Stonham Car Boot sale seems to have everything just about right. I went there this morning and it was a relaxing, enjoyable hour walking around the many different stalls. Even before you get there, the road signs point you in the right direction to the wide, easy to enter access road where you are guided by friendly staff to the large grass parking area. It’s just a short walk to the stalls where the sellers are parked in wide lines so you have plenty of space to wander around and are not jostled by crowds as in some car boot sales.
The sellers are mostly private individuals who have personal items to sell, with a few trader stalls which can be very useful for small inexpensive items.
What I like about this venue is that it’s well organised and well spaced out ensuring a relaxing walk around. It’s also not too big which can be daunting when you see the size of some of the other boot sales, where you feel you have to either have to walk around the whole lot for fear of missing something, or deciding where to stop and making the long trek back to the car.
Another advantage of this location is its on flat level ground, so no walking up a hill and it’s nearly all on grass, which is softer than gravel and easier on your feet (and just nicer to walk on) if mobility is an issue.
During a chat to the owner of the boot sale this morning, he told me it is also well worth coming on a Thursday as this is becoming more popular and is another chance to find a bargain if you missed out on the Sunday sale.
All in all, a very pleasant morning stroll around the different stalls, and every stall holder I spoke to was polite, friendly and often more than happy to have a chat.
Some also might see a walk around a boot sale as a bit of an antidote to life’s stresses.
If you haven’t been, it’s well worth a visit, and it’s good to see that the place hasn’t really changed much, as it’s nice how it is.
And sometimes, you never know, you just might find that item that you’ve been hunting for.
Read more