Antiques Trading Trends – What Were the Most Popular & Valuable Antiques in the UK in 2025-26? 

Antique collecting is an increasingly popular UK pastime – and one that’s constantly changing as shoppers continue to look more favourably on vintage or pre-loved items.

Over the last year, shifting tastes, economic pressures and renewed interests in sustainability and upcycling have begun to reshape the antiques market.

With that in mind, PACK & SEND conducted a study of the most popular and valuable antiques we shipped in 2025-2026. We then conducted analysis of the best UK locations to shop for them, to help you navigate antique shopping informed and ready to find profitable opportunities.

What are the most popular antiques in 2026? 

If you’re wondering which antiques are trending right now… 2026 is shaping to be the year of dual practical and decorative purpose.

Our study shows that some of the most popular antiques traded in the UK were furniture, ceramics and glass. This indicates a shift in the antiques market toward home-decorative goods that also offer practical benefits, making them the must-sell categories of 2026.

This may be unsurprising given the growing global market for multifunctional furniture. Urbanisation and compact living are cited as key drivers for the growth in popularity of multi-purpose furniture – and this will likely continue amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Some of the least popular antiques traded are decorative objects and weapons & arms. This is likely due to both categories being either niche collectible items or those with no practical use beyond decoration.

Which antiques are worth the most money?

According to our study, the most valuable antiques were furniture pieces, totalling over £85,000 in value, with an average individual value of £800. Ceramics & glass follow closely behind, at over £74,000 (£700 per item) on average.

But it was sporting memorabilia and religious artifacts that proved the most expensive antiques sold per individual item. This comes despite fewer overall sales – with these categories representing rare yet valuable finds.

The most expensive items PACK & SEND shipped included:

• Sporting memorabilia – worth £50,000
• Old pottery -worth £30,000
• A rare harem key and lock – worth £30,000
• Oak box and hinged lid – worth £20,000
• Antique ceramics – worth £16,500
• A painting – worth £15,000
• Book – worth £10,000
• Glass clock – worth £10,000
• A desk – worth £7,500
• Two antique golf clubs – worth £6,800

Feeling inspired? If you have any of these antiques lying around, now might be the right time to sell.

Where are the best places to shop for antiques? 

To increase your chances of finding a bargain or adding the perfect pre-loved piece to your home, you need to know the best places for antique shopping.

According to PACK & SEND’s 2026 study, the cities that ranked the highest for their number – and quality of – antique stores, are:

London

• The capital unsurprisingly ranks as the best place to shop for antiques. It has roughly 351 antique stores boasting an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.
• Some of the top-rated antique hunting spots in London include Alfie’s Antique Market near Marylebone station, Grays Antique Market in Soho and Bermondsey Antique Market.

Edinburgh

• The Scottish capital is home to 30 antique stores with an average rating of 4.5 – earning the second place spot in our study.
• Best places to find a hidden treasure are Unicorn Antiques in the Stockbridge neighbourhood, or The Courtyard Antiques on Causewayside.

Brighton & Hove

• It’s no surprise to see Brighton & Hove rank in the top three cities for antique shopping, with the seaside spot recently named the UK’s most energy-efficient city. Residents prioritising sustainability will enjoy browsing Brighton’s array of shops dedicated to pre-loved items.
• Brighton & Hove is currently home to 23 antique stores at an average rating of 4.75. While it ranks third, this destination may be a great way to beat the crowds and pick up on some unique finds due to its thriving arts and culture scene and vibrant and lively antiques markets. Head to the Lanes for a browse in Snoopers Paradise or North Laine Bazaar, or try out Brighton Flea Market.

Sheffield

• Sheffield has long been a popular hub for antique hunting, with the city having its own dedicated ‘Antiques Quarter’ area. In our study, Sheffield ranks as the fourth best city for antique stores, with 20 spots recording an average 4.64 rating.
• Shop Sheffield’s top spots for antiquing, including Sheffield Antiques Centre, Langtons Antiques Centre and Dronfield Antiques Centre.

Bristol

• Bristol completes the top five cities, with 20 antique stores recording an average rating of 4.44.
• The city recently recorded an eight-year run as the UK’s top spot for reusing and recycling – suggesting a sustainability motive behind the impressive number of antique shops. Some top-rated antique traders include Bristol Vintage, Revival Market and Rag & Bone.

Which people are most interested in antiquing? 

Google searches for “antique trends” have surged by 2,989% year-on-year, while searches for “antiquing” have increased by 31% in the UK 2026.

With vintage shopping becoming more popular thanks to rising trends like ‘poetcore’, this is driving more interest in antiquing, particularly among eco and budget conscious Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

Ship Antiques with PACK & SEND 

At PACK & SEND, we help package and ship your antique goods with care and quality – giving you peace of mind that your items will be properly protected during transit.

The antiques named in this study provide just a small example of some of the high-value items we’ve helped to ship. PACK & SEND provides specialist packing services for customers at a high quality and an affordable price.

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