London may be the home of Christie’s and Portobello Road, however if you have a special interest in old objects, Hull is an excellent destination for history buffs and curio collectors alike. Being just off the beaten track, Hull and East Riding is a great place to bag a bargain on a priceless piece.
If you have an eye for oddities or are just keen to peruse knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, then antique hunting in and around Hull is a fantastic way to while away a rainy day.
Grannies Parlour, located just across from the train station on Anlaby Road, is the perfect place to start. The clue is in the name and this quirky little shop is full of 19th and 20th century kitsch oddities and memorabilia. Next, Waterloo Tavern Antiques at 50 Great Union Street is the ideal destination for those who wish to browse funky, salvaged decor.
Located in an old pub, Waterloo Antiques is now run by a father and son team who specialise in reclaimed retro and vintage architectural antiques as well as other bric-a-brac. If instead you’re in the market for more upscale antique pine furniture, try the experts at Imperial Antiques on Hessle Road. Alternatively, if shabby-chic is your style, visit Pineapple Antiques for an eclectic mixture of old and new. The shop it self has been appropriately described as a ‘Modern Day Alladin’s Cave’.
Less than 10 miles outside of Hull in Beverly you’ll find the vast St Crispin Antiques Centre. Taking up two floors of an historic Grade II listed building, you could easily dedicate half a day to browsing the collections of over 100 dealers. Whether you’re into vintage clothes, fine art, old books or antique jewelry, there is surely something for everyone, making St Crispin’s a must visit for any bargain hunter.
If your hunt is taking you a bit further afield, then excellent pit stop on any antiquing road trip is the Georgian Rooms, located just under 30 miles north of Hull in historic Bridlington. Bridlington itself has a great antiques heritage, being home to several lovely boutiques and galleries, and having twice played host to The Antiques Roadshow.
The beautiful antique centre in the Georgian Rooms is home to over 20 different dealers pedaling their wares. Here you can find everything from furniture to jewelry, glassware to art as well as countless other objects of interest. If you get peckish while browsing, then be sure to stop by the award winning Georgian Tea Rooms located on the first floor.
While in Bridlington, literary lovers might want to make a trip to Burlington Books, one of the finest antiquarian book dealers in the North. At Burlington, you can ogle rare, first editions behind glass display cases or browse hundreds of beautiful leather-bound books filling floor to ceiling shelves.
Whether you’re just hunting for treasures in Hull or a window shopper, or a hardcore antique haggler you’re sure to see something that sparks your interest during your time in Hull and East Riding.
Looking for a hotel in Hull this autumn? Consider a stay at the Holiday Inn Hull Marina hotel for a central, great value accommodation option.