Exciting news! The much-loved Antiques Fair and Vintage Market is returning to the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire, at the start of February.

It marks 25 years since the impressive garden opened to the public at the dawn of the new Millennium. Since then the Garden - nestling in the countryside on the outskirts of Carmarthen and just 15 minutes away from the end of the M4 - has undergone a huge transformation, maturing into a wonderful venue for the Antiques Fair.

The weekend of antiques is set to be a busy one. The success of the fair has been mainly down to the diversity and quality of the antiques on display in the splendid setting of the Garden.

Fans of classic antiques should make their way to the Great Glasshouse for displays of Welsh art and pottery, quality jewellery and outstanding militaria collections. Step next-door to Ty Melyn and discover displays of quality antique furniture, Welsh textiles and a superb array of books, jewellery and silver.

Millennium Courtyard will be filled with a Vintage Market, housing small marquees displaying vintage toys, clothing, retro and upcycled furniture, and the large marquee alongside is where you will find a large range of furniture, art glass and some vintage delights.

Theatr Botanica will be exhibiting silverware and collection of Moorcroft, Lorna Bailey, Beswick and Doulton, art and treen plus collections of quality Welsh furniture and textiles.

The fair has a reputation for showcasing Welsh areas of collecting including pottery, blankets and art. Again, period Welsh oak furniture will be on display, from Welsh child’s chairs and milking stools to much larger pieces including dressers and linen press cupboards. Richard Bebb’s collection of Welsh artists is impressive and a stand not to be missed.

There’ll be a good selection of Welsh quilts on display at the fair. With its ideal sheep farming land, Wales has a rich heritage at producing good quality wool. In the 19th century, it was possible for quilts to be 100 per cent Welsh, since the wool was not only used to make fabric but also used as a filling for the quilts.

A combination of traditional patterning and the springiness of the wool filling gave Welsh quilts their very distinctive sculptured appearance and stamped them with a unique identity. And where the stitching is laid down in decorative patterns, it can be extremely fine work.

The fair takes place at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, SA32 8HN on Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2, 10am-4pm.

Admission is £12 for a weekend ticket, allowing you to enjoy two full days at the Antiques fair plus a further five days’ admission to the Garden. So the tickets last for seven days - which is very good value - and can be passed on for family and friends to enjoy the garden. Dogs are now welcome over the Antiques weekend except in the Glass House.

For more information, call Derwen Fairs 07790 293367 or follow on FB, Twitter and Instagram.