Nottingham sits right in the middle of a strong East Midlands boot sale circuit, with venues spread across the city and into Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. The area has a mix of large Sunday staples and smaller Saturday community sales, giving you options most weekends of the year. Whether you are looking for a Sunday or a Saturday venue, the Saturday vs Sunday guide covers how the two days differ. This guide covers the best car boot sales Nottingham has to offer, with what to expect at each venue and how to plan your weekend around the best sales in the area.
The Best Nottingham Car Boot Sales
| Venue | Location | Day | Pitches | Buyer entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Racecourse Boot Sale | Colwick Park | Sunday | 300+ | Free | Size and variety |
| Newark Car Boot Sale | Newark Showground | Sunday | 200+ | £1 | Established circuit |
| Hucknall Car Boot Sale | Hucknall | Saturday | 100+ | Free | North Nottingham option |
| Long Eaton Car Boot Sale | Long Eaton | Sunday | 150+ | Free | Derby border area |
| Bulwell Car Boot Sale | Bulwell | Saturday | 80+ | Free | Local community vibe |
For the full list of venues in the area, check LocalBoot's Nottingham directory.
Nottingham Racecourse Boot Sale
Nottingham Racecourse on Colwick Park runs the largest regular Sunday car boot sale in the city. The venue is well-organised, with separate sections for general goods and a small craft area that attracts a different crowd.
Why go: The size means the best variety in Nottingham. You get household goods, tools, clothing, children's items, books, and electronics from 300+ sellers on a good Sunday. The racecourse setting gives sellers plenty of space, so pitches are not cramped and browsing is comfortable compared to a tight car park venue. The stock variety here rivals the best Sunday car boot sales in the country, albeit on a regional scale.
Buyer entry: Free. No charge for pedestrians, which keeps footfall high through the morning.
Best for: A full Sunday morning out with the widest selection of stock in the region.
Newark Car Boot Sale
Newark Showground runs a well-established Sunday car boot sale that draws sellers from across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The venue is about 30 minutes east of Nottingham city centre, just off the A1.
Why go: Newark has a loyal base of regular sellers who return week after week, which means the stock quality holds up better than venues that rely on casual sellers. The showground setting provides good facilities — parking is on hard standing, and there are toilet and catering options on site.
Buyer entry: £1. Children free.
Best for: Consistent quality stock and repeat sellers.
Hucknall Car Boot Sale
Hucknall runs a Saturday sale in the north of Nottingham, making it a useful option for weekend planning. The venue is smaller but has a strong local following.
Why go: Saturday sales in the Nottingham area are rare, which makes Hucknall worth knowing about. The stock is more general household and bric-a-brac, with fewer specialist dealers than the Sunday venues. Good for picking up everyday items at low prices.
Buyer entry: Free.
Best for: A Saturday morning option north of the city.
Nottingham Selling Tips
Nottingham car boot sales are mostly free entry for buyers, which draws a high number of casual browsers. At Nottingham Racecourse, with 300+ pitches, you are competing with a lot of other sellers — presentation matters. Price items clearly, have change ready, and be prepared to negotiate before 10am when the serious buyers thin out.
Newark's £1 entry fee acts as a small filter, meaning the buyers who arrive are more committed. You can hold prices slightly firmer there compared to the free-entry venues in the city.
For indoor options during winter, several community centres and sports halls across Nottinghamshire run winter sales — the indoor car boot sale guide covers what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest car boot sale in Nottingham?
Nottingham Racecourse Boot Sale on Colwick Park is the largest, regularly attracting 300+ sellers on a Sunday. It is free for buyers and operates from March through October. It is the closest thing the city has to a flagship weekly sale. For context on how this compares with other large sales, the near me guide covers the top venues across the UK.
Are Nottingham car boot sales free for buyers?
Most are. Nottingham Racecourse, Hucknall, Long Eaton, and Bulwell all offer free buyer entry. Newark charges £1, which goes toward the showground's running costs. The £1 fee at Newark is worth paying for the quality of stock.
What days do car boot sales run in Nottingham?
Sundays are the main day. Nottingham Racecourse, Newark, and Long Eaton all run Sunday sales. Hucknall and Bulwell run on Saturdays, which means you can plan a two-day weekend visiting different venues. The Saturday guide has more detail on Saturday-specific venues across the UK.
Do Nottingham venues run year-round?
Most are seasonal. Nottingham Racecourse runs from March to October. Newark operates a longer season — some indoor sections continue through winter. Hucknall and Long Eaton are seasonal, typically April to September. For winter sales, local community centres and leisure centres in Nottinghamshire host indoor boot fairs on weekends.
How early should I arrive at a Nottingham car boot sale?
Sellers should arrive at 6am-7am at the larger venues. For buyers, the best stock at Nottingham Racecourse goes between 8am and 10am. Newark has an early-bird period for buyers who want first pick — arriving by 7:30am gives you access before the main public gate opens at 9am.
Is there a car boot sale on the Forest Recreation Ground?
Not on a regular weekly basis. Some pop-up sales appear on the Forest Recreation Ground during summer bank holidays and special events, but there is no committed weekly schedule. The regular options are at the racecourse and the showground. If you are looking for what is running today rather than planning ahead, the today guide shows active sales across the UK in real time.
Final Thoughts
Nottingham's boot sale scene is built around the Racecourse on Sundays, with Newark providing a strong second option for consistent quality. The Saturday sales at Hucknall and Bulwell give you weekend flexibility, and the free entry at most venues makes it affordable to visit multiple sites over a season. The range is good enough that a Nottingham resident can shop a different venue most weekends and find something new each time.
Find car boot sales in Nottingham on LocalBoot — filter by day, indoor or outdoor, and see which venues have pitches available this weekend.
