Hemswell Antiques. This is a centre that I have meant to visit for a long time, but I'll tell you why I haven't as yet. Everybody, and I mean everybody, tells me that I must visit Hemswell, it is enormous, spread out over four separate buildings, with over 400 dealer display areas... And this, my friends, is the reason I haven't visited yet.
Even when I visit a small antique shop I tend to get over excited and generally, the rule of thumb is I bring a little bit of sick up in my mouth. Now, if I visit Europe's largest antiques centre, I just don't know what will happen...!! But I WILL visit, I intend to visit and it's likely to be right up there as one of my first centres to visit post lockdown.
So, let me know if you've been and what I can expect. But, if, like me, you haven't been, stick it on your own "Lockdown Release Hot List" now and I'll see you there!
* Hemswell Antique Centres, Caenby Corner Estate, Hemswell Cliff, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 5TJ.
Tel: 01427 668389
Images - Hoof Brocante
2. Hoof Brocante
Next up is Hoof Brocante. Hoof Brocante is home to Adi Higham (of BBC's the Bidding Room) and Tara Franklin. They deal predominantly in French antiques and decorative salvage, and, like Hemswell, they too are based on an old RAF base. I've heard it's eccentric, very well priced and with Adi and Tara on hand, you can guarantee you'll have a right ol' giggle too!
Adi has been very supportive of me over the past 12 months, so I'm desperate to get down there for a visit to say thank you and, of course, to fill my boots with antique delights!
* Hoof Brocante, Brookland, East Sussex / Kent border, on the A259 coming from Rye.
Tel: 07722 217397
Images - Fern Avenue Antiques Centre
3. Fern Avenue Antiques Centre
Up next is Fern Avenue Antiques Centre. Fern Avenue is, I hear, a real Geordie gem! Home to over 20 local dealers, they cater for every taste, style and budget with prices from just £1. It's a family run centre with a passion for antiques and unusual curios, and over the last 10 years, they’ve grown to be the largest antiques centre in the North East. I actually saw this place on Salvage Hunters and have been watching their Instagram live tours, and if your main man Seppe is there, you're in for a blimmin' good laugh here too!!
* Fern Avenue Antiques Centre, 75-79 Fern Ave, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2RA
Tel: 0191 209 4104
Email: info@fernavenueantiquescentre.co.uk
www.fernavenueantiquescentre.co.uk
Images - Petworth Town
4. Petworth
But if you're looking to visit one area then you'll be hard pushed to find somewhere with more antique shops than Petworth. Petworth is a small town and civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex. It is located at the junction of the A272 east–west road from Heathfield to Winchester and the A283 Milford to Shoreham-by-Sea road.
Petworth is home to a staggering 30 antique shops...!! I mean, West Sussex is a stunning part of the country too! So, you can sell this cheeky little romantic post lockdown get away to your beloved (who perhaps hates antiques) on the basis that West Sussex is beautiful. There's no need to mention the 30 antique shops... **wink**wink**
Images - Top Banana Antiques
5. Top Banana Antiques
Now, we have Top Banana Antiques. Funny story, I actually applied for a job at Top Banana Antiques many moons ago, but needless to say, I didn't hear anything back... So, that'll be the first thing I raise with them when I do visit (I joke of course) ! The second will be the choice of name.
Top Banana is home to over 50 dealers with varying specialisms, but predominantly, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and vintage 20th century pieces. I've actually purchased a few pieces from them online and have been impressed with the quality and value.
Tetbury, again, is in another beautiful part of the country, so this could be another cheeky little romantic post lockdown get away idea to share with your antique hating beloved. Again, there's absolutely no need to mention antiques to them... **wink**wink**
* Top Banana Antiques, 1 New Church Street, Tetbury, GL8 8DS
Tel: 0871 288 1102
Images - Sheffield Antiques Centre
6. Sheffield Antiques Centre
And finally, we have Sheffield Antiques Centre. This is actually an antiques centre that I very nearly entered. But long story short, I decided to do the full Sheffield antiques trail the day after a very heavy evening on the ale... Let's just say, I very nearly made it around the whole trail, only to get the sweats as I approached Sheffield Antiques Centre. Nevertheless, I have seen it on Salvage Hunters and it looks like a real treasure trove. An eclectic mix of all sorts of exciting pieces.
So, as I came so close to entering its doors once before, Sheffield Antiques Centre, along with Hemswell, will be up there at the top of my list of places to visit post lockdown.
* Sheffield Antiques Centre, 178 Broadfield Rd, Sheffield, S8 0XL
Tel: 0114 258 4994
Email: sheffieldantiquescentre@hotmail.co.uk
So, there you have it ladies and gents, my "Lockdown Release Hot List" of antiques shops I am yet to visit, but want to, just as soon as Covid allows. I hope you've enjoyed it. Please get involved here and let me know in the comments section below, the shops that you rate highly and think we should visit.
And, as always, if you enjoy my blog, please show your support by subscribing, which you can do via the 'Home' page or by clicking on 'Create Account' at the top of this page.
Thanks for reading. Until next week, stay safe, keep buying those antiques and keep spreading that Source Vintage love!
Cheerio!
Stephen
Owner Source Vintage
Shop from Source Vintage here
Thanks so much for your comments and recommendations so far. Here are a few other antique shop recommendations that people have left in the comments on my Instagram post -
- Settle Antiques Centre, Market Pl, Settle BD24 9ED.
- Barnard Castle Antiques.
- Elsecar Antique Centre, Building 18, Heritage Centre, Wath Rd, Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8HJ.
Cambrian House Emporium Oswestry 8,000 Square feet Antiques Centre with a superb coffee lounge overlooking the Emporium.
Hi Stephen
In my Blog-Out & About, I write about local antique shops in Hertfordshire.
Last year I wrote the below review.
https://canonburyantiques.com/
I typed in Antiques shops near me and Canonbury Antiques came up, so off I went to see if I could buy some stock. Canonbury Antiques is just off the M25 South Mimms roundabout and up a long farm track road, it’s definitely worth the drive.There is a huge range of museum quality antiques. Stunning china, candlesticks, bronze figures, French mirrors, antique & Art Deco furniture. Also, a large range of paintings, garden statuary, you name it they have it.
I was warmly welcomed by Molly and given free range to look around. This is a big warehouse packed to the ceiling with good quality antiques. There were a few reproductions but 98% of the antiques for sale are of the period. Prices are reasonable, but I am sure they would be up for a deal.
The quality is self-evident. If you get the chance and want to look at a “proper” antique shop, then this is it. Nothing bought today but will be back in the summer.
Julian Vincent
Canonbury Antiques
Canonbury Antiques