Brighton Racecourse Antiques and Vintage Fair returns

If you have a weakness for rummaging through old cupboards and hunting for a bargain, the Brighton Racecourse Antiques and Vintage Fair is worth marking in the diary. It lands back at the racecourse on Sunday 25 August, and it is the sort of day that rewards a bit of patience and a keen eye.

The scale of the thing is the first thing that strikes you: more than 180 indoor stalls, each packed with the kind of unique and unusual items that make this fair a proper destination for collectors rather than a casual browse. Whether you are after a specific piece of mid-century furniture, a stack of old postcards, or something you did not even know you were looking for, the sheer volume of tables means you can spend a couple of hours without seeing the same thing twice. It is as much about the hunt as the haul, and that is exactly why it pulls in families alongside the serious collectors.

Practicalities are straightforward, which is half the battle with a day out. Entry is from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and it costs £5 on the door, with children under 16 getting in free, so it is an easy one to bring the whole family along to. There is free parking and Wi-Fi on site, refreshments and a licensed bar to keep you going, and a friendly atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in for the morning. One rule to keep in mind: dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead, so it is a family-friendly outing in the truest sense. Adding to the mood, swing singer Steve Conway performs throughout the day, so there is a soundtrack to your browsing.

The venue itself has a bit of history to lend the occasion. The Brighton Racecourse dates back to 1783, when the first public race was held on the current site, and the track is a horseshoe-shaped, 1.5-mile left-handed circuit used only for flat racing. When it is not hosting race days, the place doubles as a busy events centre, taking on exhibitions, conferences, car rallies, circuses, antiques fairs, corporate promotions, product launches, wedding receptions and private parties, so it is well-practised at filling its halls with something other than horses.

If you cannot make the August date, the fair is not a one-off. Tickets go on sale from 30 August, with further dates lined up for 18 October and 29 November, so there is plenty of room to catch it later in the autumn if the summer does not suit. For anyone who wants to plan ahead or has a specific question, the organisers can be reached on 01952 242019.

So, if you fancy a day of rummaging with a bit of swing music in the background, the Brighton Racecourse Antiques and Vintage Fair is a classic Brighton fixture worth a visit. It is the kind of event that is easy to drop into for an hour and end up staying for three, and with free parking and free entry for under-16s, it is a low-stakes way to spend a Sunday.