Clothes shopping at the car boot sale. (Image: Getty)
Bargain-loving Brits would do well to head to this tiny ancient English village of just over 1000 population, which has been named home to the best car boot sale in the country. Despite there being an abundance of carboot sales across the nation, whether you’re a buyer or a seller, it can be hard to know where to start without wasting your time.
To uncover the best locations, Gazeboshop has analysed the directory of car boot sales and measured key details along with Google’s star rating to reveal the highest and lowest ranking car boot sales. All of the top 5 car boot sales in this latest study have free entry for buyers, 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. Add good opening times and agreeable weather into the mix and we have a winner.
Stickney car boot sale in Stickney, a tiny linear village in the Lincolnshire fens, mentioned in the Doomsday Book, 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, not too much rainfall, and a high search volume, sellers are likely to have successful days at this car boot. It runs every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday from the 22nd of March until December, and gates open at 7am.
A successful car boot sale needs a good balance of fair pricing, strong attendance, good location, and strong online interest—and Stickney, which is nine miles north of the market town of Boston, and 30 miles from Lincoln, scored high in each category.
The village itself is quintessentially English, with several traditional old buildings and the 13th-century St Luke’s Church, but most visitors to this quaint little place go for the boot sale! Find us off the A16 between Spilsby and Boston.
Stickney in Lincolnshire has been named the best car boot sale in the UK. (Image: Getty)
Second is Kessingland car boot market in Suffolk, just four miles south of Lowestoft, 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, which 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.
The nearby market town of Boston is just a few miles away. (Image: Getty)
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.
According to the Gazeboshop survey, here is how to have a successful boot sale as a seller:
A successful car boot sale has plenty of cars and customers. (Image: Getty)
1. Presentation: A well-presented set up can make all the difference in attracting buyers. Use trestle 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,flags or tablecloths can make your stall stand out in a crowded market. If organisers and space allow, a car boot gazebo helping your stall stand out and attract attention and keeps items and customers dry.
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: Smile, greet visitors warmly, and be ready to chat. A friendly and approachable demeanor can make people feel more comfortable browsing your stall. Offer assistance, highlight popular items, or mention special deals.
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. 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. When haggling, remain polite and flexible but firm on your minimum price. If a buyer offers £3 for an item priced at £5, you might respond, “I can do £4—how does that sound?”