The Newbury Radio Rally has been taking place every year since 1987.
It is organised and run by the Newbury And District Amateur Radio Society (NADARS) and attracts visitors from all over the country. This highly popular event provides the ideal venue for anyone interested in radio, electronics or computing. Themed around a 'boot sale' it offers the opportunity to buy and sell everything from the smallest components used for making equipment or projects, through to complete communication systems. Whether you want the very latest full featured transceiver from the world's biggest manufacturers, or simply something second-hand at incredibly attractive prices, there are more than 100 stalls waiting to help you.
But buying or selling is not the only thing on offer, as there are other attractions too!
Each year NADARS provides it's 'Demonstration Marquee'
where you will see live amateur radio stations in contact with amateurs all over
the world using voice, Morse code and data communications.
Also, there have been a number of national societies who have previously displayed (hopefully returning this year) including:
- British Amateur Television Club (BATC)
- British Young Ladies Amateur Radio Association (BYLARA)
- Castles and Stately Homes on the Air (CASHOTA)
- Chiltern DX Club (CDXC)
- Radio Amateurs Emergency Network (RAYNET)
- Radio Officers Association. (ROARS)
- Radio Society of Great Britain (Region 9)
- Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society (RAFARS)
- Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society (RNARS)
- Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society (RSARS)
- UK Six Metre Group (UKSMG)
- Worked All Britain Awards Group (WAB)
- And other organisations and clubs all displaying their special interests
The Newbury Radio Rally really is 'the one not to be missed' and ensures a great day out for everyone.
Opening Times
6th July 2025
- Open to visitors
from 0900hrs until about 1530
- Open to sellers/traders from 0800hrs
Note: No access to the site is possible on Saturday or
overnight.
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Price*
- Visitors £3.00 per person (children under 16 free, no other concessions). Free Parking.
- Trades / sellers £15.00 per plot (5m x 5m). (click here for
Advance Booking
- with discount)
This space is suitable for a car or small van. If you have a car with trailer or a large van etc you will need two or more plots.
You are welcome (as many do) to have multiple plots.
Please note that for safety and space reasons everything must be within the plot(s) purchased (i.e. 5mx5m or multiples thereof) - - this means
everything, including the vehicle and all your tables etc, so please take this into account when deciding if one plot is big enough for you.
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Location + Map + Directions
The Rally takes place at one of the biggest showgrounds in the south of England.
Newbury Showground is located right next to junction 13 of the M4 Motorway.
Nearest Post Code: RG18 9QZ
Lat: N51:27:33 ( 51.45911), Long: W1:18:19 ( -1.30521).
LR: SU483734
Talk-in on S22 (145.550MHz) with GB4NR
Directions:
A34 South bound
Continue to J13 M4 and follow signs for showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north again (i.e. as if you are going back up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
From the A34 North bound
Continue to J13 M4 and follow signs to showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north (i.e. as if you were continuing north up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
From M4 West bound
Leave at Junction 13 and follow signs for showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north (i.e. as if you were continuing north up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
From M4 East bound
Leave at Junction 13 and follow signs for showground. As you go around the roundabout at the motorway, you start to head north (i.e. as if you were continuing north up the A34) but shortly after leaving the M4 roundabout, and before you rejoin the main carriageway of the A34, take the slip road for Chieveley. At the 'T' Junction turn right. The entrance will be found on the right.
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Facilities
- Free car park, including a reserved area for disabled blue-badge holders.
- Toilets, including disabled access.
- Catering (freshly cooked beef burgers, bacon rolls etc.)
- Ice cream, ice lollies etc.
- Tea, coffee and soft drinks.
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Activities
Each year NADARS provides it's 'Demonstration Marquee' where
you will see live amateur radio stations in contact with
amateurs all over the world using voice, Morse code and data
communications.
Also, there have been a number of national societies who have
previously displayed (hopefully returning this year) including:
-
British Amateur Television Club (BATC)
-
Castles and Stately Homes on the Air
-
Radio Officers Association
-
Reading Hackspace
-
Restored Police command truck and support vehicle
-
Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society
-
Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society
-
Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society
-
UK Six Metre Group
-
Worked All Britain (WAB) Awards Group,
-
And other organisations and clubs all displaying their
special interests
The Newbury Radio Rally really is 'the one not to be missed' and
ensures a great day out for everyone.
