Nottingham sits at the centre of a strong East Midlands car boot sale circuit, with venues spread across the city and into Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. The region has one of the largest single boot sales in the country at Nottingham Racecourse, supported by a network of Saturday and Sunday sales that cover every corner of the East Midlands. The table below picks out the best venues by area.
| Venue | Location | Day | Seller pitches | Pitch fee | Buyer entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Racecourse Boot | Colwick Park | Sunday | 300+ | £10–£12 | Free | East Midlands flagship |
| Derby Car Boot | Derby | Sunday | 150+ | £8–£10 | Free | West of Nottingham |
| Leicester Car Boot | Leicester | Sunday | 150+ | £8–£10 | Free | South of Nottingham |
| Newark Car Boot | Newark Showground | Sunday | 200+ | £10 | £1 | Established circuit, quality |
| Hucknall Car Boot | Hucknall | Saturday | 100+ | £8 | Free | North Nottingham Saturday |
| Long Eaton Car Boot | Long Eaton | Sunday | 150+ | £8–£10 | Free | Derby-Nottingham border |
Most Nottingham venues on this list offer free buyer entry. Newark charges a nominal £1 that contributes to the showground's running costs. The East Midlands boot sale scene is one of the best-value circuits in the country.
Nottingham Racecourse Boot: The East Midlands Flagship
Nottingham Racecourse on Colwick Park runs the largest regular car boot sale in the East Midlands — and one of the biggest in the country. On a good Sunday, 300+ sellers fill the racecourse site with everything from household clearance and tools to clothing, toys, books, electronics, and antiques. The racecourse setting gives sellers plenty of space, so pitches are not cramped and browsing is comfortable.
Why go: The sheer scale. With 300+ pitches on a busy Sunday, the variety here is unmatched in the East Midlands. Whether you are buying or selling, the volume of stock and visitors means better odds of finding what you want or clearing what you bring. The venue is well-organised with separate sections for general goods.
Seller notes: Arrive early — the best pitches fill quickly, especially in summer. Pitch fees are £10–£12 depending on vehicle size. The organiser runs a well-managed site with clear signage and staff on hand. The car boot equipment checklist covers what to bring for a sale this large.
For sellers new to the scene, the beginner's guide to selling at car boot sales walks through your first morning from setup to pack-down.
Derby Car Boot: West of Nottingham
Derby's Sunday car boot sale serves the western side of the East Midlands. With 150+ pitches on a typical weekend, it draws sellers and buyers from Derby, Burton upon Trent, Ilkeston, and the surrounding towns. The venue is well-established and runs reliably through the season.
Why go: Location west of Nottingham. If you live in Derby or the western side of the East Midlands, this is your closest large Sunday sale and a strong alternative to driving across to Nottingham Racecourse. The stock is a broad mix of household goods, tools, garden equipment, and children's items.
Seller notes: Pitch fees of £8–£10 are good value. The site is accessible from the A52 and M1. Derby buyers are practical and price-conscious — tools, hardware, and functional household items sell well.
Leicester Car Boot: South of Nottingham
Leicester's Sunday car boot sale is the southern anchor of the East Midlands circuit. With 150+ pitches, it draws a consistent crowd from Leicester, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, and the surrounding Leicestershire towns. The venue benefits from Leicester's diverse population, which brings a wider range of stock and buyers than some other East Midlands venues.
Why go: Location south of Nottingham and the diversity. If you live in Leicester, Loughborough, or south Nottinghamshire, this is your closest large Sunday sale. Leicester's multicultural character means a more varied stock mix and a lively, energetic atmosphere on Sunday mornings.
Seller notes: Pitch fees of £8–£10 are standard. The site is accessible from the M1 and A46. Leicester buyers are enthusiastic and willing to haggle — price items with negotiation room built in. For pricing your items to sell quickly, the car boot sale prices UK guide covers what to charge by category.
Newark Car Boot: Quality Over Quantity
Newark Showground runs a well-established Sunday car boot sale that draws sellers from across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. With 200+ pitches, it is the second-largest venue in the region after Nottingham Racecourse. The showground setting provides good facilities — parking is on hard standing, and there are toilet and catering options on site.
Why go: Consistent quality. 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 £1 buyer entry filters for more committed buyers who are prepared to spend. If you want better stock with less competition from casual browsers, Newark is the East Midlands' strongest option.
