Series 18

Season 18 · 2019 · 25 episodes

Episodes

1Episode 1Stephanie Connell and Charlie Ross travel from Sevenoaks to auction at Folkestone, learning the story of the Kent cobnut harvest along the way.
2Episode 2Stephanie Connell and Charlie Ross travel to an auction at Greenwich, taking in biscuit tins, a milking stool and an arts and crafts mirror along the way.
3Episode 3At the halfway point of the road trip, dealer Stephanie Connell and auctioneer Charlie Ross shop for antiques from Dunstable to Wotton-under-Edge.
4Episode 4Stephanie Connell and Charlie Ross shop for antiques in south Wales, before going to auction in the Worcestershire village of Middle Littleton.
5Episode 5Stephanie Connell and Charlie Ross hit the open road from Sevenoaks in Kent to the east Midlands and finally to auction in Market Harborough.
6Episode 6We're off on a brand new jaunt with antiques experts Natasha Raskin Sharp and Philip Serrell, gallivanting around sunny Lincolnshire in their sporty Sunbeam Alpine. Natasha finds an item that brings back memories of a missed opportunity, one that she is determined not to repeat. Philip has his eye on something that will help keep his scarf clean at mealtimes. But will the bidders have an appetite for their items at the auction? On the road, Philip pops into Grantham to find a very old and hidden library, while Natasha gets her hands dirty building a traditional Lincolnshire dwelling, before heading to an auction at Little Bytham.
7Episode 7The second leg of the trip sees experts Natasha Raskin Sharp and Philip Serrell hunting for the finest treasures that the antiques emporia of the east can provide. Natasha takes a fancy to a rather grisly souvenir, while Philip has grand designs on the makings of a small house. On the road, Natasha takes in the glorious glass of Ely Cathedral and Philip goes fishing for the mysterious creature it was named after, before heading to an auction in Nottingham.
8Episode 8Natasha Raskin Sharp and Philip Serrell are in the Peak District, hunting down treasure in the antiques shops across Derbyshire and beyond. Philip looks for divine inspiration at an undertaker's. Natasha, meanwhile, puts all her eggs in one basket and needs go shopping against the clock - but with the shop closing in less than an hour, will she be able to find anything to take to auction? On their travels, Natasha heads for the hills to hear the story of the ramblers who fought for the right to roam, and Philip goes deep underground in search of one of the world's rarest minerals. But who comes out on top at the auction in York?
9Episode 9Natasha Raskin Sharp and Philip Serrell are Yorkshire bound on this penultimate leg of the trip, rummaging for hidden gems in the antiques shops of 'God's Own County'. Natasha finds a big brassy item in a tiny shop and has to negotiate with a Bond villain in training. Philip visits an emporium in rather grand surroundings and gets his hands on some unsavoury prehistoric lumps. But will they go down the pan in the saleroom? Along the way Philip meets the only trombone maker in Britain to learn the evolution of this fascinating instrument, while Natasha saddles up to discover the history of the rocking horse. Who will be riding high at the auction in Louth?
10Episode 10It is the final stretch of this road trip with Natasha Raskin Sharp and Philip Serrell. They both scour the shops around the environs of Sheffield to find something that will give them the edge at the auction. Natasha goes out of her comfort zone when considering some 18th-century pottery but feels more at home when she spots something from the 1970s. Philip opts for some typically 'Serrell' items, as well as chewing over more prehistoric stuff. He also goes out of his way to prove that chivalry isn't dead. On the road, Philip visits a factory using the world-famous Sheffield steel to make some very fine tools, and Natasha heads to the woods for a spot of foraging and some free food. It's going to be a nail biter at their final auction at Saint Annes-on-Sea.
11Episode 11Anita Manning and Paul Laidlaw traverse the Trossachs in a classic car on the first leg of their adventure. Anita, true to form, is drawn to a cabinet containing a silver brooch, while Paul finds a Nasa space spoon and a very rare stool that a royal derriere may have found comfy in 1953. Away from the shops, Anita travels to a small cottage workshop at Kinneil House where renowned Scottish engineer James Watt developed the steam engine that powered the Industrial Revolution. Paul, meanwhile, tries his hand at coopering and discovers why this ancient craft has endured to this day and is vital to the drinks industry.
