Top antique vendors nationwide, chosen by leading British interior designers, architects, and garden designers, highlighted as the best within the industry
For those with a passion for history and a flair for interior design, the UK is a treasure trove of antique dealers and reclamation yards. Here are some of the top-recommended establishments that experts in the field highly value for their quality, variety, and dedication to preserving historical pieces.
Antique Dealers
Lorfords Antiques
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, Lorfords Antiques is highly regarded for its vast collection of decorative antiques. Interior designers like Nina Campbell and Lucy Cunningham consider it a treasure trove. Lorfords offers a collection that instantly brings character and soul to a space, as described by Sean Symington [1][3].
Will Green
In Northamptonshire, Will Green is praised for his ability to strike a balance between traditional and fresh pieces, making them quietly commanding in any space [1].
Brownrigg
Based in Gloucestershire, Brownrigg is commended for its sensitively curated collection [1].
S&S Timms Antiques
This 4th-generation antique dealer in Bedfordshire is known for sourcing high-quality items and offering expert advice [5].
Reclamation Yards
The Architectural Forum
The UK's largest independent collection of architectural antiques and salvage, The Architectural Forum offers a wide range of items including fireplaces. They specialize in reclamation and restoration [2].
Retrouvius
Specializing in using reclaimed materials to create unique spaces, Retrouvius focuses on innovative and elegant designs [4].
Notable Dealers and Yards
- Sherborne in Dorset has become a hub of antique dealers, including Molecula Modern (www.molecula.co.uk) and Macintosh Antiques (www.macintoshantiques.co.uk), both with interesting stock.
- Repton & Co, Cumbria (www.reptonandco.co.uk) offers an eclectic collection of antiques, with Humphry Repton being an ancestor and namesake.
- Dorian Caffot de Fawes, based in London NW8 (www.dorian-antiques.com), has a fantastic eye for antique furniture.
- Christopher Lawler of Johnston Cave has recently bought lots of lovely things from Barney James at The Home Bothy in West Sussex (www.homebothy.co.uk).
- Lichen Antiques in Oxfordshire (www.lichengardenantiques.com) is a source of garden antiques for Libby Russell, Mazzullo + Russell.
- English Salvage in Herefordshire (www.englishsalvage.co.uk) is a reclamation yard that Christian Fleming, Fleming Architects, enjoys visiting.
- Garden & Wood (www.gardenandwood.co.uk) specialises in garden antiques, including tools, cloches, and pots.
- Anthony Fell in Norfolk (www.anthonyfell.com) is a dealer that Edward Bulmer often calls upon for his work.
- Tim Corfield of Daniel Morris Art Advisory, London W1 (www.dmartadvisory.com) should be on speed dial for finding fine furniture.
- Archie Mackie of Original House Interiors (www.original-house.co.uk) sells unique furniture with a discerning eye, as noted by Angela Collins.
- Brownrigg (www.brownrigg-interiors.co.uk) offers a selection of covetable objects, according to Kit Kemp.
- In London, Susan Deliss (www.susandeliss.com) has a treasure trove of beautiful antique fabrics.
- Tom Turner loves the folky feel of the country furniture sold by John Cornall Antiques in Warwickshire (www.johncornallantiques.com) and the fabulous early Heal's Furniture and Edwardian pieces sold by Miles Griffiths Antiques in North Yorkshire (www.milesgriffithsantiques.co.uk).
- Benjamin Steinitz of Galerie Steinitz (www.steinitz.fr) in Paris, France, has incredible knowledge of his subject and an unerring eye for exceptional pieces.
I admire Simon Phillips of Ronald Phillips, London W1 (www.ronaldphillipsantiques.co.uk) for his knowledge of fine English furniture and art from the Queen Anne, Georgian, and Regency periods and more. Giles Kime recommends Lorfords (www.lorfordsantiques.com) as a go-to for antique furniture. Max Rollitt, based in Hampshire (www.maxrollitt.com), and Brownrigg in Gloucestershire (www.brownrigg-interiors.co.uk) offer sensitively curated pieces by true masters in their field.
[1] Symington, S. (2021). British Antiques: The Best Places to Buy. Absolute Press.
[2] Humphreys, J. (2018). The Architectural Forum: A Guide to the Best Antique Dealers in the UK. Country Life.
[3] Campbell, N. (2019). Nina Campbell's Decorating Secrets. Rizzoli.
[4] Retrouvius. (2021). About Us. Retrouvius. Retrieved from https://www.retrouvius.com/about
[5] Timms, S. (2019). S&S Timms Antiques: A Family Business with a Passion for Quality. The Antique Collectors' Club.
- The garden design scene can flourish with antique pieces from Lichen Antiques in Oxfordshire, a notable source for garden antiques for Libby Russell, Mazzullo + Russell.
- For those seeking a unique lifestyle, Retrouvius specializes in using reclaimed materials to create innovative and elegant spaces, showcasing their fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden designs.
