Antiques Weekend at National Botanic Garden of Wales

THE popular Antiques Fair and Vintage Market is returning to the National Botanic Garden of Wales on Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8 with celebrity Irita Marriott providing a free valuations service in the Great Glasshouse.

Originally from Latvia, Irita moved to the UK at age 20 and has spent nearly a decade in the industry, starting as a cataloguer and valuer at a top Derbyshire auction house. In 2023, she launched Irita Marriott Auctioneers and Valuers—one of the UK’s few female-led auction house. A working mum, she has built an acclaimed reputation as well as a loyal client base. Now with over 12 years in the industry, she has opened her own auction house which is the setting for ‘The Derbyshire Auction House’ on Quest and discovery+.

The enigmatic ‘Bargain Hunt’, ‘Antiques Road Trip’ and ‘The Greatest Auction’ expert enjoyed the Llandeilo fair so much that she asked if she could return and be available for valuations at the National Botanic Gardens fair.

Check your attics and look for hidden treasures as they may be worth something. You will find Irita on both days, in the Norman Foster designed Glasshouse, where she will value your items.

Returning customers can expect the same level of quality in antiques, vintage and retro. The fair’s uniqueness is down to its stunning setting, eye-catching and memorable: The wonderful array of the rare plants housed in the Norman Foster designed Glasshouse makes a perfect natural setting and backdrop to the stands displaying in the World famous Glasshouse.

Devotees of classic antiques and vintage should make their way to the various Garden venues – including the Great Glasshouse - for displays of Welsh art and pottery, quality jewellery and outstanding militaria collections. Step next door to Principality House, now known as Ty Melyn, and discover displays of quality Welsh textiles, a superb array of books, jewellery, silver and militaria, plus artwork and vintage delights.

The recently transformed Theatre Botanica will be exhibiting old favourites such as silverware and collection art and treen plus collections of quality welsh furniture , textiles French brocante and quality jewellery. Robert and Carol Pugh from Towy Antiques will be displaying a large collection of Llanelli pottery which they have avidly collected over the years, Their stand will certainly have a Welsh theme. There will be folk art, stick chairs from Michael Gorton’s collection which will also include cricket tables and an amazing array of spongeware.

The Gallery room is also a welcome addition, showcasing Welsh furniture and textiles and French brocante.

Millennium Courtyard will be filled with a Vintage market, housing smaller marquees displaying vintage toys, clothing, retro and upcycled furniture. The Apothecary will also be used as a venue for some more vintage, militaria and ephemera.

The fair opens at 10am and closes at 4pm on both days and dogs are welcome.

Nestling in the Carmarthenshire countryside, more about the National Botanic Garden and its fair can be found at botanicgarden.wales/visit/whats-on/event/antiques-weekend .

For more about Derwen Fairs, visit their Facebook page.