Antiques Road Trip

Antiques experts Anita Manning and Raj Bisram take a 1973 Triumph Spitfire on a backroads romp around East Anglia, hunting for treasures to take to auction in Beeston, Norfolk. Along the way, Anita uncovers the little-known story about a local hero -- anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson, and Raj hears about an agricultural pioneer at the stunning Holkham Hall.

Behind the wheel of a Triumph Spitfire, Anita Manning and Raj Bisram shop in Norfolk, heading for an auction in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. Anita learns about much-forgotten Norwich lad Vernon Castle, who was once a global dancing phenomenon. Taking a break from antiques, Raj heads to the stunning Blicking Hall to find out about its controversial former owner, Lord Lothian.

Antiques aficionados Anita Manning and Raj Bisram take in the delights of Suffolk, Kent and Surrey. Each expert has won an auction, so it’s all to play for. Anita takes a break from shopping with a visit to a former silk mill with an incredible royal connection. Meanwhile, Raj hears about the birth of interior design and the pioneering artist behind it -- William Morris.

The gorgeous Kent towns of Deal, Sandwich and Faversham host Anita Manning and Raj Bisram for some antiques shopping. Raj has soared ahead with huge profits, but Anita finds an Eastern deity figure she hopes will attract big bids. Anita learns about Whitstable Oysters and Raj detours to hear how thousands of boys became Naval officers in the area.

Anita Manning’s historic big win at the last auction is proving a sticky wicket for Raj Bisram, who’s keen to avoid the wooden spoon. Hope springs eternal as Raj learns about WWII’s Operation Dynamo and the ‘Dunkirk spirit.’  Meanwhile, Anita pops to Canterbury to uncover the story behind the bloody murder of Thomas Becket at the Cathedral.

In a 1964 German DKW 1000 coupe, Charles Hanson and James Braxton’s hunt for antiques starts in the Scottish Highlands. James is drawn to a filthy, yet well-made, kilim rug and Charles uncovers some Jacobean copper ladles. James hears about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s defeat at Culloden, while Charles goes on a boat trip to learn about the Caledonian Canal and the engineering marvel who built it.

Charles Hanson and James Braxton continue their Scottish Road Trip. James hopes a gamble purchase of an expensive Chinese rosewood table will steal him the lead from Charles. Meanwhile, Charles hears how one man’s passion for birds inspired him to be the first human to fly, while James uncovers the story of a top secret naval base and its role in winning WWII.

James Braxton and Charles Hanson are traveling south from Glasgow. James is bowled over when he sees an arts and crafts oak table while Charles is knocked for six after finding some rare 2000-year-old Roman nails excavated in Scotland. James hears why the local beach is connected to the Nobel Peace Prize and Charles learns about a local man who became a pioneering social reformer.

An unreliable classic car has Charles Hanson and James Braxton complete this leg on foot! Charles hears how drovers would move cattle from the Scottish Highlands to market and has a go at it himself. James learns about Einstein’s inspiration and one of the greatest scientists in history, James Clerk Maxwell. And will a charming little lead donkey mean big profits for James at auction in Cumbria?

It’s the last leg for James Braxton and Charles Hanson. Starting in Scotland, Charles dresses in full Highland regalia to hear how Sir Walter Scott reinvented tartan. Meanwhile, James discovers the story behind one of the most intriguing incidents of WWII. James believes silver antiques will steal him victory, but Charles plumps for a little porcelain King Charles Spaniel hoping for big profits.

Philip Serrell and Catherine Southon set off from the midlands in a 1970 Citroen DS20, heading for an auction in Salisbury. Phil spends a lot of cash on a 19th century butter churn, while Catherine finds two attractive 1940s compacts. When they’re not shopping, Phil discovers the roots of lawn tennis and Catherine uncovers the story of how a third of the world’s needles once came from Redditch.

Catherine Southon and Philip Serrell continue their adventure in a classic Citroen. Catherine finds a nice croquet set and a rare 1930’s novelty biscuit tin, while Phil learns how flying boats gave us the word ‘airport.’ Catherine unravels the story of a secret WWII spy unit working in occupied Europe and the team of code deciphers in Blighty tasked with keeping their undercover colleagues alive.

Catherine Southon decides to change her buying strategy, going for more of Philip Serrell’s rust-and-woodworm fare. Phil diverts to the beach and asks a local fisherman if he has some antique chandlery to sell! Phil heads underground to see where miners have extracted Beer Stone for two centuries, and Catherine learns how Bakelite changed the world.

Catherine Southon and Philip Serrell are Road Tripping along the beautiful Cornish coastline in a classic Citroen DS20. Catherine heads to Porthcurno to see the incredible cables that stretch from this little village, along the seabed, to South America, Australia and India. Meanwhile, Phil goes for a ride on a replica of the Puffing Devil -- one of the first steam powered vehicles in the world.

Experts Catherine Southon and Philip Serrell travel through South Wales in the old Citroen DS20. Catherine heads to the Royal Mint and finds out how Sir Isaac Newton revolutionised coins to prevent forgers making a fortune. Phil breaks from shopping for a little lesson in culture at the Bristol Old Vic and discovers why it’s a miracle the building still stands today.

Paul Laidlaw and new expert Claire Rawle are in Northumberland, behind the wheel of a classic TVR sports car. Paul discovers the sporting mecca that once was the Morpeth Olympics and Claire finds out about the female Indiana Jones of the early 20th century, Gertrude Bell. Everything’s rosy until Claire mentions she loves militaria -- Paul’s specialty!

Paul Laidlaw and Claire Rawle begin the day in Sunderland. Claire finds out about the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and military-mad Paul goes giddy when he visits a military observation post in Blyth. And Paul finds some RAF stereoscopic aerial reconnaissance photographs of German U-boats at a great price – but will they make the big profit he needs to clinch the win?

Paul Laidlaw and Claire Rawle depart from Scarborough. Claire discovers the history of big game fishing in 1930s, while Paul sets off on a special mission to rendezvous in a secret WWII bunker. Paul buys an interesting snuff box and a pair of Charles Barlow vases, and Claire picks up an early 20th century spectacle case containing a pince nez and some railwayana.

Paul Laidlaw and Claire Rawle kick things off in Hull. Paul finds a rare 18th century puzzle jug, and Claire hopes some Shelley porcelain will do well at auction. Paul discovers how the port of Hull was vital to thousands of Jews fleeing from Tsarist Russia and Claire is agog when indulging her passion for all things railway by hearing about an early pioneer of steam locomotives.

Paul Laidlaw and Claire Rawle set off on the final Road Trip leg from Matlock in Derbyshire. Militaria-mad Paul hopes a late 17th century hand-forged halberd head will earn him a huge profit. Claire buys a Chinese cloisonné vase and an Edwardian inkstand. Will Claire be the comeback kid and crush the mighty Laidlaw? The pressure is on at the final auction in Stamford, Lincolnshire.