Five Great Spots for Vintage in York
Here are the best places to find wonderful things that have been owned by other people.
Feature
Judy’s
Affordable Vintage Fair
The Hospitium, Museum Gardens, York YO30 7DR
Next gracing the fair city of York on the 9th of October, Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair does a roaring trade as the UK’s largest vintage fair, traversing the country in order to satisfy some serious vintage cravings. Crowned curators of Vintage at Southbank, Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair really does know its stuff and harnesses local talent and traders for each fair, making them truly eccentric and individual. The enviable location of The Hospitium in Museum Gardens truly adds to the character of Vintage Fair day. When all the rummaging becomes too much The Marvellous Tea Dance Co., exclusive to north-eastern fairs, are there to pick up the pieces with sumptuous tea and cakes served on mis-matched china.
Purple Haze
52 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF
Secreted down Walmgate, Purple Haze is a haven of vintage clothing and accessories for the discerning lady and gentleman. This mother and daughter owned establishment truly offers a service with a smile, well-tuned advice and a real personality as opposed to the rather clinical atmosphere of Deep. Don’t get us wrong, Deep has some great pieces on its rails, but from our experience occasional once-overs from the silent staff regarding your fashion credentials is rather off-putting to say the least. At Purple Haze though each piece appears to have been selected or made with the utmost care and an obvious interest in the genre.
Banana Warehouse
36 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9NX
How to describe Banana Warehouse? A real Aladdin’s cave of wonders. Hailed as York’s largest second hand furniture and antique store, it would be very easy to get lost in Bannana Warehouse; its seemingly boundless interior housing everything from the conventional to the peculiar and everything inbetween. From Toby Jugs to military regalia, chimney pots to chandeliers, taxidermy creatures to sewing machines, this collection of the absolutely fabulous yields extensive delights on every visit. No further description needed: this is one to experience yourself, folks.
The House of Avalon
5 Petergate, York, YO1 7EN
The House of Avalon (far from being the mythical island of Arthurian legend) is “a quintessentially English coffee shop with a dash of vintage couture” which also aims to help provide employment for those with learning disabilities. Within the listed 1768 premises, the front plays host to an array of vintage fashion from 1910 to the 1950’s whereas the back is a bustling coffee shop which shows period films and where everything is for sale. The website compliments this vintage vision and also advertises vintage hairstyling, make up and advice for special occasions; a truly unique experience to York.
Secondhand Books
Despite not being pristine, the well-thumbed and loved pages demonstrate the longevity of the reading tradition and often at a mere snippet of the high street retail price should not be something to be scoffed at. The pavements of York are littered with second-hand bookshops; Fossgate Books, Janette Ray, The Minster Gate Bookshop to name but a few, often which also source rare, antiquarian and classic editions of books. The experience of the staff who work in such bookstores is invaluable, especially in trying books beyond the well-beaten top selling list.
Fossgate Books
36 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF
Janette Ray Rare and Out of Print Books
8 Bootham, York, YO30 7BL
The Minster Gate Bookshop
8 Minster Gates, York, YO1 7HL
Laura Howarth
The Hospitium, Museum Gardens, York YO30 7DR
Next gracing the fair city of York on the 9th of October, Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair does a roaring trade as the UK’s largest vintage fair, traversing the country in order to satisfy some serious vintage cravings. Crowned curators of Vintage at Southbank, Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair really does know its stuff and harnesses local talent and traders for each fair, making them truly eccentric and individual. The enviable location of The Hospitium in Museum Gardens truly adds to the character of Vintage Fair day. When all the rummaging becomes too much The Marvellous Tea Dance Co., exclusive to north-eastern fairs, are there to pick up the pieces with sumptuous tea and cakes served on mis-matched china.
Purple Haze
52 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF
Secreted down Walmgate, Purple Haze is a haven of vintage clothing and accessories for the discerning lady and gentleman. This mother and daughter owned establishment truly offers a service with a smile, well-tuned advice and a real personality as opposed to the rather clinical atmosphere of Deep. Don’t get us wrong, Deep has some great pieces on its rails, but from our experience occasional once-overs from the silent staff regarding your fashion credentials is rather off-putting to say the least. At Purple Haze though each piece appears to have been selected or made with the utmost care and an obvious interest in the genre.
Banana Warehouse
36 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9NX
How to describe Banana Warehouse? A real Aladdin’s cave of wonders. Hailed as York’s largest second hand furniture and antique store, it would be very easy to get lost in Bannana Warehouse; its seemingly boundless interior housing everything from the conventional to the peculiar and everything inbetween. From Toby Jugs to military regalia, chimney pots to chandeliers, taxidermy creatures to sewing machines, this collection of the absolutely fabulous yields extensive delights on every visit. No further description needed: this is one to experience yourself, folks.
The House of Avalon
5 Petergate, York, YO1 7EN
The House of Avalon (far from being the mythical island of Arthurian legend) is “a quintessentially English coffee shop with a dash of vintage couture” which also aims to help provide employment for those with learning disabilities. Within the listed 1768 premises, the front plays host to an array of vintage fashion from 1910 to the 1950’s whereas the back is a bustling coffee shop which shows period films and where everything is for sale. The website compliments this vintage vision and also advertises vintage hairstyling, make up and advice for special occasions; a truly unique experience to York.
Secondhand Books
Despite not being pristine, the well-thumbed and loved pages demonstrate the longevity of the reading tradition and often at a mere snippet of the high street retail price should not be something to be scoffed at. The pavements of York are littered with second-hand bookshops; Fossgate Books, Janette Ray, The Minster Gate Bookshop to name but a few, often which also source rare, antiquarian and classic editions of books. The experience of the staff who work in such bookstores is invaluable, especially in trying books beyond the well-beaten top selling list.
Fossgate Books
36 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF
Janette Ray Rare and Out of Print Books
8 Bootham, York, YO30 7BL
The Minster Gate Bookshop
8 Minster Gates, York, YO1 7HL
Laura Howarth
