Whether you're a serious collector, looking for something unusual for your home or simply enjoy spending an afternoon browsing, there are plenty of places to find antiques throughout the South West.
Across Wiltshire, Hampshire & New Forest - Somerset - Dorset - Devon., you'll find independent antique dealers, large antique centres, vintage shops, flea markets, reclamation yards and regular antique fairs.
The Antiques Tourist brings many of these businesses and destinations together in one free annual guide, making it easier to discover places to visit while travelling around the region.
So, where should you start? Here are some of the areas worth exploring when you're looking for antiques in the South West.
Finding Antiques in Devon
Devon is a great place to start an antiques trip, with independent dealers and antique centres spread across its cities, market towns and coastal communities.
Exeter and Topsham are well worth exploring, while towns including Ashburton, Tavistock, Sidmouth, Kingsbridge, Newton Abbot and South Molton offer even more opportunities to browse antiques, collectables and vintage pieces.
The variety is part of the appeal. One stop might be a traditional antique centre filled with furniture, ceramics and collectables, while the next could be an independent dealer specialising in something completely different.
Devon also has regular markets and fairs, so it's worth checking what's happening locally when planning your visit.
Antique Shops & Markets in Somerset
Somerset has a particularly strong mix of antiques, vintage, markets and reclamation, making it easy to build a full day around exploring different businesses.
Crewkerne, Frome and Castle Cary are among the places to look out for, alongside Glastonbury, Wells, Langport, Somerton and Shepton Mallet.
From traditional antiques and decorative pieces to vintage interiors, reclaimed materials and architectural salvage, there's plenty of variety throughout the county.
Frome is also well known for its markets, while other Somerset towns offer antique centres and independent businesses that are worth seeking out away from the main shopping areas.
Where to Find Antiques in Dorset
Dorset is another rewarding area for antique hunting, particularly if you want to combine browsing with a day exploring the coast or one of the county's historic towns.
Bridport, Dorchester, Sherborne and Shaftesbury all provide places to explore, with further antique and vintage businesses around Christchurch, Pokesdown and Swanage.
Bridport is particularly convenient if you're visiting the Jurassic Coast. Its independent character makes it a natural stop for anyone interested in antiques, vintage pieces and unusual finds.
Travel a little further through Dorset and you'll find everything from traditional dealers to vintage warehouses, markets and reclamation businesses.
Antique Shopping in Wiltshire
Wiltshire shouldn't be overlooked when planning an antiques trip around the South West. The county is home to independent antique dealers, vintage businesses and reclamation specialists.
Around areas such as Tisbury, you'll find businesses dealing in antiques, interiors, collectables and reclaimed pieces, alongside destinations elsewhere throughout the county.
It's particularly useful to include Wiltshire if you're travelling between Somerset, Dorset and destinations further east, turning the journey itself into part of your antiques trip.
It's Not Just About Antique Shops
Some of the most interesting finds in the South West aren't necessarily sitting inside a traditional antique shop.
Keep an eye out for antique centres, vintage shops, reclamation yards, flea markets, pannier markets, auction houses and antique fairs. These can be particularly good places to find something a little different.
Reclamation businesses are worth exploring if you're working on a home or renovation project, while vintage markets and fairs can bring together numerous independent traders in one place.
Part of the enjoyment of antique hunting is not knowing exactly what you'll find until you get there.
Make an Antiques Trip of It
Rather than visiting just one shop, plan a route that takes in several towns, antique centres or markets. Many of the places featured in The Antiques Tourist are close enough together to visit several in the same day.
It's also worth allowing a little extra time. Independent antique shops and reclamation yards aren't places you necessarily want to rush — sometimes the best finds are hidden away at the back of a room or underneath something you almost walked past.