The Great North Decorative Antique Fair
Ken Besford launched the Great North Decorative Antique Fair last August, having sensed the north east of the country needed another large indoor and outdoor antiques fair. ‘After starting the Wolsingham Antique and Salvage Fair in 2022, I felt the time was perfect to introduce a new event to the region, but in a more populated area,’ he says. ‘I chose Newcastle Racecourse in High Gosforth Park due to its location just a quarter of a mile off the A1 motorway. With bus and train stations nearby, as well as Newcastle International Airport, the decision was a no-brainer.’
Ken decided the event would be a decorative antiques fair and the idea was met with open arms from notable high-end dealers. ‘These are people who are not only dealers in antiques but dealers in historical artefacts, who are very selective with where they trade. It was a huge compliment to have them join us,’ he says. The first event brought together 80 dealers and drew huge crowds of buyers.
All involved were keen to see the fair return in 2025 and, happily, Ken has obliged. There will be three events this year, starting with the first on 26th and 27th April, followed by additional fairs in August and November.
The Great North Decorative Antique Fair, Newcastle Racecourse, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HP.
@greatnorthantiquefair
Paxton House Antiques Fair
Friends Seppe Anthony, Dennis Davidson and Paul Yousaf also felt the north east of the country needed more antiques fairs. The inaugural Paxton House Antiques Fair was held last June, when they realised there was a gap in the market for a quality, feel-good antiques fair on the north Northumberland/Scotland border.
They chose Paxton House near Berwick-upon-Tweed for the setting, an 18th-century neo-Palladian property that sits above the River Tweed and was designed by John and James Adam, brothers of Robert Adam and sons of Scotland’s premier architect, William Adam. The house is renowned for its collection of Chippendale and Trotter furniture, and is open to the public to explore.
The beautiful pink sandstone building makes a stunning backdrop to the marquee and the dozens of stands in the grounds, with antique rugs laid out on the grass. At the first event, 80 dealers came together and brought in 2,000 visitors, as well as the crew from television show Salvage Hunters. ‘We pulled out all the stops to make it happen,’ says Seppe. ‘It’s been fun, it’s been hard work, and it’s brilliant to have all the boys back together.’
The three pals previously worked together at Fern Avenue Antiques in Jesmond, Newcastle, and the first fair was dedicated to the memory of their fourth member, Davie Wright of Glam Racket Interiors, who died four years ago.
The three friends held another successful fair in August and, now, Glam Racket Events is back with more dates on the calendar this year. Events kicked off with the first fair in May, following with two more in July (11th-13th) and September (12th-14th). Visitors can expect furniture, decorative pieces, salvaged items, jewellery, ceramics, cameras, clothing and more.
Paxton House Antiques Fair, Paxton House, Paxton, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1SZ. glamracketevents.co.uk; @paxtonhouseantiquesfair
Denbies Antiques, Vintage & Interiors Fair
Most antiques fairs and markets tend to be held in town and village halls, stately homes, and on racecourses, so this new fair from the organisers of Kempton (officially known as Sunbury Antiques Market) takes us into a new kind of venue – a beautiful vineyard in the Surrey Hills. The inaugural Denbies Antiques, Vintage & Interiors Fair was held earlier in March at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking.
‘We were really excited when the Denbies team approached us about hosting an antiques fair at their stunning venue,’ says organiser Edward Cruttenden. ‘With our love of antiques and events, we instantly saw the potential to create something special. We’d previously visited Denbies for a wine tasting weekend, so my wife and I were already familiar with its breathtaking surroundings. It felt like the perfect place to bring together a fantastic antiques fair.’
Denbies is one of the UK’s largest and best-known vineyards, and Edward hopes that having an antiques fair amidst the vines will create an antiquing experience like no other, which both buyers and sellers will enjoy. ‘The response so far has been amazing – every pitch sold out quickly, which is an incredibly encouraging sign,’ says Edward.
The fair has around 70 exhibitors, with a mix of indoor and outdoor pitches and a large variety of pieces. A further three events are planned for this year, with the next scheduled for 13th July, and it is hoped that the fair will expand with more dealers and dates next year. ‘This is more than just a fair – it’s an experience,’ Edward adds. ‘You can also enjoy wine tastings, vineyard tours, lunch in the cafe or restaurant, and also explore the surrounding Surrey Hills.’
Denbies Antiques, Vintage & Interiors Fair, Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6AA.
sunburyantiques.com; @sunburyantiques.com
Summer Brocante at Creake Abbey
In recent years, several small brocantes and markets have appeared in Suffolk and Norfolk. These are organised by Blackdog Events, run by Kate Button, and this year they’re launching two new fairs – one at Dunston Hall, a Grade II-listed Elizabethan Revival-style house near Norwich, dating to 1859.
The second takes place at Creake Abbey, near Wells-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast. The venue sits within stunning water meadows, and houses the ruins of an Augustinian abbey – dating to 1206 – as well as a courtyard of converted barns filled with independent businesses, a farm shop and cafe, plus two period barns for events.
‘Our Summer Brocante on 22nd June was held on the meadows at Creake Abbey, with over 50 antiques, vintage and artisan sellers,’ says Kate. ‘After last year’s weather, we’ve been working hard to secure new venues with inside space.’
’We’re holding a second Autumn Brocante on the 28th September, which will be predominately an inside event, using the two period barns, along with the open-front tin barn.’ Kate hopes the brocantes will become popular fixtures on the north Norfolk calendar.
Summer Brocante, Creake Abbey, North Creake, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 9LF.
ablackdogevent.com; @blackdogantiquesandevents
More events to add to your calendar
12th July PBFA Book Fair, Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG. pbfa.org
9th August Antiques & Vintage Market, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1AQ. acvrevents.co.uk
23rd August Guisborough Vintage Fair, St Nicholas Church Hall, Bow Street, Guisborough, North Yorkshire, TS14 6BP. roseandbrownvintage.co.uk