Best Car Boot Sales in England For Sellers

Car boot sales are a cherished part of British culture, offering bargains and a chance to clear out unwanted items. Whether you’re a buyer hunting for vintage treasures or a seller aiming to offload old goods, certain sales stand out as the best in the country. This guide will provide you with a list of the best car boot sales across England, along with practical tips on how to make the most of them.

Car Boot Sales Breakdown:

To uncover the best car boot sales in England we analysed the directory of car boot sales in England and measured key details such as location, seller price, cost of entry for buyers, average temperature and rainfall and online search demand, along with their Google’s star rating to identify the best and least ranking car boot sales.

Top Ranking Car Boot Sales

Coming in at Number 1 – Stick with Stickney

All of the top 5 car boot sales have free entry for buyers (£0), making them highly attractive to visitors.

Meanwhile, seller prices are relatively low, with most ranging between £6 and £10, keeping it affordable for vendors while maintaining profitability.

Stickney car boot sale in Stickney ranked highest overall for being the best car boot sale in England. With a low cost of entry for sellers at only £8 and free entry for potential buyers, it is one of the more accessible car boots in the country. Its high search volume also demonstrated the high demand and awareness, which often translates to high attendance. 

With agreeable weather and high search volume, it’s likely that sellers will have successful days at this car boot. Running every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday from the 22nd of March until December, gates open at 7am.

Honourable Mentions

Second is Kessingland car boot market, occurring every Sunday at 7:30am. With slightly warmer temperatures and less rainfall, sellers can sell their wares for as little as £9. Brits are searching an average of 1,600 times a month for information regarding this sale and it’s scored an average of 4.3 stars on google. 

Third is Norwich’s Sprowston Park and Ride Car Boot has the highest Google star rating at 4.8 stars, indicating exceptional satisfaction among buyers and sellers. Occurring every Sunday, all year round, pitches run on a first come first served basis so it’s best to get there early to secure your spot. 

The other top-ranking events range between 4.2 and 4.6, reinforcing their positive reputation. A high rating suggests good organisation, high footfall, and a great selection of sellers.

In contrast, Sprowston Park and Ride (142 searches) and Weeting (74 searches) have low search volumes but still rank high due to other positive factors such as pricing and reviews.

The average temperature across the top five is between 10.7°C and 11.2°C, which, while not particularly warm, is still reasonable for outdoor events.

Rainfall is also moderate (around 600–650mm), which is lower than some of the worst-ranking car boot sales where rainfall exceeded 950mm.

Lowest Ranking Car Boot Sales

And Coming In Last – Don’t Rush to Rushmoor

Rushmoor Car Boot Sale in Aldershot scored the lowest in our ranking. With a seller price of £13 and an entry fee of £2.50 it isn’t the most affordable for pitchers and buyers. Along with above average rainfall and a low star rating of 3.8. 

However, the most expensive car boot to pitch at was Nut Hill Car Boot Sale in West Clandon, priced at an average of £28 for pitchers to enter. Weather permitting they run every Sunday from the 1st or 2nd Sunday in April, until the end of October. 

The common pattern among these locations is high seller prices making it expensive to trade paired with low buyer prices which could affect profitability. Weather conditions vary and are wetter in the regions which could impact turnout while the low online search interest reflects their low popularity. 

A successful car boot sale needs a good balance of fair pricing, strong attendance, good location, and strong online interest—and these worst-ranked events seem to lack one or more of these key elements.

Methodology: How the Car Boot Sales Are Ranked

Each of the car boot sales listed above has been ranked based on a combination of the following criteria:

• • Cost to pitch: We collated the cost to pitch for various sized vehicles and calculated the average price, so whether you’re attending with a car or a van, we aimed to capture how much it would roughly cost to sell. 
  • Cost of entry for buyers: We wanted to collate the cost of entry for buyers as this could determine the profitability of sellers and influence the volume of attendees. 
  • Average weather conditions: Collating the average annual temperatures and rainfall for each site allows us to get an overview of how essential a gazebo is to help protect your pitch and understand how it can impact attendance.

• Search demand: We looked at the average search volume for each car boot to get a sense of the overall popularity and awareness of each location. 

• Google reviews: Google star ratings can give us a good sense of the buyer and seller experience, allowing us to analyse whether people have a positive or negative experience trading or attending each car boot sale. 

Read Our Tips On How to Sell at a Car Boot Sale

Setting up a stall at a busy car boot sale is an art. Here are some key tips for sellers:

1. Presentation is Key

A well-presented set up can make all the difference in attracting buyers. Use trestle tables, shelves, or tarps to arrange your items neatly, ideally placing them at eye level for easy browsing. Group similar items together to make your display visually appealing and intuitive for buyers. For example, keep books stacked or lined up in one area, toys in another, and clothes displayed on a rail or neatly folded. 

Adding a touch of creativity, such as colourful signs, feather flags and branded or unbranded tablecloths, can make your stall stand out in a crowded market. If organisers and space allow, a car boot gazebo can be a valuable asset when selling at a car boot sale by helping your stall stand out and attract attention. Its visibility makes it easier for customers to spot your pitch in a crowded area, and its professional appearance can instill trust in potential buyers. 

