London's best car-boot sales

Hunt for second hand treasures at the capital's finest car-boot sales

Whether its a high-end fashion steal or a cut-price antique, everyone loves a bargain. That's why we sent Yasmin Eshref in search of London's best car boot sales. Luckily for late starters, she discovered, in this town you don't have to drag yourself out of bed at the crack of dawn to get your hands on a secondhand gem.

If you think we've missed out one of London's best car-boot sales, let us know in the comment box below.

Wimbledon Car Boot Sale Wimbledon Car Boot Sale - © Celia Topping

Wimbledon car-boot sale

Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane, London, SW17 0BL

What For three days a week the stadium is filled with 2000-plus stalls selling a wide range of items from clothing to crockery to silverware and gold jewellery, so bring a big bag and expect to fill it. Entry fee £2 early-bird entry (usually the first hour of the sale), 50p thereafter. See more details

Battersea car-boot sale

Battersea Park School, Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 5AP

What Not the cheapest of its kind, but more high-end than most. If you're a seasoned fan of vintage and not simply in search of a car-boot bargain, this is the sale for you. Entry fee Early-bird entry £3 from noon, 50p after 1.30pm. See more details

Capital car-boot sale

Pimlico Academy, (Chichester St entrance), London, SW1V 3AT

What Freelance stylist and personal shopper Faye Marriott was bored with London's car-boot sales, so she set up her own in 2010. Her modern approach (she's one of the few car-boot organisers who is Facebook- and Twitter-savvy) has attracted a generally younger crowd, many of whom deal in vintage fashion and collectibles. Brands like Isabel Marant, Mulberry and the odd Luella handbag have all been plucked from her car boots since the sale's inception. Entry fee Early-bird entry £5 from 11am, £1 after 1pm, under-tens go free. See more details

Holloway car-boot sale

Holloway Road, opposite Odeon Cinema, London, N7 6LJ

What Because of its proximity to both London Metropolitan University and City and Islington College, some stalls offer students a discount of up to 20 per cent, but even without this the prices are still very reasonable – we picked up a pair of tan Chelsea boots for a meagre £8. Entry fee Free. See more details

Hounslow West car-boot sale

Hounslow West Station Car Park, Bath Road, London, TW3 3DH

What There's very little vintage to be found at Hounslow but you'll find a great mix of secondhand clothing and brand new goods at tiny prices. Look out for occasional items of furniture and the wonderful on-site butchers and green grocers for fresh local goodies. Entry fee Free. See more details

Nags Head car-boot sale

22 Seven Sisters Road, London, N7 6AG

What There's a fantastic mix of antiques and artifacts to be had, with recent specialist finds including a Victorian decorative knife set and a stamp collection dating back to the 1920s, though if you're looking for something a bit more modern, DVDs can be picked up from 50p to £1. Entry fee Free. See more details

Rotherhithe car-boot sale

Fisher Football Club, Salter Road, London, SE16 5HL

What A recent trip provided us with bountiful loot, including handcrafted crochet blankets for 25p a piece, a vintage mini pinball machine for £6 and an Yves Saint Laurent suit jacket for £3.50. Entry fee Free on Sat, £1 on Sun between 9am-1pm and 50p thereafter. See more details

Shepperton car-boot sale

New Road, London, TW17 0QQ

What The stallholders are knowledgeable and attentive, so it's a great starting out sale for newbies on the car-boot scene, as well as seasoned booters who are willing to travel in search of the perfect secondhand find. Entry fee Early-bird entry from 7.30am £3, 50p thereafter. See more details

St Augustine's car-boot sale

St Augustine's School, Kilburn Park Road, London, NW6 5SN

What According to her best pal Henry Holland, Agyness Deyn used to shop at this sale for clothes, and there's definitely some quirky finds to be had if you're willing to root around for them. If that doesn't wear you out, St Mary's car-boot sale is within walking distance for double the fun. Entry fee Early-bird entrance fee before 11am £3, 50p thereafter. See more details

St Mary's car-boot sale

St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Quex Road, London, NW6 4PG

What St Mary's is run by the London Car Boot Co which hosts the prolific Princess May and nearby St Augustine's sales. It boasts a great spread of vintage vinyls, magazines and textiles, and the sale is also a Mecca for wannabe interior designers who'll be spoiled for choice with the range of retro light fittings and quirky home furnishings. Entry fee Early-bird entrance fee before 10am £3, 50p thereafter. See more details

Stoke Newington car-boot sale

Princess May School, Princess May Road, London, N16 8DF

What Forget the idea that car-boot sales are fusty and dusty – the Princess May draws an uber trendy Stoke Newington crowd, at its lively vintage and valuables sale. There's a great choice of vintage costume jewellery and collectable coins, and in the summer you'll also find a delicious barbecue on site. Entry fee Early-bird entrance fee before 9am £3, 50p thereafter. See more details

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Comments & ratings

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  • I have read the comments made re: Holloway and I think some comments are very unfair! I have found some great stuff and really cheap buys! Most of the stall holders are really nice people! Yes it does get busy but thats a car boot for you! If you don't like the Frenzy stay at home!!!!

    Andri Sun May 20 2007
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  • can someone advice me on which car both sale would be best for seliing a load of new unwanted kids suff ,all things are new i just want to get rid of the stuff to save on storage cost

    jide akinyemi Sat Apr 28 2007
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  • I was surprised to see BATTERSEA BOOT was not featured in this article! It's Easily one of the best Boots in London. Every Sunday afternoon at Battersea Tec' College. It's a great Boot, busier than most and most importantly it's RELIABLE! they open every week rain or shine!

    Lucy. K Sat Nov 11 2006
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  • I have just read the really good article about Holloway Road Boot sale and found it very amusing, having just done the last two Sundays down there, I howled with laughter the way the writer described it all - so very fitting. I always enjoy myself when I go but I am going to find out about Chiswick bootsale next time.

    melissa Tue Sep 19 2006
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  • RE: Holloway Rd market. Perhaps you're right but I've found some good books there. I used to live in the area so it was always worth a short visit but you're right, I wouldn't commute for it.

    Stavroula Wed Aug 30 2006
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  • Sorry, but the Holloway Road car boot sale is easily one of the worst car boot experiences out there - i've been a couple of times and the quality of stuff being sold is always awful. You're right about the feeding frenzy though. It's disgusting.

    Jim Sun Aug 27 2006
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  • Does any one know of car boot sales on sundays in lewisham - london area? I used to go to the boot fairs held in the main car park but that was a few years ago...not sure whether they still have them there ??

    rigo Sun Aug 20 2006
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  • Following an article in Time Out about three years ago, I would like to know if there is still a street market operating in Coldharbour Lane every Sunday? There is no mention of this market on your web page or the latest article. Has this market disappeared like so many others in the last three years?

    mike Tue Aug 15 2006
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