Why Was The Northern Antiques Fair In Yorkshire Such A Hit For Art And Antiques Sales?

Even when newspapers are full of gloomy economic news, it’s brilliant to see that some things just keep going strong. A perfect example was this year's Northern Antiques Fair. From Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th October 2025, the Garden Rooms at Tennants in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, was buzzing with people who love beautiful, historic objects. The autumn sun was shining, and it seems it brought out the buyers in droves. People left with everything from incredible furniture and fine art to ancient maps, proving that a passion for well-crafted antiques is alive and well. The event was packed with amazing items and the atmosphere was fantastic.

You can always tell how good an event is by what the people taking part have to say. And the exhibitors at the Northern Antiques Fair were clearly very happy. Richard Docker of Hispanic Antiques summed it up perfectly:

“Thank you for another smooth and well organized fair. Fortunately it was again very successful for us and a few last minute sales on Sunday afternoon really made it for us.”

It shows how a well-run event can make all the difference, creating a great environment for both sellers and buyers.

It’s not just about local connections, either. The fair has a reputation that pulls in people from all over. As David Hickmet of Hickmet Fine Art, a London dealer, pointed out, its location is a huge plus. “This fair has been particularly good for me as a London dealer because it’s a quality fair that’s central for northern clients,” he said. This really is a quality fair that acts as a brilliant meeting point.

And the sales? They were happening across the board. It wasn't just about one or two huge deals. Jim Dickinson of J Dickinson Maps & Prints had a brilliant four days. He explained,

“I had excellent sales over the four days, each day with several new customers. Half the maps I sold were of Yorkshire, along with four maps of Northumberland, an expensive map of Durham and an early map of Ireland. Prices ranged from £100-£1,800.”

It’s fascinating to think about people buying maps of their local area, connecting with the history of their home. These aren't just decorative prints; they are pieces of history, showing how places have changed. Selling both maps and prints, Jim’s experience shows there was something for every budget.

New faces and big-ticket items

A sign of a healthy, growing event is new people wanting to get involved. This year’s fair welcomed six new exhibitors, and all of them reported good sales. That’s a fantastic result and shows the event is the right place to be for anyone dealing in antiques. The variety of items that found new homes was staggering, with some seriously impressive big-ticket sales.

For instance, W R Harvey & Co (Antiques) Ltd sold a stunning piece of furniture history. It was a Chippendale period mahogany settee from around 1765, which sold for about £12,500. What exactly is Chippendale? It’s a style of furniture from the 18th century, named after a famous London cabinet-maker, Thomas Chippendale. Think incredibly elegant, beautifully carved dark wood – the kind of thing you’d see in a classy period drama. Someone now owns a sofa that’s nearly 260 years old!

It wasn’t just centuries-old furniture drawing attention. The Art Deco period, from the 1920s and 30s, was also a massive hit. This style is all about glamour, bold geometric shapes, and luxury materials. Markies Antiques had a fantastic fair, selling lamps, a chest of drawers, and an armchair from this era. Their biggest sale was a complete three-piece suite, freshly reupholstered in green leather, which went for around £10,000. It just shows how timeless great design is.

Other notable sales included:

• A silver, amber and opal pendant made by Dorrie Nossiter, sold by Breckland Antiques for £2,250.
• An oak table from around 1900, which went to a couple moving into an Arts & Crafts house.

More than just furniture: Fine art, sculptures, and silver sparkle

While the furniture sales were impressive, the fair was a treasure trove of all kinds of beautiful things. The world of fine art was well-represented, with some major pieces being snapped up. Mark Rowles Fine Art sold a watercolour by Sir Kyffin Williams on the very first day for a price in the region of £9,000. But the biggest art sale of the weekend came from Walker Galleries, who sold an oil painting by Edouard Leon Cortes, ‘Place de la Republique,’ which had an asking price of £38,000. That’s a testament to the incredible quality of the art on display.

The shine of precious metals also caught visitors’ eyes. Highland Antiques sold a large pair of silver pheasants from the year 1900 to a couple who had travelled all the way from London. These decorative birds sold for a hefty four-figure sum, showing that people are willing to travel for exceptional pieces. Imagine having those on your dining table!

And then there were the sculptures. It's fantastic to see that both modern and classic sculptures were popular. Carnes Fine Art sold a contemporary bronze orangutan by David Cooke for £2,100 to a local Yorkshire couple. Meanwhile, Garrett & Hurst Sculpture sold ‘Elegante,’ a piece from around 1920 by Carlo Pittaluaa, for about £8,000. The best part of that story? They sold it to a couple they’d first met at the very same fair two years ago. It shows that this annual event isn't just a marketplace; it's a place where relationships are built between dealers and collectors.

The view from the top

So, what was the secret to this year's success? According to Fair Director Ingrid Nilson, the glorious weather certainly didn't hurt.

“We were blessed with very sunny weather in Yorkshire and overall the results were very positive and the Sunday in particular changed the situation for many.”

“We had several specialist dealers participating for the first time and it was really nice to have a few new exhibitors amongst our many loyal regulars. Everyone’s support is hugely appreciated and makes the fair stand out as an annual event of distinction, graciously hosted by the ever helpful team at Tennants”.

Her words paint a picture of a vibrant, supportive community that makes the Northern Antiques Fair a standout occasion in the art and antiques calendar.

What's next for this brilliant annual event?

For anyone feeling they missed out, the good news is that this superb annual event will be back. The organisers have already set the tentative dates for the next fair, which will run from 8th to 11th October 2026. Mark it in your calendars! The success of the 2025 event shows that the Northern Antiques Fair is a must-visit for anyone in Yorkshire and beyond who loves art, antiques, and finding one-of-a-kind treasures. It's more than just a fair; it’s a celebration of history, craftsmanship, and timeless style.