12Episode 12Paul Laidlaw and Anita Manning ditch the classic car for a ship and a horse on the next leg of their Scottish jaunt. With the Highlands behind them it's time to head to the islands and Lowlands. Christmas comes early for Paul when he uncovers a festive antique. Anita, though, is caught by the piercing gaze of a former Lord Provost of Kilmarnock and whisks him away. But when it comes to the auction in Hamilton all attention is on one particular find.
13Episode 13It is the third leg of Anita Manning and Paul Laidlaw's road trip. This time they are on the Anglo-Scottish border hunting for collectibles and curios to take to auction in Cumbria. Anita hopes a tiny Victorian mechanical pencil will propel her to a big profit, while militaria man Paul falls for a rather unique sweetheart fob watch from the Second World War in the shape of a Tommy helmet. Paul detours to learn why a butcher and his apprentice from a small town in the Scottish Borders devised a sport that is now a global hit. Also expect a pack of dogs who are arguably the cutest in Scotland - a breed with a fascinating story and an intriguing name.
14Episode 14Anita Manning and Paul Laidlaw's road trip sees them journey further south as they scour the Lake District for antiques. The unlikely engineering of a 1950s children's toy excites Paul, while Anita is struck by the poignancy of a child's walking stick from the Victorian era. Paul is distracted from antiques when he gets to grips with a sausage of the long-coiled variety, while Anita learns about the husband and wife who were incarcerated for their beliefs. Both experts allow their hearts to rule their heads and make some gamble purchases. Will they pay off at the Bolton auction?
15Episode 15Anita Manning and Paul Laidlaw reach the final leg of their road trip. With their classic car pointed to Lancashire and West Yorkshire, what antique treasures can they find? As big fan of hats there is little surprise when Anita splashes out on a deep sea diver's helmet. Paul, however, can't believe his luck when he uncovers a 200-year-old porcelain sugar bowl priced at just ten pounds. With Anita spending big and Paul keeping the purse strings tight, the result of the final auction in Newcastle might come down to who has played the better strategy.
16Episode 16Raj Bisram and Margie Cooper start a new road trip in the home counties. In spite of a slightly unreliable classic car they eventually end up in Bourne End in time for an auction. In a break from the emporia and antiques centres, Margie detours to the opera for a singing lesson, while Raj tries his hand at one of the world's oldest crafts - but will he be 'wheelie' good? Raj sees a profit in some opticians' paraphernalia on which he gambles half his budget. However, when both experts turn up to auction with a boat it becomes a battle for bidders. Who will sail to victory at the auction on the banks of the River Thames?
17Episode 17Margie Cooper and Raj Bisram continue travelling around the south east of England in a classic car. On their antiques hunt Raj decides to plump for a Chinese theme with his purchases, while Margie finds some sunken treasure. Margie finds time to take a trip back to the Bronze Age to learn about an ancient craft that needed a one-legged stool, whereas Raj breaks from the shops to discover the stark truth of returning veterans during World War I. The auction takes place in Woking.
18Episode 18Raj Bisram and Margie Cooper are halfway through their antiques adventure, and they head to East Sussex for their next auction. Once more Raj gambles a three-figure sum on an antique but will the bidders of Battle find this unusual item of furniture as attractive as he does? Raj also attempts to turn his hand to an ancient local craft, with some success. Margie tries to box clever with her purchases, buying a deed box, a tool box and a hat box. She also puts the shopping on hold to visit a vineyard to learn about the history of British viticulture - and sample a glass of the stuff, too. A sudden flurry of bids on the phone, online and in the saleroom make for an exciting end to this leg of the trip.