Seller notes: Pitch fees at £10 are fair. The £1 buyer entry means your audience is more serious than at free-entry venues — price for quality and hold firm through the first hour. The showground is accessible from the A1 and A46. For sellers with higher-value stock, Newark is the pick of the East Midlands venues after the Racecourse.
Hucknall Car Boot: North Nottingham Saturday
Hucknall runs a Saturday car boot sale in the north of Nottingham, filling an important gap for anyone who cannot make Sunday sales. With 100+ pitches, it draws a loyal local following from Hucknall, Bulwell, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and the surrounding towns.
Why go: Saturday availability. If your Sundays are booked or you simply prefer a quieter morning, Hucknall is the best Saturday option near Nottingham. The stock is general household and bric-a-brac with a more local, less competitive crowd than the Sunday venues. Saturday sales in the East Midlands are rare, making Hucknall worth knowing about. The Saturday vs Sunday guide covers how the two days differ.
Seller notes: Pitch fees at £8 are the joint-cheapest on this list. The Saturday crowd is different to Sunday — more dealers and early collectors, fewer families. Arrive by 7:00 am to catch the serious morning buyers. For equipment on a budget, the cheapest car boot table guide covers affordable setup options.
Long Eaton Car Boot: Derby-Nottingham Border
Long Eaton runs a Sunday car boot sale sitting between Derby and Nottingham. With 150+ pitches on a typical weekend, it is perfectly positioned for sellers and buyers who live in the corridor between the two cities — Long Eaton, Beeston, Stapleford, Sandiacre, and the Erewash Valley.
Why go: The border location. If you live between Nottingham and Derby, Long Eaton is likely closer than either the Racecourse or Derby's main venue. The stock is a broad mix of household goods, tools, garden equipment, and children's items. The venue runs reliably through the season.
Seller notes: Pitch fees of £8–£10 are the standard East Midlands rate. The site is accessible from the M1 and A52. Long Eaton buyers are a mix of Nottingham and Derby regulars — keep your display well-organised to catch both crowds.
What to Know Before You Sell in Nottingham
East Midlands car boot sales share common traits worth knowing before you head out.
Sunday rules the calendar, but Hucknall runs Saturday. Almost every East Midlands boot sale runs on Sundays. Hucknall is the region's sole regular Saturday venue. Plan around Sunday for the biggest sales, Saturday for a quieter alternative.
Free buyer entry is the norm. Every East Midlands venue except Newark offers free buyer entry. Newark's £1 charge is worth paying for the quality of stock and more committed buyers.
Get there early. Seller gates open between 6:00 and 7:30 am at most venues. The best pitches go to the earliest arrivals. Aim to be in the queue 15 minutes before the advertised seller entry time.
Cash leads, but cards are growing. Cash is still the default payment method at East Midlands boot sales, but more sellers now accept cards. Bring a float of £30–£50 in coins and small notes. If you want to take card payments, the wireless card reader guide covers the kit you need.
The M1 connects everything. Most East Midlands venues sit within easy reach of the M1. Nottingham Racecourse, Derby, Leicester, Long Eaton, and Hucknall are all M1-adjacent. If your local sale is quiet, a 30-minute drive up or down the motorway opens up several alternatives.
Nottingham Racecourse is genuinely huge. With 300+ sellers, the Racecourse boot sale is one of the largest in the UK — bigger than most London and Manchester equivalents. Pace yourself as a buyer and bring a trolley if you plan to buy bulky items. As a seller, the competition is real — presentation matters. For real-time venue status before you travel, the near me today guide shows which sales are confirmed as running.
Nottingham: The East Midlands Boot Sale Powerhouse
The East Midlands car boot sale circuit punches well above its weight, anchored by Nottingham Racecourse — one of the biggest weekly boot sales in the entire UK. Newark adds quality for committed buyers, while Derby, Leicester, and Long Eaton provide strong Sunday alternatives across the region. Hucknall's Saturday sale adds weekend flexibility that many areas lack. Free buyer entry at most venues keeps footfall high, and pitch fees — mostly £8 to £12 — are among the fairest in the country.
Find car boot sales near you in Nottingham on LocalBoot — search verified Nottingham venues with opening times, pitch fees, and seller reviews updated for 2026.
Written by Paul Bond · hello@tradewaveast.co.uk · 25 Jun 2026