Back to Introduction
FAQs
It is surprising the range of questions we are asked about the Newbury Radio Rally and we hope that we have covered most of them below. But if there is something you still need to know then don't hesitate to contact us by email
1. Can I bring my dog?
Yes, so long as it is on a lead at all times. If your dog fouls anywhere on the site, you must clear it up immediately
2. Is there hard-standing for my motorbike?
Yes, there is a concrete area near the toilets where motor-cycles can be parked
3. Are there disabled toilet facilities?
Yes, the toilets on-site are at ground level with easy disabled access
4. Can I get on to the site earlier than 0800hrs to set-up?
No. There are strict showground site rules that we have to adhere to with regard to site access for visitors
5. Can I set-up on the Saturday?
No. Access to the site is only on the Sunday from 0800hrs
6. Do I have to book a selling plot in advance?
No, a large number of plots are available on the day. However, we recommend that you book in advance because this not only gives you a 20% discounted entrance price but, in addition to paying less, it provides you with faster access when you arrive - so no waiting for payments and tickets etc
7. My friend has booked a selling space, can I have a space next to him?
The Newbury Radio Rally is themed around a boot sale and therefore all sellers are allocated their space on a 'first come first served' basis as they arrive on site.
If you want to be next to someone then you must meet up with them before you arrive on site and then enter the site one vehicle behind the other.
We cannot keep a space free next to you unless a valid plot ticket for that space is displayed for each plot
8. I have booked two selling plots (or will buy two plots when I arrive) and we will arrive in two cars. Can both cars be parked on the two plots?
Each plot is big enough for a car and up to 2 tables.
So, yes, the two cars can be parked on the two plots.
BUT (and this is important) both cars must arrive at the ticket point together (one behind the other) so that you both move together to your selling spaces. Note that you will need to meet up off site before you enter the showground and then drive up to the ticket gate with one car behind the other. Note that once you have entered the showground, there is no place to stop and meet up prior to reaching the ticket gate. Once you are behind each other at the ticket gate, you will follow the line of sellers and be shown to the next available spaces.
9. Is there a "bring and buy" area?
Sorry, no. All sellers/traders need to buy a plot and bring their own tables etc. The good news is that the cost of a selling plot (and you won't need to pay visitor admission) is much cheaper than the commission charge made by bring & buy stalls at other events
10. What size is a selling plot?
Each selling plot is 5m by 5m. This space is suitable for a car and up to two tables. If you have a car with trailer or a large van etc. you will need two or more plots.
You are welcome (as many do) to have multiple plots.
Please note that for safety and access reasons EVERYTHING (vehicle, tables, items for sale etc.) MUST fit within the 5m x 5m space provided. If you are not sure if everything will fit in this space, then please purchase an additional space. All spaces must be either booked in advance via this web site or paid for at the ticket gate on arrival. Additional plots, adjacent to the one you already have, cannot be purchased once you are on your selling pitch, so please think about the space you need in advance of arriving
11. I have a selling plot, how many passengers am I allowed to bring in the car with me?
Each sellers plot ticket allows entrance for one vehicle (car or small van) plus occupants. Additional vehicles with occupants will need to purchase a ticket on arrival.
12. I have a selling plot, what does the event organiser provide?
We only provide you with a grassed open space. You should bring your own table(s) and chair if needed. You may also bring a small gazebo BUT please remember that EVERYTHING must fit within the 5m x 5m space per plot and this may mean that your car and gazebo will not fit within that single plot (multiple plots may be purchased). Please remember that your selling space must be left completely clean when you leave. There are no rubbish disposal facilities on site for you to use, so you must take all rubbish and other items away with you
13. Are there rubbish bins or skips on site?
No, there are no rubbish bins or skips on site. You must take all your own rubbish or unwanted items home with you
14. Can I put a gazebo on my selling plot?
You may use a small gazebo BUT please remember that EVERYTHING must fit within the 5m x 5m space per plot and this may mean that your car and gazebo will not fit within that single plot (multiple plots may be purchased)
15. Is there any 240V mains power available?
No
16. I will be a visitor to the rally, can I book a visitor ticket in advance?
No, only selling plots can be purchased in advance (and advance plot booking is recommended).
