| Shopping for antiques in England can be very | | | | of antiques at reasonable prices. And as I write this in |
| frustrating if you don't know where to go. Since | | | | November,2008, the exchange rate for dollars to |
| London is by far the most visited city in England, | | | | pounds is the best it has been in five years. There ar |
| nearly everyone wants to start here. Unless you | | | | a couple of towns south of London where I love to |
| have deep pockets, this definitely would not be at | | | | shop. The first is Lewes, which is built along a river. |
| the top of my list. But since many visitors never | | | | There is not real high end shopping here, but you can |
| leave London, I will give a quick over view. If you | | | | usually find something in one of several antique malls. |
| want a more detailed list of shopping London, there | | | | The other town is Arundel, which can easily be |
| are entire books dedicated to shopping antiques in | | | | reached by train from London. There is also a nice |
| London. My favorite is the world famous Portobello | | | | castle here. Be sure to visit Spencer Swaffert |
| antique market which is held every Saturday. This is | | | | Antiques, considered by some as the best antique |
| just a fun place to be on a Saturday morning, and | | | | store in England. |
| you will see some things here that you probably will | | | | The Cotswolds are another favorite area for tourists. |
| not see any where else. You might even find a | | | | The best town here is Tetbury, where the main |
| bargain if you are lucky. There are more "smalls" here | | | | street of town is full of stores and small malls. |
| than furniture. Many of the other weekly markets | | | | Another town not too far away is Stow-on-the wold, |
| have nearly disappeared because of new | | | | which also has many stores. There are a couple of |
| construction. Of course there are some of the finest | | | | other towns in the area, but you can pick up a |
| antique stores in all of England here, but if you are | | | | brochure at nearly all of the stores that will give |
| looking for deals, this is not the place to be. My | | | | directions. |
| sleeper for London, would be to check out the | | | | I have saved the best for last. Nearly all antiques |
| stores along Lilly Road. Get one of the famous | | | | dealers go to the giant antiques fairs of Swinderby |
| London black cabs to take you there. | | | | and Newark held in Lincolnshire every two months. |
| In general, if there are lots of tourists in an area, it | | | | There are roughly 2500 dealers selling at each of |
| will not be a place to find bargains. Now that you | | | | these (some do both). They are both held the same |
| know where NOT to shop, where can someone go | | | | week. These are a must. Check internet for exact |
| to find affordable antiques? Yes, there are still plenty | | | | dates and details. |