No Car Boot Sale Takes Over Tottenham’s Elmhurst Pub on 22 November
A Historic Pub Becomes a Market Hall
Anyone who has walked past The Elmhurst on Lordship Lane will know it is hard to miss. The building dates back to 1903, and after a period of closure it reopened in 2025 with its Edwardian interior largely intact, including striking stained glass that catches the light on a bright morning. Its position opposite Bruce Castle Park makes it one of the more recognisable corners of Tottenham, and a useful meeting point for anyone who lives around the park or uses the surrounding streets.
On Sunday 22 November, that familiar setting takes on a new purpose. No Car Boot Sale, which has built a following around the idea of a traditional car boot sale without the cars, is marking its first year with its largest event so far. Around 65 stallholders will fill the pub’s indoor rooms and a covered outdoor area, creating a market atmosphere inside a space more often associated with a quiet drink or a Sunday roast.
For residents, the venue is part of the appeal. A market in a heritage pub feels like a neighbourhood event rather than a shopping centre trip, and it gives older buildings in the area a reason to be busy on a weekend morning. If you are travelling in from Hounslow, Whitton or Richmond, it is a cross-London journey, so plan your route in advance and check public transport options before you set off.
Local Makers, Traders and Organisers
The sale was set up earlier this year by four local women who saw a gap for a relaxed, community-minded market in north London. Since then it has welcomed more than 4,000 visitors across its first three events, which is a strong start for a grassroots project. For the organisers, each event is a test of whether a neighbourhood market can grow without losing the friendly, informal feel that made people want to come in the first place.
The stallholders bring a wide range of goods: vintage finds, furniture, clothing, toys, books and general second-hand treasures. For many of them, a sale like this is a rare chance to reach local buyers directly, without the fees or travel costs of bigger fairs. Food and drink are also provided by Tottenham favourites Techo Verde, Be More Shirley and LICKS, so the event supports other local businesses as well as the sellers on the floor.
The pub itself gets a share of the custom too, with bacon sandwiches at £5 and mugs of car boot tea served on site. DJs will be playing and selling vintage records, adding to the atmosphere.
For sellers treating this as a small business, a sale like this can mean real income, and it is worth keeping clear records of every sale and cost. If you are planning to set up formally, local Hounslow bookkeeping advice can help you understand what needs tracking before the next tax deadline.
What Residents Should Know Before Sunday
The sale runs from 10am to 1pm on Sunday 22 November at The Elmhurst, 131 Lordship Lane, Tottenham, London N17 6XE. Entry costs just £1, and under-16s go free, which makes it an easy outing for families and a low-risk way to try something new on a Sunday morning.
If you are hoping to pick up Christmas presents, arriving early is the sensible option. With 65 sellers and a limited amount of space, the best vintage pieces and popular items tend to go in the first hour. Bring cash or check ahead on accepted payment methods, and allow time to browse both the indoor rooms and the outdoor covered area.
The event also works well as a half-day plan. Bruce Castle Park is right opposite, so you can combine a wander through the stalls with a walk around the grounds. The pub serves Sunday roasts, so many visitors may choose to stay on for lunch afterwards.
It is worth following @nocarbootsale on social media for updates. The organisers have not yet announced details of their next event in the information currently available, so keep an eye on their channels if you want to know when the market returns. For a local community project still in its first year, the best way to support it is simple: turn up, buy something, and tell a neighbour.
Source: A Car Boot Sale (Minus the Cars) Is Taking Over a Tottenham Pub