Visitor admission tickets are purchased at the ticket gate on arrival
17. I will be a visitor to the rally, is the visitor admission charge per car or per person?
Visitor admission tickets are purchased at the ticket gate on arrival and is per person (children under the age of 16 are free, no other concessions are available)
18. Is parking for visitors free?
Yes, parking for visitors is free and is on an open grassed area (also see question about motor bikes)
Please ensure that you follow the directions of the parking attendants.
The visitor parking is directly next to the selling and demonstration area
19. Are there any concessions for OAP visitors?
No, all visitors (apart from children under 16) are required to purchase a visitor ticket on arrival
20. Is there disabled parking for visitors?
Yes, disabled parking is the front row of the visitor parking area and nearest to the selling and demonstration area
21. Is there public transport to the showground?
No, there are no buses or trains nearby. The nearest train station is Newbury, but you would need to take a taxi from Newbury to the showground (and pre-book him to collect you at the end). If you plan to arrive by train, then we recommend you check in advance with local taxi companies to ensure one will be there for you to use
22. I have difficulty walking, is the rally on even and smooth ground?
The rally is on Newbury Showground where many events take place throughout the year. Hundreds of thousands of people attend those events, many of whom are disabled or infirm. However, the site is a grassed open area and there may be uneven ground in places, so you should take care when walking. Please also note that this rally is big and covers a large area, so a fair amount of walking may be involved if you want to visit all stands and displays (including the short walk to the toilets!)
23. Are there catering facilities on site?
Yes, we provide varied catering facilities, typically including burgers, bacon rolls, tea, coffee, soft drinks and ice cream
24. Is there a communal area where we can sit and chat while having a drink?
Yes, in co-operation with the caterers, a seating area is provided for a number of visitors to sit and enjoy the refreshments and food they have purchased from the caterer
- but please give up your seat as soon as you have finished your refreshment/food so that other visitors can use the seating area. Note that this seating is subject to provision by the caterer.
You are also invited to visit the demonstration marquee and take a seat while we show you what we have on display
25. Apart from the sellers, what else is at the rally?
Newbury And District Radio Society has a demonstration marquee displaying different aspects of amateur radio, electronics or computing, often including live on-air radio contacts etc. In addition, there are a number of national clubs and societies that display at the rally
26. I represent a national society or organisation, are there any special arrangements for us?
If your organisation is national (i.e. not a local radio club) then you are encouraged to contact us and see if you are entitled to a free space at the rally. Please email
27. I cannot see an answer to my question, who do I contact?
Please email
and we will be happy to help you.
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Local Accommodation
There are many hotels and guest houses in the Newbury Area. The best idea is to visit the
Newbury Tourist Information Office or use a company like
www.Expedia.com or
www.hotels.com.
The nearest hotel (almost walking distance, but not quite) is
Double Tree by Hilton
Please note that it is not possible for anyone to remain on the rally site over night (access is only available from Sunday morning as the site is used for another event on the Saturday)
Click here for camping sites
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Contact for further information
We hope that we have included everything you need to know on this web site, but if you have any questions, or you want to be kept up to date with the latest rally information and discounts,
then don't hesitate to contact us by clicking
HERE and we will endeavour to reply within 24 hours
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Advance Booking
If you are planning to sell your treasured possessions, or you are a commercial trader, we recommend that you
book your space(s) in advance. Although it is not essential to book in advance, it has a number of advantages for you:
-
Discounted price of £12.00 for your space in the boot sale area (each plot is 5m x 5m). Normal price on the day is £15 each.
Please note the small change of price, which is the first increase in more than ten years!
- Faster access when you arrive - so no waiting for payments and tickets etc
**Click here to book online**
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