19Episode 19It is the penultimate leg of the road trip for Raj Bisram and Margie Cooper. This time they rummage through antiques shops along the West Sussex coast. It is Margie's turn to take a gamble on a big-ticket item, and Raj impresses with a magic touch to bag a bargain. Expect a Sherman tank, a jack russell and a mannequin along the way. Margie takes an antique of an entirely different variety for a spin on the Brighton beach front, while Raj keeps his wits about him and dons protective clothing to learn about the world's oldest alcoholic beverage. When the shopping is done, it is time to head to Winchester for a nail-biting auction.
20Episode 20It is the last leg of the road trip for Raj Bisram and Margie Cooper, not to mention their little French motor. This time they start their antiques hunt in the New Forest before heading west to Exeter for the auction. Margie gambles half of her budget on a chic French antique, and Raj opts for an eclectic mix of curios from clothes pegs to a cheroot case, to a rare piece of TV history. Raj also dives into the history of outdoor swimming, while Margie discovers an incredible art collection gifted to the people of Bournemouth. It all gets terribly emotional when Raj recites a poem revealing his love for Margie. However, their friendship is put on hold as the rivals end up in Exeter for the final sale - who will be crowned the winner of this road trip?
21Episode 21Ex-military man and auctioneer Angus Ashworth challenges David Harper to an antiques duel in Braveheart territory. Armed with a nutcracker, a bear and a swan, will Angus be able to fight off David's punchbowl and shooting stick? Bootscrapers and barometers are pressed into service from antiques emporia in the shires of Stirling and Perth as the campaign marches to the banks of the River Tay. And while David visits the most majestic of trees at Scone Palace, where Scottish monarchs were once crowned, Angus heads to Gleneagles to discover the story of falcons serving king and country in the Second World War. This is a battle royal, but who will raise the standard at auction in Dundee?
22Episode 22David Harper and Angus Ashworth continue their Caledonian capers on the Ayrshire coast. While David picks up some tub chairs for a song on the banks of the River Clyde, Angus boards an old tub designed to save World II aircrew ditched at sea. David takes a shot on the golf course at Prestwick, home of the first Open Championship, where caddies, not just gentlemen, took to the fairways. Flying the flag for the working man, Angus digs up some military cooking pots, a pair of well-used mining lamps and a suspiciously large hip flask. After their border raids they retreat to Cumbria, but who will manoeuvre into pole position at auction?
23Episode 23Angus Ashworth puts both his left feet forward in a spot of Lancashire clog dancing, while David Harper reads from a secret diary written in code which reveals explicit details of a relationship sealed in what might be Britain's first gay marriage, 200 years ago. A pact to surprise one another results in things taking a continental turn - David takes up the accordion, a vintage Italian one, while Angus hopes a French pipe in the shape of a cockerel won't go up in smoke at auction. Unsurprisingly, Angus has to go cap in hand to his last dealer to secure a last purchase, intent on blowing his entire stash once again. Who will salvage their fortunes this time as they make their way to a saleroom in Angus's beloved Yorkshire with a boot load of chimney pots, old cases and a galvanised steel washtub? As they say in these parts, where there's muck there's brass
24Episode 24The Yorkshire Appreciation Society continues its tour of the Ridings, from Halifax to Harrogate. New expert Angus Ashworth and veteran David Harper are happy to be on home turf, but they are becoming ever more competitive. David travels local-style, driving a vintage tractor at the David Brown museum, while foot soldier Angus pays his respects to Annie Bindon Carter, a Sheffield artist who created a business employing First World War amputees. While David plumps for a vintage trouser press, scales and a chestnut roaster, Angus takes up the sword and the powder flask as his weapons of choice. Will military might prevail at the Harrogate auction?
25Episode 25It is the last leg for Angus Ashworth and David Harper, and they park the classic VW and go for a walk. Angus takes the pilgrims' watery route over the sea to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, and David Harper hoofs it up the longest avenue in Scotland at Marchmont House. Raiding antiques shops on both sides of the border, they bag some booty in a last-ditch attempt to win the day. With his head full of saints and relics, Angus is drawn to two rather gothic purchases, while David gets in touch with his militant feminist side, snapping up some hat pins he thinks are of Suffragette origin. As they career towards the finishing line at an auction in Alnwick, it is the last chance for them to show what they are made of.