The Best Antiques Shops To Find Second-Hand Treasures In North London

Ah, north London, home to some of the capital’s best grassy hangouts with great views – like Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill in Regent’s Park. Buried among these green paradises are a surplus of cracking antiques shops and markets, all waiting for you to find second-hand treasures. We’ve chosen some of our favourites to get you started.

1. Camden Passage

Market, Shop

Every Wednesday and Saturday traders set up three adjoining markets in Camden Passage – Charlton Place Market, Pierrepoint Market and Camden Passage Market – selling second-hand goods, 20th-century furniture, porcelain and silverware. The three markets each have their distinctive qualities, so browse them all. Camden Passage is also packed with permanent antiques shops. Waxantiques offers a range of silverware, including contemporary styles like Art Deco, as well as items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras. Argosy Antiquesboasts hanging wall mirrors, lighting and decanters, while Christina’s Boxes (only open Wednesday and Saturday) specialises in antique writing and jewellery boxes. Head to the tiny Number One, where expert Caroline Carrier sells French and English porcelain from the 1900s onwards. For 19th and 20th-century jewellery, try Tadema Galleryor Esme, and go to Annie’s for vintage clothing.

2. Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium

Building, Shop, University, Store

This enormous building crammed with antiques has been running since 1967 and houses more than 25 independent shops selling furniture, crockery, art, textiles and clothing. Check out Capricorn in unit 9 for porcelain and Art Deco mirrors, as well as Juxtapose London in unit 33 for mid-century furniture. If you need a break from rummaging through the second-hand gems, get a coffee and a waffle at Tania’s. The ’emporium’ also sells modern items – have a look at University of Arts London graduate Ivanka Kutner’s art in units 25 and 26.

3. Antique Textiles Company

Shop, Store

Antique Textiles Company, which sits in the courtyard outside the Hampstead Antique & Craft Emporium, offers more than 700 handmade and patchwork quilts dating from the 1780s to the 1950s (according to the shop, it sells the largest selection in the UK). Most of the quilts are from the UK, including a collection from Durham, but there are also some from North America and continental Europe. Materials include linen and cashmere. Vintage furniture is on sale, too.

Church Street

Marylebone’s Church Street is filled with antiques shops, many of which started life as stalls in nearby Alfies, which is also in Church Street. Have a look inside 25-years-old Les Couilles du Chien – renowned for stocking unusual antiques such as a taxidermy moose and Murano chandeliers – and family-run James Worrall for 19th to 20th-century furniture and ornaments. Other antiques shops to look at in this street include Rare Rugs, Patricia Harvey Antiques and Matt Mitchell.

5. Fleming Antiques

Market, Store

Camden’s historic Stables Market, which used to be a horse stables and hospital, has a few good antiques shops – one of the best is Fleming Antiques. This trusted store is run by antiques expert Mark Fleming, selling a wide range of furniture – including a variety of different styles and periods – porcelain and even taxidermy. Fleming is Camden Market’s trusted buyer and seller of antiques. The stock changes regularly, so keep visiting to see what’s available.

6. Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair

Okay, this isn’t really a shop – but this fair in the historic Grade II-listed Ally Pally, which brings together more than 300 antiques dealers, is a great place to find reclaimed treasures in north London. It costs to enter – £12 before 9:30am and £6 afterwards – but there are great deals, with vintage clothing, ceramics and jewellery sold at competitive prices. As Pirates of the Carribean’s Captain Barbossa would say, the prices are ‘more what you’d call “guidelines” than actual rules’, so get haggling.

The next fair will be on 18 February. For more dates visit here.

Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair, Alexandra Palace, London, UK

Alexandra Palace Antiques & Collectors Fair | Courtesy of International Antique & Collectors Fairs

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.