Additionally, a gazebo provides protection from the weather, keeping your items dry in case of rain, which is especially important for preserving the quality of clothing and other products. It also offers shade on hot days, creating a more comfortable environment for both you and your customers.

2. Pricing

Clear, visible pricing helps buyers feel confident and encourages sales. Use price tags or signs to mark items, ensuring they are easy to spot. Competitive pricing is crucial, so take a walk around the venue before the event starts to gauge the pricing strategies of other sellers. Consider offering bundle deals or discounts to encourage buyers to purchase more. For example, “3 books for £5” or “Buy 2 toys, get 1 free” can entice buyers and help you move inventory faster.

3. Engage Buyers

Sitting back passively may cause you to miss sales opportunities. Smile, greet visitors warmly, and be ready to chat. A friendly and approachable demeanor can make people feel more comfortable browsing your stall. Be proactive—offer assistance, highlight popular items, or mention special deals. For example, if someone picks up a toy, you could say, “That’s a really popular one with kids; it’s in great condition too!” Being personable and engaging often leads to higher sales and repeat visits throughout the day.

4. Popular Items

Focus on selling items that are consistently in demand, such as clothes, books, toys, and homeware. Items in good condition or with unique appeal, such as vintage pieces, handmade crafts, or collectibles, can attract niche buyers and potentially fetch higher prices. 

To increase your chances of success, consider researching what’s currently trending or in demand before the event. For example, retro fashion, vinyl records, or nostalgic toys often have dedicated buyers.

5. Be Prepared for Haggling

Negotiation is part of the car boot sale experience, so embrace it with a positive attitude. Decide in advance the lowest price you’re willing to accept for each item to avoid being caught off guard. 

Start with slightly higher prices so you have room to negotiate while still making a profit. When haggling, remain polite and flexible but firm on your minimum price. For example, if a buyer offers £3 for an item priced at £5, you might respond, “I can do £4—how does that sound?”

What Sells Best at Car Boot Sales?

Vintage Clothing

According to Savills, the vintage and second-hand fashion market is expected to double by 2027. Investing in higher-quality, sustainable clothing has become more appealing, as these items are likely to need replacing less often than their fast fashion alternatives.

• Retro Sportswear: Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok are especially popular, with collectors often willing to pay a premium for vintage tracksuits or branded jackets.
• Band T-shirts: Concert shirts, especially from the 80s and 90s, can sell for far more than you might expect.
• Designer Labels: Clothes by top designers (think Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, or Chanel) will always attract attention—just make sure they’re in good condition.

How Much Do Clothes Sell for at Car Boot Sales?

As a rough outline – here are some price ranges that you can expect to sell your clothing items for, depending on condition, rarity and brand.

2. Toys and Games

Childhood memories are priceless, and collectors are always on the hunt for toys they grew up with. Key items to look for include:

• LEGO Sets: The rarer, the better. Older sets, especially those that are no longer in production, can be worth a lot more than you’d think.
• Action Figures: Star Wars, He-Man, and Barbie dolls (especially vintage ones) are hot commodities.
• Board Games: Classic games like Monopoly or Cluedo, particularly older editions, are popular.

Tip: Even incomplete toy sets can have value—don’t discount something just because it’s missing a few pieces. Sometimes buyers are willing to pay for parts or rare figures alone.

3. Books

Books may seem like a niche category, but they remain a reliable seller. Pay special attention to:

• First Editions: Books that are first editions (especially by well-known authors) can attract collectors.
• Children’s Books: Older, rare children’s books, such as early Harry Potter editions, can fetch high prices.
• Special Interest Books: Books on niche subjects, like gardening, history, or art, tend to do well with enthusiasts.

Tip: Create a small book corner at your stall. Organise them by genre or size, and price them attractively to encourage browsing.

4. Furniture

With the rise in popularity of upcycling and DIY home decor, second-hand furniture is often in high demand, driven by a mix of sustainability concerns and style preferences. Items to look out for include:

• Vintage Chairs and Tables: Mid-century modern pieces, retro chairs, and solid wood tables are particularly sought after.
• Bookshelves, Wardrobes, and Mirrors: Especially those with unique designs or from reputable makers.

Tip: If you have a piece of furniture that needs a bit of TLC, consider giving it a quick sand and coat of paint. Even minor improvements can add significant value.

5. Antiques and Collectibles

Not all antiques have to come from grand auction houses. Items like vintage china, old records, and collectible figurines can be sold for much more than their initial value. Items to consider include:

• Collectible Porcelain: Particularly pieces from renowned makers like Royal Worcester or Wedgwood.
• Coins and Stamps: Old currency or limited-edition stamps can attract serious collectors.
• Vintage Watches and Jewellery: Always in demand, but be sure to do some research on specific brands and designs.

Are Car Boot Sales Worth It?

Car boot sales definitely can be worth it, especially if you’re looking to declutter and make quick cash. They offer a straightforward way to get rid of unwanted items and clothes while earning money without the hassle of online selling. However, success depends on pricing wisely, presenting items well, and being flexible with negotiations. If you’re prepared to invest time and effort into your stall, car boot sales can be a fun and profitable way to clear out your home and make money.

Where Is The Closest Car Boot Sale To Me?

So if you’re wondering, “where is the nearest car boot sale to me”? Take a look at our spreadsheet which contains all of our data on car boot sales, including cost to pitch and cost for customer admission.