One of the South West's largest collector's shows returns to Somerset this September. Here's the verified event info, straight from the official listing.

Event details

  • Dates: Friday 18 – Sunday 20 September 2026
  • Times: Fri 12:00–17:00 · Sat 09:00–17:00 · Sun 10:00–16:00
  • Venue: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN, United Kingdom
  • Admission: £5.00 (free parking; £10/person for Sat–Sun access)
  • Organiser: International Antiques and Collectors Fairs (iacf) — iacf.co.uk · +44 (0)1636 702326

What's actually there

This is a general antiques and vintage fair, not a dedicated numismatic event — worth knowing up front if you're coming specifically for a coin fair. Spread across three halls plus an outdoor arcade of 30+ stalls, up to 600 exhibitors bring everything from 18th-century silver (including pieces from Paul Storr and Hester Bateman) to vintage fashion, brass antiques, and porcelain dating back to before the 16th century.

For coin and exonumia collectors, the relevant draw is the silver and small-antiques stalls rather than a dedicated bourse — this is more collector's show than mintage-world specialist event, but silver dealers and general antiques stalls at fairs like this do occasionally turn up coins, medals, and tokens alongside everything else.

How to find coins at a general antiques fair

  • Check the small-object and silver trays first. Coins, medals, and tokens usually get grouped in with jewellery, silver, and other small collectibles rather than displayed as their own category.
  • Ask dealers directly. Many stallholders keep coins in a box under the table rather than on open display — it costs nothing to ask if a dealer has any.
  • Bring a loupe. Fair lighting varies a lot between halls and outdoor pitches; a small magnifier helps you actually check a date or mint mark before buying.
  • Be cautious of anything polished or "brightened." A cleaned coin loses value regardless of how good it looks under fair lighting — treat a suspiciously shiny old coin as a red flag, not a selling point.
  • Verify on the spot. A quick photo-based check tells you what you're actually holding before you commit to a price.

About the organiser

Shepton Mallet is one of seven UK antiques fairs run by International Antiques and Collectors Fairs (iacf), alongside Newark, Ardingly, Builth Wells, Norfolk, Runway Monday, and Newbury — 30 fair dates across the 2026 calendar in total. iacf's flagship is the Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair, billed as the largest event of its kind in Europe, held every other month on the Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground with up to 1,500 stands. Shepton Mallet itself is promoted by iacf as the largest antiques fair in the West of England, drawing dealers and buyers from across the South West and Wales.

Looking for a dedicated coin fair instead?

If coins specifically are what you're after, a genuine numismatic event will serve you better than a general antiques fair. Three real UK coin fairs worth knowing:

  • London Coin Fair — the largest international numismatic fair in the UK, with 75+ specialist dealers in coins, banknotes, medals, tokens, and antiquities. Held four times a year (February, June, September, November) at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith — the September 2026 date falls on the 5th, two weeks before Shepton Mallet, useful to know if you're planning a UK collecting trip that month.
  • Midland Coin Fair — held monthly on the second Sunday at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, near Birmingham. One of the UK's most regular and well-attended numismatic events.
  • COINEX — the British Numismatic Trade Association's (BNTA) flagship show, held annually in late September in London, bringing together up to 100 BNTA-vetted UK and international dealers.

If you pick something up

Antiques fairs are exactly the kind of place unfamiliar coins turn up in mixed lots or dealer trays. If you come home with something you can't identify, photograph both sides and check it with Coin Gauge — free identification and an estimated value in under three seconds, covering coins from more than 180 countries.

FAQ

Is Shepton Mallet a coin fair?

No — it's a general antiques, vintage, and collectors fair. Coins may appear among silver and small-antiques stalls, but it isn't a dedicated numismatic event.

How much does it cost to attend?

Admission is £5.00, with free parking. Saturday and Sunday access is £10 per person.

Where can I confirm the latest details?

The organiser's own listing is the most current source: iacf.co.uk, also cross-listed on Numista's outings directory.