Many racecourses across the UK feature regular car boot sales with the majority taking place on non-race days on a Saturday or Sunday with a few taking place mid-week. Typically, there tends to be some sort of charge for sellers to sell their items and this is often based on the size vehicle that they bring onto the lot. For example, a small car will cost less than a large van with the price usually somewhere around £10 to sell goods. Most of the racecourses offer a first-come-first-served basis with no need to reserve a pitch in advance.
Buyers coming to browse and shop can usually enter for a nominal fee – usually a couple of quid or less – with many offering a lower price to those who arrive later. There are also a fair few who offer free entrance to buyers. So, whether you’re trying to clear out your wardrobe or you’re looking to buy something, the racecourse car boot sales offer a huge space to do this on a regular basis. Additionally, most will have toilets available, as well as refreshments.
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a dual purpose racecourse with both flat and National Hunt racing famous for their Royal Ascot festival in the month of June. When there’s no racing, you’ll find a car boot sale on a Sunday with the gates opening for early bird buyers at 8am and general entry at 9am. Sellers may arrive at 6am to set up and will pay a pitch fee based on their vehicle size. Refreshments and toilets are available on site.
Ayr Racecourse
Based in Scotland, Ayr Racecourse hosts flat and National Hunt racing, along with a car boot sale every Sunday unless they state otherwise on their official website. Sellers are invited to come set up between 6am and 8am, though are advised the earlier the better in the summer months to avoid disappointment. There are charges for selling, which are based on whether your goods are new or used and also the size pitch you take up. Please refer to the official website for the latest rates. Members of the public hoping to buy may arrive from 8am.
Brighton Racecourse
The Brighton Racecourse is a flat course located in East Sussex with the season’s highlight being the Brighton Festival, which takes place over three days in August. The racecourse also hosts a car boot sale each Sunday, though it’s bound to get cancelled in bad weather so keep an eye on the official Facebook page for updates. Sellers are invited to set up a pitch at 7.30am for a set fee and buyers are able to browse from 8.30am for a small cost that varies based on what time you’re arriving – for example, those arriving early will pay more than those arriving later in the morning. Please refer to the official website for all the latest costs.
Carlisle Racecourse
Carlisle Racecourse offers flat and jump racing in the heart of Cumbria and also hosts a car boot sale once a month on a Saturday afternoon. Sellers must pay a fee for participating, which varies depending on if they are inside or outside and they may arrive to set up from 11.30am to 1pm. Buyers are then welcome to come browse from 1pm to 3pm and must also pay a small nominal entrance fee, which varies depending on arrival time.
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham is a popular National Hunt racecourse known for its famous Cheltenham Festival in the month of March. It also hosts a car boot sale every weekend on a Sunday when there are no races. Buyers may arrive from 8am to browse and sellers should arrive at 7am to set-up. Prices to buy are dependent on the type of vehicle you are taking and there is a small nominal fee for buyers coming to browse. Please refer to the official website for the latest details.
Exeter Racecourse
Exeter Racecourse, known for its National Hunt racing, also hosts a car boot sale every Sunday and on Bank Holidays, which is managed by Devonshire Wide Promotions. The sale is open to Sellers from 10am and Buyers from 1pm and is weather dependent so it’s advisable to check the official website and Facebook page for the car boot sale prior to your visit.
Haydock Racecourse
Located in Merseyside in North-West England, Haydock Park features a giant car boot sale every Wednesday. Sellers are invited to set up between 8.30am and 10.30am and are charged based on their vehicle type (car vs van). Buyers are then welcome to start browsing at 10.30am with an early bird entrance option for those who simply cannot wait. There are catering vans available, along with market stalls. Please refer to the official Facebook page for the latest information and most accurate pricing.
Huntingdon Racecourse
Huntingdon Racecourse is a National Hunt course based in Cambridgeshire and hosts a car boot sale every Sunday, except for on race days or in inclement weather. Sellers may arrive at 8.30am to set up and buyers may arrive at 9.30am with the sale ending at 1.30pm and everyone gone by 2.30pm. Please keep an eye on the official website and/or Facebook page for the latest information on pricing and cancellations.
Newton Abbot Racecourse
Newton Abbot is a National Hunt course based in Devon that occasionally hosts a Sunday car boot sale in the spring and summer months. It is advisable to check the official website and Facebook page for dates as these do not take place on a regular basis. Sellers may arrive from 6.30am and buyers may arrive between 7am and 12pm. Charges for sellers and buyers vary – please refer to the official website for the latest information.
Redcar Racecourse
Racecar Racecourse offers flat racing in North Yorkshire with a regular car boot sale on a Sunday. You can find all the latest information on the official Redcar Car Boot Sale Facebook page, including pricing for sellers and entrance fees for buyers. Sellers are invited to set up from 10.30am to 1pm and buyers are welcome to come browse from 1pm onwards. There is on-site food and catering, as well as indoor toilets.
Ripon Racecourse
Ripon Racecourse offers flat racing in North Yorkshire and puts on a car boot sale in the summer and autumn months on a Sunday afternoon. Sellers must pay a pitch fee dependent on the vehicle they’ve brought and may set up from 12 noon. Buyers are then invited to come browse for a small nominal entrance fee from 1pm. There are toilets and refreshments on site. Please refer to the official car boot Facebook page for the latest information and pricing details.
Sedgefield Racecourse
Located in County Durham, Sedgefield Racecourse is a National Hunt track, which puts on a car boot sale every Thursday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Sellers are invited to come set up from 6.30am and the pitch fee varies based on the type of vehicle. Buyers are welcome from 7.30am and the entrance fee varies based on arrival time. There is plenty of parking available, along with toilets and on-site catering. Please refer to the official Sedgefield Racecourse website for all the latest information on pricing.
Stratford Racecourse
Stratford Racecourse is based in Warwickshire and offers National Hunt racing but on a Saturday when there is no racing, you’ll find a regular car boot sale on the racecourse grounds. The car boot sale is open to sellers from 8am for a fixed fee per vehicle so please check the official website for the latest pricing. The gates then open to members of the public with free entrance at 8.30am and the event concludes at 1pm. There are catering vans on site with ample parking.
Wetherby Racecourse
Wetherby Racecourse offers both Flat and National Hunt racing, along with a car boot sale from the spring to autumn – usually from around April through to the end of September. Anyone selling items must pay a flat fee to enter and can set up from 6am with buyers paying just a nominal entrance fee with gates opening at 7am. Please refer to the official car boot Facebook page for the latest pricing. The racecourse offers on-site toilets, as well as catering vans.
York Racecourse
York Racecourse hosts flat racing in North Yorkshire and when no races are taking place, there is a weekly car boot sale that takes place on a Saturday between the end of March and the end of October. Those selling goods may arrive around 7am to set up and will be charged based on the size of vehicle they are bringing onto the lot. Those buying, may browse for free and the gates typically open around 7.15am.