We speak to Amelia Courtauld, one of the Trustees of the charity, ahead of this highly anticipated yearly event
23/04/2025 Decorative Items
Sunday, 4th May will see the nineth Norfolk Churches Trust Stately Car Boot Sale take place at Sennowe Park by kind permission of Virginia and Charles Temple-Richards, and Tom Cook. The house and parkland are a magnificent backdrop to this action-packed day. Built by Thomas Albert Cook, grandson of Thomas Cook, the inventor of modern holiday travel, to this day it is lived in by his descendants. This extraordinary Edwardian country house was completed in 1907 after considerable redesign of an existing 18th century house by George Skipper and it presides over the romantic parkland where the car boot stalls, music and refreshments are situated.
This year we are hoping to top the 2022 Stately Car Boot Sale record of 10,000 visitors. With over 200 pitches featuring antiques, paintings, objets d’arts and historical items from the most glorious homes of East Anglia there is bound to be something of interest for everyone. And we would always recommend getting there early to avoid missing a unique find. Gems from previous years have included a Vintage Cadillac, stunning pre-loved John Galliano wedding dress and a British Battleship ensign flag.
We are thrilled that Cheffins has offered to sponsor the day, and that the team will be on standby with a valuation tent to advise sellers on pricing and to take in items that would be best sold at auction. No need to pack a picnic, there will be delicious local food stalls and refreshments of all kinds alongside other local food producers and vendors with an array of tastes for all palates. A silent auction will take place throughout the day and can be found online offering exceptional one-off lots including a behind the scenes tour of Sandringham, a portrait of your favourite church by Matthew Rice and an accompanied tour around a thriving beaver enclosure. You can view the catalogue for the silent auction here.
Many of you will already be aware of the work of churches trusts throughout the country. The Norfolk Churches Trust was established in 1976 and celebrates its 50th anniversary next year. It provides guidance and essential financial support through grants to communities looking after their local churches and chapels in Norfolk so that they remain open for everyone to enjoy. It also cares for 13 redundant churches that we lease from the Diocese of Norwich so that they remain open for their communities. The Trust has granted over £6.7 million to parishes within Norfolk over its history. Events such as the Stately Car Boot Sale raise vital funds for our work, and we hope that we will be able to exceed the £83,000 raised in 2022.
Tickets are £5 per adult and under 16s go free. They can be purchased on the day at the gate or in advance. Please do bring cash! For more information about the day or to purchase advance tickets visit our website