I will be going to London in September and will have 3 days for a side trip. I love to antique and would like to see some of the country. I would prefer not to drive but can if it is worth it. Suggestions???

if you are really into antiquing ( as I am) , I rent a car and go out into the country- the best bargains are there- Look towards both the Cotswolds and also Devin...

Check to see if there are any outdoor Antique fairs in the area and plan accordingly....

Check these websites:

http://www.antiqueweb.co.uk/fairs/index.htm

http://www.antiqueweb.co.uk/site/mod...p?name=fairssw

http://www.antiquesfairs.com/

You can also register on your mobile phone for antique fair alerts:
ANTIQUE FAIR DATES on your MOBILE PHONE - from Antiques Mobile. Search by location or by date. Currently this service is free (other than your normal call charges) - simply type "go fairsdiary" to 87121
Click here for further details


http://www.antiquesbulletin.com/

and the one belows lists tons of fairs- But just scroll down to the dates that you will be there-

http://www.artefact.co.uk/c-fai.shtml

Get a GOOD English ROAD ATLAS ( at Barnes and Nobles) and map out your trip according to the fairs you want to see...

Stay at BnB= they are tons of fun!!


We ALWAYS go antiquing in the countryside as Antiques IN LONDON are prohibitively expensive and the outdoor markets are tons of fun!!

In answer to your question= YES- DEFINITELY WORTH GOING INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE....

Have a blast--Wish I could go too!
We have done this 3 different times and now normally do not even do into London except to see a show...

I'd also recommend you venturing out to the gorgeous Cotswolds, although it is on the western side of England. When I visited the area from London, I found many of the small, charming villages to be home to some of my favorite, quintessentially English antiquing destinations. On the downside, a car is extremely useful for visiting many of the little towns, but is for sure worth it.

For more information, feel free to visit www.the-cotswolds.org.

Don't go to the Cotswold if you want to buy ! First check out any Sunday sales in London at hotels or Kensington Town hall..then head for Norfolk to the north or Dorset to the south...unless you like paying igh prices.But a car is really nescessary

You won't find bargains in the Cotswolds - but the villages and scenery help make up for that.

In general, antiquing in the Cotswolds are either small second hand/semi-junk shops -- or -- <u>very</u> high end - the sorts of shops w/ full page ads in Country Life. waaaaay up-market.

Norfolk/Suffolk is a good area

But for either the Cotswolds or Norfolk you would do better w/ a car.

Yes, I forgot to add, as the others mentioned, Cotswolds antiquing is a bit more on the more expensive side for antiquing, but just browsing the shops can be just as fun. I did buy some items, but those were from a few small shops which were truely gems, and the prices were very inexpensive. I cannot remember any of the names right now, but if I do, I'll surely post them for your reference.

Thanks for the advice. I am thinking about renting the car, although all the talk of narrow roads and all is a bit scary. Now how does one find these Sunday sales in London hotels?

On every trip I make to London I always find a sale at the Rembrandt hotel on Brompton Road.

I've occasionally found some deals at the boot sale right next to the Brighton train station on Sundays but get there early.

Hi
Janis mentions Suffolk and I would definitely recommend you going there (my birthplace).
It's within easy reach of London, although a car is vital. You could take the train out to Bury St Edmunds and then hire a car to explore. The roads can be a little narrow but nothing like some parts of England (ie Yorkshire where I live now!). They are generally quiet, and the pace of life is pretty slow.
A wonderful place to head for is Long Melford. This is Lovejoy Country if you have ever seen this programme. Long Melford has lots of attractions. Firstly it is a beautiful medieval village with a stunning anicent 'wool' church that dominates the whole place. Secondly it has loads of antique shops! Plus a great pub (all beams and open fires) called The Bull.
Just up the road is Lavenham - even more beautiful! Medieval beamed houses leaning at crazy angles and again lots of antique shops.
Lavenham would be a great base for a couple of nights. The Priory gets excellent reviews.
www.lavenhampriory.co.uk
Alternatively Bury St edmunds would be a good base too (Lavenham/Long Melford are about a 20 minute drive away). Northgate House in Bury is lovely.
www.northgatehouse.com
From Bury you can catch a train into Cambridge if that appeals - it's 28 miles away so only a short trip.
Here's some websites to look at -
www.longmelford.co.uk
www.lavenham.co.uk
www.britainexpress.com/villages/lavenham.htm
The Suffolk countryside is gorgeous - full of thatched cottages painted the famous 'Suffolk pink'. Loads of other places to explore in the area - Clare, Cavendish, Hartest, Polstead and especially Kersey.
Suffolk is so much quieter than the Cotswolds.
If Suffolk appeals give me another yell and I'll try and answer any more questions you might have.
M

Thanks so much for the thoughtful and well written reply. You almost changed my mind but after much reflection I think I will stay with the Cotswold's for this trip and venture to Suffolk next time. I am still searching for the perfect B&amp;B to be my base in the Cotswold's if you all have any input.

What sort of price range for the B&amp;B?

Oh - I didn't notice you are the same poster w/ the &quot;Burford&quot; thread. Several new posts on that one.

Take a cheap flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow instead.