Whether you are a seasoned collector searching for a rare out-of-production locomotive, a nostalgia enthusiast re-discovering childhood favorites, or simply looking for a fun weekend out with the family, UK toy and train fairs remain one of the best-kept secrets for finding incredible bargains.
Across hall floors, sports centres, racecourses, and exhibition venues nationwide, local toy fairs bring together dozens (sometimes hundreds) of independent traders, collectors, and private sellers. Unlike browsing online marketplaces where high shipping costs, stock photo guesswork, and bidding wars apply, attending a live toy fair lets you inspect items in person, negotiate directly with friendly stallholders, and pick up unique treasures for a fraction of retail prices.
At BritishRailways.tv, we are regular visitors to toy fairs right across the UK - both as keen collectors and as active buyers searching for pre-owned model railways.
What Can You Find at a UK Toy Fair?
One of the greatest joys of attending a toy collector fair is the sheer diversity of toys on display. A single hall can span over a century of toy-making history, catering to every generation and collecting niche.
Image: Shelves stacked high with diecast buses, commercial lorries, Funko Pops, vintage kits, and nostalgic toys.
1. Commercial Haulage, Diecast Lorries & Buses
Diecast vehicle enthusiasts are catered to in huge numbers at local fairs. Walk down any aisle, and you will find multi-tiered wooden display racks laden with:
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Eddie Stobart & DHL Haulage Models: Boxed 1:50 and 1:76 scale haulage trucks from Corgi, Atlas Editions, and Oxford Diecast, including famous liveries like Eddie Stobart, Boddingtons, and Esso Road Tankers.
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Classic Buses & Coaches: Exceptional selections from the Corgi Original Omnibus Company, EFE (Exclusive First Editions), and Gilbow, covering vintage double-deckers, regional municipal buses, and green country coaches.
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Vanguards & Precision Diecast: Mint-in-box 1:43 scale road cars, vintage delivery vans, and classic British motoring icons.
2. Vintage Diecast Classics: Dinky, Corgi & Matchbox
For fans of retro metal toys, toy fairs are goldmines for:
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Dinky Toys & Supertoys: Classic refuse wagons, breakdown cranes, military vehicles, and vintage tinplate cars preserved in original yellow-and-red boxes.
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Corgi Toys Icons: Famous TV and film diecast vehicles, such as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, Heartbeat police cars, James Bond 007 Aston Martins, and Batmobiles.
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Matchbox SuperKings & Lesney: Vintage commercial lorries, construction plant equipment, and speed-wheel cars in original window boxes.
Image: Racks of vintage Dinky Supertoys, Corgi Classics, and Matchbox diecast vehicles preserved in original packaging.
3. Modern Pop Culture, Action Figures & Kits
It isn't just vintage diecast on show. Modern collector tables are brimming with:
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Pop Culture & Action Figures: Rows of Funko Pop! vinyl figures, 1980s retro Action Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars, and Hasbro Marvel figures.
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Unbuilt Model Kits: Vintage plastic and card construction kits from Airfix, Tamiya, Meccano, and Revell sitting in bargain tubs alongside children's storybooks and board games.
Model Railways: The Heart of the Toy Fair Floor
For model railway modellers and collectors, toy fairs offer unprecedented access to pristine boxed locomotives, unboxed bargain runner engines, and hard-to-find rolling stock.
Image: Tables packed with boxed OO Gauge locomotives, Dapol sets, EWS diesels, and Midland Pullman trains.
Image: Trays of Japanese outline Kato N Gauge, Graham Farish steam locomotives, and Dapol DCC-fitted stock.
What Railway Modellers Can Expect:
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OO Gauge Mainstay: Tables stacked high with modern and vintage Hornby, Bachmann, Dapol, and Lima engines. You can regularly find iconic models like Class 37s, Class 08 shunters, and classic steam locomotives.
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Fine-Scale N Gauge: Including Graham Farish, Dapol N Gauge, Minitrix, and imported Japanese Kato or Micro Ace trains.
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Bargain Trays & Accessories: Tables full of unboxed coaches, freight wagons, Peco trackwork, points, and lineside buildings (such as Bachmann Scenecraft or Hornby Skaledale) where you can pick up spares for just a few pounds.
How to Find Toy & Train Fairs Near You
If you want to plan your next weekend trip, several excellent online event directories publish up-to-date schedules for toy, train, and sci-fi fairs across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland:
- Model Toy Auctions & Fairs: Based in Surrey and active across the south-east, Model Toy Auctions organises popular regional toy collector fairs. Their fairs are regular fixtures across West Sussex and Surrey venues—including Ashington and Worthing - making them a key destination for collectors hunting for rare vintage diecast and model trains.
- BP Fairs (BP Toy Collectors Fairs): Organisers of some of the largest collector events in the country, including major national shows at the NEC Birmingham, Sandown Park Racecourse, Stafford, Bolton, Doncaster, and Buxton.
- ToyShows.co.uk: A comprehensive UK-wide event calendar listing forthcoming independent toy, train, and vintage collector fairs nationwide.
- Bulldog Fairs: Specialists in vintage toy and model train collectors fairs across the West Country and South West, including popular events in Exeter and Shepton Mallet.
- Northern Toy Fairs: The premier directory for regional fairs across the North of England and Scotland, covering Blackpool, Gateshead, York, and Edinburgh.
- RM Toys / Kempton Park Toy Fair: Hosts of the famous Kempton Park Racecourse Toy Fair in Surrey, a massive highlight on the South East calendar for model train and diecast buyers.
We Buy Model Railways at Fairs & Nationwide!
As well as exploring fairs to build our own knowledge and stock, BritishRailways.tv is constantly looking to purchase pre-owned model railways.
If you are a stallholder looking to clear remaining trade stock, an enthusiast downsizing a layout, or an executor dealing with an inherited estate, we provide a fast, fair, and hassle-free buyout process:
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We Buy All Gauges & Makes: OO Gauge, N Gauge, O Gauge, HO Scale, TT:120, and G Scale from Hornby, Bachmann, Graham Farish, Dapol, Märklin, Fleischmann, and more.
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Complete Layouts & Accessories: We don't just "cherry-pick" pristine steam engines — we buy track, controllers, point motors, scenery, and rolling stock.
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In-Person Meetings & South East Pickup: We regularly attend toy fairs in person and provide doorstep collection across Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, London, and the South East.
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Free UK-Wide Courier Shipping: If you are located further afield, we supply pre-paid, fully insured shipping labels so you can send your collection straight to our workshop at zero cost.
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Same-Day Bank Payout: Immediate payment processed as soon as the collection is received or collected.
Looking to Sell Your Model Railway Stock?
Get in touch with our friendly team today for a free, no-obligation cash valuation:
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Email Us: info@britishrailways.tv