Markets in London?

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I shall be in London between the 13th and 19th January.

Any markets worth visiting - old tools orientated?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[ED65]

I'd be interested in the answer to this myself for the next time I get to London, but from what I've gathered myself I don't think there is anything in the capital any more.

 

[Bm101]

There's none that I know of at least specifically geared to tools Derek, others might enlighten you. There are plenty of markets of course and you might well find one or two stalls here and there. But to my knowledge at least there's no tool specific markets. I'd love to be corrected on this though. Most London markets I see now are fruit n veg with a few clothes or aimed at 'vintage' clothing sellers or the ubiquitous 'farmers markets' that charge you £7 for 'artisan' bread with olives in it.
I would have recommended popping into Buck and Ryan a few years back but they are gone as well. Shame because that was a shop you could spend hours in.
http://ilovemarkets.co.uk/markets-in-london/

Regards
Chris

 

[AJB Temple]

There are often tool sellers in Notting Hill market, but the prices are pretty silly. Your best bet is to search on line for a car boot sale.

 

[Rhossydd]

As others have said, there really isn't anywhere well known for finding old tools in London.
Antique markets like Portobello in Notting Hill will have a few over restored, over priced bits that are just there to be sold as ornaments, but the sellers are savy enough to spot anything that might be valuable and pass it on to specialists.
Second hand junk/antique stores occassionally have some old tools in, but you could spend an entire week searching shops and not find anything more interseting than a Stanley No4.

Car boot sales aren't very common in winter and even then are a real lottery and genuine bargains are very thin on the ground, despite the impression you might get from reading here.

 

[SammyQ]

Derek, I have done what you are doing and the only place I found ANYTHING was at the Spittalfields Market opposite Liverpool Street Station. The stall vendors tended to polish the living daylights out of any metal and then claim quadruple value...sheesh.

May I please provide what I KNOW to be a viable alternative? Go to Bristol on the train (1-2 hours)and take yourself to Christmas Steps. At the top is the excellent Bristols Designs. What the good Doctor (Charles ....?) doesn't have in stock, ain't made. Talk nice and he may take you 'in back' which is amazing. :shock: This fella has thousands of bits, particularly planes, woodie and metal. He also had a few castings still available for his own small planes the last time I was in. His web site is a disaster/travesty/dog's dinner, but the photos give you a good idea of the front shop, but there is a LOT more stock and it pays to ask or 'phone ahead for particular requests to be sure of one being on the premises.

Visiting No3 child in "Brizzle" is not a proper visit unless I can escape from my handler long enough to have a shufti - and a natter - in B.D.

Sam

 

[AndyT]

Now that's a good idea!
I'll meet you at the station and escort you there if you like.

And just to make it easier.. Although a full rate return Bristol to London can cost over £200 there are advance fares available for as little as £10 each way if you book now - search for GWR tickets.

 

[ED65]

Go to Bristol on the train (1-2 hours)and take yourself to Christmas Steps. At the top is the excellent Bristols Designs.

Thanks for that Sam, very useful info! My partner is an ex Bristolian so I'll definitely be there again at some point in the near future.

Now the all-important question: what are the prices like?

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Many thanks for all the replies so far.

Tempting to visit Bristol, but I very much doubt I could talk my wife into that!

Portobello (and similar) is what I would like to avoid - been there a few times in the past. I guess I am looking for something not touristy. Antique markets - I am unlikely to haul away furniture, but may purchase something small. Anyhow, happy just to browse and take in the atmosphere.

We will also be down in Cornwall between 9th - 12th January and in Edinburgh 2nd - 4th Jan.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[marcros]

dont mention the ulterior motive...

http://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/attractions

 

[Rhossydd]

Tempting to visit Bristol, but I very much doubt I could talk my wife into that!
......
We will also be down in Cornwall between 9th - 12th January

Bristol is a perfect stop between London and Cornwall, or even Cornwall and Edinburgh.

 

[rafezetter]

Now that's a good idea!
I'll meet you at the station and escort you there if you like.

And just to make it easier.. Although a full rate return Bristol to London can cost over £200 there are advance fares available for as little as £10 each way if you book now - search for GWR tickets.

I was thinking the same thing - or I could meet you guys there... or maybe even a few of us like Eriktheviking as well.

 

[Harbo]

Not in Scotland on Hogmanay?![WEARY CAT FACE]

Bristol is a nice place to visit with plenty to see apart from BD.
SS Great Britain is worth a look.

You do realise it's our Winter? [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

Rod

 

[ED65]

We will also be down in Cornwall between 9th - 12th January

Oh you're in luck there Derek. Fancy a visit to a place like this:

Bob's Tool Box in Cornwall.

http://davidbarronfurniture.blogspot.ie ... ox-in.html
https://www.bobstoolbox.com/

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I wondered where Bob's Toolbox was - I'd not heard of it. It's in Liskeard which of course for most of the population of Cornwall is somewhere we bypass going elsewhere.

 

[SammyQ]

There is a Portobello in Edinburgh too...but it's a yuppie-apartment-fronted beach.... and at this time of year, Baltic!

Sam

 

[SammyQ]

ED65? B.D.'s prices are higher than Ebay, Gumtree etc, BUTTTT.....all his stock are sturdy, rust-free, patinaed 'users' (and some B.N.I.B. items too). You also usually have the opportunity to compare several of whatever you're after and pick the most comfortable/best looking.

I'm a fan.

Sam

 

[lurker]

Not sure how long you are over here, but there is a david stanley auction on 29th Jan

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Not in Scotland on Hogmanay?![WEARY CAT FACE]

Bristol is a nice place to visit with plenty to see apart from BD.
SS Great Britain is worth a look.

You do realise it's our Winter? [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

Rod

I should image this is why he is coming, to escape the insufferable heat of a summer in Oz?

David

 

[galleywood]

+1 for Bob's toolbox, but phone in advance to check when he is open.